In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai sits down with Corey Brown, Founder of buffaBRAND Marketing, to explore how to build effective brand strategies, the evolving world of e-commerce, and buffaBRAND Marketing’s cohesive, in-house approach to client success. Corey shares insights on staying ahead of Amazon’s innovations, leveraging AI for customer engagement, and handling the growing influence of Chinese sellers in the U.S. market. He also offers valuable tips for ment...
Nov 06, 2024•38 min
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 emot...
Oct 24, 2024•36 min
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 Ali...
Oct 08, 2024•33 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, Sharon sits down with Fredelyn 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 valua...
Sep 24, 2024•30 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, host Sharon Gai sits down with Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter and a visionary entrepreneur. Everette’s journey from launching his first business to steering Kickstarter—a leading platform for creators and inventors—offers fascinating insights into the world of crowdfunding and innovation. He discusses how his experiences as a party promoter and startup founder shaped his leadership style and his current role in empowering new ideas through Ki...
Sep 12, 2024•28 min
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. Join them as they discuss: Jules and Stace's transition from van life to entrepreneurship The origin story of O.M.E. Gear and their inspiration for the product Challenges faced in the early stages of product deve...
Aug 28, 2024•28 min
Inside this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, we are sharing our Head of Marketing, Rah Mahtani's, interview on Carlos Alvarez' 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 fem...
Aug 13, 2024•32 min
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 spo...
Jul 30, 2024•38 min
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 ...
Jul 16, 2024•37 min
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 exploit the current market condition...
Jul 02, 2024•43 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough , host Sharon Gai is joined by Will Ford, the President and Co-Founder of LaunchBoom, a crowdfunding platform for startups. Together, they explore the world of crowdfunding and how it can revolutionize the way entrepreneurs validate and test new products with less risk. Join them as they discuss: Benefits of Crowdfunding Why People Use Crowdfunding as a Validation and Testing Method LaunchBoom's Approach to Pre-Launch Preparation Cost of Launching with Lau...
Jun 18, 2024•37 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough , host Sharon Gai is joined by Ciara Cristo, who is the Brand Marketing Specialist at Alibaba.com. Join them as they discuss: Finding the right suppliers and building relationships on Alibaba.com Preview of the upcoming Alibaba.com event CoCreate 2024 in Vegas on utilizing emerging technologies Impact of personalization on buyer experience Ciara has had a rich career in marketing and is currently a Brand Marketing Specialist at Alibaba.com, where she leads...
Jun 06, 2024•44 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough , host Sharon Gai is joined by Meghan Asha, Founder and CEO of FounderMade, a platform that connects CPG brands with retailers and helps scale the brands. Join them as they discuss: Meghan's belief in the power of entrepreneurship The evolution of FounderMade FounderMade's unique approach to trade shows Insights on the future of e-commerce The importance of vulnerability and intuition Focusing on fulfillment instead of happiness Meghan Asha is the CEO of F...
May 21, 2024•29 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast , host Sharon Gai is joined by Vivek Ranchandani, Director of Digital, and Eric Lee, Growth Manager at Superline Wholesale. Join them as they discuss: The Origins of Superline Wholesale Utilizing social media platforms for marketing Balancing uniqueness and broader appeal in the fashion industry Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and brand-building pillars Dynamics of luxury streetwear brands and establishing a clear identity Vivek is the Director o...
May 08, 2024•33 min
In this episode of B2B Breakthrough Podcast , host Sharon Gai is joined by Samir Balwani, the CEO of QRY. Join them as they: Highlight the importance of resilience and problem-solving as a business owner Consider strategies for growing and scaling brands Talk about the value of collaboration And more! Samir Balwani is the CEO of QRY, a media agency for direct-to-consumer (DTC) and e-commerce brands. QRY enables brands to accelerate their growth and increase their revenue by rapidly optimizing ca...
Apr 23, 2024•40 min
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. Join them as they: Discuss the evolution of B2B marketplaces Dive in into the changing face of B2B buyers Explore the future of B2B marketplaces Shine a light on the role of AI in B2B marketplaces And much more! Mark Brohan is the Senior Vice President of B2B and Market Research at Digital Commerce 360. With a master's degree in journali...
Apr 10, 2024•32 min
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. Join them as they explore: How Alibaba.com is revolutionizing global trade The role of AI in global sourcing and efficiency Future trends in logistics Yikun stands out in the field of global trade and logistics innovation, bringing nearly two decades of industry experience to his role as Head of Supply Chain for Alibaba.com's North American B2B busine...
Mar 28, 2024•30 min
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. Join them as they explore: The challenges business owners experience in cross-border trade How to choose the perfect custom broker for your needs Why businesses must consider cultural differences in cross-border trade How Alibaba.com's logistic services help buyers in their purchasing journeys Yikun stands out in the field of global trade and logistic...
Mar 26, 2024•32 min
In this episode of B2B Breakthrough , host Sharon Gai is joined by Julianna Dahbura, the founder of Deco Beauty, a popular nail-art sticker brand now sold in popular retailers like Urban Outfitters. Join them as they explore how… Deco Beauty transitioned from startup to popular business To build a strong brand and community around a product To establish value of long-term goals in entrepreneurship And much more! Julianna Dahbura is the founder of Deco Beauty, a popular nail-art sticker brand now...
Mar 19, 2024•34 min
In this episode of B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Stephanie Cartin, CEO of Entreprenista. Join them as they: Talk about scaling a side hustle into a full-fledged business Shine a light on building and maintaining successful partnerships Explore how to leverage social media for business growth And much more! Stephanie Cartin is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Entreprenista and co-founder of Socialfly. With over 11 years of experience in the industry, Stephanie has hel...
Mar 05, 2024•41 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast , host Sharon Gai is joined by Matt Jones, Founder of Crease Beast. Join them as they discuss: Reviving 90s hip-hop and sneaker culture for today's enthusiasts Building strong relationships with your manufacturers How Matt's bold innovations found success in Alibaba.com's Ecosystem And more Matt is a seasoned business manager with a proven track record in the retail industry. He was a 2021 Alibaba.com Manifest Grant recipient, success story feature...
Feb 27, 2024•35 min
In this episode of B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Kia-Shun Voltz, CEO and Founder of ShampooTime. Join them as they: Talk about Kia-Shun’s entrepreneurial journey Shine a light on the power of identifying a problem and creating a unique solution Explore the challenges of scaling a business And much more! Kia-Shun Voltz is the CEO and Founder of ShampooTime, an innovative product designed to make wash days easier for parents and children. With a background in supply chain ...
Feb 14, 2024•36 min
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”. Join them as they: Shine a light on the value of vertical thinking Discuss the importance of understanding your core transferable value Unpack fear and how it can impact your response to change And much more! Jason Feifer is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, but more importantly, tells stories in his own voice. He’s ...
Jan 31, 2024•40 min
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast , host Sharon Gai is joined by Mike McClary, CEO of Amazing.com, an online education platform that offers training and resources for entrepreneurs looking to build their own e-commerce businesses. Join them as they: Delve into Mike’s journey from a corporate job to successful entrepreneur Explain why understanding customer needs is key to building a successful brand Shine a light on the importance of product differentiation in a competitive industr...
Jan 19, 2024•34 min
Perhaps there's no more important aspect of sourcing than communication with your suppliers. Good or even great communication can not only lead to great opportunities but also increase the efficiency of your sourcing process. On this episode, host Mike Jackness speaks with Jordan West , CEO at Keep Nature Wild , Founder and CEO of upGrowth Commerce , and Co-Owner of Little and Lively Clothing . They discuss: - 3:27 Why high customer lifetime value matters. - 6:54 Why sourcing from Alibaba.com is...
Sep 16, 2022•42 min•Ep. 3
The new world of post-pandemic work offers businesses all sorts of options to expand and grow. On this episode, host Mike Jackness speaks with Dave Kerpen , Serial Entrepreneur. They discuss: - 8:55 Values and skills of great employees. - 17:39 How the new world of work is shaping up. - 28:13 The role of courage in innovating. - 32:57 The competitive advantage of mastering fear when it comes to embracing change. - 34:34 Why you shouldn’t only choose price when picking a supplier. You’ll also hea...
Sep 08, 2022•38 min•Ep. 2
The pandemic accelerated changes that were already happening across buying channels and supply chains. More and more buyers are expecting a seamless experience when dealing with suppliers and, increasingly, companies are taking a customer-centric approach to their ecommerce strategy. On this episode, host Mike Jackness speaks with Brian Beck, B2B Ecommerce Expert Advisor & Author at Beck Ecommerce. Brian has been in ecommerce since 1999, both as a business owner and executive. He has also go...
Aug 23, 2022•40 min•Ep. 1
You are listening to the Alibaba.com Ecommerce Academy podcast. The official podcast from the team at Alibaba.com. Each week on the show, we bring you conversations with industry leading experts who are using Alibaba.com to build and scale their businesses. These conversations help you understand the state of the global trade industry, the challenges we face today, and how to thrive amidst changing times. Subscribe and be sure to check out our website for more resources at Alibaba.com This episo...
Aug 22, 2022•1 min
The global supply chain model has increased the affordability and accessibility of products manufactured all over the world. Sourcing products in this environment has become a much more complex task than before, and having a handle on the logistics of international trade has never been more vital. On this episode of the Alibaba.com Sourcing Insights podcast, host Kunle Campbell, Co-Founder of Octillion Capital Partners, speaks with Mike Jackness, President and CEO at Terran LLC, about some tips ...
Mar 23, 2022•37 min•Ep. 6
To attract repeat customers, businesses should source their products according to changing trends. Tom Samiljan, Editor in Chief of Dealerscope, joined host Mike Jackness, President and CEO of Terran.com, on Alibaba.com Sourcing Insights. They discuss some of the trending electronics products Tom has written about, and how important it is for ecommerce businesses to pay attention to these trends. A few products gaining popularity, and sourceable through Alibaba.com, include: - 3:04 - The increas...
Mar 16, 2022•44 min•Ep. 5
