Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

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If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Anton Nicholas, CEO, ICR – Passing the Torch: Building on ICR's legacy of excellence in strategic communications

ICR — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 04:30:00 -0500

After serving as CEO of ICR for nearly 30 years, Tom's role within the company is changing. Today, Tom sits down for a chat with his successor — the new CEO of ICR, Anton Nicholas.

After joining ICR in 2012, Anton eventually came to run ICR's consumer practice, and was subsequently tasked with managing the entire communications division. He has over 25 years of communications and advisory experience, having served in several senior positions at leading US and International public relations firms.

Anton joins us to discuss what sets ICR apart in the world of strategic communications, and how he aims to build on that legacy of excellence as he leads the company into the future.

Highlights:

What sets ICR apart? (1:55)
StratComs (5:18)
Why ICR services are critical for management (6:34)
ICR Capital (9:09)
Services for Private Companies (12:04)
Building Culture (14:48)
Case Studies (16:47)
Getting to know Anton (19:23)
The benefit of ICR's network (20:35)
ICR's 3-5 year outlook (23:34)

Links:

Anton Nicholas LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Tara Comonte, President and CEO, Weight Watchers – The Future of Weight Loss: Embracing medical innovation while maintaining personal connection

ICR — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:30:00 -0500

Weight Watchers became one of the most trusted brands in weight-loss by emphasizing the importance of human connection. Now, medications like GLP-1's have completely changed the weight loss landscape, and Weight Watchers has adapted their platform and product offerings to meet the moment.

Tara Comonte became the President and CEO of Weight Watchers in February of 2025 after serving as a director since June of 2023. Tara has over two decades of executive leadership experience across corporate and digital strategy, technology, operations, and finance. That includes serving as CEO of Tomorrow Life Sciences, CFO of Shake Shack, Chief Financial and Business Affairs Officer at Getty Images, and CFO of McCann World Group, the world's largest marketing communications business.

Today, Tara takes us through a whirlwind year for Weight Watchers, and discusses her plans for reinvigorating the brand through innovation, while maintaining their emphasis on personal connections.

Highlights:

History of Weight Watchers (2:15)
Brand Positioning (6:50)
Pharmaceutical Company Collaborations (10:03)
Rebranding Weight Watchers (11:38)
Product Innovations (13:25)
Brand Partnerships (15:39)
Marketing Strategy (17:50)
Weight Watchers' B2B Strategy (20:48)
Using AI and Maintaining Human Connection (22:34)
Outlook for 2026 (24:35)

Links:

Tara Comonte LinkedIn

Weight Watchers LinkedIn

Weight Watchers Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-Founder, Faherty Brand — Coast to Curb: A family-owned clothing brand blends beach-comfort with urban-style

ICR — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 04:30:00 -0500

Alex and Mike Faherty built a clothing brand inspired by their origins as surfer kids on the Jersey shore, and their later years living in Manhattan. And even as the company has grown, they've always tried to stay true to that original vision, and the values that have made them a beloved brand for so many.

Alex Faherty is the co-founder and CEO of Faherty Brand, a family-owned lifestyle apparel company. Since its founding in 2013, he and his twin-brother have built a nine-figure omnichannel business, with nearly 80 stores, a large e-commerce presence, and a robust wholesale business with partners like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and numerous specialty stores across the country.

Alex joins us to discuss the origins of Faherty, their plans for international expansion, and how they plan on growing while remaining authentic to who they are.

Highlights:

Faherty origins (1:46)
Alex's PE Background (5:06)
What is Faherty Brand? (7:21)
Faherty Customers (8:51)
Fashion Innovation (10:16)
Embracing Wholesale (12:06)
Faherty's Retail Strategy (14:01)
Authenticity (16:35)
Sustainability (18:34)
Technology and AI (20:49)
New Product Offerings (22:23)
Competitive Landscape (24:58)
10-year Vision for Faherty (26:34)

Links:

Alex Faherty LinkedIn

Faherty Brand LinkedIn

Faherty Brand Website

The Metals Company LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Brittany Kaiser, CEO, AlphaTON Capital — A Treasury and More: TON, Telegram and the Future of Privacy

ICR — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 04:30:00 -0500

Everyone is clamouring to integrate AI into their businesses and personal lives, but our guest today is concerned that some AI companies aren't taking the necessary steps to protect personal data. Thankfully a privacy-centric option does exist, through Telegram, and today's company is helping to build it.

Brittany Kaiser is the CEO of AlphaTON Capital (ATON), the world's leading technology public company scaling the Telegram super-app, with an addressable market of a billion plus monthly active users.

Brittany is a globally recognized expert at the intersection of digital assets, public policy, and the capital markets. She's spent her career guiding companies and governments through technological and legislative changes.

Brittany joins us today to walk us through her incredible career, demystify the Telegram ecosystem, and explain AlphaTON’s myriad strategies for value creation.

Highlights:

Brittany's career (2:26)
The Telegram Ecosystem (4:23)
What is TON? (9:21)
AlphaTON's Growth Strategy (13:44)
A Treasury and More (19:38)
Brittany's Approach to Risk Management (20:38)
Evolution of Privacy Centric AI (23:40)
The AlphaTON Management Team (27:56)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Tim FitzGerald, CEO, The Middleby Corporation – One-Stop Shop: How one firm's platform services all of your kitchen needs

ICR — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 04:30:00 -0500

Anyone working in the food service industry knows the importance of operating efficiently, providing a quality product, and always prioritizing customer experience. Today's company, with its impressive roster of brands, has solutions to help with all of that.

Tim Fitzgerald is the CEO of the Middleby Corporation, which trades on NASDAQ under the symbol MIDD. Middleby is a worldwide manufacturer of solutions for the commercial kitchen, as well as residential, indoor, and outdoor appliances, and systems for industrial processing, packaging, and baking.

Tim was named CEO in 2019. Before that, he served as Chief financial Officer, a position he held since 2003. Since joining Middleby over 25 years ago, Tim has been heavily involved in company-wide strategic decisions and has led acquisition and business development activities, which has led to their portfolio of roughly 120 brands.

Today, Tim walks us through the impressive breadth of Middleby's offerings, their strategy for long-term value creation, and their ongoing commitment to innovation.

Highlights:

Middleby's Evolution (2:15)
Spinning off Food processing (6:02)
Share Buybacks (10:09)
The Middleby Advantage (12:12)
Commitment to Innovation (14:01)
Sustainability in Kitchens (16:52)
Middleby's go-to-market strategy (19:04)
Food Service Trends (21:29)
Opportunities on the Horizon (23:39)

Links:

Tim FitzGerald LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

A New Year's Message from Tom

ICR — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 04:30:00 -0500

As 2025 comes to a close, Tom provides a recap of the biggest stories in business from the past year, talks about the value ICR continues to provide for clients, and looks ahead to what 2026 may have in store.

Happy new year!

Patrick Horsman, CIO, BNB Plus – Building a Better DAT: How one digital asset treasury is creating real value for investors

ICR — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 04:30:00 -0500

For those who might be newer to the space, Digital Asset Treasuries, or 'DATs' for short, can be a good way to start investing in crypto. Not all of these treasuries do a great job of creating value for users, but today's company uses an innovative model that includes several different strategies for yield generation.

Patrick Horsman is the Chief Investment Officer at BNB Plus, a digital asset treasury company that trades under the symbol BNBX. The company unlocks institutional-grade access to the Binance ecosystem through non-directional yield strategies and long BNB exposure.

Patrick has been the founder or co-founder of several hedge funds and businesses operating in the world of decentralized finance, including Coral Capital, Esoteric Strategies, and Innovation Shares. He's also the founder of Verified Organic, an Ethereum based blockchain application designed to bring transparency and accountability to the organic food production process from farm to table.

Today, we get into BNB Plus' different yield generation strategies, what makes the Binance ecosystem unique, and the general state of the DAT market now that some of the initial euphoria seems to have waned.

Highlights:

Patrick's path into DeFi (2:15)
The BNB Plus Mission (5:48)
DeFi Explained (8:34)
What makes Binance unique? (10:24)
Patrick's BNB Optimism (14:35)
BNB Plus' Yield Generation Strategies (16:14)
The BNB Plus Team (22:11)
Binance's potential impact in the US (24:48)
The state of the DAT market (25:34)
BNB Plus' approach to risk (29:15)

Links:

Patrick Horsman LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Demond Martin, CEO and Co-Founder, WellWithAll – Inclusive Capitalism: Building a business that empowers communities

ICR — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 04:30:00 -0500

In this country, health outcomes are too often dictated by your ZIP code, but one company is working very hard to fix those inequities.

Today, we get into what WellWithAll does, how they're giving back to the community, and Demond's journey from a trailer in North Carolina to CEO of this incredible company.

Highlights:

Demond's background (2:21)
Stories from the White House (3:50)
Working at a hedge fund (5:58)
Lessons about investing (8:32)
The origins of WellWithAll (11:42)
Health inequities (13:54)
How WellWithAll has evolved (15:08)
Getting in with large retailers (17:08)
Sources of funding (18:57)
The Obama Foundation (20:19)
A career in politics? (21:00)
Demond's mentors (22:14)
27th ICR Conference (24:04))

Links:

Demond Martin LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Dan Galpern, CEO, DanceOne – Making Moves: What it takes to build a global dance juggernaut (Re-Broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 04:30:00 -0500

This week, another trip down memory lane as we revisit an episode from April with Dan Galpern, the CEO of DanceOne, who's managed to harness the explosion of interest in dance, into a thriving global brand.

Summary:

We may not talk about them the same way we talk about basketball or baseball players, but make no mistake, dancers are elite athletes. Their training is intense, and the competition is fierce. And with Breakdancing at the Olympics, dance content flooding TikTok, and dance competition shows all over TV, there's never been more interest in the art-form. So how do you take that global phenomenon, and harness it into a global business?

Dan Galpern is the CEO of DanceOne. In 2023, the company was formed out of the merger between Break The Floor Productions and Star Dance Alliance, and it has become the premier producer of educational and competitive dance events, as well as the largest family of dance brands in the world.

Dan joins us to discuss DanceOne's plans for future expansion and growth, and how their global community is raising up the next generation of world-class dancers.

Highlights:

The origins of DanceOne (3:48)
Path from investor to CEO (5:41)
DanceOne infrastructure (6:46)
Building the DanceOne experience (8:11)
The global appeal of dance (9:20)
DanceOne event offerings (10:30)
Growth opportunities (11:43)
The power of dance (15:29)
The DanceOne community (17:52)
Goals for the future (20:00)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Adam Goldenberg, Co-founder and CEO, Fabletics – Form Fitting: How to curate individualized retail experiences (Re-Broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 04:30:00 -0500

This week we're once again dipping into the archive, and revisiting an episode we released in May with Adam Goldenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Fabletics. Adam has been an entrepreneur since the age of 16, and he shares what decades of experience have taught him about building a successful brand.

Summary:

When you're shopping for clothes, there's a checklist of things you look for: you want them to look and feel good, you want them to last a long time, you might want them ethically and sustainably sourced, and probably most importantly, you don't want them to break the bank. In 2011 one active wear company emerged that ticked pretty much all those boxes.

Adam Goldenberg is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fabletics. Adam is a seasoned entrepreneur and leader in the e-commerce industry with a proven track record of building multiple-billion dollar brands. In fact, alongside co-founder Don Ressler, Adam has generated over $10 billion dollars in sales through his company, TechStyle Fashion Group, which in addition to Fabletics, has launched other digitally-native fashion brands like Savage X Fenty, Just Fab, Fab Kids, Shoedazzle and Yitti.

Adam launched his first company at 16, at 19 he became the youngest ever COO of a public company. He joins us to share his thoughts on e-commerce, customer retention, sustainability, and opportunities to grow the Fabletics brand.

Highlights:

Fabletics origins (2:50)
Fabletics' customer base (4:48)
Tech and personalization (5:55)
Celebrity partnerships (7:32)
Membership model (8:37)
E-commerce vs. Brick and mortar retail (11:23)
Amazon (13:54)
Plans for growth (15:27)
Sustainability (19:09)
Lesson's learned (20:58)
What's next for Fabletics (23:19)

Links:

Adam Goldenberg LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Gerard Barron, CEO, The Metals Company – Depth Perception: Harvesting critical minerals from the ocean floor (Re-Broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:30:00 -0500

Today, we're hopping back into the archive and revisiting an episode with Gerard Barron, the co-founder, CEO, and chairman of The Metals Company, who joined us to discuss the company’s plans to harvest critical metals off the sea floor.

Summary:
The Trump administration has made American reindustrialization a top priority, but to do that, the US is going to need access to an abundance of metals like copper, manganese and nickel. The challenge then is to find a way to source these materials that doesn't rely on Chinese supply chains, and won't lead to serious environmental harm.

Gerard Barron is the co-founder, CEO and chairman of The Metals Company, which trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol TMC. The Metals Company mission is to harvest and process metal-containing nodules from the sea floor, providing a clean and abundant source of raw materials for an array of critical industries, like steelmaking and EV production.

Gerard walks us through the evolution of TMC, their groundbreaking tech, and some recent regulatory breakthroughs that have brought them closer to achieving their goals than ever before.

Highlights:

The Metals Company Mission (2:07)
The history of seabed harvesting (3:43)
Land-based supply chains (7:17)
TMC's tech (10:44)
Regulatory roadblocks (12:28)
Defense implications (15:51)
EVs (17:37)
Korea Zinc deal (19:41)
Looking ahead (21:34)
PE Involvement (24:22)

Links:

Gerard's LinkedIn

The Metals Company Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, Joe@lowerstreet.co.

Clemens Stockreiter, Founder and CEO, RE:CIRCLE Solutions – Waste Not, Want Not: Building data-driven circular food economies

ICR — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 04:30:00 -0500

Across the United States, discarded food too often ends up just rotting in landfills. But one company in California is harnessing the power of data to make sure those valuable nutrients don't go to waste.

Clemens Stockreiter is the Founder and CEO of RE:CIRCLE Solutions, a company transforming pre-consumer food byproducts into sustainable animal feed ingredients. He's spent more than two decades leading recycling and circular economy businesses, including as CEO of PreZero US and CFO of Sky Plastic Group.

Today, Clemens joins us to break down how RE:CIRCLE is using science and technology to close the loop on food waste, and build data-driven circular food economies.

Highlights:

What does RE:CIRCLE do? (1:43)
Complexity of organics recycling (2:57)
RE:CIRCLE's Ontario Facility (3:59)
De-packaging (4:57)
California sustainability requirements (5:47)
RE:CIRCLE's TraceOS system (7:19)
Convincing grocers to participate (8:48)
Dealing with different types of food waste (9:43)
'Copy and Paste Scalability' (11:03)
What's next for RE:CIRCLE? (12:37)
The future of circular waste systems (13:34)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Maja Vujinovic, CEO of Digital Assets, FG Nexus – Cutting Out the Middleman: How Ethereum is changing global finance (Part 2)

ICR — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 04:30:00 -0500

Please enjoy the second part of our conversation with Maja Vujinovic where we break down staking, the evolving crypto regulatory environment, and how the emergence of AI could influence blockchains.

Maja is the CEO of Digital Assets at FG Nexus, which trades under the symbol FGNX and specializes in ETH accumulation, yield generation and real-world asset tokenization. She's been a pioneer in financial innovation for nearly two decades and helped shape the crypto industry from its earliest days.

Part 1 came out last week, and you might want to go back and listen if you haven't already, especially if you don’t have a strong understanding of crypto and blockchain technology.

Highlights:

How does staking work? (2:00)
How regulation is evolving (5:28)
Geopolitical impacts (7:57)
How will AI impact blockchains? (11:11)
What it's like being a crypto expert (14:10)
What sets FG Nexus apart? (15:21)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Maja Vujinovic, CEO of Digital Assets, FG Nexus – Cutting Out the Middleman: How Ethereum is changing global finance (Part 1)

ICR — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:30:00 -0400

If you hear words like 'crypto', 'Ethereum' and 'Blockchain' and feel confused, you're definitely not alone. Today, we're sitting down with someone who's been in crypto since long before it became the hot new thing, and getting her insight into how it works, and why it matters.

Maja Vujinovic is the CEO of Digital Assets at FG Nexus, which trades under the symbol FGNX and specializes in ETH accumulation, yield Generation and real-world asset tokenization. Maja has been a pioneer in financial innovation for nearly two decades and helped shape the crypto industry from its earliest days.

Today, you'll hear part 1 of our conversation where we break down what blockchain is, the role Ethereum plays in the decentralized finance ecosystem, and how FG Nexus aims to create value for clients.

Tune in next week for part 2.

Highlights:

Where are we in crypto’s evolution? (3:01)
Maja's journey into crypto (4:49)
What is Blockchain and Ethereum? (8:07)
What makes Ethereum special? (10:36)
How Ethereum is valued (12:12)
Dollars 'on chain' (14:03)
How Maja ended up at FG Nexus (15:39)
FG Nexus' value creation strategy (18:08)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Doug Perlman, Founder and CEO, Sports Media Advisors – Cutting The Cord: Negotiating sports media rights in a post-cable world (Re-Broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:30:00 -0400

It's officially fall, and that means we're deep into the MLB playoffs, and the NHL, NFL and NBA seasons are in full swing. With it being such an exciting time for professional sports, we thought it'd be an opportune moment to revisit an episode we recorded in April, where Doug Perlman, CEO of Sports Media Advisors, demystifies the complex process of negotiating league media rights. We hope you enjoy this fascinating look into the evolution of sports media licensing in a post-cable world.

Summary:
Major sporting events used to be clustered among a handful of TV channels. Now following your favourite team might require subscriptions to a whole litany of cable and streaming services. Which is to say nothing of all the licensed content you'll find spread out across social media platforms. In such a complex media ecosystem, how do organizations even begin to think about licensing their media assets? And how do they calculate their worth?

Doug Perlman is the founder and CEO of Sports Media Advisors. SMA advises sports properties on their media strategies and rights negotiations. Doug has negotiated tens of billions of dollars in rights fees for some of the largest sports properties in the world, including the NFL, NASCAR, US Soccer, and the Ryder Cup, among others.

Doug joins us today to discuss recent trends like the rise of streaming, the popularization of sports betting, and the emergence of AI, and all the unique challenges and opportunities they present for different leagues and organizations.

Highlights:

Doug's early career (3:00)
Working for the NHL (4:40)
Founding SMA (7:53)
SMA's services (9:31)
Negotiating rights deals (13:55)
Cord-cutting (17:16)
Impact of sports betting (18:35)
Women's sports (19:37)
AI in sports (20:58)
Advice for young people trying to work in sports (26:12)

Links:

Doug Perlman LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Jereme Kent, Founder and CEO of One Power Company — High Voltage: Bringing America's electrical grid into the 21st century (Re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:30:00 -0400

This week, we're reaching back into the archive, and re-releasing an episode from back in May with Jereme Kent, the CEO of One Power Company. Given our recent episodes focusing on AI-driven enterprises, we thought it would be a good time to revisit this episode where Jereme discusses the need for a modernized grid to power those projects. Enjoy!

Summary:

The world has changed a lot in the last century, but it might surprise you to learn that the US power grid has remained pretty much the same. In this country, energy is by and large controlled by regional utilities with de-facto monopolies, and no real incentive to innovate. That inertia impacts the entire economy, as industrial projects are starved of the power they need to get off the ground.

Jereme Kent is the founder and CEO of One Power Company. Under his leadership, One Power is trailblazing the creation of the customer-centric power grid of the future. Before founding One Power in 2009, Jereme led the construction of some of the world's premier wind projects. As a field engineer, erection superintendent and site manager, he has overseen more than a billion dollars in wind turbine construction.

Jereme joins us to discuss how and why current US power infrastructure is falling short, and how the One Power model could both energize and decarbonize America's efforts to re-industrialize.

Highlights:

The state of the grid (3:09)
Why we need fixes now (7:04)
One Powers services (9:03)
Vertical Integration (11:30)
Digital Substations (13:54)
Fundamental Industries (15:20)
Sustainability (16:55)
Net Zero (19:45)
10 year outlook (21:02)
Culture of innovation (23:36)
One Power's priorities (25:30)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Ed Nabrotzky, CEO and Co-Founder, Dot Ai – Connecting the Dots: How asset intelligence can boost efficiency and productivity

ICR — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:30:00 -0400

When you're running a large industrial operation, tracking all of the elements of your process to know where they are and what they're doing in real-time, can be a huge challenge. Today, we're spotlighting a company whose revolutionary platform can help solve that problem.

Ed Nabrotzky is the CEO and co-founder of Dot Ai, a company specializing in industrial asset intelligence solutions. Ed brings with him over 25 years of experience in technology development, and has held executive leadership roles at large public enterprises, including Molex and Panasonic.

Ed joins us to discuss Dot Ai's competitive advantage, how AI is changing the game when it comes to asset intelligence, and how their tech helps make companies more efficient.

Highlights:

What Dot Ai does (1:53)
The gap in the market (2:25)
The customers (3:21)
Inflection point (4:01)
The current emphasis asset intelligence (5:51)
ROI (7:09)
The Dot Ai platform (8:36)
Data Security (12:04)
Meeting Unique Client Needs (13:25)
R&D (14:40)
Puerto Rico Manufacturing (16:15)
SPAC (18:49)
Forces reshaping supply chains (22:59)
Misconceptions about automated asset tracking (25:04)
Future outlook (26:10)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

George Tomeski, CEO, Helfie.ai – Paging Dr. iPhone: Using AI to help you take control of your health

ICR — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

In this episode, we get into the fascinating origins of Helfie.ai, the company's groundbreaking tech, and George's thoughts on AI's evolving role in the healthcare sector.

Highlights:

George's professional journey (2:18)
Origin of Helfie.ai (3:32)
The people healthcare is leaving behind (5:45)
How Helfie.ai works (7:28)
Working with healthcare orgs (9:53)
Next steps after disease identification (10:58)
Choosing which diseases to tackle (13:15)
Building the algorithm (14:19)
Partnerships (17:35)
Helfia.ai funding (18:33)
The leadership team (19:41)
Thoughts on the future of AI in healthcare (20:49)
What's on the horizon for Helfie.ai (24:10)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Aimée Lapic, CEO, Hanna Andersson – Growing Up and Showing Up: How rewarding customer loyalty has helped this children's clothing brand stand the test of time

ICR — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

Since the 1980s, beloved children's clothing brand Hanna Andersson has been delivery quality and durability to happy customers.

Now, Aimée Lapic leads the company as CEO and is using her deep experience in apparel, retail, and omnichannel marketing to turn the legacy brand into a digital powerhouse. Today, they're building on their long-standing strengths with innovative products and services designed to give families even more reason to return to Hanna generation after generation.

Aimée joins us to share the strategies, both old and new, that have helped Hanna Andersson nurture decades of dedicated customers, and to explain how every decision connects back to the brand's mission of championing childhood.

Highlights:

Hanna Andersson's evolution over four decades (3:27)
What opportunity did Aimée see at Hanna? (5:01)
Hanna's brand mission to champion childhood (7:12)
Why committing to quality earns customer loyalty (9:07)
Innovations at Hanna Andersson (13:03)
Introducing new fabrics, prints, and styles (15:00)
Turning customers into brand ambassadors (22:32)
Community connection (23:26)
Collaborations and partnerships (25:18)
Up next at Hanna Andersson (27:11)

Links:

Aimée Lapic LinkedIn

Hanna Andersson LinkedIn

Hanna Andersson Website

Syed "Raj" Imteaz LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

John O'Donnell, Founder, Johnnie-O – Up to Par: An iconic golf clothing brand blends 'east coast prep' with 'west coast cool'

ICR — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:30:00 -0400

When John O'Donnell founded Johnnie-O in 2005, his goal was to create a brand that combined East Coast prep with West Coast surf culture. 20 years later, you'll find their surfer logo in golf pro-shops and menswear stores across the country.

Today, John joins us to share his incredible journey from being a walk-on on the UCLA golf team to founding one of America's most iconic golf brands.

We get into the origins of Johnnie-O, discuss the source of their customer loyalty, and talk about their impressive growth over the last two decades.

Highlights:

The opportunity John saw in 2005 (2:05)
John's midwest roots (4:46)
UCLA Golf team (5:50)
Johnnie-O's differentiation (6:45)
The origins of Johnnie-O (8:17)
Distribution (9:28)
Inflection point for the brand (10:28)
Marketing evolution (11:37)
Scale of growth (13:57)
Breaking into women's wear (16:30)
Avenues for growth (17:35)
Tariffs (18:30)
Outlook for Johnnie-O (20:27)
Competitive Landscape (22:15)
Lessons learned (23:13)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Syed "Raj" Imteaz, Head of ICR's Convertible and Equity Derivatives Advisory – Convertibles Demystified: How ICR is helping clients navigate a white-hot convert market

ICR — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Issuing convertible derivatives can be a great way for companies to raise capital, but issuance can be complex and daunting. Today's guest, Syed "Raj" Imteaz, has made a career out of demystifying that process.

Raj is the head of ICR's Convertible and Equity Derivatives Advisory. During his career at ICR, Barclays and Lehman Brothers, he has worked on more than 200 convertible and equity derivatives transactions, totalling over $125 billion in deal value.

Raj joins us to discuss the state of the convert market, the importance of receiving unbiased advice, and the incredible ROI he and his team are able to provide clients.

Highlights:

The importance of convertible and equity derivatives advisors (2:24)
How Raj's team helps companies save money (4:16)
The power of the ICR platform (7:16)
The importance of unbiased advice (11:50)
What's behind the booming convert market? (15:09)
Why some firms shy away from converts (18:13)
Factors influencing the future convert market (20:18)

Links:

ICR Convertible and Equity Derivatives Advisory

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Rhonda Levene, CEO, Ziosk – Check Please: How a pioneer in pay-at-the-table technology uses innovation to boost restaurant efficiency

ICR — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Ziosk's pioneering pay-at-the-table solutions mean that customers at their partner restaurants are never stuck waiting for the bill. And now they're working to leverage their treasure trove of data to boost efficiency and improve customer experience, in ways that go far beyond payment.

Rhonda Levene is the CEO of Ziosk, a leading digital hospitality platform serving major restaurant brands such as Chili's, Texas Roadhouse, and Red Robin. Since joining Ziosk in 2020 and being appointed CEO in 2024, Rhonda has spearheaded the company's transformation into a SaaS driven enterprise.

Rhonda joins us to break down Ziosk's slate of products, their approach to innovation, and tech's evolving role in the future of the restaurant sector.

Highlights:

Rhonda's career path (2:17)
Ziosk's Services (5:52)
The scale of Ziosk usage (7:21)
ROI for partners (8:41)
Pivot to SaaS (11:10)
Leveraging Data (12:39)
Ziosk's approach to Innovation (14:34)
Total addressable market (19:56)
Lessons learned as CEO (21:44)
Mentorship's role in Rhonda's career (22:42)
Finance and leadership (24:46)
Future outlook (25:47)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Ciaran Long, CEO, a.k.a. Brands – Dress Rehearsal: Using a 'test and repeat' strategy to adapt quickly to consumer trends

ICR — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

a.k.a. Brands have seen incredible success bringing their digitally native brands into the physical marketplace. A big part of that success comes from their 'test and repeat' retail strategy, which allows them to gauge and adapt to consumer trends extremely quickly.

Ciaran Long has been serving as the CEO of a.k.a brands for more than two years. He was previously CFO at Samsclub.com, and held other leadership positions at Walmart's e-commerce division, as well as at CBS, CNET Networks and KPMG.

Ciaran joins us to break down the test and repeat strategy, and explains why it can be so effective at minimizing guesswork and mitigating risk. He also delves into a.k.a. Brands' unique approach to influencer marketing, their strategy when it comes to M & A, and the philosophy that will guide their expansion efforts in the years to come.

Highlights:

The a.k.a. Brands portfolio (2:05)
What sets a.k.a apart? (3:12)
a.k.a.'s evolution (4:43)
Expansion strategy (5:50)
Dealing with fickle consumers (8:56)
Test and Repeat (10:55)
Culture Kings (13:39)
Navigating volatility (16:02)
Sustainability in fashion (17:37)
M&A (18:53)
Looking ahead (21:06)

Links:

Ciaran's LinkedIn

a.k.a. Brands' LinkedIn

a.k.a. Brands' Website

Andy Goldberg on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Steve Kislow, CEO, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Controlled Burn: Achieving consistent growth in the restaurant sector without sacrificing quality

ICR — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

There are a lot of different brands fighting for market share in the "polished" segment of the restaurant industry. To stand out, you need to offer great food, at great value, in a great atmosphere. But above all, you need to make sure you have the right people at your side.

And if anyone knows the value of people, it's Steve Kislow, the CEO of Firebirds wood-fired Grills. Since joining the Firebirds team in 2003, Steve has helped open dozens of locations, as the brand has grown from three restaurants in two states to 60 plus locations in 22 states.

Steve joins us to talk about Firebirds' approach to innovation, their commitment to customer experience, and their plans to expand their reach even further in the coming years. He also discusses the emphasis Firebirds places on always hiring the best.

Highlights:

Path from chef to CEO (2:23)
Firebirds' niche (4:27)
How Covid Changed Things (6:44)
Menu Innovation (8:17)
AUVs (11:18)
Price Adjustments (12:37)
Growth Strategy (13:41)
Changes to 'The Box' (15:48)
Growing While Preserving Quality (16:58)
Changes in Consumer Behavior (19:10)
Approach to Technology (21:41)
Evolution of the Corporate Culture (22:49)
10 Year Outlook (24:09)
Favorite Dishes (25:34)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Andy Goldberg, President & CEO, PCH Media – A Winning Strategy: Leveraging data-driven insights to evolve and thrive in a shifting landscape (Re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 04:30:00 -0400

It's been nearly a year since we sat down with Andy Goldberg, the CEO of PCH media, to discuss how the company has successfully navigated more than 40 years of shifts in the media industry. A lot has changed since we spoke, which in a way, makes this conversation all the more relevant. We hope you enjoy, and we'll be back with a fresh episode next week.

Summary:

Longevity in any business is something to celebrate, but when a media company can successfully evolve through several decades of seismic shifts, it's also a huge lesson in the art of pivoting. Today's guest has navigated through 41 years of change and his company has come through stronger than ever.

We're sitting down with Andy Goldberg, CEO of PCH Media. Andy is leading PCH's multi-year transformation as the company continues to pivot from direct-to-consumer retail towards an identity and data-driven advertising business. This includes a concerted effort to attract and hire top media talent to align with the company's new focus. The company is aimed at creating incremental shareholder value based on PCH's unique value exchange and unparalleled ability to generate peer audience authentication, permission first-party data, and tremendous user engagement.

Andy has led the company through several successful evolutions via acquisitions in the online search, casual games, and mobile advertising markets. In addition to being CEO, he's also Chairman of the Board of Directors and a past member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Direct Marketing Association.

Recognized for excellence in the industry, Andy has been honored with the Silver Apple Award from the Direct Marketing Club of New York. He earned a BS in Marketing from the Wharton School at UPenn.

Highlights:

PCH's background and history (3:16)
How Andy got involved at PCH and his path to leading transformation initiatives (4:43)
User base and engagement at PCH (7:50)
The value of PCH's audience and engagement data to marketers and advertisers (9:02)
How PCH partners with clients to help them build their databases (13:24)
The differences between zero, first, and third-party data (14:47)
Andy's take on the discussion around depreciating third-party cookies (16:39)
PCH's marketing collaborations with third-party players (19:12)
The role of AI in the evolution of PCH (20:39)
Andy's outlook on future goals and opportunities for PCH (22:31)

Links:

Publishers Clearing House on LinkedIn

Publishers Clearing House Website

Book: The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Stephanie Pugliese, President and CEO, Duluth Trading – Back to Basics: How a storied workwear brand is righting the ship with a focus on customer needs

ICR — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 04:30:00 -0400

As a workwear and outdoor apparel company, it's imperative that you stay attentive to the needs of your customer, and remain nimble enough to adapt to the demands of an ever-shifting retail landscape. Well, the folks at Duluth Trading are doing exactly that.

Today we're sitting down with Stephanie Pugliese, the CEO of Duluth Trading, which trades under the symbol DLTH. She first joined Duluth trading in November of 2008, and In 2015, she became President and CEO until 2019 when she left to become president of the Americas for Under Armour.

Now, Stephanie is back as president and CEO of Duluth. She joins us to discuss the innovation, customer experience, and brand awareness that's made them a force in the American retail sector for more than 3 decades, and how she plans to double down on those things to keep Duluth profitable in the decades to come.

Highlights:

The Duluth Story (2:13)
Stephanie's return to Duluth (5:05)
Urgency vs. Thoughtfulness (6:40)
Brand Engagement (7:50)
Brand Awareness (9:15)
Solutions Based Products (10:44)
Duluth Portfolio of Products (12:36)
Approach to Innovation (13:56)
Direct to Factory Sourcing (15:31)
Opening new stores (17:00)
Finding Savings (19:19)
Optimizing Inventory Levels (21:10)
Promotions (22:46)
Tariffs (24:20)
Expanding beyond workwear (26:27)
Outlook for the future (28:11)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman, MicroStrategy – The Bitcoin Buy-in: Embracing a New Paradigm of Digital Capital (Re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 04:30:00 -0400

As we take a brief hiatus from releasing new episodes this week, we thought it would be interesting to revisit this episode from December 2024 with Michael Saylor. Ahead of the Trump administration officially taking office, Michael explained why he thought the year ahead would be a seminal one in the history of Bitcoin. Was he correct? You be the judge.

Summary:

With a new, crypto-friendly administration incoming, 2025 may be the year we see Bitcoin integrate more fully into mainstream finance in America and globally. Though volatile, and with an uncertain future that will heavily depend on how macroeconomic conditions and regulatory policies play out across the year, there's reason to believe that Bitcoin could soon be more prominent than ever. Today's guest is here to tell us why.

Michael Saylor is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of business intelligence company MicroStrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR), and a leading advocate of Bitcoin. MicroStrategy considers itself to be the world's first Bitcoin Company, and under Michael's leadership have adopted a unique Bitcoin acquisition strategy with approximately $42 billion in Bitcoin held to date.

In this episode, Michael describes his journey from skeptic to Bitcoin maximalist, emphasizes the importance of understanding Bitcoin as a digital capital asset, and discusses its potential to disrupt traditional valuation methodologies in finance.

Highlights:

Michael recommends resources for Bitcoin beginners (2:37)
Why fear of progress holds us back (3:55)
Michael points out the clues suggesting Bitcoin is here to stay (7:11)
What USD maximalists get wrong (13:15)
How we can understand the potential of Bitcoin through an engineering lens (16:25)
Why valuation methodologies need to adapt to include Bitcoin (18:48)
How Bitcoin outperforms traditional investments (28:09)
Why supportive regulatory environment is crucial for Bitcoin's growth (30:54)
Michael explains why the current capital market structure favors a select few (34:59)
Why sound money is critical for societal progress (39:00)

Links:

Michael Saylor LinkedIn

MicroStrategy Website

The Metals Company LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

John Kiernan, President & CEO, Alico – Growing Oranges to Growing Communities: How weather and disease forced one of the nation's largest citrus producers to pivot to real estate

ICR — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 04:30:00 -0400

In their 125 years in existence, Alico had grown to become one of America's leading citrus producers. In January 2025, owing to adverse weather events and crop disease, they made the difficult decision to wind down their citrus operations and adopt a new real estate-focused business model.

Today, we sit down with John Kiernan, president and CEO of Alico, which trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol ALCO. John has been overseeing Alico's recent efforts to transition out of the citrus industry towards a strategy that makes full use of their extensive holdings in Florida real estate, valued somewhere between 650-750 million dollars.

Going from growing oranges to building communities is no easy feat. John explains how Alico is leveraging their great team, and ample liquidity, to make it work.

Highlights:

Alico's history (2:10)
Alico's land holdings (4:09)
Pivot to Real Estate (5:03)
Florida Population Growth (6:04)
A Diversified Land Company (8:18)
Shareholder Returns (10:35)
Alico's Identity (12:18)
Alico's Role in Development (13:30)
Corkscrew Grove (14:53)
Regulatory Hurdles (17:22)
Entitlements (1945)
Mitigating Risk (22:18)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Gerard Barron, CEO, The Metals Company – Depth Perception: Harvesting critical minerals from the ocean floor

ICR — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 04:30:00 -0400

The Trump administration has made American reindustrialization a top priority, but to do that, the US is going to need access to an abundance of metals like copper, manganese and nickel. The challenge then is to find a way to source these materials that doesn't rely on Chinese supply chains, and won't lead to serious environmental harm.

Gerard walks us through the evolution of TMC, their groundbreaking tech, and some recent regulatory breakthroughs that have brought them closer to achieving their goals than ever before.

Highlights:

The Metals Company Mission (2:07)
The history of seabed harvesting (3:43)
Land-based supply chains (7:17)
TMC's tech (10:44)
Regulatory roadblocks (12:28)
Defense implications (15:51)
EVs (17:37)
Korea Zinc deal (19:41)
Looking ahead (21:34)
PE Involvement (24:22)

Links:

Gerard's LinkedIn

The Metals Company Website

Christopher Ruddy LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, Joe@lowerstreet.co.

Ken Haines, CEO, Wrench Group – Climate Control: How one firm built a national home-services powerhouse

ICR — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

When your A/C breaks down in the middle of summer, you want someone at your house to fix it that same day. And one firm has been able to leverage that reliability into a national home services empire.

Ken Haines was appointed CEO of Wrench Group almost 10 years ago and he has since guided the company to become the second largest non-franchised home services company in the United States.

Ken joins us to discuss his philosophy on leadership, the benefits of Wrench Group's innovative partnership model, and the impact of emerging tech in the home-services industry.

Highlights:

Wrench Group Services (1:59)
Ken's path through the industry (2:40)
Company-owned vs. Franchised (4:50)
Autonomy vs. Consistency (5:49)
Evaluating Culture Fit (7:03)
Customer Experience (8:34)
Covid's Impacts (11:24)
Emerging Tech (13:10)
Recruitment (16:42)
Where does Wrench Group go from here? (19:32)

Links:

Ken's LinkedIn

Wrench Group LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Michael Benstock, Chairman and CEO, Superior Group of Companies – Through Adversity with Diversity: Building recession-resilience using smart acquisitions

ICR — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Investors often talk about the desire for companies to diversify. Well, you'd be hard pressed to find a firm who's done that better than the Superior Group of Companies (SGC), which operates in three distinct buckets: healthcare apparel, branded products and contact centres.

Our guest today is Michael Benstock, the Chairman and CEO of SGC. Michael takes us through the evolution of SGC since its founding more than a century ago, and its successful diversification efforts over the years. We also discuss SGC's adeptness at pivoting, as well as their commitment to service quality, advanced technology, and omnichannel commerce.

Highlights:

The SGC Story (1:51)
Michael's journey (4:40)
SGC's Global Footprint (6:03)
Total Addressable Markets (8:25)
Pivoting (11:32)
Acquisitions (13:43)
Leveraging tech (16:13)
Divestment (19:29)
Philosophy on Capital Allocation (20:34)
Legacy (22:26)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

Christopher Ruddy, CEO, Newsmax – Breaking News: How an independent digital outlet grew into a global multimedia empire

ICR — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

At this point, most Americans will probably be familiar with the media company, Newsmax. Their political slant has garnered the company its fair share of criticism, but their growth in recent years has been undeniable.

Chris Ruddy is the CEO of Newsmax Media, which trades under the symbol NMAX. Chris began his career as a journalist at the New York Post and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review before founding Newsmax in 1998. Since then, it's grown into one of the nation's leading broadcasting and digital media companies.

Chris joins us today to talk about the public perception of NewsMax, the rationale behind their recent IPO and their plans to leverage their massive reach into future growth.

Highlights:

Founding Newsmax (2:06)
Product offerings and reach (3:14)
Political leanings (5:23)
Attracting younger viewers (8:14)
IPO (9:59)
Capital allocation (11:16)
Avenues for growth (12:24)
Podcasting (14:38)
International expansion (15:52)
AI (18:21)
What do investors get wrong about Newsmax? (19:34)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, Joe@lowerstreet.co.

Julie Masino, President & CEO, Cracker Barrel – Leveraging Legacy: Fusing tradition with transformation to drive growth (Re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Back in January, we had on Julie Masino, the President and CEO of Cracker Barrel, who walked us through her strategy for transforming the brand, and gave great insights into general trends in the restaurant industry. Since it's summer time, and patio season is in full swing, we thought now would be a good time to revisit this gem.

Summary:

What does it take to revitalize a legacy brand, while maintaining its identity? By balancing tradition and transformation, any company can breathe new life into its business and consistently evolve to meet the changing expectations of customers and employees alike.

Today's guest is Julie Masino. Julie is President and CEO of Cracker Barrel, a role she took on just over a year ago in November of 2023. Since then, she's led the company with a focus on innovation and growth drawing on her over 30 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries. Previously, Julie served President of International at Taco Bell and before that, President of North America. She's also held senior leadership positions at Sprinkles Cupcakes, Mattel, Starbucks, and began her career at iconic brands like Godiva, Coach, J. Crew, and Macy's.

In this episode, Julie shares her vision for the brand and the five-pillar transformation strategy she is implementing aimed at enhancing market share, guest experience, and profitability.

Highlights:

Julie explains the opportunity she saw for Cracker Barrel (2:58)
Julie's fiver pillar strategy for Cracker Barrel's transformation (4:25)
Why dinner remains a key area for increasing market share (9:23)
What updates are being made to Cracker Barrel's pricing strategy? (12:39)
Improving facilities and team satisfaction (15:44)
Julie highlights the metrics correlated with sales growth (18:48)
Digital and off-premises growth (23:00)
How Cracker Barrel is engaging younger consumers (27:05)

Links:

Julie Masino on LinkedIn

Cracker Barrel on LinkedIn

Cracker Barrel Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Dash Miller, Attitude of Gratitude – From Grief to Giving Back: How one teen is using LinkedIn to honor his brother's legacy

ICR — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Dash Miller may not be a CEO, but like many of the people we feature on this show, he is a true leader, he has a vision, and he's executing on his plan.

Sometimes life forces you to grow up quickly, and that's exactly what happened to Dash. He lost his 16-year-old brother Callum after a five year battle with cancer. And out of that tragedy, dash started a unique corporate outreach campaign on LinkedIn making inspiring and grateful videos about companies that touched his family's life while Callum was in treatment.

Dash joins us to discuss the inspirations behind the campaign and the incredible responses he's received from both individuals and companies.

Highlights:

Callum's Story (2:16)
Dash' work at UCSF (2:58)
Dash' work with LLS (4:08)
Why LinkedIn? (5:23)
Biggest Challenges (7:33)
Nestlé (9:55)
Hasbro (10:50)
What's next? (12:19)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

Stuart Haselden, CEO, Arc'teryx – Built to Last: How authenticity strengthened Arc'teryx’s brand and customer loyalty (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

Back in February, we were joined on the show by Stuart Haselden, CEO of outdoor apparel company, Arc'Teryx. Hearing about his retail philosophy and personal story was absolutely fascinating, so we decided to revisit the episode for listeners who may have missed it the first time around.

You’ve heard it before: "The customer is always right." For many businesses, that’s sound advice. But for premium brands, the road to success often takes a different route. Rather than reacting to every shift in demand, it’s about staying rooted in a philosophy: delivering quality, staying authentic, and fostering relationships that stand the test of time. Today’s guest has fully embraced this approach, leveraging his brand’s strengths to set a new standard of excellence in the technical apparel market.

Stuart Haselden has been the CEO of Arc'teryx since 2021 and brings over 20 years of global experience in retail and premium brands to the company, having worked in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia for brands such as Away Travel, Lululemon, J.Crew, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

His career began in the United States Army where he served as a Cavalry Officer—a defining experience for him that has shaped his views on leadership. It was also the beginning of a lifelong love of mountain and alpine sports, as Stuart learned to ski in the Austrian Alps while stationed in Germany.

In this episode, Stuart shares how Arc'teryx has expanded its direct-to-consumer model while preserving the brand’s authenticity. He explains how a relentless focus on performance and innovation has fueled the company’s growth and set it apart in the competitive technical apparel space. Stuart also talks about the leadership strategies that have guided Arc'teryx’s evolution—and how they’re shaping its future.

Highlights:

Background on Arc'teryx and the road to becoming a premium brand (2:43)
Stuart's history in retail and how he was introduced to the opportunity at Arc'teryx (4:19)
Stuart discusses Arc'teryx's position in the Amer Sports portfolio (7:18)
Competition in the technical apparel field and what differentiates Arc'teryx (8:35)
Stuart describes how Arc'teryx maintains its authenticity while it grows (10:17)
How Arc'teryx evolved from a retail model to a direct-to-consumer approach (13:07)
Current scale of the business (15:15)
Stuart discusses future expansion opportunities (16:55)
The senior team at Arc'teryx (18:43)
Stuart's management style and the leadership techniques he learned from Mickey Drexler (20:37)
Stuart's predictions for retail in 2025 (20:54)
Arc'teryx's unique sustainability efforts (21:54)
How Arc'teryx adapts its retail spaces when entering new communities (23:21)

Links:
Stuart Haselden on LinkedIn

Arc'teryx on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Andy Rothman, Founder and CEO, Sinology – Ignorance is Not Bliss: Why American firms can't just ignore China

ICR — Wed, 28 May 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Given the new administration's tariff policy and the global unease we've seen in recent months, we felt it was a good time to pick the brain of someone who's spent decades studying China's economy and its evolving relationship with the United States.

Andy Rothman is the founder and CEO of Sinology, a consulting firm that provides advice to institutional investors and companies on the opportunities and risks presented by China's economy and on the impact of changes in US China relations.

Previously, Andy spent 11 years working as China strategist for Matthews Asia, one of the largest active US based investors in China's equity markets. That comes after a 17-year China-focused career as US foreign service officer that included serving as the Taiwan desk officer at the State Department in the mid-nineties, and serving as head of the Macroeconomics and Domestic Policy Office at the American Embassy in Beijing.

Andy shares his thoughts on the current trade dispute and the economic situation within China, and discusses what he's heard from Chinese business people and political officials during recent visits to the country.

Highlights:

Andy's history with China (1:57)
The situation within China (4:08)
Exports vs. domestic demand (7:09)
Where negotiations go from here (8:41)
Supply chain impacts (11:29)
The tech race (13:33)
Taiwan (14:48)
Consumer sentiment in China (16:40)
China's demographic challenges (20:07)
China's capital markets (21:19)
Planning for the future (22:45)

Links:

Andy Rothman LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chris Constant, CEO, Getty Realty – No Vacancy: Building a real estate empire, one convenience store at a time

ICR — Wed, 21 May 2025 04:30:00 -0400

When you stop to fill up your car with gas, you might also pop into the store to grab a quick bite, or a gatorade, or that carton of milk you forgot to get at the supermarket. One company has managed to leverage that common retail experience into a real-estate empire.

Chris Constant is the president and Chief Executive Officer of Getty Realty Corp, which trades under the symbol GTY on the New York Stock Exchange. Chris joined the company in November of 2010 as Director of Planning and Corporate Development, and was later promoted to treasurer in May of 2012, Vice President in May of 2013, CFO also in 2013 and CEO in 2016.

Today, Chris walks us through the surprising origins of Getty Realty, discusses developments in the convenience store and automotive sectors, and explains why Getty has found such incredible success working with those industries.

Highlights:

Getty Realty origins (4:50)
What's a 'Net Lease REIT?' (7:07)
Why C-stores and Auto-service? (8:00)
How convenience stores have changed (9:48)
Getty's advantage in the market (11:25)
Sourcing new assets (12:48)
Occupancy and rent (15:07)
Potential for growth in other sectors (16:40)
Uncertain macro environment (18:13)
Impact of EVs (20:25)
Dividends (21:49)
What people miss about Getty (23:32)

Links:

Chris Constant LinkedIn

Getty Realty LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Adam Goldenberg, Co-founder and CEO, Fabletics – Form Fitting: How to curate individualized retail experiences

ICR — Wed, 14 May 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Adam Goldenberg is the CEO and co-founder of Fabletics. Adam is a seasoned entrepreneur and leader in the e-commerce industry with a proven track record of building multiple-billion dollar brands. In fact, alongside co-founder Don Ressler, Adam has generated over $10 billion dollars in sales through his company, TechStyle Fashion Group, which in addition to Fabletics, has launched other digitally-native fashion brands like Savage X Fenty, Just Fab, Fab Kids, Shoedazzle and Yitti.

Highlights:

Fabletics origins (2:50)
Fabletics' customer base (4:48)
Tech and personalization (5:55)
Celebrity partnerships (7:32)
Membership model (8:37)
E-commerce vs. Brick and mortar retail (11:23)
Amazon (13:54)
Plans for growth (15:27)
Sustainability (19:09)
Lesson's learned (20:58)
What's next for Fabletics (23:19)

Links:

Adam Goldenberg LinkedIn

Feedback:

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Jereme Kent, Founder and CEO of One Power Company — High Voltage: Bringing America's electrical grid into the 21st century

ICR — Wed, 07 May 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Jereme joins us to discuss how and why current US power infrastructure is falling short, and how the One Power model could both energize and decarbonize America's efforts to re-industrialize.

Highlights:

The state of the grid (3:09)
Why we need fixes now (7:04)
One Powers services (9:03)
Vertical Integration (11:30)
Digital Substations (13:54)
Fundamental Industries (15:20)
Sustainability (16:55)
Net Zero (19:45)
10 year outlook (21:02)
Culture of innovation (23:36)
One Power's priorities (25:30)

Links:

Feedback:

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Dan Galpern, CEO, DanceOne – Making Moves: What it takes to build a global dance juggernaut

ICR — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

Dan joins us to discuss DanceOne's plans for future expansion and growth, and how their global community is raising up the next generation of world-class dancers.

Highlights:

The origins of DanceOne (3:48)
Path from investor to CEO (5:41)
DanceOne infrastructure (6:46)
Building the DanceOne experience (8:11)
The global appeal of dance (9:20)
DanceOne event offerings (10:30)
Growth opportunities (11:43)
The power of dance (15:29)
The DanceOne community (17:52)
Goals for the future (20:00)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Felix Lin, CEO, HF Foods Group – Signature Dish: Growth opportunities in the booming Asian food sector

ICR — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 04:30:00 -0400

The increasing popularity of Asian food presents many exciting business opportunities, but also some challenges. Many of these specialty restaurants are family-owned, and lack the corporate structure you'll find at larger chains. And a lot of them are located in rural places that make centralized distribution difficult. Servicing these types of businesses requires a personal touch, and a lot of relationship building to understand their individual needs. That makes the barrier to entry pretty high, and creates a pretty large moat around the companies already established in the sector.

That includes HF Foods Group, led by CEO Felix Lin. HF trades on NASDAQ under the symbol HFFG and they are a leading distributor of international and specialty foods service solutions to restaurants, wholesalers and other customers in the food supply chain in the United States. Before taking on the role of CEO, Felix served as President and Chief Operating Officer of HF Foods Group and has been a key part of developing, implementing, and executing on the company's comprehensive transformation plan.

Felix joins us to discuss how HF Foods Group made such strong inroads in the Asian food market, and how they plan to leverage their position in the marketplace, and smart capital allocation, to create opportunities for future growth.

Highlights:

The history of HF Foods (3:17)
The popularity of Asian foods (4:53)
Customer loyalty (5:57)
Product offerings (8:02)
Navigating market disruptions (10:23)
Distribution networks (12:32)
M & A Strategy (14:00)
Outlook for the international food space (17:34)
Strategic plan for HF Foods (20:04)

Links:

Felix Lin LinkedIn

HF Foods Group LinkedIn

HF Foods Group Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jim Clemmer, CEO, AngioDynamics – To Your Health: The economics of med tech innovation

ICR — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Innovating in the field of Med Tech presents a host of unique challenges. Formulating new treatments is a long and capital-intensive process. The regulatory regime for medical devices is extremely stringent. And even if you get approval, you still need to convince doctors that your treatment is safe and effective. But success in Med Tech R & D doesn't just mean profits for the company and it's shareholders, it means new treatments that can dramatically improve or even save the lives of patients.

Jim Clemmer became the CEO of AngioDynamics in April of 2016, the company trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol ANGO. Prior to joining the company, Jim served as President of the multi-billion dollar medical supply segment at Covidien PLC where he directed the strategic and day-to-day operations for global business divisions that collectively manufactured 23 different product categories. In addition, he managed global manufacturing, research and development, operations, business development, and all other functions associated with the medical supplies business.

Jim joins us to discuss AngioDynamics' innovative products that are helping treat a range of conditions from pulmonary embolism to prostate cancer. He also explains how their continued commitment to innovation has set AngioDynamics up for future success.

Highlights:

The AngioDynamics Mission (4:03)
Managing the AngioDynamics Portfolio (5:04)
What sets AngioDynamics apart in the field (6:20)
Meeting real-world clinical needs (7:24)
AngioDynamics products (8:53)
AngioDynamics approach to R&D (12:45)
The impact on patients (15:36)
Navigating regulation in different markets (20:06)
The role of AI (21:35)
AngioDynamics' balance sheet (23:01)

Links:

AngioDynamics LinkedIn

AngioDynamics Website

Michael Halen on LinkedIn

Feedback:

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Sender Shamiss, Co-founder and CEO, ReturnPro – All Sales Are Final: Why returns cost retailers billions, and how one company aims to change that

ICR — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:30:00 -0400

When we experience buyers remorse about an item, what do we do? We return it. Either in store, or through the mail. But what happens to those products after we send them back? Surely they're repackaged and restocked, right? In a lot of cases, no. Many vendors aren't equipped to process those returns, and they can end up being sold in bulk at a loss, or worse, dumped in a landfill.

Sender Shamiss has made it his mission to prevent that from happening. He's the co-founder and CEO of ReturnPro, a global reverse logistics platform that works with the world's largest retailers and vendors to solve the significant problem of merchandise returns.

Today, we discuss the complexity of restocking returned items, the prevalence of fraud in merchandise returns, and how ReturnPro leverages innovative tech solutions to lessen that nearly 900-billion-dollar burden on the retail industry.

Highlights:

What happens to returned items? (3:14)
Why have retailers ignored the issue? (7:18)
ReturnPro's services (8:56)
Working with big and small retailers (10:57)
Recovering value from returns (13:27)
The role of tech (16:22)
Returns ending up in landfills (19:02)
The impact of tariffs (22:08)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Doug Perlman, Founder and CEO, Sports Media Advisors – Cutting The Cord: Negotiating sports media rights in a post-cable world

ICR — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Major sporting events used to be clustered among a handful of TV channels. Now following your favourite team might require subscriptions to a whole litany of cable and streaming services. Which is to say nothing of all the licensed content you'll find spread out across social media platforms. In such a complex media ecosystem, how do organizations even begin to think about licensing their media assets? And how do they calculate their worth?

Highlights:

Doug's early career (3:00)
Working for the NHL (4:40)
Founding SMA (7:53)
SMA's services (9:31)
Negotiating rights deals (13:55)
Cord-cutting (17:16)
Impact of sports betting (18:35)
Women's sports (19:37)
AI in sports (20:58)
Advice for young people trying to work in sports (26:12)

Links:

Doug Perlman LinkedIn

Feedback:

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Mike Aiello, CEO and Managing Partner, Centri Business Consulting – You Can't Unring That Bell: How one firm helps companies get IPO-ready

ICR — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Putting together an IPO is no easy feat. Just getting your finances in order can be a herculean effort. Add in the laundry list of compliance requirements, and it simply becomes too much for most firms to handle on their own. That's especially true for young companies in emerging industries like biotech or AI, where corporate governance may have taken a backseat to product development.

Enter, Mike Aiello. He's the CEO and managing partner at Centri Business Consulting, one of the country's fastest growing accounting and advisory firms. Mike founded Centri in 2011 with a focus on capital markets, transactions and emerging growth organizations. It has since grown from its Philadelphia, mid-Atlantic roots to eight offices nationwide, with around 250 staff providing support to more than a thousand companies.

Mike walks us through the massive undertaking that is IPO preparation, and how Centri guides their clients through that process. He also shares his thoughts on the current state of IPOs and SPACs, and explains why he feels optimistic for the future of capital markets.

Highlights:

Mike's path to founding Centri (3:14)
Centri's menu of services (6:26)
The state of the IPO market (8:34)
SPACs (12:09)
Getting ready for an IPO (13:56)
Working with AI companies (15:39)
Recruiting talent from 'The Big 4' (18:05)
Importance of corporate culture (19:22)
Priorities for growth (21:57)
Upcoming 'Capital Markets Conference' (25:28)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Michael Halen, Senior Restaurant Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence – I'll Take It To Go: How the restaurant industry is reshaping itself in an uncertain world

ICR — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Summary:

It's early in the 2025 reporting season, but new trends in the restaurant and foodservice space are already emerging. 2024 was a difficult year and the industry is still adjusting—navigating the same pressures of inflation, labor costs, and economic shifts, plus some new challenges. Consumer habits continue to evolve, and technology is playing a bigger role than ever.

Today we're joined by Michael Halen, the Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. At Bloomberg, Michael publishes company-specific and industry-focused research on everything from how new government policies will impact business to the shifting demographics that affect consumer behavior. Michael makes frequent appearances as a TV and radio guest and is the host of Bloomberg Intelligence’s restaurant-focused podcast titled Choppin’ It Up.

In this episode, Michael breaks down the biggest takeaways and predictions for 2025. As we enter the new year, what’s setting the winners apart? Which trends have staying power, and what can last year’s challenges tell us about the road ahead? And most importantly, what should restaurant leaders be looking out for to stay ahead of the curve?

Highlights:

Michael's path to his role at Bloomberg (3:08)
The winners and losers from the last few years (6:01)
Regional differences in consumer behavior (7:53)
Impacts of inflation on the restaurant industry (9:22)
The role of strategic pricing (11:41)
The role of AI and automation (16:12)
Make America Healthy Again (18:30)
Recent trends and what they say about the future (23:48)

Links:

Bloomberg Intelligence LinkedIn

Bloomberg Intelligence Website

Podcast: Choppin' it Up by Bloomberg Intelligence

ICR on LinkedIn

ICR on X

Mawson Infrastructure on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Kevin Duffy, CEO, iFIT – The Perfect Fit: How technology is ending one-size-fits-all fitness

ICR — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Summary:

Personalization has reshaped nearly every industry, turning one-size-fits-all solutions into tailored experiences. Think self-serve kiosks in fast food or streaming algorithms curating content just for you—consumers now expect products to adapt to them, not the other way around. In the health and fitness space, where no two people share the same habits, goals, or motivations, personalization is crucial to progress. So why hasn’t mass personalization taken hold in the space? Because it takes more than just offering choices—it requires an approach that adapts in real time and integrates seamlessly into people’s lives. Today’s guest is leading this shift, using cutting-edge innovation to make personalized health and fitness more accessible than ever.

Today, we're sitting down with Kevin Duffy, CEO of iFIT, the global leader in connected fitness. Kevin is a seasoned executive with experience leading both private equity-backed and public consumer-branded technology companies.

Some of Kevin's core strengths include steering organizations through transformative organic growth, completing integrated accretive acquisitions, and delivering superior investor returns. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Economics from Princeton University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

In this episode, Kevin unpacks how iFIT is revolutionizing connected fitness by making mass personalization a reality. He discusses the technology driving adaptive workout experiences, the role of data in shaping individualized fitness journeys, and why the future of health and wellness hinges on meeting people where they are.

Highlights:

Kevin describes the path to his current role at iFIT (2:57)
What iFIT is and what makes their technology and software unique (4:41)
The importance of customization and personalization in health and wellness (7:11)
iFIT's unique habit-forming AI software (9:00)
Kevin discusses the recent NordicTrack partnership (11:03)
Business scale and prospects for continued international expansion (12:53)
Kevin walks us through iFIT's recent software updates and advancements (15:18)
How user data helps enhance iFIT products (18:01)
The management team and company culture at iFIT (19:15)
Major fitness trends to watch in 2025 (20:45)
How iFIT balances innovation with investment (24:10)
Goals for the future (26:03)

Links:

Kevin Duffy on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Rahul Mewawalla, President & CEO, Mawson Infrastructure Group – Full Charge: Developing the energy and infrastructure to power the future of AI

ICR — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

The rapid rise of AI is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, creating both challenges and opportunities for innovation. With technology this powerful, pure progress is not enough. We have a responsibility to be intentional about about how we build it, power it, and use it, to ensure it drives positive outcomes and a more sustainable future.

Today, we're sitting down with Rahul Mewawalla, the President and CEO of Mawson Infrastructure Group, a rapidly evolving digital infrastructure services company that trades on NASDAQ under the symbol MIGI.

Rahul has been a CEO for over a decade, leading numerous technology companies, including household names like Yahoo, Nokia, and General Electric. Rahul has served on the boards of six NASDAQ-listed companies, two of which he chaired. He led San Francisco's Innovation and Technology Program in collaboration with the White House and the Executive Office of the President, served as a Special Government Employee with the U.S. Department of Defense, and was an advisor to Stanford University's Persuasive Technology Lab. Rahul has had a front-row seat to four major technology waves—the internet, mobile, cloud, and AI—giving him tremendous perspective on today’s rapidly evolving landscape

In this episode, Rahul explores how companies are joining forces to address AI’s soaring energy demands—and what it means for the future of digital infrastructure. He delves into the evolving partnership between technology firms and energy providers, the growing role of nuclear and carbon-neutral power in sustaining AI’s expansion, and why cross-industry collaboration is essential for long-term success.

Highlights:

Rahul discusses what initially drew him to digital infrastructure (3:18)
Mawson’s strategic shift from cryptocurrency mining to AI infrastructure (6:01)
Key components and functions in an AI technology stack (8:34)
Rahul's perspective on the transformative AI wave and growing investment around it (11:29)
Rahul describes what the PJM market is (13:44)
Investment in nuclear energy (15:30)
Rahul discusses Mawson’s management team and leadership strategy (17:50)
Mawson’s announcement of a major AI co-location agreement (19:51)
Rahul explains why industry collaboration is essential for scaling AI infrastructure (21:49)
Mawson's total addressable market and maintaining a competitive edge (23:25)
How Rahul balances leadership and innovation (24:58)
The future innovations and business opportunities Rahul sees for Mawson (26:53)

Links:
Rahul Mewawalla on LinkedIn

Mawson Infrastructure Website

Book: Pursuing Wealthspan: How Science is Revolutionizing Wealth Management

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Stuart Haselden, CEO, Arc'teryx – Built to Last: How authenticity strengthened Arc'teryx’s brand and customer loyalty

ICR — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Highlights:

Background on Arc'teryx and the road to becoming a premium brand (2:43)
Stuart's history in retail and how he was introduced to the opportunity at Arc'teryx (4:19)
Stuart discusses Arc'teryx's position in the Amer Sports portfolio (7:18)
Competition in the technical apparel field and what differentiates Arc'teryx (8:35)
Stuart describes how Arc'teryx maintains its authenticity while it grows (10:17)
How Arc'teryx evolved from a retail model to a direct-to-consumer approach (13:07)
Current scale of the business (15:15)
Stuart discusses future expansion opportunities (16:55)
The senior team at Arc'teryx (18:43)
Stuart's management style and the leadership techniques he learned from Mickey Drexler (20:37)
Stuart's predictions for retail in 2025 (20:54)
Arc'teryx's unique sustainability efforts (21:54)
How Arc'teryx adapts its retail spaces when entering new communities (23:21)

Links:
Stuart Haselden on LinkedIn

Arc'teryx on LinkedIn

Feedback:

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Kent Collier, Founder & CEO, Octus – Prioritizing Progress: How Octus built a market leader in credit intelligence by filtering out the noise

ICR — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:50:46 -0500

Summary:

Getting ahead begins with a sharp focus on recognizing problems and finding better solutions than anyone else. But staying ahead requires something more: the ability to adapt, evolve, and lead as the stakes grow. Today’s guest didn’t just solve a problem; he built a system so indispensable it’s reshaped how an entire industry operates.

Kent Collier is the Founder and CEO of Octus (formerly Reorg), a credit intelligence and data provider for the world's leading buy-side firms, investment banks, law firms, and advisory firms. Kent's experience as a research analyst at firms like Millennium Partners, Catalyst Investment Management, Assurant Asset Management, and Babson Capital refined his expertise in high-yield distressed debt and special situations.

As a passionate innovator in data science and generative AI, Kent has put Octus at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies that fuel decisive actions across financial markets.

In this episode, Kent shares how Octus evolved from a niche solution into a category leader in data intelligence. He explains how AI is transforming workflows and shaping the future of data management. Kent also discusses the discipline required to scale effectively and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Highlights:

Spotting a gap in the marketplace and founding Octus (2:50)
Company scale and customer base (4:36)
Kent describes what sets Octus apart from competitors in the field (5:50)
Market runway and growth projection (7:33)
Kent discusses the decision to rebrand the company (9:16)
Bridging Kent’s work in finance with technology (10:47)
Initial challenges when founding the company (11:50)
Kent describes his management style (13:40)
How the team at Octus is implementing AI (16:13)
Kent's short-term predictions for the private equity market (19:42)
Octus' expansion opportunities (22:13)
Kent's approach to M&A (23:32)
Kent talks about the Good Words Foundation (25:32)

Links:
Kent Collier on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jeff "Trip" Tripician, CEO, Meatable – A Shared Plate: Shaping a sustainable future for the meat industry through partnership

ICR — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

In some industries, new players try to shake things up by breaking them down. But in sectors like food, where traditions run deep and habits are hard to change, collaboration can be a far more palatable strategy and can be leveraged to create scalable, sustainable solutions. Today's guest is doing just that, using decades of industry expertise to partner with key players, tackle global challenges, and redefine what’s possible for the future of food.

Jeff "Trip" Tripician is the CEO of Meatable, a Dutch biotech company dedicated to the development of cultivated meat products. Trip is an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in the organic and natural meat industry in the U.S.

He most recently served as CEO of Grass Fed Foods and, prior to that, as President of Perdue Premium Meat Company. Trip also brings extensive experience across the U.S. meat market with deep expertise in the U.S. supply chain, marketing of sustainable meat products, fundraising, and M&A. In fact, at Grass Fed Foods, Trip orchestrated a successful merger between Teton Waters Ranch and SunFed Ranch, which positioned the company as the foremost regeneratively focused grass-fed beef platform in the U.S.

During his time at Perdue Premium Meat Company, he spearheaded the company's growth and premium meat brands, such as Niman Ranch and
Coleman Natural, among others. Notably, he oversaw the acquisition and integration of Panorama Organic Grass-fed Meats and Alexander & Hornung.

In this episode, Trip shares how his background in the traditional meat industry shaped his work at Meatable. We dive into the cultivated meat-making process and the nuances of producing different cuts and types of meat. Trip also discusses the challenges the industry is facing, from scaling production and licensing to food security and navigating regulatory hurdles.

Highlights:

Trip's history in the meat industry and journey into cultivated meat (3:34)
Trip describes what drew him to his role at Meatable (4:51)
Population growth and the increasing global demand for meat (6:40)
How investor mindset in cultivated meat has changed over time (7:49)
The science behind cultivating different cuts of meat (9:53)
Current cultivated meat projects and innovations at Meatable (12:04)
Meatable's business model and how it has evolved (14:26)
Public reception to cultivated meat and industry hurdles (17:57)
Trip describes the value of spreading awareness and education about cultivated meat (22:39)
Future scalability and current field economics (25:16)

Links:
Jeff Tripician on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chuck Davis, Chairman & CEO, Prodege – Data Done Differently: Building a consumer insights platform that thrives through change

ICR — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

When it comes to running a business, data insights are invaluable, but that data has to come with meaningful action. You need to be willing to evolve alongside your customers and constantly refine your approach to meet their needs. Today’s guest has mastered this balance, building a platform that drives engagement, growth, and innovation at scale.

Today, we're sitting down with Chuck Davis, Chairman and CEO of Prodege. Chuck's business journey began by creating a sports newsletter in middle school that caught the attention of NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. He went on to earn degrees from Brown University and then Harvard Business School. Afterward, he embarked on a career that would shape the digital landscape. Chuck started in publishing, working for Time, Inc. and TV Guide before becoming the Walt Disney Company's first President of E-Commerce in 1996, where he launched pivotal online platforms like Disneystore.com and ESPNstore.com.

Chuck's career progressed as he led Shopzilla, formerly known as Bizrate.com, through its acquisition in 2005 and transformed Fandango into a leading entertainment website. For the last 10 years, he has built Prodege into a cutting-edge marketing and consumer insights platform.

In this episode, Chuck explores how adaptability and customer focus have shaped Prodege’s success, from harnessing gamification to leveraging AI for innovation. He also shares his approach to leading through change and building a company culture that drives lasting impact.

Highlights:

Chuck remembers the early days of the internet and the digitalization of brands (3:18)
Prodege's background, and what makes their platform unique (6:54)
Prodege's approach to data privacy (11:07)
Chuck's strategy for navigating business cycles and economic fluctuation (12:17)
Chuck describes Prodege's current platform features and how the site has evolved (14:56)
How Prodege adapts alongside changing data regulations (16:30)
How Prodege maintains quality in their consumer insights (19:36)
Chuck discusses how Prodege is incorporating AI into their platform internally and externally (21:07)
Current innovations and plans for the future of the platform (23:30)
Growth and acquisition opportunities (25:43)
How Prodege maintains company culture amid acquisitions and expansion (27:33)

Links:
Chuck Davis on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jay Jackson, Chairman & CEO, Abacus Life – Life by the Numbers: Turning life insurance policies into powerful financial tools

ICR — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Innovation often starts with asking tough questions, like: What if the systems we’ve always relied on aren’t equipped to handle today's complexities? By leveraging data and challenging outdated assumptions, new possibilities are arising in unexpected industries.

Today, we're sitting down with Jay Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Abacus Life, which trades under the symbol ABL. Jay joined Abacus Settlements in 2016 as President and Chief Executive Officer and has also served as CEO of Longevity Market Assets since June 2019.

He serves as a current member of the Orlando Mayor's Committee on Livability and as an Executive Board Member for the Senior Resource Alliance, an agency of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Jay began his career at Franklin Templeton Investments, and prior to joining Abacus, he co-founded and managed the Fayerweather Street Life Fund, as well as the Cambridge Life Management origination platform for FDO Partners, a three billion quantitative investment firm founded by Harvard Business School professor Ken Froot.

With over 20 years of experience in the financial services and life settlement industry, Jay is not only a pioneer in the life settlement and longevity industry but has also formed multiple verticals within that umbrella.

In this episode, we explore how Jay Jackson and Abacus Life are transforming life insurance into a powerful financial empowerment tool, offering policyholders and their loved ones newfound flexibility. He'll also tell us how Abacus is leveraging data to unlock hidden value and drive innovation across the longevity market.

Highlights:

Abacus' background and mission (3:05)
The total addressable market for Abacus in life insurance (4:14)
Market competition and key business differentiators (6:10)
Abacus' target audience and customer profiles (8:12)
Abacus Life's business model and how it has evolved (9:49)
Jay describes Abacus' technology platform and the value of data collection (12:11)
How data insights will unlock opportunities for innovation and efficiency in the field (16:03)
How life insurance policies will change if human lifespans increase (17:50)
Jay describes the benefits of taking Abacus public (21:19)
The senior team at Abacus Life (23:24)
Future goals at Abacus and balancing growth with M&A (25:44)

Links:
Jay Jackson LinkedIn

Abacus Life on LinkedIn

Abacus Life Website

Book: Connecting to the Future by Mohammed Alardhi (2023)

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Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman, Investcorp — Scaling New Heights: Empowering Teams to Achieve Global Success

ICR — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

In business, leadership isn’t just about taking charge — it’s about enabling others to thrive. As companies grow and stakes rise, fostering trust and collaboration becomes essential. Today’s guest has embraced a leadership style rooted in empowerment, driving innovation, and turning ambitious visions into tangible success.

Today we're sitting down with Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, a leading global manager of alternative investments. Under his leadership, Investcorp has grown its assets under management from 10 billion to 53 billion in just nine years, all while diversifying and expanding its global footprint.

Mohammed leads the firm's activities across its global network in New York, London, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Mumbai, Delhi, Beijing, Singapore, and Japan. He is a retired Air Vice Marshal and was the youngest and longest-serving Chief of the Omani Air Force, having joined the Royal Air Force of Oman in 1978.

In addition to his role at Investcorp, Mohammed also serves as Chairman of the Muscat Stock Exchange. He sits on several boards, including the International Advisory Board of the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., the Eisenhower Fellowship in Philadelphia, The World Economic Forum's Community of Chairpersons, and the Harvard Kennedy School's Dean Council, among others. Mohammed is the author of three published books, the most recent is Connecting to the Future, which became a U.S. bestseller in 2023.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Science from the Royal Air Force U.K. Staff College and a Master's in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is also a graduate of the Royal Air Force Military Academy in the U.K. and the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

In this episode, we discuss how Mohammed redefined his leadership style at Investcorp, blending military precision with visionary strategy to scale operations, foster innovation, and create lasting impact on a global stage.

Highlights:

How Mohammed spearheaded Investcorp's transformation plan (5:36)
Mohammed describes his military experience and how it informs his approach to business (7:47)
Situational awareness, and its application to work environments (9:39)
How Mohammed views investment decisions on a global scale (11:27)
Mohammed's leadership style (12:21)
How challenging the status quo helped Investcorp set growth and transformation goals (13:50)
What Mohammed has learned from navigating high-profile deals (17:58)
How to balance short-term results with long-term strategic planning (19:15)
Breaking free of nostalgia in business (20:40)
How the Investcorp team maintained internal stability amid substantial growth (22:34)
Navigating cultural and economic environments on a global scale (25:19)
Investcorp's outlook and goals for 2025 (26:27)
Incorporating AI into Investcorp workflows (29:33)
Investcorp's influence on corporate social responsibility (30:37)

Links:
Mohammed Alardhi LinkedIn

Investcorp on LinkedIn

Investcorp Website

Kate Doerge Consulting Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Kate Doerge, Principal, Kate Doerge Consulting – The Branding Blueprint: Aligning Strategy, Storytelling, and Authenticity

ICR — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Branding used to be as simple as product packaging. But today, it’s woven into every touchpoint — from social media and customer service to in-store experiences. With more opportunities than ever to connect, brands face the challenge of creating a unified, authentic experience that not only stands out but also stays true to their core identity. Our guest today is helping brands forge deeper, more meaningful connections with their customers...connections that last.

Kate Doerge is Principal at Kate Doerge Consulting and Operating Partner at Traub, a global business development, advisory, and investment firm focused on the consumer and retail industries. Kate works with her colleagues at Traub on all aspects of brand strategy and optimization across domestic and global markets.

Kate is a dynamic business leader, brand strategist, and trusted advisor driving organizational transformation and delivering impactful results. As an experienced brand marketing consultant, Kate champions innovation and optimizes brand performance to generate value for stakeholders. Her clients have included L'Oreal, H&M, Kate Spade, TAG Heuer, and Oscar de la Renta, among others.

Previously, Kate was Head of Marketing at iStar New York, leading iStar's branding and communications efforts. She launched the firm's first marketing department to drive awareness and also helped iStar play a central role in revitalizing Asbury Park, New Jersey with the Asbury Park Now brand campaign.

Prior to that, Kate was a partner at Paul Wilmot Communications, where she led the firm's fashion, beauty and wellness, accessories, culture, and lifestyle divisions. In 2015, Kate was appointed Vice Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Hospital for Special Surgery. She sits on the HSS Pediatric Council, and for the past 16 years, she has Co-chaired HSS's most successful fundraiser for the Pediatric Pavilion, raising more than 25 million to date.

She also sits on the Board and acts as a Strategic Advisor for the Penny Doerge Adaptive Pediatric Academy and is Co-founder and CEO of Penny's Flight Foundation dedicated to raising awareness and funding for neurofibromatosis, launched in honor of Kate and her husband Chad's daughter, Penny, who passed away from this condition in November of 2022.

In this episode, we explore how Kate Doerge is helping brands stand out by balancing authenticity with innovation, aligning messaging across platforms, and leveraging storytelling to create lasting connections in a rapidly evolving market.

Highlights:

Kate's path into public relations and consulting (4:03)
Memorable client experiences at Traub (9:48)
Kate describes the Traub team (11:59)
How Kate aligns brand strategies across entire teams (13:32)
Challenges brands face when adapting their branding digitally (14:37)
How Kate stays on top of trends and innovations (15:51)
Adapting to trends while remaining authentic (18:20)
How Kate's work at Traub informs her consulting business (20:05)
Kate's philanthropic work and 'Penny's Flight Foundation' (22:24)

Links:

Kate Doerge on LinkedIn

Penny's Flight Foundation

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Julie Masino, President & CEO, Cracker Barrel – Leveraging Legacy: Fusing tradition with transformation to drive growth

ICR — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

In this episode, Julie shares her vision for the brand and the five-pillar transformation strategy she is implementing aimed at enhancing market share, guest experience, and profitability.

Highlights:

Julie explains the opportunity she saw for Cracker Barrel (2:58)
Julie's fiver pillar strategy for Cracker Barrel's transformation (4:25)
Why dinner remains a key area for increasing market share (9:23)
What updates are being made to Cracker Barrel's pricing strategy? (12:39)
Improving facilities and team satisfaction (15:44)
Julie highlights the metrics correlated with sales growth (18:48)
Digital and off-premises growth (23:00)
How Cracker Barrel is engaging younger consumers (27:05)

Links:

Julie Masino on LinkedIn

Cracker Barrel on LinkedIn

Cracker Barrel Website

Book: The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous

Feedback:

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Tom Ryan, Founder & CEO, ICR – New Year, New Outlook: Welcome to the Arena's 2024 Year-End Wrap-Up

ICR — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

This year, news cycles were dominated by American election coverage, groundbreaking advancements in AI, and distressing updates on global conflicts. After a year marked by uncertainty on so many fronts, will 2025 see a leveling out of the macroeconomic landscape, or persistent volatility? On this brief, end-of-year episode, Tom Ryan, founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena reflects on the key market trends of 2024 and explores the potential economic shifts that could define the year ahead.

Happy new year from everyone at ICR and Welcome to the Arena. Watch out for new episodes and more incredible stories from our guests in 2025.

Links:

Feedback:

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Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman, MicroStrategy – The Bitcoin Buy-in: Embracing a New Paradigm of Digital Capital

ICR — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Michael will also be the keynote speaker in ICR's 27th annual conference, held in Orlando, Florida in January 2025.

Highlights:

Michael recommends resources for Bitcoin beginners (2:37)
Why fear of progress holds us back (3:55)
Michael points out the clues suggesting Bitcoin is here to stay (7:11)
What USD maximalists get wrong (13:15)
How we can understand the potential of Bitcoin through an engineering lens (16:25)
Why valuation methodologies need to adapt to include Bitcoin (18:48)
How Bitcoin outperforms traditional investments (28:09)
Why supportive regulatory environment is crucial for Bitcoin's growth (30:54)
Michael explains why the current capital market structure favors a select few (34:59)
Why sound money is critical for societal progress (39:00)

Links:

Michael Saylor LinkedIn

MicroStrategy Website

Steakholder Foods on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Arik Kaufman, Co-Founder & CEO, Steakholder Foods – Meat the Future: Leading Innovation in Plant-based Meat for a Sustainable Tomorrow

ICR — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

With a rising global population and growing urgency around sustainability, one industry under the spotlight is cultured meat. Vegan and plant-based products have made strides in recent years, but today’s guest is pushing that progress further—pioneering new ways to create sustainable alternatives without compromise.

Arik Kaufman is an accomplished entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of Steakholder Foods. Armed with strong values and a clear vision
of how to approach urgently-needed changes in the food industry, Arik set out to develop printed meat in 2019, resulting in a more sustainable and authentic alternative to conventional meat.

Today, with its innovative 3D food printing technology, Steakholder is at the forefront of this growing industry. Arik has also founded three other food-tech firms, two of them (cell-grown milk developer Wilk and cultured honey company Beeio Honey) on the Tel Aviv stock exchange, and is a founding partner of Blue Sound Waves, an investment partnership led by Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary, and Effie Epstein.

In this episode, we explore how Steakholder Foods is shaping a future where alternative proteins and traditional meat coexist, and what it will take for cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing to gain widespread adoption in a rapidly evolving market.

Highlights:

The impact of a growing population and climate change on the cultured meat industry (4:36)
How 3D printing meat works, and what makes Steakholder's approach unique (6:42)
The importance of IP and in-house innovation at Steakholder Foods (8:50)
Steakholder Foods' business model (10:05)
Steakholder's customer base and target audiences (11:19)
The status of regulation with cultured meat technology (15:25)
Differences between 3D printing variances of cultured meat (18:08)
Arik speaks on the potential for international expansion (19:35)
Arik discusses collaborations and partnerships in the food industry (22:42)
Arik reflects on lessons learned working in food tech (23:49)
What Arik is most excited about at Steakholder, and plans for the future (24:46)

Links:

Arik Kaufman on LinkedIn

Steakholder Foods Website

WHY Brands Inc. on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Steve Dunn, CEO & Diana 'DB' Barnes, Chief Brand Officer, WHY Brands – Better Together: Building stronger futures with unified strategies

ICR — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

In today’s market, too often brands find themselves caught up in chasing trends, losing sight of the path to long-term growth. Today’s guests are breaking that cycle by taking a customer-first approach, turning insights into action, and aligning multiple brands under one clear vision.

Today we're sitting down with Steve Dunn and Diana "DB" Barnes from WHY Brands. Steve is WHY's CEO, founder, and Chairman and Diana is Chief Brand Officer and Creative Director of the company. WHY Brands is the parent company of baby lifestyle brand Munchkin, which Steve founded in 1990, as well as a new name in upscale home goods, Curio, which was co-founded by DB and Steve in 2023.

A young father himself at Munchkin's start, Steve aspired to bring smart design into the nursery and found his passion in innovative product development and is now the primary inventor of the majority of over 350 patents. An investment banker turned entrepreneur, Steve holds a Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

As Chief Brand Officer, DB oversees global brand partnerships and manages the public relations, social media, and brand design teams for Munchkin and Curio Worldwide. She joined Munchkin in 2014 and under her leadership the brand design team has won over a hundred top international awards.

She's the creator and producer of Munchkin's top-ranked parenting podcast, StrollerCoaster, and was recently named one of the top 20 CMOs in the world by Fast Company. DB is a passionate advocate for animals and the environment, and leads all Munchkin CSR initiatives, including partnerships with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Trees for the Future.

Diana holds a BA from the University of Tennessee, a BFA in Graphics Packaging from the ArtCenter College of Design, and has completed several executive MBA programs at Harvard Business School.

In this episode, we learn how WHY Brands' "moonshot" culture fuels its innovation, and why paying attention to your customers should always be a priority.

Highlights:

Steve's business background and path to founding Munchkin (3:50)
Steve describes the early days of the baby and children's market, and initial hurdles at Munchkin (5:20)
DB talks through the founding of Curio Home Goods (7:08)
The inspiration behind the creation of WHY Brands (8:22)
DB discusses the unique 'moonshot culture' at WHY Brands (9:35)
WHY Brands' RD8 Group and how they innovate for the future (10:40)
DB on the importance of connecting with the consumer beyond advertising (15:03)
Potential M&A opportunities at WHY Brands (17:31)
Hot to stay on top of evolving trends and maintains brand relevancy (19:59)
Standout products from Curio and Munchkin (22:59)
WHY Brands' philanthropic initiatives (24:44)
Steve's advice for navigating rocky climates in business (26:22)
DB reflects on career challenges she has overcome (28:13)

Links:

WHY Brands Inc. Website

Diana Barnes on LinkedIn

StrollerCoaster Podcast

Feedback:

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Lyndon Park, Managing Partner, Global ESG Advisory & Shareholder Activism, ICR – Boardroom Balancing Act: Governance, ESG, and Shareholder Power (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Navigating the intricate landscape of ESG and shareholder activism requires a deep understanding of both market dynamics and investor expectations. That's why expert guidance is indispensable for companies looking to build lasting value and trust with their stakeholders.

Today we're sitting down with Lyndon Park, Head of ICR Governance Solutions. Lyndon advises boards and management teams on complex corporate governance, ESG and shareholder activist event-driven issues to align clients with investor and market expectations.

Before joining ICR, Lyndon was Head of Global Corporate Governance at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he oversaw the firm's global stewardship and ESG initiatives. Prior to Dimensional, Lynden was a partner and Head of Governance and Listing Standards at EQX, a capital market startup. He began his career in governance at BlackRock by supporting BlackRock's board of directors on intercompany governance matters before serving as one of the BlackRock Investment Stewardship teams' lead governance analysts, overseeing portfolio companies representing about $450B of BlackRock's AUM.

Lyndon is a recognized thought leader in ESG and shareholder activism, frequently participates on panels, and his perspectives have been published or quoted in numerous leading media outlets like the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.

Highlights:

Takeaways from the 2024 proxy season (3:25)
What companies can do differently to avoid Executive comp challenges (6:00)
What companies can do differently when under duress during proxy season (8:58)
Lyndon discusses the effects of the Universal Proxy Card (11:45)
Lyndon discusses MNA-driven attacks (16:06)
Examining the recent Starbucks ESG activist campaign (17:25)
The current anti-ESG movement, and Lyndon's take (19:24)
Lyndon's advice on easy wins in ESG strategy in this moderating DEI climate (21:50)
Lyndon shares what he sees on the horizon in 2025 (25:05)
How the best boards and management teams tackle this landscape (28:17)

Links:

Lyndon Park on LinkedIn

Frantz Saintellemy on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Frantz Saintellemy, CEO, LeddarTech – Paving the Way: Revolutionizing automotive safety through unified, scalable software

ICR — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Every industry has its trailblazers, but true innovation goes beyond just patents and profits. Today’s guest understands that collaboration and flexibility aren’t just ideals—they’re essential to creating safer, smarter technologies that drive progress across an entire ecosystem.

Frantz Saintellemy is the CEO of LeddarTech, an automotive ADAS and autonomous driving software company, trading under the symbol LDTC. As an engineer, innovator, and internationally recognized expert in advanced technology, Frantz brings over 25 years of experience in the electronics and automotive sectors.

Frantz is the co-founder of Groupe 3737, an incubator and innovation hub, and previously served as VP and General Manager of the Automotive and Industrial Division at Integrated Device Technology. His remarkable career includes roles as President and Executive VP of Global Sales and Marketing at ZMDI AG, a global supplier of automotive and industrial sensor solutions, and as CTO and Corporate VP of Technical Marketing and Advanced Engineering at Future Electronics.

A graduate of the MIT Sloan Engineering Fellows Program on Innovations and Global Leadership with a degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern and an MBA from McGill, Frantz's expertise has a firm academic foundation. And, in 2021, he was appointed Chancellor of the University of Montreal, underscoring his commitment to both innovation and education.

In this episode, we explore LeddarTech’s approach to innovation and IP, how LeddarTech’s technology is differentiated, and what the future of autonomous driving looks like for all of us.

Highlights:

LeddarTech's background and how their software works (3:32)
Common automobile safety problems and what software can do to help (7:46)
LeddarTech's target audience (10:52)
How LeddarTech protects their software innovations through IP (14:00)
Frantz's perspective on market competition (15:52)
AI incorporation and current software developments (19:06)
Common misconceptions about ADAS safety systems (20:40)
Frantz's outlook on short-term developments in automotive technology (22:20)
Future goals for LeddarTech (25:04)

Links:

LeddarTech on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Dale Schwartz, Founder & CEO, Pinstripes – Holistic Hospitality: Widening market appeal with curated experiences and exceptional quality

ICR — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Driven by pandemic restrictions and changing lifestyles, social isolation is on the rise in America. In response, many people are searching for new ways to connect and share meaningful experiences together. Bars, restaurants, and entertainment spaces have a unique opportunity to help fill this void, but too many venues leave potential markets untapped by prioritizing some aspects of their offering at the expense of others. Today’s guest, however, has come up with a winning formula: a blend of thoughtful design, engaging entertainment, and stand-out dining that appeals to customers across generations and backgrounds.

Today we sit down with Dale Schwartz, the founder and CEO of the bowling and bocce restaurant Pinstripes, which trades under the symbol PNST. Prior to Pinstripes, Dale was co-Founder and co-CEO of natural pharmacy retailer Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, CEO of Infigen, Inc., and CFO of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Earlier in his career, he was a principal at Odyssey Partners, a private partnership specializing in leveraged buyouts, venture capital, and recapitalizations. He got is start as an analyst in Morgan Stanley's M&A group, attended Colgate University, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

In this episode, Dale talks us through Pinstripes' unique approach to experience curation, their considerations when it comes to real estate, and discusses their plans for domestic growth and international expansion.

Highlights:

Pinstripes' story and background (3:05)
How Pinstripes got its name (4:10)
Dan's outlook on the early days in the dining and entertainment industry (5:02)
Pinstripes' interior design and the importance of atmosphere (6:33)
Pinstripes' menu, and finding balance between food and entertainment (8:57)
How Dale chooses new locations for Pinstripes (10:27)
Pinstripes economic model for food, drink, and entertainment (12:16)
Dale's outlook on the private event space (14:17)
Growth and expansion goals (15:25)
Dale discusses the influence landlord incentives have on costs and returns (18:08)
Potential for international expansion (20:00)
Dale's approach to the current macro environment and rising costs (21:40)
What future success looks like for Pinstripes (23:46)

Links:

Pinstripes on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Roshan Pujari, Founder & CEO, Stardust Power – Powering Progress: Refining lithium production with sustainable practices and American innovation

ICR — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Summary:

There's a growing call for clean energy solutions in America, and our guest today is ready to answer it. With an unpredictable geopolitical landscape and US lithium demands projected to skyrocket over 500% by 2030, now is the time for American innovation in the outdated lithium refinement industry. Today’s guest is leading this charge, modernizing an industry long overdue for and upgrade with a commitment to environmental responsibility and smarter, sustainable practices.

Roshan Pujari is the founder and CEO of Stardust Power, a sustainability-focused, American developer of battery grade lithium resources, which lists on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol SDST. Currently, the company is focused on building 'the U.S.’s largest battery-grade lithium refinery' in Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is expected to process up to 50,000 metric tons of lithium annually (enough to power almost five million electric vehicle (EV) batteries every year).

Previously serving as founder and CEO of VIKASA Capital, Roshan brought over 20 years of experience in market analysis with him to Stardust. He is a recognized investor and philanthropist, and is chairman of the Pujari foundation, a 501(c)(3) educational organization promoting arts, culture, education, and community around the globe.

In this episode, Roshan discusses the strategic advantages of the location chosen for their Oklahoma refinery, and outlines the sustainable practices, including the use of recycled wastewater from oil and gas production, at the core of Stardust's business model.

Highlights:

Roshan's path to the energy industry (3:00)
Stardust Power's Oklahoma refinery project (4:15)
Roshan describes the lithium supply chain (5:21)
What are the advantages to keeping lithium production domestic? (7:22)
Roshan describes the strategic advantages of building the refinery in Oklahoma (9:28)
How do legacy methods of lithium production harm the environment? (11:52)
Roshan reflects on potential impacts of the upcoming US election to the industry (13:26)
Where is the electric vehicle industry likely headed? (15:04)
The expertise of Stardust Power's leadership team (16:45)
Taking Stardust Power public (18:23)
Limiting technology risk in the supply chain (20:15)
Roshan's vision for Stardust's future (22:03)

Links:

Roshan Pujari on LinkedIn

Stardust Power on LinkedIn

Stardust Power Website

Christine Schindler on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Christine Schindler, Co-founder & CEO, PathSpot – A Clean Sweep: Revolutionizing health and safety in hospitality (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 03:30:00 -0400

Summary:

On October 22, the CDC reported that an outbreak of E. coli infections was connected to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, leading to recalls of their quarter pound beef patties and fresh slivered onions from supplier Taylor Farms in several states. This outbreak has spotlighted the importance of food safety for restaurants and food services companies and has reminded us of an interview from earlier this year with food safety expert, and CEO & Founder of PathSpot, Christine Schindler. This is a timely episode and, whether you caught it when it originally aired or are listening now for the first time, one you won’t want to miss.

In an industry booming with customer-focused innovations, it's crucial not to overlook the backbone of an enterprise. Today's guest created a groundbreaking technology that prioritizes health and safety for both customers and in-house staff and is a critical asset for hospitality businesses as a whole.

We're sitting down with Christine Schindler, who is CEO and co-founder of PathSpot, a technology company dedicated to protecting businesses and their customers from the threat of food borne illnesses and outbreaks.

An engineer and entrepreneur who is passionate about utilizing technology to overcome gaps in healthcare, Christine invented PathSpot's hand scanner in 2017, following a transformative educational trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. The scanner instantly detects carriers of harmful contamination commonly spread through poor handwashing. PathSpot has now broadened its safety suite to include a comprehensive range of back-of-the-house digital health and safety tools that track temperature, expiration, and more.

Christine has a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Global Health from Duke University. Prior to founding PathSpot, she assisted with biomedical research for Engineering World Health at Mount Kilimanjaro and spent two years on the innovation and M&A team at Cigna. In addition to PathSpot, Christine is Founder and CEO at Girls Engineering Change, a non-profit focused on increasing female representation in STEM. She was also featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2021 and Hospitality Technology's Top Women in Restaurant Technology in 2023.

Highlights:

· Christine's background in healthcare and public health (4:30)

· Christine describes the entrepreneurial influence that motivated her (5:30)

· The a-ha moment for PathSpot's hand scanner technology (6:20)

· How the hand scanner technology works (8:12)

· How PathSpot found and targeted their audience (9:22)

· Brands that PathSpot works with (10:24)

· Christine describes PathSpot's safety suite of services and data platform (11:30)

· The pandemic's impact on PathSpot's newly founded business (13:01)

· PathSpot's economic model (14:29)

· How PathSpot uses their data bank as an ROI feature for businesses (15:36)

· Christine explains the data PathSpot technology detects, and how businesses can utilize it (17:17)

· How PathSpot maintains legal regulation and brand compliance (20:07)

· PathSpot's areas of focus for the new year (21:23)

· Christine's perspective on the society's mindset on health and safety conditions, post-COVID (22:03)

· PathSpot's goals and trajectory over the next 10 years (23:13)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Sandra Campos, 3x CEO & Entrepreneur – Fashion Forward: Leading the fashion industry into the future (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Summary:

Last week, we welcomed Sandra Campos back to the show to discuss her new role as CEO of PetMed Express, and her vision for the company's future. This week, we’re revisiting our previous interview with Sandra, where we unpacked the career trajectory that set the stage for her leadership at PetMeds today. If you missed it the first time, this conversation is a must-listen.

The fashion industry is powered by the sometimes differing perspectives of artistic entrepreneurs and business executives. It takes an intuitive and bold business innovator to merge those visions, and lead brands into the future.

On this episode we sit down with Sandra Campos, a board member, three time CEO and two-time entrepreneur and advisor. Throughout her career, she's built global lifestyle brands, and she's been instrumental in turnarounds, digital transformations, and innovative marketing campaigns, as well as international expansion as a technology-focused operator.

She's the only independent board director at Fabric, a modular and headless commerce solution. She's also a board member at Private Equity-backed Daniels Jewelers, and Big Lots. Her retail career has included being CEO of Diane Von Furstenberg, president of a portfolio of billion dollar contemporary brands, including Juicy Couture, and Division President at Oscar de la Renta. As an entrepreneur, she created the first teen celebrity brand management company in partnership with fellow Latina, Selena Gomez. Together, they launched Gomez's first lifestyle brand 'Dream out Loud'.

Sandra is an advocate for Latinos, and recently launched Latina Disruptors, an event highlighting and honoring entrepreneurs. She has received numerous awards, including Top 100 Latina Leaders by Latina Magazine; ALP'S most powerful Latina 2020 to 2022; Top Women in Retail and 2019 Top Leaders in Business, by Hispanic Executive Magazine.

Highlights:

Upbringing and entrepreneurial background (3:23)
How Sandra was introduced to retail and fashion (5:20)
Sandra's business mindset (7:44)
Her first CEO role (8:44)
Bringing together creative and business mindsets (10:18)
Recent transformation in the retail industry (12:53)
Sandra's partnership with Selena Gomez (15:13)
Finding the right role in the fashion industry (17:50)
Working on a Board of Directors (19:06)
Sandra's experience working in a male-dominated and less culturally-diverse industry (23:16)
Her new role with Fabric and Daniel's Jewelers (24:46)
Latina visibility in the workforce (27:56)

Links:

Sandra Campos on LinkedIn

Fabric on LinkedIn

Fabric Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Sandra Campos, CEO, PetMed Express – Leading the Pack: Driving innovation in pet care through core-value realignment

ICR — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Summary:

Periods of transition often come with uncertainty, but they also offer a chance for businesses to innovate and refine their direction. Under the right leadership, companies can seize these opportunities to reevaluate objectives and implement fresh strategies, finding new alignment with the core values of their customers. At PetMed Express, that leadership takes the form of CEO Sandra Campos.

Sandra is now a two-time guest on the podcast, and, as of this past April, the president and CEO of PetMed Express (Nasdaq: PETS).

Already a three-time CEO prior to joining PetMeds, Sandra recently served in the role at DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) a global luxury fashion brand. She has held leadership roles at apparel companies Polo Ralph Lauren and Nautica International, and is the former co-president of women's apparel at Global Brands Group Holding Limited, a branded apparel, footwear, and brand management company that included labels like Juicy Couture, Bebe, and BCBG, among others.

Sandra is the founder of Fashion Launchpad, a continuing education platform for retail and fashion professionals, and created Dream Out Loud in partnership with Selena Gomez, the first teen celebrity brand management company. Sandra is a board member for Big Lots, Daniel's Jewelers, Fabric (a modular commerce solution), and advertising services company PureRED since 2023. She has also served on the board of the national non-profit Girls, Inc. and is a Director of the Latino Corporate Directors Association.

In this episode, Sandra talks us through the strategic decisions she's made since joining PetMeds Express as CEO, and where she anticipates the company heading.

Highlights:

How Sandra came to the opportunity at PedMed Express (3:39)
PedMeds' mission and audience (4:34)
How Sandra's previous work influences her role and personal goals for the company (6:02)
Sandra's approach to realigning the business (7:14)
How Sandra has organized senior management and company structure (8:44)
What distinguishes PedMeds from their competition (11:10)
PetMeds' customer base and economic model (12:15)
How PedMeds balances their subscription service with private product development (13:00)
Current product lines of focus (14:09)
How the current macro environment is impacting pet owners and the pet industry (15:12)
Sandra shares insights on customer retention strategies (16:50)
PetMeds' approach to innovation and a look inside product development (18:09)
Sandra discusses PetMeds' advisory board and collaboration with pet healthcare professionals (19:28)
The role of technology at PedMeds and in the pet industry (21:28)
Sandra describes the long-term goals for PedMeds (24:02)

Links:

Sandra Campos on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 2 of 2 – The Next Frontier: Exploring the boundaries of space and innovation (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 04:30:00 -0400

A few weeks ago, Jared Isaacman became the first civilian in history to carry out a spacewalk during a mission aboard the SpaceX spacecraft. We decided to celebrate that by revisiting our two-part interview with him from earlier this year. Check out part two, now!

If you've been to space and back, you're bound to have an amazing perspective about your own capabilities, and what humans can achieve. Our guest today knows all about that.

On this episode, we're sharing part two of Morgan Brennan's interview with Jared Isaacman, recorded in January at ICR's 26th annual conference in Orlando, Florida. If you didn't catch part one last week, we highly recommend you do. Jared is an extraordinary business leader and on top of his incredible career as founder of Shift4, and Draken International, he's an accomplished pilot and an astronaut.

Jared has made significant contributions to financial technology, defense, and aerospace industries. He is the founder of both Shift4 and Draken International. Jared founded Shift4 in 1999 at 16 years old, and under his leadership as CEO, Shift4 has consistently pushed boundaries. Today, Shift4 employs over 2,500 people and processes $250 billion in payments annually for more than 200,000 customers across the US and Europe.

Apart from his extraordinary success with Shift4, in 2021 Jared made history by commanding Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit. That mission raised over 250 million dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. And later this year, he's going to return to space as commander of the Polaris Dawn mission. This is the first of three space flights under the Polaris program, which is a partnership with SpaceX, and we'll hear all about those missions in this next part of the interview.

We're delighted to have Morgan Brennan as the guest host for this interview. Morgan is the co-anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime. Over the last 10 years, she's held various on-air roles with CNBC and was previously co-anchor of Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley.

Highlights:

Jared talks about the differences between being a private and public company (3:45)
Insight on new upcoming Shift4 projects (4:22)
Jared tells us the best and worst parts of being in space (5:29)
Common questions Jared gets about space (6:20)
Jared gives us an inside look at the training process for astronauts leading up to launch (7:17)
How seeing space has changed Jared's view of the world (9:28)
Jared answers whether he ever felt nervous regret before a launch (12:58)
How Jared talks to his family about space missions (15:35)
Jared describes what it feels like to come back to Earth from space (16:43)
How your height changes after going into space and coming back to Earth (18:37)
More about SpaceX's new Starship project (20:27)

Links:

Morgan Brennan on LinkedIn
Jared Isaacman
Shift4 Website
Draken International on LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 1 of 2 – Shooting For The Stars: Going beyond limits for lasting impact (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:30:00 -0400

In business, there's success, and there's potential. Success is an achievement, but true greatness lies in tapping into untapped possibilities. Today's guest has harnessed their business's potential to make a lasting impact on a global scale.

On this episode, we're featuring an interview recorded in January at ICR's annual conference in Orlando. It's a fireside chat hosted by Morgan Brennan, who was kind enough to step in to ask all the pressing questions. Morgan is co-anchor of CNBC's 4P.M. show Closing Bell Overtime. Over the last 10 years, she has held various on-air roles with CNBC and was previously co-anchor of Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley. We're thrilled to feature her as our host today.

Morgan sat down with Jared Isaacman. Jared is an entrepreneur, a business leader, an accomplished pilot, AND he's also an astronaut. He's the founder of both Shift4 and Draken International. Under his leadership as CEO, Shift4 has consistently pushed boundaries, developing cutting-edge payment technologies that empower businesses across countless sectors.

Draken International is an aerospace defense company that provides tactical aviation services for all branches of the US military. In 2021, he made history by commanding Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit. And later this year, he's going to return to space as commander of the Polaris Dawn mission, which is a partnership with SpaceX.

Highlights:

How Jared got his start in payment processing and technology (5:10)
Jared tells the origin story and inspiration behind founding Shift4 (7:09)
Jared describes Shift4's recent public listing accomplishment (8:41)
Shift4's current verticals and growth opportunities in payment processing (10:32)
How Jared transitioned from payment to piloting (12:26)
How Jared got the opportunity to make space history (14:09)
Jared describes the process of assembling the Inspiration 4 mission and crew (16:22)
Jared's upcoming Polaris Dawn space mission (19:07)
Jared discusses their partnership with SpaceX (21:09)
More on Shift4's team and board members (23:38)
Jared shares his biggest lessons in leadership (24:33)

Links:

Morgan Brennan on LinkedIn

Jared Isaacman

Shift4 Website

Draken International on LinkedIn

Pete Najarian on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Alex Ibrahim, Corporate CFO, Yanolja – Globetrotter Goals: How Yanolja is upping the travel game

ICR — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 04:30:00 -0400

As travel trends shift, and young people drive demand for simple, integrated, experience-focused journeys, its critical to respond with innovative solutions that are ahead of the curve. That's where today's guest comes in.

We're sitting down with Alex Ibrahim, the Corporate CFO at Yanolja. South Korea's top travel and accommodation booking platform. In this role, Alex leverages his expertise in the capital markets to strengthen the company's financial management and drive strategic initiatives, supporting its continued global expansion and growth.

He brings over 20 years of experience from his distinguished career at the New York Stock Exchange, where he played a pivotal role in facilitating IPOs, Capital raises for numerous global enterprises across Asia, North America, and South America.

We chatted about what excites him about Yanolja, and the bold moves the company is making to reimagine travel around the globe.

Highlights:

Alex explains Yanolja's background and founding story (2:50)
Alex discusses his career at the NYSE, and why he made the leap to Yanolja (4:17)
Yanolja's edge over its competitors (6:21)
The B2C and B2B aspects of the business (7:07)
Yanolja's data advantage (10:10)
How Yanolja prioritizes which geographies they focus on (10:59)
How Yanolja's data-driven services provide efficiency and profitability for their customers' businesses (12:12)
How Alex sees AI shifting the industry in the next 5-10 years (13:06)
Yanolja's strategy as its connected with their acquisition of Go Global Travel (14:36)
The opportunities inherent in the fragmentation of the industry (15:21)
The company's customer demographics and what Alex means by "democratizing" travel (16:34)
Alex discusses how Yanolja prioritizes data privacy (18:36)
How the company's Korean origins influence the business (19:23)
Alex's advice for aspiring tech leaders, and his travel recommendations (20:27)

Links:

Alex Ibrahim on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Pete Najarian, Managing Partner, RW3 Ventures – Digital Disruption: Decoding the crypto world and revolutionizing finance through blockchain technology (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:30:00 -0400

As the world embraces cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and deregulated finance, there's a massive transformation on the horizon. But if you're going to invest in these innovations, you need to be incredibly diligent and have a deep understanding of the tech. Today's guest has both.

We're sitting down with Pete Najarian, who is the Managing Partner of RW3 Ventures. RW3 is a digital asset venture firm built in partnership with The Raptor Group. The Raptor Group is a multi-sector venture firm with significant investments across fintech, sports and gaming, healthcare, and digital assets.

Pete has significant dedicated digital asset experience, having previously served in senior leadership roles for two leading digital asset operating businesses: Zappo, which was ultimately acquired by Coinbase in 2019, and BitGo, the leader in digital asset security, custody, and liquidity. They provide the operational backbone for more than 1, 500 institutional clients and over 50 companies. They also process 20 percent of all the global Bitcoin transactions by value.

Prior to that, Pete spent 20 years plus building and leading the global emerging markets businesses for some of the world's largest banks, UBS and RBS in particular.

Highlights:

Pete's experience in finance, discovering cryptocurrency, and founding RW3 (3:11)
Pete's approach to investing at RW3 (6:25)
Bitcoin, and Pete's outlook on when to invest in crypto (7:19)
Analyzing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies' place in the market (8:54)
Pete breaks down the opportunities opened up by blockchain innovation (10:31)
The use and value of cryptocurrency technology in the world economy (12:36)
How Pete makes decisions on blockchain investments (15:04)
How RW3 assists clients (17:47)
Pete breaks down the relationship between traditional finance and cryptocurrency (20:07)
Pete's predictions on the future of blockchain technology and finance field (23:12)
Understanding decentralized finance (24:03)
Government involvement in cryptocurrency (25:39)
Some of Pete's current investments at RW3 (29:01)
Qualifications for an investment at RW3 (32:11)

Links:

RW3 Ventures on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Andy Goldberg, President & CEO, PCH Media – A Winning Strategy: Leveraging data-driven insights to evolve and thrive in a shifting landscape

ICR — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Recognized for excellence in the industry, Andy has been honored with the Silver Apple Award from the Direct Marketing Club of New York. He earned a BS in Marketing from the Wharton School at UPenn.

Highlights:

PCH's background and history (3:16)
How Andy got involved at PCH and his path to leading transformation initiatives (4:43)
User base and engagement at PCH (7:50)
The value of PCH's audience and engagement data to marketers and advertisers (9:02)
How PCH partners with clients to help them build their databases (13:24)
The differences between zero, first, and third-party data (14:47)
Andy's take on the discussion around depreciating third-party cookies (16:39)
PCH's marketing collaborations with third-party players (19:12)
The role of AI in the evolution of PCH (20:39)
Andy's outlook on future goals and opportunities for PCH (22:31)

Links:

Andy Goldberg on LinkedIn

Publishers Clearing House on LinkedIn

Publishers Clearing House Website

The Connor Group on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Larry Connor, Managing Partner, The Connor Group (Part 2 of 2) – Leaping Into the Unknown: The power of taking unconventional risks in business and beyond

ICR — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Breaking away from the norm will always attract skepticism, especially from industry veterans. But these risks often lead to the most significant rewards. Our guest today has not only challenged the status quo in business but did so with fearless commitment and a willingness to be the newcomer in any field.

In this episode, we're diving into part two of our conversation with Larry Connor—a trailblazer in business and beyond. Larry is an entrepreneur, nonprofit activist investor, and adventurist, known for founding The Connor Group, a real estate investment firm that thrives on doing things differently.

Last week, we explored Larry's unique approach to leading The Connor Group. Today, we shift our focus to his remarkable journey outside of the business world, beginning with his impactful philanthropic efforts.

Highlights:

Larry discusses Kids & Community Partners, and the importance of investing in the future (2:33)
How Larry started The Greater Dayton School, and its approach to education (4:51)
Larry tells the story behind his space mission (7:30)
Diving to the Mariana Trench (10:44)
Building, and jumping off of the world's largest hot air balloon (12:40)
Larry's advice to businesses that want to solidify a culture of accountability in the workplace (14:57)
What excites Larry about the future of The Connor Group and Kids & Community Partners (17:00)

Links:

Larry Connor on LinkedIn

The Connor Group Website

The Connor Group on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Larry Connor, Managing Partner, The Connor Group (Part 1 of 2) – Daring to Be Different: Disrupting industries through radical strategies

ICR — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Hiring top talent is a proven game plan for any business, but there’s untapped power in taking risks—especially on professionals with unconventional, strategic backgrounds that keep your company fresh and forward-thinking. Today’s guest is no stranger to risks of any kind. He took that leap with his company, and it's been thriving for over 30 years. And he continues to take extraordinary leaps today — both inside and outside of the business world.

Today we're sitting down with Larry Connor, an entrepreneur, nonprofit activist investor, and adventurist. In business, he's best known for founding the Connor Group, a real estate investment firm that has grown its assets from zero to $5 billion over a 30-plus-year period.

The company operates luxury apartment communities in 18 markets and has earned national accolades as a top workplace. Connor has been featured in Forbes and USA Today, among other national publications.

During the stress and uncertainty of COVID-19, Larry made $1.6 million on stock market investments, but instead of building his own wealth, he distributed all the money to his frontline associates in the form of bonuses. He also organized a small business loan program that helped Ohio-based entrepreneurs survive the economic downturn.

Larry is also a philanthropist. And the Connor Group's success has been critical to those efforts. It helped fund Connor Group Kids and Community Partners, which has devoted $175 million to nonprofit causes, including the Greater Dayton School, Ohio's first private non-religious school for under-resourced students, which Larry founded in 2022. Kids and Community Partners will devote over $800 million to nonprofit initiatives over the next decade.

In 2022, Connor piloted AX 1, the first private mission to the International Space Station. That mission came on the heels of his research work 36,000 feet under the ocean in the Mariana Trench, making him the first human being to reach the deepest part of the ocean and space within a year. Larry followed that feat by leading a team of four U.S.

Air Force pararescue specialists in a 38,139-foot leap from a hot air balloon setting a Guinness World Record for the highest halo formation skydive. Connor has also won multiple titles as a professional racecar driver. He is an accomplished pilot, rated in both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, with extensive hours piloting a fighter jet and competing in national and aerobatic competitions.

As you can tell there's a LOT to cover with someone like Larry, so we're making this interview a two-parter. Be sure to check out next week's episode to get his full, amazing story.

Highlights:

Larry's background and early entrepreneurial ventures (4:28)
How Larry decided to get involved in the real estate industry (8:25)
Larry discusses The Connor Group's impressive industry stats (10:22)
Why Larry founded The Connor Group without experience, or real estate professionals (12:19)
Larry's outlook on The Connor Group's culture and mission statement (13:53)
The origins and evolution of The Connor Group's culture (15:27)
Why everyone at The Connor Group uses pencils (18:07)
Larry describes what differentiates The Connor Group's approach from field competition (19:00)

Links:
Larry Connor on LinkedIn

The Connor Group Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Lyndon Park, Managing Partner, Global ESG Advisory & Shareholder Activism, ICR – Boardroom Balancing Act: Governance, ESG, and Shareholder Power

ICR — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Before joining ICR, Lyndon was Head of Global Corporate Governance at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he oversaw the firm's global stewardship and ESG initiatives. Prior to Dimensional, Lynden was a partner and Head of Governance and Listing Standards at EQX, a capital market startup. He began his career in governance at BlackRock by supporting BlackRock's board of directors on intercompany governance matters before serving as one of BlackRock Investment Stewardship teams' lead governance analysts, overseeing portfolio companies representing about 450 billion of BlackRock's AUM.

Highlights:

Takeaways from the 2024 proxy season (3:25)
What companies can do differently to avoid Executive comp challenges (6:00)
What companies can do do differently when under duress during proxy season (8:58)
Lyndon discusses the effects of the Universal Proxy Card (11:45)
Themes surrounding proxy contests (13:53)
Lyndon discusses MNA-driven attacks (16:06)
Examining the recent Starbucks ESG activist campaign (17:25)
The current anti-ESG movement, and Lyndon's take on that (19:24)
Lyndon's advice on what are easy wins in ESG strategy in this moderating DEI climate (21:50)
Lyndon shares what he sees coming for 2025 (25:05)
How the best boards and management teams tackle this landscape (28:17)

Links:

Lyndon Park on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Keri Findley, Founder, CEO of Tacora Capital – Structured Credit Secrets: How Tacora Capital carved out a unique approach to business growth (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 04:30:00 -0400

When you're a founder, you need creative ways to grow your business. Today's guest recognized that need, and built her company on it.

We're sitting down with Keri Findley, Founder and CEO of Tacora Capital. Keri has two decades of experience in structured credit investing at leading firms, and as a private investor. She founded Tacora in 2022, securing a $250 million investment from renowned venture capitalist Peter Thiel.

From 2009 to 2017, Kerry ran the structured credit portfolio for Third Point, the multi-billion dollar hedge fund founded by Dan Loeb. She was the first woman and the youngest person to be made partner at Third Point. Prior to that, she held a similar position at D.B. Zwirn, and began her career at Morgan Stanley.

Keri currently serves as an advisor to Firework Ventures and 8VC, and is on the boards of Hearth, Karus, Point Digital, and Architect.

Highlights:

Keri summarizes her introduction to finance (2:51)
Falling into the industry, and growing up as a 'math person'(3:22)
Keri describes what it was like to begin in the finance industry in the late 2000's (4:28)
Types of assets in the payment processing platform (6:10)
Leaving her job, and how Keri came to found Tacora Capital (7:21)
Working with Peter Thiel, and more about their partnership (9:14)
Keri describes the audience, and kinds of investors that are attracted to Tacora Capital (10:10)
Tacora's unique approach and structure in venture capital (11:14)
Keri discusses whether she would rather Tacora be at a later-stage (12:50)
Tacora's reason for focusing on Fintech and Insuretech fields (14:37)
Keri gives an example of the opportunities Tacora has provided to one of their portfolio companies (16:00)
Where Tacora's pipeline for new deals is sourced from (16:52)
How the current financial and economic climate effects the work done at Tacora (18:22)
How Tacora avoids risky situations and maintains discipline in their work (20:16)
Keri predicts the future of the venture capital market based on recent history (21:37)
'Non-dilutive capital' and Tacora's approach to companies facing down-rounds (25:15)
Why Keri decided to settle the company in Austin, Texas (27:07)
Keri predicts how the banking model will change in the near future (30:04)
Tacora's short-term goals and plans (31:22)

Links:
Keri Findley on LinkedIn

Tacora Capital Website

Chris Tomasso on LinkedIn

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch Restaurants – Breaking Fast: A disruptive and innovative recipe for success in hospitality (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 04:30:00 -0400

As today's guest will tell us, breakfasts have recently overtaken Friday dinners as the number one dining out experience of choice. So in the always-competitive hospitality industry, restaurants that do those meals particularly well are in a fantastic position.

Chris Tomasso definitely understands how to excel in this space. Chris is the CEO of First Watch Restaurants, which trades under the symbol FWRG. Prior to taking the helm in 2018, Chris served as President for three years and as Chief Marketing Officer from 2006 to 2015. Before joining First Watch, Chris led strategic branding and marketing for renowned national and international brands such as Cracker Barrel and Hard Rock Cafe International.

In 2021, Chris was named one of the restaurant industry's most admired C-suite leaders by FSR Magazine. Later that year, he led First Watch into Wall Street with their IPO.

Chris earned a BA from the University of Central Florida and is an active alum who currently serves on the University of Central Florida Foundation Board of Directors. He was inducted into the University's Nicholson School of Communication and Media Hall of Fame in 2016.

Highlights:

Chris describes First Watch's background and market concept (2:57)
Competition and First Watch's position in the market (4:08)
Chris describes First Watch's business model (6:17)
First Watch's unique shift schedule, and why it attracts employees (8:43)
Chris' approach to business operations (10:36)
Chris describes the importance of remaining in the restaurant atmosphere as a CEO (12:06)
How First Watch incorporates developing technology into their business (13:59)
How Chris applies his marketing background in his role at First Watch (15:30)
Chris' capital allocation strategies (17:21)
More on First Watch's disruptive business model, and their strategic market placement (18:54)
Chris' view on inflation and its ongoing impact on the hospitality industry (20:28)
Chris describes the impact of First Watch to becoming a public company (22:09)
How Chris was introduced to the hospitality industry (24:27)

Links:

First Watch Restaurants on LinkedIn

First Watch Restaurants Website

Chris Schultz on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chris Schultz, CEO, VooDoo Doughnut – The Sweet Spot: Balancing expansion and identity for sustainable business growth

ICR — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:30:00 -0400

On the surface, successful growth in business might seem to be about rapid expansion. But that's not the right strategy for every business. Growth has to align with the business's principles, be at the right pace, and it can't endanger the brand's image and identity along the way. Today's guest has reset his growth strategy to reinforce and preserve brand identity.

We're sitting down with Chris Schultz, CEO of Voodoo Doughnut. Chris has a remarkable track record in expanding renowned brands, both nationally and globally with over four decades of industry experience. In the 1990s, he played a vital role in Starbucks' US and international growth, including entry into the UK market.

Chris was a founding team member at ModPizza, growing it from one store to over 300 locations worldwide. His strategic acumen and leadership made ModPizza a fast, casual industry leader. Since 2017, as CEO at Voodoo Doughnut, he's tripled the company's size and expanded from 5 to 22 locations in 7 states.

Chris has twice been recognized as one of the most innovative and influential CEOs by National Restaurant News, and recently as one of the top 25 food and beverage executives of 2023 by C-Suite Magazine. Throughout his career, Chris has consistently demonstrated his ability to build and nurture successful restaurant brands. His innovation, passion, and commitment to exceptional customer experiences make him a respected industry leader.

Highlights:

Chris' journey in the restaurant business, and his path to Voodoo (3:10)
Voodoo's history and unique identity (4:29)
Chris describes what differentiates Voodoo in their market (6:35)
Chris talks about Voodoo's unique consumer base and following (8:01)
Voodoo's growth strategy, and the importance of maintaining brand identity amidst expansion (10:03)
Chris' approach to expansion, and new locations for Voodoo (10:56)
Chris' approach to innovation with the Voodoo brand (12:29)
How Voodoo finds its employees and keeps them motivated and engaged in the unique culture (15:54)
How Voodoo maintains consistency amongst its varied brand presence (18:31)
Chris' approach to tech innovation at Voodoo (20:26)
Chris discusses Vodoo's 'Giving Doughnuts' program (23:37)
Chris reflects on his biggest successes as CEO at Voodoo (24:53)
The advice Chris would have given himself during his early days in the restaurant business (27:29)

Links:

Voodoo Doughnut on LinkedIn

Voodoo Doughnut Website

Heritage Grocers Group on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Doug Sanders, Chairman & CEO, Heritage Grocers Group – Market Roots: Embracing diversity and unique consumer needs to expand authentically

ICR — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:30:00 -0400

For industry dominators, success rarely hinges on a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Instead, they master their market by focusing on specific demographics and creating tailored strategies unique to needs and preferences. Today's guest has used this method to craft customized solutions in his unique market.

Today, we're sitting down with Doug Sanders, Heritage Grocers Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Doug's extensive career in the grocery industry spans 38 years across multiple and wide-ranging sectors including supermarket retail, wholesale food distribution, retail technology solutions, natural and organic foods, in addition to Hispanic and ethnic-focused specialty formats.

Over the past 20 years, Doug has held the role of chairman and CEO for multiple private equity-owned grocery companies, including Sprouts Farmers Market, Cardenas Markets, and Heritage Grocers Group. In 2011, he led the sale of Sprouts Farmers Market to Apollo Global Management, followed by two successful acquisitions and an initial public offering In 2013.

In 2022, Doug spearheaded the sale of Cardenas Markets from KKR to Apollo joining Cardenas Markets and Tony's Fresh Market under the parent company Heritage Grocers Group.

Highlights:

Heritage's history and background (2:58)
Doug's journey in the industry and opportunity at Heritage (4:16)
Doug expands on Heritage's demographic and unique consumer base (6:47)
What makes Heritage a competitive industry player (7:18)
How Heritage prioritizes and celebrates authenticity in it's culture (8:33)
Doug discusses the environment and atmosphere at Heritage stores (9:45)
How Doug creates a company culture at Heritage (11:14)
Field competition (12:34)
Doug's approach to maintaining culture amid expansion (13:48)
Doug's outlook on technology and innovation in the industry (16:06)
Customer stories that left an impact on Doug and his work (18:03)
Heritage's unique brand foundation collaborations (19:31)
What excites Doug the most about the future of Heritage (20:33)
Doug's predictions for Heritage's future growth and expansion (22:17)

Links:

Doug Sanders on LinkedIn

Heritage Grocers Group Website

Merlin Ventures on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Rob Skinner, Founding Partner & Co-CEO, IEQ Capital – Trust Funded: Building team culture to cultivate client connection and loyalty

ICR — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:30:00 -0400

In the world of wealth management, working with clients is a deeply personal endeavor that requires more than just financial expertise. By looking inward first, and prioritizing a strong team culture and personal and professional development, companies can cultivate a strong trust and connection with clients. Today's guest has made this approach the foundation to his business.

Today we're sitting down with Rob Skinner, who is a founding partner and the co-CEO of IEQ Capital. He has served as a financial advisor to wealthy families and institutional investors for over two decades. Rob began his career at Fidelity Investments in 1995 before joining Merrill Lynch as first vice president of investments.

In 2008, he co-founded Luminous Capital, an independent registered investment advisory firm where he served as Chief Investment Officer, Co-Head of Investment Research, and Co-manager of Portfolio Construction. Luminous Capital was acquired by First Republic Bank in 2012.

Active in the community, Rob serves on the Board of Directors for the First Tee of Monterey County, the Board of Directors of the Pebble Beach Company Foundation. He's a Trustee of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation associated with PGA of America, as well as the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. Rob and his wife actively support numerous foundations and charities in and around the Monterey peninsula.

Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, which, if you haven't heard has won national championship titles, back to back in men's basketball. Go Huskies!

Highlights:

Rob's early influences and beginnings in wealth management (4:15)
Founding Luminous Capital (5:52)
Background on IEQ Capital, and company mission (6:37)
What differentiates IEQ from competitors (7:13)
IEQ's ideal client profile (8:34)
How the IEQ team works with clients on wealth management (9:30)
Rob walks us through IEQ's client screening process (10:18)
The value of culture at IEQ (11:10)
The use of technology at IEQ (12:00)
How being a founder has informed Rob's work with his clients (13:30)
How Rob approaches liquidity planning with clients (14:41)
Rob breaks down IEQ's partnership with Stone Point Capital (15:33)
The benefits for smaller firms (18:37)
What Rob has learned from entrepreneurs during his time in wealth management (19:19)
The importance of fostering a fun and enjoyable environment and culture (20:43)

Links:

Rob Skinner on LinkedIn

IEQ Capital on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Seth Spergel, Managing Partner, Merlin Ventures – More Than Money: Standing out in Venture Capital by investing in relationships

ICR — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Venture Capital is all about the cash — but in a crowded field, money is a commodity. To truly stand out, you have to go above and beyond for your portfolio companies. Today's guest has set themselves apart by providing exceptional support.

We're sitting down with Seth Spergel, who is a managing partner of Merlin Ventures, where he's responsible for identifying cutting-edge companies for Merlin to partner with and invest in. Seth has more than 20 years of experience building, selling, and investing in software and startups.

Prior to Merlin Ventures, Seth was VP for Infrastructure Technologies at In-Q-Tel, a strategic investment firm that invests in startups that meet the mission needs of government customers. There he led a team of technology experts to evaluate companies and identify novel uses of their technology within the In-Q-Tel customer set.

Before In-Q-Tel, Seth was the VP of engineering for ThinkGeek, an online seller and manufacturer of geeky toys and clothing. He also spent 12 years at IBM in roles ranging from software developer to sales manager.

Highlights:

Merlin's background and evolution into VC (3:44)
What differentiates Merlin in the VC market (7:32)
What an ideal portfolio looks like for Merlin (8:38)
Seth walks us through the support system Merlin provides their companies (9:21)
The unique guidance Merlin offers on compliance and political relations (12:57)
Seth tells the story of one of Merlin's successful exits (14:52)
Seth's advice for founders seeking funding (17:59)
Current trending market opportunities (18:50)
How cloud computing and migration are affecting the cybersecurity space (20:35)
Seth describes the current state of Israel's funding environment (22:00)
Values and culture at Merlin (25:35)
Seth's predictions for the future of Merlin and the VC market (26:55)

Links:

Seth Spergel on LinkedIn

Merlin Ventures Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Matthew Tucker, Head of Tock – Data-Driven Dining: Optimizing the guest experience by reshaping reservations (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 04:30:00 -0400

In the effort to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had a surge of innovation, ideas, and new technologies. And while the boost has been essential to getting the industry back on its feet, it has also intensified the competition. Today's guest is setting their company apart with a consumer-focused approach.

We're sitting down with Matt Tucker, who is the head of Tock, a technology driven hospitality business owned by Squarespace, and trading under the symbol SQSP.

Matt oversees commercial success and growth of the Tock business, which includes a reservation system, table management, carry-out operations and events for operators across 33 countries. Matt came to Squarespace after nearly two decades of experience building teams and operating companies of all sizes and has a strong background in hospitality tech and the startup world.

Most recently, Matt served as President and COO of Olo, the leading provider of SaaS solutions to the chain restaurant industry, serving almost 90,000 locations. He spent nearly nine years there, taking the company from 10 people and one product to a public company with over 700 team members, six core products and nearly 200 million in revenue.

Prior to Olo, Matt was on the founding team of LendingTree and was also the founder of Rely Software. He has an MBA from Georgetown and a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Highlights:

Matt's background and path to restaurant software (4:09)
Matt describes Tock's founding and current work (5:11)
How Tock works in the restaurant to optimize reservations (7:01)
Matt explains how Tock targets customers, and ROI agreements (8:35)
Data captured through Tock, and what makes Tock's approach to data optimization unique (10:34)
Matt talks about recent economic hurdles and how Tock has navigated the atmosphere (14:04)
Matt discusses Tock's versatility in the restaurant industry (16:11)
How Squarespace and Tock's work interconnect (17:49)
Field competition and the state of the restaurant technology market (20:00)
Tock's senior team and their history in hospitality (22:57)

Links:
Mathew Tucker on LinkedIn
Tock on LinkedIn
Tock Website
ICR Twitter
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chef Ming Tsai, TV Personality, Entrepreneur, & Founder, MingsBings – Bing-ing Together Tradition and Innovation: Transforming the Freezer Aisle with Health and Taste

ICR — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:30:00 -0400

In a landscape where standing out demands both innovation and accessibility, finding ways to connect with a broad audience is crucial. Today's guest has been on a career-long quest to revolutionize the culinary world by blending tradition with modernity, creating products that not only appeal to diverse audiences but also prioritize health and taste.

Today we are lucky enough to sit down with Chef Ming Tsai, who is not only an Iron Chef, he's also a James Beard and Emmy Award winner, and a Chef-partner at BABA at the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. He's also President of the National Advisory Board for Family Reach and the author of five cookbooks.

Chef Ming was the host and the Executive Producer of the longest-running cooking series on PBS, Simply Ming, and just received acclaim for his new mini-series titled Simply Ming: Better for You. He founded MingsBings, a consumer packaged goods startup bringing chef quality, better-for-you, convenient food to the frozen food aisle.

Beyond being the first East meets West option of its kind, MingsBings supports the mission of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Family Reach. To date, Chef Ming has helped raise $12 million for Family Reach.

In 2022, Chef Ming became Iron Chef Ming Tsai as he joined the cast of five world-class chefs in the Netflix series, Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend.

Highlights:

Chef Ming's first cooking experiences, and introduction to the culinary world (4:21)
Chef Ming's favorite dishes from childhood (7:19)
What Chef Ming learned from his family's restaurant (7:46)
How Chef Ming adjusted from Chef to businessperson (8:44)
Early mistakes and lessons from running a restaurant (10:54)
Chef Ming explains his East meets West cuisine style and influence (11:45)
Work in the TV and entertainment industry (14:35)
Chef Ming discusses his time on Iron Chef (16:50)
Chef Ming's approach to writing cookbooks (18:07)
The inspiration behind MingsBings (19:17)
Philanthropic work for Family Reach (21:54)
Chef Ming tells stories about his famous friends in the culinary world (25:21)

Links:

Ming Tsai on LinkedIn

MingBings on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Syed “Raj” Imteaz, Partner, Head of Convertible and Equity Derivatives, ICR – Inflation Insulation: Navigating complex capital markets with advisory expertise

ICR — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 04:30:00 -0400

In the current macro environment with growing inflation and financial uncertainty, it's no wonder companies are actively seeking alternative solutions to safeguard their businesses. But today's guest is more than just an alternative; he's a game-changer for his clients, helping them maximize their financial outcomes.

Today we're sitting down with Raj Imteaz, who serves as the Head of ICR Capital's Convertible and Equity Derivatives Advisory Team, where he focuses on complex capital markets transactions across all industry verticals. Raj advises boards and management teams on structuring and executing convertible debt transactions, convertible preferred and mandatory offerings, structured share repurchases, cap calls and call spreads, hedging and monetization strategies, and warrant management solutions.

Raj joined ICR Capital from Matthew South, where he was the Head of Technology origination, advising clients on multiple convertible and equity derivatives transactions. Previously, Raj spent 15 years at Barclays, where he was a Managing Director in the equity-linked and hybrid solutions team and led the origination efforts across several sectors.

During his career, Raj has advised on and executed more than 200 convertible and equity derivative transactions, totaling over a hundred billion dollars of deal value.

Highlights:

Raj gives us an overview of the current economic environment (4:03)
What a convertible is and the role of advisors (6:01)
How advisors can save businesses time and money (8:45)
What makes Raj's team of advisors unique (10:18)
Raj describes some of his team's stand-out deals (13:41)

Links:
Syed Raj Imteaz LinkedIn

Charles Baker on LinkedIn

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Charles Baker, Partner, Sidley Austin, Co-Chair Entertainment, Sports & Media – He Shoots, He Scores! : Winning strategies for the game of sports and entertainment investments (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 04:30:00 -0400

This week we’re looking back at one of our most popular episodes of the last 6 months: our conversation with Charles Baker.

Every investment comes with plenty of responsibility, but in a multifaceted market like sports and entertainment with varied revenue streams and worldwide integration, navigating this complex landscape can be overwhelming. Today's guest is helping his clients make sure that all the bases are covered. Literally.

We're sitting down with Charles (Chuck) Baker, who chairs Sidley Austin's Entertainment, Sports, and Media Group. Chuck represents investors in professional sports, businesses and teams, and advises on sports and entertainment transactions. He has decades of experience in the sports industry and has represented sports franchise purchases across multiple leagues, including the NFL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the NBA, the NHL, the National Women's Soccer League, and multiple European football leagues.

Recently, Chuck represented Genius Sports in its multi-year strategic partnership with the NFL and the Canadian Football League, and also advised on the acquisition minority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Hornets, as well as the 6+ billion dollar purchase of the Washington Commanders.

Chuck has been highly recognized in the field of sports and entertainment law by multiple national publications. Most recently, the National Law Journal named him to its 2022 list of sports gaming entertainment law trailblazers. The Sports Business Journal also named him to their 2021 Power Players list, and Law 360 added him to their 2020 Sports Betting MVPs.

Chuck is an active board member for the March of Dimes and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He is also an adjunct professor and advisory board member at the University of Miami School of Law, and a distinguished lecturer at NYU's Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media and Business.

Chuck was also an associate for former Senator, Dollar Bill Bradley, one of Tom's all time favorite Knicks!

Highlights:

Chuck's work background and how he came across his opportunity at Sidley Austin (4:34)
Secular trends currently driving the sports and entertainment investment market (7:56)
Chuck describes the investor audience specific to sports and entertainment (9:54)
Current sports markets with high deal flow (12:58)
Chuck tells the story of the Chelsea FC deal and his role in the transaction (15:14)
The current trend and future of sports investments going international (17:53)
Chuck describes Sidley Austin's recent partnership with Arctos (20:10)
Market competition, industry saturation, and the market's outlook (23:11)
How streaming and entertainment consumption affect media rights (25:17)
Women's sports and growing investment markets (27:17)
How market developments and investments affect fan experience (28:54)
Chuck's most recent wins with his own sports teams (29:45)

Links:

Charles Baker

Sidley Austin on LinkedIn

Sidley Austin Website

Dragonfly Energy on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Ajay Kochhar, President, CEO, and Co-Founder, Li-Cycle – Powering the Future: Leading the charge in sustainability through revolutionary lithium-ion recycling

ICR — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Lithium-ion batteries are playing a big part in clean energy development, but making the battery itself clean and efficient will be crucial for the future of this technology. Today's guest is right at the center of making that happen.

We're sitting down with Ajay Kochhar, who is President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Li-Cycle, a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company that trades under the symbol LICY. Before founding Li-Cycle in 2016, Ajay gained extensive technology and project development experience through progressive roles with Hatch's industrial clean tech and advisory practices.

While working in that space, he garnered in-depth engineering and project management experience through clean technology development in the lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, gold, lead, zinc, molybdenum, and rare earth metals industries. His technical expertise spans the entire project life cycle from conceptual and pre-feasibility studies to construction and commissioning.

Highlights:

Ajay describes the use and benefits of lithium-ion batteries (3:50)
What makes lithium-ion battery recycling unique (4:19)
Ajay's career history and how he spotted a gap in the market (6:42)
Ajay describes Li-Cycle's IP portfolio (8:31)
What it means for companies to be 'environmentally friendly' (9:46)
The benefits of domestic production and infrastructure (11:36)
Economics and dual-revenue business model at Li-Cycle (12:49)
Ajay discusses competition in the industry (15:50)
Ajay's thoughts on the electric-vehicle adoption (18:05)
Current and short-term priorities for Li-Cycle (20:00)
Relationship with China in the lithium-ion industry (21:51)
How the Inflation Reduction Act impacts businesses like Li-Cycle (23:00)
Ajay's opinion on what investors miss when measuring company value (24:01)

Links:

Ajay Kochhar on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Fred LeFranc, Managing Partner and Co-founder, Results Thru Strategy – The Secret Ingredient: Spicing up your strategy to succeed in hospitality

ICR — Wed, 29 May 2024 04:30:00 -0400

To be a great consultant, a deep understanding of an industry is table stakes, but you also have to connect with the needs of the employees that work within it, while helping a business grow and change appropriately. It's not an easy formula to master, but today's guest has figured it out.

Today we're sitting down with long-time FOICER - that stands for friend of ICR - Fred LeFranc. Fred is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Results Thru Strategy, a consulting firm focused on the hospitality industry. Fred and his team help companies improve their strategic planning, organizational development, marketing, and performance management, as well as enhance their technology-based systems. They also help with executive coaching.

Fred's four decades in the hospitality industry include stints as COO, CEO, Board Member, and President of a number of hospitality and technology brands, including Flat Rock Grill, Ruby's Diner, Fishbowl Marketing, and Louise's Trattoria. Inc. Magazine actually featured his corporate turnaround from Louise's which included design, concept development, food production, IT systems, and operational executions as a great milestone in his career.

Highlights:

Fred's introduction to the hospitality industry (4:09)
How Fred transitioned from hospitality to consulting (5:07)
Fred's outlook on the current state of the hospitality industry (7:16)
Common challenges for businesses in the hospitality landscape (8:30)
Fred describes what it takes to be a great CEO in hospitality (9:48)
Areas where companies are under-investing in their business (11:32)
Fred describes his approach to technology integration in hospitality (13:20)
How technology can amplify branding and business (15:26)
Businesses that are excelling in their take-out and delivery services (16:40)
The importance of understanding service channels (17:53)
Most common mistakes made by early-stage companies (18:50)
Biggest mistakes made by mature companies (20:03)
Fred talks about his time as CEO of Engelman's Bakery (22:02)
How Fred advises businesses amidst labor and inflation challenges (24:32)
What Fred is seeing in M & A in the industry (26:13)
Fred's projected future trends in hospitality (26:57)
Most gratifying client engagements in Fred's portfolio (28:05)

Links:
Fred LeFranc on LinkedIn
Results Thru Strategy on LinkedIn
Results Thru Strategy Website
ICR Twitter
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Dr. Denis Phares, Founder & CEO, Dragonfly Energy – Charging Ahead: Powering sustainability efforts through a battery breakthrough

ICR — Wed, 22 May 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Outsourcing our sustainability efforts does help us get one step closer to an eco-friendly future, but to make a true impact we have to develop our own resources and processes. Our guest today is helping to drive the green revolution right here at home.

Joining us on this episode is Dr. Denis Phares. After establishing himself as a tenured professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California, Dr. Phares left academia to found Dragonfly Energy in 2012. The stock trades under the symbol DFLI.

His focus is on developing technologies that will change the way we store and harness renewable energy. With three decades of extensive experience in the fields of energy, nanotechnology, fluid mechanics, and powder processing, Dr. Phares has positioned himself as a leading expert in green energy storage and has spent the last 15 years focused on advancing lithium-ion battery technology.He holds a number of patents, some of which are key in fundamental battery cell manufacturing.

Denis received a BS in physics from Villanova University, an MS and a PhD in environmental engineering science from the California Institute of Technology, and for good measure, he also has an MBA from the University of Nevada at Reno.

Highlights:

Denis' transition from professor to entrepreneur(3:56)
Behind Dragonfly Energy's unique energy storage focus (5:01)
The birth of Battle Born Batteries (5:47)
Current outlook on the RV market's stability (8:23)
Dragonfly Energy's partnership with RV giant Forest River (9:16)
Dragonfly Energy's current target market and growth strategy (10:05)
Research & development and the importance of IP (11:42)
Denis breaks down battery technology and how they work (12:55)
Findings from Dragonfly Energy's recent energy assessment (15:58)
The scalability of lithium-ion battery technology (17:18)
Product expansion and innovation at Dragonfly Energy (18:34)
Why Dragonfly Energy's HQ is in Nevada (21:02)
Denis discusses lithium mining in the US (22:01)
Current verticals Dragonfly Energy is exploring (23:18)
Denis provides an overview of the current state of producing solid-state batteries (25:25)
Denis explains the value of becoming a public company (27:10)

Links:

Denis Phares on LinkedIn

Dragonfly Energy Website

Thomas Sandgaard on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Thomas Sandgaard, Founder, Chairman, President, and CEO, Zynex Medical – Electrifying the Industry: Revolutionizing chronic pain care with innovative service and solutions

ICR — Wed, 15 May 2024 04:30:00 -0400

There's a reason it's called healthcare – care and carefulness are at the core, and if you want to be successful in the field, you've got to understand the significance of compliance, exceptional service, and continuous expansion. Today's guest has mastered that formula.

We're sitting down with Thomas Sandgaard who is Chairman, President, and CEO of Zynex, which trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol ZYXI. Thomas founded the company in 1996, but before that, he held management positions with companies such as ITT, Siemens, GN Danavox DataCo, and Phillips.

Thomas is also the Founder and CEO of Sandgaard Capital, a private equity investment firm and family office. Additionally, he's the Founder and President of the Sandgaard Foundation, which seeks to address the tragic opioid and fentanyl crisis here in the States by helping to fund initiatives that save lives from overdoses, help people escape the cycle of relapse, and support victims and their families.

Thomas has a degree in electronic engineering from Denmark's Syddansk University, Engineering, and an MBA from Copenhagen Business School.

Highlights:

Zynex's background and business model (3:57)
How Thomas got into the medical device industry (5:39)
The pain management market (7:04)
Zynex's target audiences (8:17)
Competition in the field (9:14)
Zynex's line of products (10:37)
Thomas explains Zynex's total addressable market (11:21)
Patient monitoring part of the business (12:56)
How Zynex builds and maintains their sales force (14:45)
Thomas' philosophy on customer service (17:22)
How Zynex is diversifying its product range (18:10)
Thomas describes how he prioritizes investments and balances growth and profitability (19:16)
Zynex's first quarter growth reports (20:38)
Zynex's new M-Wave NMES device (21:48)
Thomas' take on the barriers to entry in the medical device industry (23:13)
Thomas' work as a musician (24:38)
The Sandgaard Capital Foundation and its mission (25:55)

Links:

Zynex Medical on LinkedIn

Zynex Medical Website

Jennifer Holmgren on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech – Fueling the Future: Transforming pollution into energy solutions (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 08 May 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Innovation is about creation, but it's also about finding new spaces where those creations can be used. Today's guest has applied a centuries-old scientific process to solve the problems of a global industry.

Today's guest is Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. Under Jennifer’s guidance, LanzaTech is developing a variety of platform chemicals and fuels, including the world’s first alternative jet fuel derived from industrial waste gases. She is also the Director and Chair of the LanzaJet Board of Directors.

Prior to LanzaTech, Jennifer was VP and General Manager of the Renewable Energy and Chemicals business unit at UOP LLC, a Honeywell Company. While there, she was a key driver of their leadership in low carbon aviation biofuels. Jennifer has authored or co-authored 50 U.S. patents and more than 30 scientific publications and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

Jennifer sits on multiple boards and advisory councils, including the Governing Council for the Bio Energy Research Institute in India, the Board of Directors of the U.S.- India Strategic Partnership Forum, the Advisory Council for the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, the National Academies' Board on Energy and Environmental Systems and the Founder Advisory for The Engine, a venture capital fund built by MIT that invests in early-stage science and engineering companies.

Jennifer holds a B.Sc. from Harvey Mudd College, a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Highlights:

How LanzaTech's biorefinery systems work (4:23)
LanzaTech's background, and how their investment process has grown over time (6:01)
How Jennifer was introduced to LanzaTech, and her work history before joining the company (6:44)
The science and technology behind LanzaTech, and its protection status (7:20)
What products LanzaTech produces, and some of their product partners (9:20)
Lanzatech's addressable market (11:16)
How LanzaTech's technology differs from other direct air capture technologies (12:00)
Jennifer describes who Lanzatech's customers are, and where their technology is currently being deployed (13:32)
Jennifer breaks down how the company's business model works (14:52)
LanzaTech's expansion plan (18:20)
Jennifer explain's LanzaTech's LanzaJet project, and where the idea came from (19:19)
LanzaTech's plan to grow their product offerings and develop new systems for different chemical compounds (22:55)
How the company is managing the fluctuation economy and stock market as a public company (26:45)
Additional resources for listeners (29:49)

Links:

LanzaTech on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder & CCO, and Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO, J. McLaughlin – Dressed for Success: Designing a brand's future with customer-centric simplicity (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 01 May 2024 04:30:00 -0400

The sign of a strong apparel brand isn't always about covering every billboard. It's about longevity, steady growth, and speaking the customer's language. And today's two guests certainly know how to do that.

On this episode, we're sitting down with Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of J. McLaughlin, and Mary Ellen Coyne, the company's CEO. Kevin started J.McLaughlin in 1977 with his brother, Jay. They envisioned a timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style and a spirit of connection. And they did just that, opening their first shop on 74th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan. It immediately became the post-brunch destination for the Ivy league, JG Mellon crowd.

Kevin's taste and design-sense has guided the J.McLaughlin collection since the first store opened, and he prides himself on creating effortless and enduring styles with a modern twist. Each style is thoughtfully designed with impeccable craftsmanship, original colors and prints and innovative fabrics.

Prior to joining the company, Mary Ellen had two decades of leadership experience at Ralph Lauren, where she most recently served as the Chief Merchandising Officer of Polo Women and Children's Division. Her career kicked off in the Macy’s Training Program, and from there, she sharpened her industry expertise with key merchandising roles at Ann Taylor, The Gap, and Victoria’s Secret.

J.McLaughlin now has over 170 beautiful stores on the most charming streets in America and true to the McLaughlin brothers' vision, each store is entirely unique.

Highlights:

Kevin tells how he and his brother Jay started the business in 1977, and who the core customer is (4:47)
Mary Ellen talks about why she joined the company (7:30)
The store locations, key markets and expansion strategy (9:08)
The menswear category and as the early foundation of the brand, and how the company approaches their relationship with the customer (11:15)
Kevin talks about the role that intuition plays in the company (15:53)
J.McLaughlin's philanthropy and their "local and loyal" approach (17:58)
Mary Ellen discusses the company's impressive financial performance (18:56)
The company's marketing and the role that their catalogue plays in that mix (20:39)
New categories for 2024 (23:05)
Working with Trey Laird to update the company's branding and marketing (26:14)
Kevin discusses the expansion and brand awareness he'd like to create (28:37)
Who are J.McLaughlin's competitors? (30:37)
Trends and retail projections for the coming season (31:46)
Mary Ellen and Kevin's goals for the next 5 years (33:05)

Links:
Mary Ellen Coyne on LinkedIn

J.McLaughlin on LinkedIn

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott – Bling it On: Building a Values-Driven Jewelry Empire (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:30:00 -0400

In business, you have to want to win. But in addition to that, simple, honest values go an incredibly long way. Today's guest leads a company that is powered by that philosophy.

On this episode we get to sit down with Tom Nolan, CEO of the jewelry and accessories brand, Kendra Scott. Tom leads the billion dollar business by balancing day-to-day functions and strategy with the integration of the brand's core pillars of family, fashion and philanthropy into every consumer touch-point. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Tom oversees the brand's substantial omnichannel growth, global expansion and evolving retail model.

Tom has more than two decades of experience in brand building, management and results-driven strategic planning from a diverse range of companies, including Ralph Lauren, Conde Nast, and his own entrepreneurial endeavor, Prospect Brands. We had a great conversation about the company's humble beginnings and how far they've come.

Highlights:
• The origin story of the company (3:57)
• Tom's background and career trajectory (5:02)
• The appeal of the Kendra Scott story and her as a leader (9:32)
• Tom outlines the company's brand values (11:43)
• Why Tom made the decision to join the company/the importance of philanthropy (15:36)
• The various tipping points in the company's growth (17:51)
• The importance of their relationship with Berkshire (20:28)
• Tom discusses Kendra Scott's creative approach to marketing (21:28)
• The Kendra Scott Foundation (23:50)
• The men's line (24:40)
• Tom talks about his leadership philosophy and the closeness with his team members (26:35)
• The company's vision for the next 5 to 10 years (28:07)

Links:
ICR Twitter
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Website
Tom Nolan on LinkedIn
Kendra Scott Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Pete Najarian, Managing Partner, RW3 Ventures – Digital Disruption: Decoding the crypto world and revolutionizing finance through blockchain technology

ICR — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Prior to that, Pete spent 20 years plus building and leading the global emerging markets businesses for some of the world's largest banks, UBS and RBS in particular.

Highlights:

Pete's experience in finance, discovering cryptocurrency, and founding RW3 (4:10)
Pete's approach to investing at RW3 (7:24)
Bitcoin, and Pete's outlook on when to invest in crypto (8:18)
Analyzing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies' place in the market (9:53)
Pete breaks down the opportunities opened up by blockchain innovation (11:30)
The use and value of cryptocurrency technology in the world economy (13:35)
How Pete makes decisions on blockchain investments (16:03)
How RW3 assists clients (18:47)
Pete breaks down the relationship between traditional finance and cryptocurrency (21:06)
Pete's predictions on the future of blockchain technology and finance field (24:11)
Understanding decentralized finance (25:03)
Government involvement in cryptocurrency (26:38)
Some of Pete's current investments at RW3 (30:00)
Qualifications for an investment at RW3 (33:10)

Links:

Pete Najarian on LinkedIn

RW3 Ventures on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Morgan Brennan, Co-Anchor, CNBC's Closing Bell: Overtime – Lights, Camera, Ascend: A behind-the-scenes look at scaling the media industry's fast-paced climb

ICR — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 04:30:00 -0400

When it comes to climbing the ladder in any industry, being willing to try new things and seize opportunities is your fastest track to growth. Our guest today has built her impressive career and carved out her place in the industry by doing just that.

Today we're sitting down with Morgan Brennan, who Co-anchors CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime, which broadcasts live from CNBC's global headquarters in Inglewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Previously, she was co-anchor of the 10 a.m. hour on CNBC's Squawk on the Street. and Co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Alley.

Morgan joined the network in December 2013, as a general assignment reporter and continues to cover a variety of sectors including manufacturing, defense, and space among others. She's also the host of the CNBC podcast, Manifest Space.

Prior to joining CNBC, Morgan was a staff writer and reporter for Forbes Media where she reported for Forbes Magazine, Forbes Life magazine, and Forbes. com. She began her career at Forbes in 2009, holding several positions, including anchor reporter and producer for the Forbes video network, covering a wide variety of business and finance topics. Morgan has interviewed billionaires, and heads of state, thought leaders, and chief executives of multi-billion dollar corporations. Her profile story on Equity Group Investments' Chairman, Sam Zell was one of five magazine covers featured on the 2013 Forbes 400 issue. She's also a board member of the nonprofit, City Year New York.

Morgan graduated summa cum laude from New York University, majoring in Social Science with a double concentration in Anthropology and Media Studies.

Highlights:

Morgan describes her journey from entertainment to journalism (4:09)
Morgan's first on-air role (8:49)
How the service industry prepared Morgan for her media roles (10:36)
Morgan walks us through her trajectory at CNBC (12:08)
How Morgan got comfortable with live broadcasting (13:20)
The biggest challenges in TV and fast-paced media industries (14:32)
Morgan's favorite part of her work (16:52)
Morgan talks about her podcast 'Manifest Space' (17:47)
Morgan's all-time favorite interview (20:00)
How Morgan learned to conduct interviews and her personal approach to them (20:53)
How CEOs and business owners should approach media and interviews (21:55)
Morgan explains how she balances and manages her work schedule with home life (26:58)

Links:

Morgan Brennan on LinkedIn

CNBC on LinkedIn

CNBC Website

Manifest Space with Morgan Brennan

Mid-Day Squares on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares – Bittersweet Victory: Showcasing challenges and successes in the entrepreneurial journey

ICR — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Introducing a new product into the extremely competitive snack market is not for the faint of heart. To succeed, you need more than a unique product; you need energy, creativity, and a bold approach. Today’s guest has all that in spades.

We're sitting down with Jake Karls, who is the first to admit that he's a different kind of business leader, unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of bullshit. Jake is the Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the good-for-you chocolate brand that turned a kitchen table dream into a global household name.

Mid-Day Squares is leading the disruption of an extremely competitive vertical with a winning team, innovative marketing and a fearless spirit. Jake is recognized as a rising star in the business world, was a finalist for Ian Wise Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 List for food and beverage, and has featured as a regular contributor to media outlets across North America.

Jake has also nicknamed the ICR conference The House of Capital, and we love him for that. He’s officially a “FOICR” which stands for Friend of ICR.

Highlights:

Jake discusses his path into the business sector (3:57)
Jake and Tom talk about their favorite Shark Tank Shark (6:51)
Jake talks about failure, finding work purpose, and skill sets (7:35)
Finding your niche in a competitive market, and Mid-Day Squares' social media approach to branding, and (9:57)
Building a brand with emotional connection, and modernized marketing (12:10)
Mid-Day Squares' conception and the idea behind the product (14:15)
Jake and the team's experience with manufacturing and building their own facility (16:12)
Best-selling products (19:02)
Mid-Day Squares' retail connections and their proudest deal (19:45)
Refrigerated snacking, and how Mid-Day Squares target their audiences (21:00)
How the team balances retail and direct channels (22:55)
Goal and mission of Mid-Day Squares (24:00)
Jake explains the complexity and challenges in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) industry (25:21)
Jake gets honest about building your own business (26:35)
Ideas for near-future product extensions at Mid-Day Squares (27:57)
How much capital Mid-Day has raised for growth and development (29:13)

Links:

Jake Karls on LinkedIn

Mid-Day Squares Website

David Bandele on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chris Hall, CEO and President, Personalis Inc. – A Prescription for Prosperity: Fueling medical breakthroughs with cutting-edge tech and strategic alliances

ICR — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 04:30:00 -0400

Big healthcare challenges demand cutting-edge healthcare products. Today's guest is building strategic partnerships to get ahead of disease and fuel the growth of their company.

Today we're sitting down with Chris Hall, CEO and President of Personalis, which trades under the symbol PSNL. In his role, Chris drives the vision and strategy for the company, including commercializing its diagnostic product offerings. He brings over 20 years of experience in general management and product development within the diagnostics industry, most recently as CEO of Naring Health.

Previously he served as President, COO, and Chief Commercial Officer of Veracyte Inc, where he led the company's commercial entry into endocrinology and pulmonology and scaled its operational groups. Chris also served as an SVP and Chief Business Officer at Berkeley HeartLab, part of Celera Corporation, where he helped new product launches, and restructured operations to improve profitability and streamline delivery of services.

Chris holds a BA in political science from DePauw University and an MBA from Harvard.

Highlights:

Chris describes Personalis and their work (3:45)
Personalis' MRD test and how it works (6:25)
Chris walks us through Personalis' tech evolution (8:23)
Personalis' current partnerships and collaborations (10:24)
More about the internal team at Personalis (14:31)
Chris discusses Personalis' recent Medicare coverage announcement (16:09)
The current macro environment's effect on business (18:09)
2023 highlights at Personalis (19:54)
Near-future growth and development goals for Personalis (22:25)
Leadership and company culture at Personalis (24:22)
Product development and long-term objectives (26:19)

Links:

Chris Hall on LinkedIn

Personalis on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

David Bandele, CFO, Hexagon Composites – Energizing the Industry: Fueling growth by tapping into a sustainable future and a vast market

ICR — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:30:00 -0400

There are some extraordinary opportunities for companies with the vision and commitment to get behind the energy transition, and today's guest works with one of them.

We're sitting down with David Bandele, who has served as the CFO of Hexagon Composites since 2014. The company is headquartered in Norway and trades under the symbol H E X . O L. Their business is focused on carbon-negative, zero-emission energy solutions supported by world-class manufacturing and digitization.

Before joining Hexagon, David held several senior positions in the field of finance and controlling with the Acre Group of Companies, GE Healthcare, and Amersham PLC. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sheffield and is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Highlights:

Introduction to Hexagon Composites and their background (3:24)
Hexagon's target audience and reach (4:24)
David describes his road to Hexagon (4:51)
David breaks down the similarities and differences between natural gas, and renewable gas (6:03)
Hexagon's growth and quick expansion (8:02)
Hexagon's total addressable market and sustainability benefits (11:43)
David walks us through Hexagon Agility's mobile pipeline (15:34)
Mobile pipeline demand (17:17)
David takes us through the roll out of Hexagon Digital Wave and developments in other Hexagon verticals (18:11)
Hexagon's recent partnership with Compass Natural Gas (19:45)
The projects of Hexagon Purus (20:45)
Hexagon Ragasco and their current market outlook (22:26)
David gives his outlook on the current environmental and sustainability efforts in business across North America (24:20)
How Hexagon is continuing to innovate and win over shareholders for the long term (25:59)
David gives us his predictions and goals for Hexagon's near future (28:42)

Links:

Hexagon Composites on LinkedIn

Hexagon Composites Website

Draken International on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 2 of 2 – The Next Frontier: Exploring the boundaries of space and innovation

ICR — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:30:00 -0400

If you've been to space and back, you're bound to have an amazing perspective about your own capabilities, and what humans can achieve. Our guest today knows all about that.

Highlights:

Jared talks about the differences between being a private and public company (4:37)
Insight on new upcoming Shift4 projects (5:06)
Jared tells us the best and worst parts of being in space (6:19)
Common questions Jared gets about space (7:01)
Jared gives us an inside look at the training process for astronauts leading up to launch (8:04)
How seeing space has changed Jared's view of the world (9:57)
Jared answers whether he ever felt nervous regret before a launch (13:18)
How Jared talks to his family about space missions (15:50)
Jared describes what it feels like to come back to Earth from space (16:53)
How your height changes after going into space and coming back to Earth (18:42)
More about SpaceX's new Starship project (20:23)

Links:
Morgan Brennan on LinkedIn

Jared Isaacman

Shift4 Website

Morgan Brennan on LinkedIn

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jared Isaacman, Founder, Shift4 and Draken International, Part 1 of 2 – Shooting For The Stars: Going beyond limits for lasting impact

ICR — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 04:30:00 -0500

In business, there's success, and there's potential. Success is nice, but true greatness lies in tapping into unseen possibilities. Today's guest has harnessed their business's potential to make a lasting impact on a global scale.

On this episode, we're featuring part one of a two-part interview recorded in January at ICR's annual conference in Orlando. It's a fireside chat hosted by Morgan Brennan, who was kind enough to step in to ask all the pressing questions. Morgan is co-anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime. Over the last 10 years, she has held various on-air roles with CNBC and was previously co-anchor of Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley. We're thrilled to feature her as our host today.

Morgan sat down with Jared Isaacman. Jared is an entrepreneur, a business leader, an accomplished pilot, and he's also an astronaut. He's the founder of both Shift4 and Draken International. Under his leadership as CEO, Shift4 has consistently pushed boundaries, developing cutting-edge payment technologies that empower businesses across countless sectors.

Be sure to check out next week's episode for the second half of this fascinating interview.

Highlights:

How Jared got his start in payment processing and technology (5:18)
Jared tells the origin story and inspiration behind founding Shift4 (6:58)
Jared describes Shift4's recent public listing accomplishment (8:19)
Shift4's current verticals and growth opportunities in payment processing (10:10)
How Jared transitioned from payment to space exploration (11:58)
How Jared got the opportunity to make space history (13:55)
Jared describes the process of assembling the Inspiration 4 mission and crew (15:40)
Jared's upcoming Polaris Dawn space mission (18:36)
Jared discusses the working with SpaceX (20:36)
More on Shift4's team and board members (22:34)
Jared shares his biggest lessons in leadership (23:49)

Links:

Jared Isaacman

Shift4 Website

Draken International on LinkedIn

Draken International Website

Amol Dhargalkar on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Amol Dhargalkar, Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board, Chatham Financial – Risky Business: How to strategically mitigate and manage market volatility

ICR — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:30:00 -0500

Mitigating risk has never been more challenging, but today's guest leans on smart data technology, a great relationship with his clients, and over 20 years of working with his very successful firm.

We’re excited to sit down today with Amol Dharkalkar, who is Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Chatham Financial. He is the Global Head of Chatham's corporate sector and brings over 20 years of experience in derivatives capital markets expertise to the treasury and accounting functions that support client strategies and operations.

Amol created the corporate sector at Chatham in 2010. He’s advised some of the largest corporations in the world in the development, execution, and ongoing management of hedging programs across interest rates, currency, and commodities. Amol has also advised both public and private companies across all industries, including real estate, private equity, telecom, technology, industrials, and healthcare, just to name a few.

Amol graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in both chemical engineering and economics and received his MBA from Wharton at U Penn, where he was a Palmer Scholar.

Highlights:

Amol gives us an overview of Chatham and the focus of their work (3:10)
Chatham's senior team and work culture (4:26)
Amol describes Chatham's clientele and target audience (6:13)
Amol tells us about one of the most complex cases Chatham has managed (8:03)
What success means to Amol as a consultant (9:53)
Amol's outlook on the current economic market and the future of interest rates (10:42)
Risk mitigation in business and how to plan for interference (13:07)
How Chatham has adopted and adapted technology into their work (14:48)
How Amol and his team stay up to date on market developments (17:40)
Amol says more about Chatham's recent EA market acquisition and partnerships (18:26)
Chatham's recent report on the state of financial risk management (20:10)
How companies continue to be successful in the changing economic climate (22:36)
Amol's thoughts on M&A, and advice for potential clients (24:16)
The current election season's potential effects on businesses (26:15)
Amol talks about fluctuating currency valuations and its impact on clients (28:52)
Future goals and plans for Chatham (30:30)

Links:

Chatham Financial on LinkedIn

Chatham Financial Website

Potbelly Sandwich Works Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Bob Wright, President & CEO of Potbelly Sandwich Works – Bread Winners: How Potbelly's sandwiches are transforming fast-casual dining

ICR — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:30:00 -0500

At a time when everyone is paying more for a lot less, and service is in decline, today's guest is leaning in to added value, and it's paying off in spades.

We're sitting down with Bob Wright, who has been President and CEO of Potbelly Corporation since July of 2020. The stock trades under the symbol PBPB. Bob has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and COO of the Wendy's Company, where he ran operations for over 6,000 company and franchise restaurants located throughout the US and Canada.

Bob has a strong record of business transformation throughout his career where he has leveraged brand strengths to revitalize top line sales and profit growth through marketing system-wide service standardization and quality initiatives. In addition to Wendy's, Bob has served in leadership roles with other restaurant brands, including Charlie's Philly Steaks, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, and Domino's Pizza.

Highlights:

Bob's journey to his role at Potbelly (2:44)
Bob gives us a history lesson on Potbelly's origins (4:03)
What makes Potbelly unique among the competition (5:06)
Potbelly's recent menu pivot and the inspiration behind it (6:13)
Current plans for franchise development and growth strategy (8:47)
Bob explains his outlook on the balance between franchising and company units (11:30)
Potbelly's current projects and goals for 2024 (13:18)
Brand digitization and new tech (14:53)
Bob highlights current brand challenges (15:45)
How Potbelly manages their margins alongside inflation and labor issues (16:58)
Bob describes the menu features bestsellers (19:26)
The team at Potbelly and work culture (21:52)
Future expansion plans and locations (24:06)
Bob's personal philosophy on leadership (27:25)

Links:

Bob Wright on LinkedIn

Potbelly Sandwich Works on LinkedIn

Christine Schindler on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Christine Schindler, Co-founder & CEO, PathSpot – A Clean Sweep: Revolutionizing health and safety in hospitality

ICR — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:30:00 -0500

In an industry booming with customer-focused innovations, it's crucial not to overlook the backbone of an enterprise. Today's guest created a groundbreaking technology that prioritizes health and safety for both customers and in-house staff, that is a critical asset for hospitality businesses as a whole.

In addition to PathSpot, Christine is Founder and CEO at Girls Engineering Change, a non-profit focused on increasing female representation in STEM. She was also featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2021 and Hospitality Technology's Top Women in Restaurant Technology in 2023.

Highlights:

Christine's background in healthcare and public health (3:16)
Christine describes the entrepreneurial influence that motivated her (4:12)
The a-ha moment for PathSpot's hand scanner technology (5:09)
How the hand scanner technology works (7:00)
How PathSpot found and targeted their audience (8:09)
Brands that PathSpot works with (9:08)
Christine describes PathSpot's safety suite of services and data platform (10:07)
The pandemic's impact on PathSpot's newly-founded business (11:50)
PathSpot's economic model (13:16)
How PathSpot uses their data bank as an ROI feature for businesses (14:03)
Christine explains the data PathSpot technology detects, and how businesses can utilize it (15:45)
How PathSpot maintains legal regulation and brand compliance(18:55)
PathSpot's areas of focus for the new year (20:11)
Christine's perspective on the society's mindset on health and safety conditions, post-COVID (20:52)
PathSpot's goals and trajectory over the next 10 years (21:56)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Anton Nicholas, Managing Partner, ICR – Revving up Consumer Relationships: How Blue Engine Merges Creativity and Strategy in PR Communications

ICR — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 04:30:00 -0500

Today, there are countless platforms to reach consumers, but utilizing too many outlets can also fragment a brand's image. Our guest on this episode specializes in strategic brand exposure, providing clients with guidance to target consumers, and maintain a united market presence.

We're sitting down with Anton Nicholas, Managing Partner at ICR. Anton just celebrated his 12th anniversary at ICR, and he runs the corporate PR team for all of Consumer, from retail to apparel to food to restaurants to CPG. It's a big practice within ICR, but we've also added a new brand: Blue Engine, an ICR offshoot creative consumer communications agency, and Anton is also taking care of that.

We'll dive into Anton's career and his work with Blue Engine, but not before settling an important debate about snack foods...

Highlights:

Tom and Anton break the ice (2:51)
Anton's work background and path to ICR and Blue Engine (4:34)
Anton describes the work he oversees at ICR (5:30)
How the ICR Lifestyle Lab transitioned into Blue Engine (6:52)
Anton explains what distinguishes Blue Engine's work from the Lifestyle Lab (7:52)
The acquisition that led to Blue Engine (8:52)
Size and scale of the business (10:04)
Where ICR and Blue Engine connect, and differ in their approach (11:52)
Where the name 'Blue Engine' came from (14:21)
The industries and clients Blue Engine is best suited for (15:28)
Anton walks through potential hurdles as the business grows (17:47)
An example of Blue Engine's offerings through their work with a specific client, and how they handle crises for clients (19:09)
Anton answers a burning question from Tom (22:14)

Links:

Anton Nicholas on LinkedIn

Mathew Tucker on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Matthew Tucker, Head of Tock – Data-Driven Dining: Optimizing the guest experience by reshaping reservations

ICR — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 04:30:00 -0500

In the effort to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had a surge of innovation, ideas, and new technologies. And while the boost has been essential to getting the industry back on it's feet, it has also intensified the competition. Today's guest is setting themselves apart with their consumer-focused approach.

We're sitting down with Matt Tucker, who is the head of Tock, a technology driven hospitality business owned by Squarespace, and trading under the symbol SQSP. Matt oversees commercial success and growth of the Tock business, which includes a reservation system, table management, carry out operations and events for operators across 33 countries. Matt came to Squarespace after nearly two decades of experience building teams and operating companies of all sizes and has a strong background in hospitality tech and the startup world.

Most recently, Matt served as President and COO of Olo, the leading provider of SaaS solutions to the chain restaurant industry, serving almost 90,000 locations. He spent nearly nine years there taking the company from 10 people and one product to a public company with over 700 team members, six core products and nearly 200 million in revenue.

Prior to Olo, Matt was on the founding team of LendingTree and was also the founder of Rely Software. He has an MBA from Georgetown and a BA in political science from the University of Michigan.

Highlights:

Matt's background and path to restaurant software (3:10)
Matt describes Tock's founding and current work (4:11)
How Tock works in the restaurant to optimize reservations (6:01)
Matt explains how Tock targets customers, and the ROI (7:36)
Data captured through Tock, and what makes Tock's approach to data optimization unique (11:35)
Matt talks about recent economic hurdles and how Tock has navigated the atmosphere (13:05)
Matt discusses Tock's versatility in the restaurant industry (15:12)
How Squarespace and Tock's work interconnect (16:50)
Field competition and the state of the restaurant technology market (19:00)
Tock's senior team and their history in hospitality (21:58)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Matt Frazier, Founder & CEO, Jones Street Investment Partners – A Prosperous Pursuit: Mastering a market niche, one property at a time

ICR — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 04:30:00 -0500

Over the last few years, the wavering economy has presented problems for virtually every market. In real estate, rising rates and inflation have challenged buyers and sellers alike. But while wading in those waters, today's guest managed to find a silver lining in their unique investment field.

Today, we get to sit down with Matt Fraser, a 20-year veteran of real estate, private equity, and corporate finance. He is the founder and CEO of Jones Street Investment Partners, a multi-family investor with more than 2 billion in assets under management. In this role, Matt is responsible for all aspects of the company's growth, including fundraising, deal sourcing, and the growth of the Jones Street team.

Prior to forming Jones Street, Matt served as the VP of Investments and Capital Markets at Taymil Partners, a multi-family owner and operator active throughout New England. Before that, he was a VP at the private equity and venture arm of Fleet Bank, which became Bank of America. Matt received a BA in media studies with a concentration in philosophy, with honors and distinction from Penn State University.

Highlights:

Matt's background in finance, and the road to founding Jones Street (2:45)
Jones Street's humble beginnings and team development (3:47)
Matt describes Jones Street's strategic approach to their unique geographic locations (5:17)
The status of supply and demand in Northeast / Mid-Atlantic markets (6:48)
Cities that Jones Street are currently targeting in their specified markets (10:00)
Financing options (11:29)
How Jones Street have positioned themselves for the upcoming wave of multifamily loan expiration (12:50)
The team at Jones Street (15:39)
Where Jones Street fits in the market of multifamily real estate, and field competition (17:00)
Future growth and current trajectory (18:48)
How Matt approaches other opportunities outside of the multifamily market niche (20:15)
Matt's advice to those interested in investing in multifamily properties (22:46)
How Matt maintains his prudent focus in the market (24:29)
Matt's vision for Jones Street in the next 10 years (25:44)

Links:

Matt Frazier on LinkedIn

Jones Street Investment Partners on LinkedIn

Jones Street Investment Partners Website

Charles Baker on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Charles Baker, Partner, Sidley Austin, Co-Chair Entertainment, Sports & Media – He Shoots, He Scores! : Winning strategies for the game of sports and entertainment investments

ICR — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 04:30:00 -0500

Chuck was also an associate for former Senator, Dollar Bill Bradley, one of Tom's all time favorite Knicks!

Highlights:

Chuck's work background and how he came across his opportunity at Sidley Austin (3:36)
Secular trends currently driving the sports and entertainment investment market (6:57)
Chuck describes the investor audience specific to sports and entertainment (8:55)
Current sports markets with high deal flow (11:59)
Chuck tells the story of the Chelsea FC deal and his role in the transaction (14:15)
The current trend and future of sports investments going international (16:54)
Chuck describes Sidley Austin's recent partnership with Arctos (19:11)
Market competition, industry saturation, and the market's outlook (22:12)
How streaming and entertainment consumption affect media rights (24:18)
Women's sports and growing investment markets (26:18)
How market developments and investments affect fan experience (27:55)
Chuck's most recent wins with his own sports teams (28:46)

Links:

Charles Baker

Sidley Austin on LinkedIn

Sidley Austin Website

Maital Rasmussen on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Maital Rasmussen, Chief Commercial Officer at Octave – Harmony in the Healthcare Ecosystem: Creating a collaborative platform to drive treatment innovations

ICR — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 04:30:00 -0500

Providing effective healthcare isn't just about the right treatment, it's a field with many branches, and strong relationships and communication channels are just as essential to providing patients with the care they need. Today's guest has developed a platform to bridge those gaps and facilitate collaboration.

Today we're sitting down with Maital Rasmussen, who has over 20 years experience as a global commercial executive and strategic advisor. In her role as chief commercial officer at Octave, Maytel is responsible for leading and bringing the first in market precision care solution in neurodegenerative diseases to patients, physicians, pharmas and payers.

She is a leader in the global commercialization of digital health and precision medicine solutions and has extensive experience in growth and value creation of patient centric, data-driven health tech products across multiple disease areas, including oncology, neurology, diabetes, infectious diseases, and more.

Maital previously served as Global Head of Marketing at Roche during her tenure there, she defined Roche's personalized healthcare strategy and successfully launched digital solutions globally, positioning the company as a world leader in health technology. Some of her other positions included Director of Strategic and Product Marketing at Oracle Healthcare and Precision Medicine, Vice President of Global Marketing at JPMorgan Chase, and Founder and CEO of Rasmussen Communications.

Maital draws on deep insights, fresh thinking, and relationships. She turns great ideas into action and delivers results driven programs without losing sight of the big picture, as so many often do.

Highlights:

Maital describes her career background, and her transition from tech and finance to healthcare (3:16)
Maital describes how the Octave opportunity came to her (4:38)
Octave's work, and their unique approach to MS treatment (6:06)
Octave's innovative digital platform, and its benefit to patients and physicians (10:41)
Maital describes the unique technology in Octave's blood test (12:01)
Market competition, and what sets Octave's precision medicine apart (13:10)
Octave's relationship with MS research communities (16:24)
Partnerships, and how Octave is facilitating collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem (18:17)
Maital explains the outlook for Octave and how they allocate capital investments (19:31)
The potential for Octave's innovative technology to expand into new disease sectors (21:32)
Recent leadership changes and how that will affect the company and Maital's role (23:02)
How COVID changed the digital health landscape (24:53)
How Octave is collaborating to bridge the gap between patients, pharma, payers, and physicians in the healthcare ecosystem (26:52)
Maital's goals and predictions for the future of Octave's platform and research (28:07)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch Restaurants – Breaking Fast: A disruptive and innovative recipe for success in hospitality

ICR — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 04:30:00 -0500

In 2021, Chris was named one of the restaurant industry's most admired C-suite leaders by FSR Magazine. Later that year, he led First Watch into Wall Street with their IPO.

Highlights:

Chris describes First Watch's background and market concept (2:57)
Competition and First Watch's position in the market (4:08)
Chris describes First Watch's business model (6:17)
First Watch's unique shift schedule, and why it attracts employees (8:43)
Chris' approach to business operations (10:36)
Chris describes the importance of remaining in the restaurant atmosphere as a CEO (12:06)
How First Watch incorporates developing technology into their business (13:59)
How Chris applies his marketing background in his role at First Watch (15:30)
Chris' capital allocation strategies (17:21)
More on First Watch's disruptive business model, and their strategic market placement (18:54)
Chris' view on inflation and its ongoing impact on the hospitality industry (20:28)
Chris describes the impact of First Watch to becoming a public company (22:09)
How Chris was introduced to the hospitality industry (24:27)

Links:

Chris Tomasso on LinkedIn

First Watch Restaurants on LinkedIn

First Watch Restaurants Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

John Carrington, CEO at Stem – Powering Up: Transforming the energy sector with AI (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 04:30:00 -0500

During the holiday period, we're re-sharing this very popular episode from earlier this year. If you missed it the first time, definitely check out Tom's chat with Stem's John Carrington!

Extreme weather, aging grids, power storage and distribution; these are just some of the challenges that clean energy is stepping up to solve. And companies like Stem are at the forefront, with cutting edge AI-driven services. On this episode we get to hear from John Carrington, CEO of Stem. John leads the energy storage and analytics movement at the company and has more than 25 years of leadership experience in technology, energy, and industrial companies.

John also spent over 16 years at General Electric, most recently as the General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer of GE Plastics. He was part of a small executive team that executed on the 12 billion dollar sale of GE Plastics to SABIC in 2007. We sat down with John to talk about his fascinating career trajectory and the huge runway he has in front of him with Stem.

Highlights:

John discusses how he got his start in the energy field (2:51)
How John ended up at Stem, and what the company does (4:39)
How Stem fits into the larger energy transition (7:28)
John talks about the ground-breaking software that Stem has built and the real-life use cases (8:39)
Stem's total addressable market (11:44)
How the Inflation Reduction Act is benefiting energy storage (13:16)
The ease of "going solar" today (14:40)
Stem's partnership with In Charge, an EV charging infrastructure solution(16:17)
John talks about Stem's truly innovative approach (18:07)
The benefits of being a public company for Stem (18:58)
How John is positioning Stem in this challenging economic time (19:29)
The key drivers for margin expansion in the next few years (20:49)
The backlog for 2022 vs. 2021 (22:01)
John talks about his great team (24:08)
Stem's approach to capital allocation (25:20)
John's outlook for energy storage in the next three to five years (26:31)
John's most important mentors (27:49)

Links:

John Carrington, Stem Inc bio

John Carrington LinkedIn

Stem LinkedIn

Stem website

Stem Twitter

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If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Tom Ryan, Founder & CEO, ICR – Sleigh-ing in Business: Welcome to the Arena's Year-End Holiday Wrap-Up

ICR — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:30:00 -0500

In a year of uncertainty, one thing is for sure: no one could accuse 2023 of being boring. On this short holiday episode, Tom Ryan, Founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena looks back on the highs and lows of 2023, shares some of his top episodes and favorite guests of the year, and his advice for businesses and strategists for a successful 2024.

Happy holidays from everyone at ICR and Welcome to the Arena! Look for new episodes and more incredible guests from our team in the new year!

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Michael Browning, Founder & CEO, Unleashed Brands – Business Jungle Gym: Scaling up with brands that help kids learn, play, and grow

ICR — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:55:40 -0500

At a time when parents are fighting a losing battle against screen-time for their kids, real world, active and educational experiences are a huge draw. Today's guest is passionate about these kinds of opportunities for kids, and has built an amazing business to fill that need.

We're sitting down with Michael Browning, Founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands, a platform company that houses the world's best franchise brands to help kids learn, play, and grow. Michael launched Unleashed Brands in 2011 after noticing a void in the market for parents looking for trusted resources for kids' activities.

The company's growing portfolio currently includes Urban Air Adventure Park, Snapology, The Little Gym, Premier Martial Arts, XP League, and Class 101. In 2011, Michael launched Urban Air Adventure Park, the world's preeminent family indoor adventure park, which has since served over 20 million kids annually and generated over half a billion dollars of system-wide revenue.

A young entrepreneur, Michael was named a rising star by the Dallas Business Journal in their annual 40 under 40 list in 2021. Having spent years as an entrepreneur, he leads the team with true insight into the challenges that new businesses face as he doggedly pushes the team to look for new ways to overcome obstacles and break down barriers to achieving success.

Highlights:

Michael on ideation and execution (3:30)
What the company does, their current scale and why they’re in their sweet spot (4:05)
Some of the brands in the portfolio, and how the business model works (6:13)
Why the business model is a competitive advantage, and how it’s been for the franchisees (8:53)
Being asset-light (10:30)
Their partnership with Seidler Equity Partners (12:05)
How they are using data to improve the company (13:54)
The decision-making process on what to include in the portfolio (15:50)
Who is the customer and why Unleashed Brands are recession-resistant (17:24)
What Michael is focused on for 2024 (19:50)
Michael discusses the team and his leadership style (21:08)
Michael tells us about how the Unleashed Brands Foundation is helping kids, and how his family has gotten involved (23:18)
The goals for the foundation in 2024 and later (27:25)

Links:

Michael O. Browning Jr. on LinkedIn

Unleashed Brands on LinkedIn

Unleashed Brands Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder & CCO, and Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO, J.McLaughlin – Dressed for Success: Designing a brand's future with customer-centric simplicity

ICR — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 04:30:00 -0500

On this episode, we're sitting down with Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of J.McLaughlin, and Mary Ellen Coyne, the company's CEO. Kevin started J.McLaughlin in 1977 with his brother, Jay. They envisioned a timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style and a spirit of connection. And they did just that, opening their first shop on 74th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan. It immediately became the post-brunch destination for the Ivy league, JG Mellon crowd.

Mary Ellen Coyne is the CEO of J.McLaughlin, and joined the brand in 2016. She oversees all aspects of strategy and operations, including merchandising, product development, marketing, retail expansion, and e-commerce. Under her leadership, the brand has launched new product verticals, including swim and footwear, enjoyed robust retail expansion, and recently launched a brand refresh. Prior to joining the company, Mary Ellen had two decades of leadership experience at Ralph Lauren, where she most recently served as the Chief Merchandising Officer of Polo Women and Children's Division. Her career kicked off in the Macy’s Training Program, and from there, she sharpened her industry expertise with key merchandising roles at Ann Taylor, The Gap, and Victoria’s Secret.

J.McLaughlin now has over 170 beautiful stores on the most charming streets in America and true to the McLaughlin brothers' vision, each store is entirely unique.

Highlights:

Kevin tells how he and his brother Jay started the business in 1977, and who the core customer is (3:48)
Mary Ellen talks about why she joined the company (6:31)
The store locations, key markets and expansion strategy (8:08)
The menswear category as the early foundation of the brand, and how the company approaches their relationship with the customer (10:16)
Kevin talks about the role that intuition plays in the company (14:53)
J.McLaughlin's philanthropy and their "local and loyal" approach (16:58)
Mary Ellen discusses the company's impressive financial performance (17:57)
The company's marketing and the role that their catalogue plays in that mix (19:43)
New categories and opportunities for 2024 (22:06)
Working with Trey Laird to update the company's branding and marketing (25:16)
Kevin discusses the expansion and brand awareness he'd like for the company (27:38)
Competition, and the profile and shopping habits of J.McLaughlin's customers (29:39)
Trends and retail projections for the coming season (30:47)
Mary Ellen and Kevin's goals for the next 5 years (32:06)

Links:

Mary Ellen Coyne on LinkedIn

J.McLaughlin on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chris Pronger, Professional Athlete, Co-Founder, The JRNY Whisky – Taking a Shot: Launching into a new market after a lifetime in the NHL

ICR — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 04:30:00 -0500

On Welcome to the Arena, Tom gets to talk to some of the most impressive people around, and with today's guest, that couldn't be more true. An added bonus? Their conversation combines two things Tom is a huge fan of: the NHL and Whisky, so this is an extra special episode.

Today we get to hear from Chris Pronger, not just a former professional hockey player, but a Hall of Famer who has been voted one of the NHL's hundred greatest players ever.

For 19 years, Chris was known as one of the fiercest and most dominant defensemen in the history of the league, and was a four-time All Star, a Norris Trophy winner as the league's best defenseman and a Hart Trophy winner, which is the league's most valuable player, and very rare for a defenseman.

Chris took three teams to the Stanley Cup Finals as Captain and won it all with the Anaheim Ducks. He was a two-time Olympic gold medal winner for Canada and is one of 30 players in the Triple Gold Club IIHF World Champion, Olympic Gold, and Stanley Cup.

Chris is a great family man and a hardworking entrepreneur launching among other businesses, The JRNY, a 100 percent Canadian rye whisky with his brother, Sean. And that's our focus for today's conversation...with a bit of hockey thrown in as well.

Highlights:

Chris' tells his journey of getting drafted into the NHL (3:14)
First impressions of the league and Chris' immersion into his first team (4:44)
Chris describes his time on the Anaheim Ducks (6:13)
Chris' turn to hold the Stanley Cup (8:24)
The most skilled player Chris ever played against (9:07)
The greatest player Chris ever played alongside (10:02)
Inspiration for founding The JRNY Whisky (11:13)
How Chris and his brother landed on the name 'The JRNY' (13:58)
How The JRNY is made and what makes it a premium product (15:53)
How Chris approached the product's marketing (16:56)
Approaching the Whisky and Canadian-Whisky marketplace (18:38)
Where to buy the product and business expansion (19:43)
Chris' current favorite NHL teams (21:34)
Chris' role as a defenseman, and how the position has changed over time (24:00)

Links:
ICR X
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Website
Chris Pronger on LinkedIn
The JRNY Whisky on LinkedIn
The JRNY Whisky Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Barry McGowan, CEO, Fogo de Chão – Rare and Well-Done: Revolutionizing the Restaurant Experience with Customized Service

ICR — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 04:30:00 -0500

At a time when customization and a personalized experience have become the expectation, the hospitality industry is racing to keep up with that demand. Our guest today understands that deeply, and he’s driving an innovative business model that is way ahead of the curve.

We're sitting down with Barry McGowan, the CEO of Fogo de Chão, an international chain of Brazilian Steakhouses. Barry became CEO in 2019, after serving as President from 2013 to 2018. He has over 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including more than 10 years with Brinker International, where he served as COO of Macaroni Grill from 2010 to 2013.

Barry also served as President and CEO of Waterloo Restaurants from 2002 to 2010. With his prior experience, Barry brings a broad range of strategic leadership and operational knowledge to Fogo. He holds a B.S. in Hotel Restaurant Management from the University of North Texas, and a Graduate Certificate of Finance from SMU.

Highlights:

Barry's introduction to the hospitality industry (2:51)
Barry describes how the Fogo de Chão opportunity was presented to him (4:20)
Fogo's unique background, history, and approach to service (6:19)
Fogo de Chão's demographics and how their consumer market has changed over time (8:35)
Barry describes Fogo's menu and value model (10:56)
Fogo's labor model and how it contributes to their service approach (13:16)
Barry explains Fogo's pricing philosophy (16:02)
Fogo's outlook and goals for the next ten years (18:52)
The investment partnership between Fogo de Chão and Bain Capital (21:58)
Fogo's international expansion and growth projection (23:38)
Barry discusses Fogo's leadership team (25:11)
How Fogo continues to innovate while staying true to their roots (27:07)
Barry's favorite items at Fogo de Chão (28:55)

Links:

Barry McGowan on LinkedIn

Fogo de Chão on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Ed Garden, Founder, Garden Investments (Part 2 of 2) – Boardroom Brilliance: Investing in the Future

ICR — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 04:30:00 -0500

It's a huge treat to get the behind-the-scenes stories of the crucial transitions and incredible growth of some of the most iconic companies in the world. And that's why our guest today needed a two-part episode.

Last week we shared the first half of my conversation with Ed Garden, Founder of Trian Fund Management and most recently, Garden Investments. Ed was Chief Investment Officer at Trian until May of 2023, and oversaw the company's portfolio management, idea generation, and due diligence activities. He presently serves as a senior advisor.

Ed has extensive experience engaging with public company management teams and boards and currently serves on the board of General Electric. He previously served on the boards of Bank of New York Mellon, Family Dollar Stores, Invesco Janice Henderson Group, Pentair, The Wendy's Company and Triarc Companies earlier in his career. Ed worked at Credit Suisse First Boston as an investment banker and BT Alex Brown, where he was co-head of Equity Capital Markets. Ed has a BA in Economics from Harvard.

In Part One of our interview, Ed told us how he broke into the investment world, and also shared Trian's origin story. In Part Two, we dive into Garden Investments, as well as Ed's work on various boards, including how he overcame some major challenges at General Electric.

Highlights:

Ed's approach to first investments (2:25)
Reinventing businesses, and Ed's experience on boards, specifically General Electric (5:18)
Lessons Ed learned from fellow board members (10:15)
How Ed approaches executive compensation as a board member (14:12)
Ed's input on the current market and macro environment (16:29)
Garden Investments' outlook and mission (18:46)
Investors that inspired and mentored Ed (21:30)
Garden Investments' values (22:46)

Links:

Trian Fund Management on LinkedIn

Trian Fund Management Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Ed Garden, Founder, Garden Investments (Part 1 of 2) – Sowing Seeds of Growth: Cultivating Success through Strategic Activist Investing

ICR — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 04:30:00 -0500

Today we're celebrating a big milestone for the show: It's our 100th episode of Welcome to the Arena and we're marking that huge achievement with a 2-part interview with an influential player in the investment world. Our guest today has had an incredible career and our conversation was packed with inspiring stories and insightful advice.

We're sitting down for part one of our interview with Ed Garden, Founder and CEO of Garden Investments. Prior to starting Garden Investments, Ed founded Trian Fund Management in 2005 with Nelson Peltz and Peter May. He was Chief Investment Officer at Trian until May of 2023, and presently serves as a senior advisor.

As Chief Investment Officer, Ed oversaw Trian's portfolio management, idea generation, and due diligence activities. He has extensive experience engaging with public company management teams and boards and currently serves on the board of General Electric. He previously served on the boards of Bank of New York Mellon, Family Dollar Stores, Invesco Janice Henderson Group, Pentair, The Wendy's Company and Triarc Companies earlier in his career. Ed worked at Credit Suisse First Boston as an investment banker and BT Alex Brown, where he was co-head of Equity Capital Markets. Ed has a BA in Economics from Harvard.

Highlights:

Ed's upbringing and the role of academia and education (3:17)
Getting into the job market, and Ed's first position in investment banking (6:18)
How Ed's work in banking influenced his path to starting an activist firm (10:20)
Early challenges Ed and his team faced when founding Trian (12:30)
The investment approach and strategy taken at Trian (16:05)
What made Trian's investment approach unique (17:28)
The relationship between capital allocation and capital governance in investing (22:36)
What CEOs don't understand about their company's value in the stock market (23:53)
How Ed "de-conglomerated" some companies (25:24)
What makes investment partnerships difficult in activist investing (28:44)

Links:

Trian Fund Management on LinkedIn

Trian Fund Management Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Joe Hand Jr., President of Joe Hand Promotions – Knockout Success: Over 50 years of growth in live sports and entertainment distribution

ICR — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Every successful family business has a good story behind it, but today's guest has an extraordinary one, that's all about innovation, creativity, and loving what they do.

Today we're sitting down with Joe Hand Jr., President of Joe Hand Promotions, the global leader in live sports for bars, restaurants, and cinemas. In his role, Joe focuses on fostering lasting relationships and delivering exceptional experiences for commercial customers, helping them drive revenue for their business.

For over 35 years, Joe has guided the business, which is now the largest independent distributor of closed circuit TV and pay-per-view programming in the world. Prior to joining his father in the family business, Joe began his career in professional sports as a 10th round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 1980, he joined Joe Hand Promotions as a part time team member before going on to create Cable Sports Network, a company that provided fresh sports programming to growing cable systems. He then assumed the role as President of Joe Hand Product Promotions in 1987.

In addition to his role at Joe Hand Promotions, Joe's distinguished philanthropic work includes opening the Joe Hand Boxing Gym in Philadelphia in 1995. The gym is a nonprofit organization which provides a variety of boxing classes to men and women of all ages and ability levels. They offer programs dedicated to disabled veterans, those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease as well as adults and children with disabilities.

Highlights:

Joe gives some background on the business, what they do for their clients and how they originally partnered with some of the biggest companies in the business (3:10)
How Joe Hand Promotions started with Joe Frazier and boxing over 50 years ago (7:09)
How the company approaches innovation and how it has evolved since 1971 (10:05)
What Joe Hand Promotions brings to the table for their customers (11:23)
Analytics and data that help their clients (13:17)
The bread and butter of their business (14:23)
Going beyond sports events (15:57)
How Joe narrows down the events they want to pursue and what their growth strategy should be (17:26)
How they think about M and A (18:43)
The other companies they have partnerships with (20:33)
How COVID affected the business (21:37)
Joe tells the story of being an NBA draft pick (24:20)
Joe’s non-profit boxing gym and how and why he started it (26:58)

Links:
Joe Hand Jr. on LinkedIn

Joe Hand Promotions on LinkedIn

Joe Hand Promotions Website

Chad Cardenas on LinkedIn

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Ross Fubini, Founder and Managing Partner, XYZ Ventures – Valuing the Vision: Fueling innovation through strategic guidance

ICR — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:30:00 -0400

When you're just starting out as a business, getting the right support during those crucial early stages plays a pivotal role in whether a good idea can reach its full potential. Today's guest has been providing that expert guidance for many years.

On this episode we're sitting down with Ross Fubini, founder and managing partner of XYZ Ventures. XYZ was founded in 2017, making investments in 105 companies across seed and growth stages, and as an organization, they look to support founders who have uncovered a unique insight and show immense velocity in their execution.

XYZ is primarily focused on enterprise, FinTech infrastructure, climate, and the public sector. Ross sits on multiple boards, including Sardine and Legion Technologies, and has made several successful early investments currently valued in the billions, including public sector focused Anduril, security provider Verdaka, InsureTech company, and New Front Insurance.

Previous to XYZ, Ross co founded Village Global and was an investor at Canaan and Kapor Capital. He is currently an advisor to executives at Palantir with XYZ backing over 20 Palantir alumni as founders across the public sector enterprise and fintech.

Highlights:

Ross describes where the name 'XYZ' came from (3:05)
Ross explains how he decided to focus primarily on early-stage companies (4:29)
Financing and investment sizes behind early-stage startups (8:04)
Ross describes how XYZ chooses and values companies they invest in (10:02)
How XYZ approaches and works alongside changing economic environments (13:28)
The importance of transparency and sharing your story with investors (16:41)
Current trends in the early-stage start-up market (19:01)
Ross gives advice to founders raising capital for the first time (22:00)
Ross describes companies XYZ have invested in whose outcome has surprised him (23:47)
Lessons Ross has learned from start-ups that didn't reach their full potential (26:36)

Links:

Ross Fubini on LinkedIn

XYZ Ventures on LikedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Maud Brown, Partner, PAI Partners – Taking Ambition Abroad: Navigating an International Investment Landscape

ICR — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:13:53 -0400

Embracing a challenge and going after the big prize is something that today's guest knows all about.

We're sitting down with Maud Brown, who is a partner at PAI Partners. PAI is a private equity firm that invests in real economy businesses and manages over 25 billion in assets. Maud heads the firm's U. S. team and oversees investment activity in North America. She's involved in fundraising, deal sourcing, and portfolio company management, including the iconic juice company, Tropicana.

Maud joined PAI in 2019 after 18 years at Investcorp where she was a managing director and a member of the investment committee. While at Investcorp, she led the acquisitions of Pro Unlimited, Nobel Learning, and The Wrench Group,. Maud started her career in M& A at Salomon Brothers and Merrill Lynch in London. She grew up in France and holds a degree in business administration from ESCP Business School and a Master’s in Corporate Law from the University Paris XI.

Highlights:

Maud's upbringing and path to corporate work (2:38)
Maud describes what drew her to becoming a professional investor (4:20)
Her start at Investcorp and experiencing its growth first-hand (5:10)
Maud explains what drew her to the opportunity at PAI (6:52)
PAI's history and their mission (10:03)
Maud discusses the PAI deal with PepsiCo and Tropicana (13:34)
Growth strategy and plan for the recent PepsiCo deal (16:03)
Maud expands on a new deal in the Pet sector (18:29)
Maud's involvement with acquisition pipelines for investments (20:09)
Maud describes the differences in her approach to her work at PAI vs. Investcorp (21:29)
PAI's approach to ESG (23:04)
Maud's outlook on the current exit environment, and the future of the field (24:55)
Where PAI will continue to invest, and what sectors they hope to expand to (26:39)

Links:

Maud Brown on LinkedIn

PAI Partners on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Gary Beasley, Co-founder & CEO, Roofstock – Reshaping Rental: Using economic pressure to create real estate prosperity

ICR — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Sometimes the most innovative business concepts are born from immense industry stress. Today's guest created a ground-breaking platform in response to the economic pressure cooker of the 2000's.

On this episode, we're sitting down with Gary Beasley, who is a co-founder and CEO of Roofstock, an award winning real estate investment as a service platform for the 4 trillion dollar single family rental sector. The company is backed by Blue Chip roster investors, including Cosla Ventures, Light Speed Venture Partners, Bain Capital Ventures, and SoftBank. Roofstock has completed over $6 billion worth of transactions since its founding in 2015.

Previously, Gary was the co-CEO of publicly traded Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust, now part of Invitation Homes, and is known as a pioneer in the development of the single-family rental sector as an institutional and asset class. Gary also served as CEO of boutique hotel company Joie De Vivre Hospitality, and award-winning solar technology startup GreenVolts.

Between 2001 and 2007, Gary was the CFO of Zip Realty where he led the internet-based residential brokerage through its IPO before eventually being named its President. Gary also spent six years with KSL resorts where he was instrumental in acquiring and integrating over 800 million worth of resort properties.

Gary earned a BA in economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business where he serves as a regular guest lecturer.

Highlights:

What inspired Gary to follow his educational path into business (3:22)
Gary's first role in the business sector, and how it influenced his outlook (4:23)
Gary describes what interested him in Stanford University, and his journey to getting there (5:38)
Gary's first job after business school (6:57)
Waypoint Homes and how Gary was introduced to the real estate sector (8:47)
Technology to facilitate the business, and how the industry has become an asset class (10:34)
Where Gary and his partner saw value in the market, and their approach to starting the business (13:20)
Roofstock's business model, and how it has changed over time (14:48)
How Roofstock works together with brokers and agents (17:41)
Gary explains their proprietary asset management software (19:28)
How COVID impacted Roofstock's business and business model (21:10)
How the current economy is influencing their approach to business at Roofstock (22:54)
Gary explains what drew their impressive group of backers to Roofstock (24:20)
Gary's thoughts on the company's future market opportunities and the possibilities of going public (27:16)
Incorporating AI and staying attuned to new tech in real estate (28:30)

Links:

Gary Beasley on LinkedIn

Roofstock on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Chad Cardenas, Founder & CEO, The Syndicate Group – Connecting Capital: Scaling startups through strategic networking

ICR — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Building a thriving business certainly has a lot to do with hard work, but it's just as much about having a strong network and leveraging those relationships. Today's guest has gathered incredible insights and connections in his long career to build a platform that facilitates these critical partnerships.

Today we sit down with Chad Cardenas, Founder and CEO of The Syndicate Group. The Syndicate Group is pioneering a new evolution of venture capital investing, helping startups scale faster by organizing exclusive investment access for strategics who commit capital, and support a company's go-to-market strategy.

With 25 years in the enterprise technology sector, Chad maintains a wealth of experience in sales, leadership, business transformation, innovation, distribution channels, investing and go-to-market strategies. He previously co-founded Trace3 where he served as President and Chief Innovation Officer studying macro trends and their effects in the IT industry. He helped build the tech reseller and integrator to 400 people and over $500 million in revenue before a private equity event in 2017.

The Syndicate Group was born out of these experiences based on the realization that startup founders need more than just capital. They need partners who can deliver economies of scale by selling or buying the startups, products, and services.

The Syndicate Group aggregates those partners, and gives them skin in the game with pre-IPO investment access. The company's investment portfolio includes high flyers such as AppDynamics, CrowdStrike, Nutanix, Abnormal Security, and Cohesity, where Chad played a key role in driving an aggregate market value of over $30 billion.

Highlights:

How TSG developed their unique business model (3:30)
How The Syndicate Group's network opportunities are valuable to businesses (5:39)
Chad describes the relationship between TSG and a startup in their network (7:53)
Chad explains what came first: building syndicate or attracting deal flow (11:52)
How TSG attracted initial investors to their business (13:15)
How The Syndicate Group vets their potential investment companies (14:39)
More about the specific sectors and business TSG focuses their work on (16:21)
How TSG manages cap tables with startups that have numerous investors (17:53)
Why investors are attracted to TSG's deal flow (19:52)
How TSG maintains scaling and growth despite the complexity of the business (21:08)
The growth and potential of TSG's business model and unique software platform (23:27)
Chad describes the state of competition in the field (24:21)
Chad explains the effects of a choppy economy and social climate on business in the VC sector (25:30)
Up and coming companies in the Syndicate Group portfolio (27:27)
Future pursuits and goals (28:42)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech – Fueling the Future: Transforming Pollution into Energy Solutions

ICR — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Innovation is about creation, but it's also about finding new spaces where those creations can be used. Today's guest has applied a centuries-old scientific process to solve a global industry problems.

Jennifer holds a B.Sc. from Harvey Mudd College, a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Highlights:

How LanzaTech's biorefinery systems work (3:23)
LanzaTech's background, and how their investment process has grown over time'(5:02)
How Jennifer was introduced to LanzaTech, and her work history before joining the company (5:45)
The science and technology behind LanzaTech, and its protection status (7:35)
What products LanzaTech produces, and some of their product partners (8:39)
LanzaTech's addressable market (10:17)
How LanzaTech's technology differs from other direct air capture technologies (11:00)
Jennifer describes who LanzaTech's customers are, and where their technology is currently being deployed (12:32)
Jennifer breaks down how the company's business model works (13:53)
LanzaTech's expansion plan (17:21)
Jennifer explains LanzaTech's LanzaJet project, and where the idea came from (18:20)
LanzaTech's plan to grow their product offerings and develop new systems for different chemical compounds (22:39)
How the company is managing the fluctuating economy and stock market as a public company (25:44)
Additional resources for listeners (28:48)

Links:

Jennifer Holmgren on LinkedIn

LanzaTech on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Keri Findley, Founder, CEO of Tacora Capital – Structured Credit Secrets: How Tacora Capital carved out a unique approach to business growth

ICR — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:30:00 -0400

When you're a founder, you need creative ways to grow your business. Today's guest recognized that need, and built her company on it.

Keri currently serves as an advisor to Firework Ventures and 8VC, and is on the boards of Hearth, Karus, Point Digital, and Architect.

Highlights:

Keri summarizes her introduction to finance (2:51)
Falling into the industry, and growing up as a 'math person'(3:22)
Keri describes what it was like to begin in the finance industry in the late 2000's (4:28)
Types of assets in the payment processing platform (6:10)
Leaving her job, and how Keri came to found Tacora Capital (7:21)
Working with Peter Thiel, and more about their partnership (9:14)
Keri describes the audience, and kinds of investors that are attracted to Tacora Capital (10:10)
Tacora's unique approach and structure in venture capital (11:14)
Keri discusses whether she would rather Tacora be at a later-stage (12:50)
Tacora's reason for focusing on Fintech and Insuretech fields (14:37)
Keri gives an example of the opportunities Tacora has provided to one of their portfolio companies (16:00)
Where Tacora's pipeline for new deals is sourced from (16:52)
How the current financial and economic climate effects the work done at Tacora (18:22)
How Tacora avoids risky situations and maintains discipline in their work (20:16)
Keri predicts the future of the venture capital market based on recent history (21:37)
'Non-dilutive capital' and Tacora's approach to companies facing down-rounds (25:15)
Why Keri decided to settle the company in Austin, Texas (27:07)
Keri predicts how the banking model will change in the near future (30:04)
Tacora's short-term goals and plans (31:22)

Links:

Keri Findley on LinkedIn

Tacora Capital Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Warren de Haan, CEO of ACORE Capital – Loan Ranger: ACORE's innovative approach to commercial real estate lending in a shifting economy

ICR — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:30:00 -0400

As the economy shifts, and interest rates rise, there's an extraordinary opportunity right now for lenders who pay attention and lean in.

Today we get to sit down with Warren de Haan, Founder, Managing Partner, and CEO at ACORE Capital. ACORE is one of the largest credit managers focused on commercial real estate lending, with approximately $20 billion of assets under management for the past three years.

ACORE originates, acquires and manages first mortgages, bnot, mezzanine, debt, and preferred equity throughout the us. They are ranked in the top 20 of the Real Estate Debt 50, according to private equity real estate, the leading industry trade publication for real estate fund and investment managers. Since its inception in 2015, ACORE has closed almost 500 transactions worth almost $40 billion. Prior to ACORE, Warren held C-Suite leadership positions in the commercial real estate finance industry, and capital markets, including Starwood Property Trust, Countrywide Commercial Real Estate Finance, and Coastal Capital Partners.

For the past 6 years, The Commercial Observer has ranked Warren in the top 15 of their annual listing of the 50 most important figures of commercial real estate finance.

Highlights:

Warren describes his path to the hospitality industry, and what drew him to it (3:16)
Warren discusses how the economic climate influenced the buildup to founding ACORE (3:57)
The commercial real estate debt market and its current addressable market (6:44)
How ACORE scales their business while assuring 'white glove service' to their customers (8:15)
Warren describes how the company handles ever-changing regulations and political interference (15:22)
How Warren approaches and resolves the complexity, and risk factors in the field (18:22)
Warren describes where the opportunity lies in different parts of the real estate market (22:13)
The change in capital spending and loan status over time, and the state of the current market (25:18)
Warren gives his theory on why businesses should pinpoint their focus on credit (28:11)
ACORE's short-term and long-term goals for the future (30:50)

Links:
ICR LinkedIn

Warren de Haan on LinkedIn

ACORE Capital on LinkedIn

ACORE Capital Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Len Liptak, Co-Founder & CEO, ProSomnus Sleep Technologies – Silent Nights: Trailblazing with life-changing sleep tech

ICR — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Sleep apnea affects a billion people worldwide and can cause serious medical problems, and yet its most widely prescribed therapy can be intolerable for many sufferers. My guest today has identified and jumped on a huge need for an alternative therapy.

We're sitting down with Len Liptak, founder and CEO of ProSomnus Sleep Technology, which trades under the symbol O S A. He's a board member and the co-inventor of the company's flagship product. Prior to starting ProSomnus, Len was President of MicroDental Laboratories, where he led the commercialization of multiple award-winning products and directed the expansion of the company's digital supply chain. During Len's tenure, the company grew three times faster than the industry average and set company records for profitability. At MicroDental, Len was named to Exec Rank's list of Top Executives for privately held companies in 2012 and 2013.

Len also spent 10 years at 3M and Stryker in strategic business development, business unit management and product development capacities. While at 3M, he was awarded the company's Golden Step Award, Circle of Technical Excellence Team Award and Global Sales and Marketing Leadership Award. Len has an MBA from University of Minnesota and a BA from Brown.

We had a great conversation about the important work ProSomnus is doing to solve a widespread medical problem.

Highlights:

What ProSomnus does, and Len’s background that started him on this path (3:10)
The problem of sleep apnea (5:05)
The total addressable market for ProSomnus (7:18)
ProSomnus’ flagship product and how it differs from traditional treatments (8:33)
How it’s delivered to patients (10:45)
The economics of expanding the sales force (12:47)
Len shares some fascinating survey data about their market (13:51)
ProSomnus’ manufacturing expansion (15:44)
How ProSomnus manages quality assurance and their use of AI (18:28)
ProSomnus’ partnerships for driving innovation forward (20:39)
How they gather feedback from healthcare providers (23:10)
Len discusses their growth rate and how that translates through their P & L (25:15)
Len talks about the great team at ProSomnus (27:14)

Links:
Len Liptak on LinkedIn

ProSomnus Sleep Technologies on LinkedIn

ProSomnus Sleep Technologies Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Tom Schadewald, Director, Baird – Mastering the Market: Sound advice in uncertain times

ICR — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 04:30:00 -0400

After a couple of turbulent years, there are still a lot of unknowns in the market. But today's guest is sharing his insights based on a wealth of experience, grounded in his firm's excellent reputation.

Today we're sitting down with Tom Schadewald, who is a Managing Director working on Baird's Equity Capital Markets Team. Tom is focused on technology and on the technology and services sectors. He joined Baird in 2022 from UBS, where he was a Director in their equity capital markets group responsible for, among other things, growing out the firm's capital markets advisory business.

Tom started his career at Deutsche Bank in the Equity Capital Markets Group, focused on financial institutions and permanent capital. He brings a decade of experience and investment banking across both equity capital markets and corporate finance advisory, and he holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard.

Highlights:

Tom's background and how the Baird opportunity came to him (2:38)
All about Baird, and the value of being employee-owned (3:58)
How Tom got into focusing on technology services (7:07)
Tom discusses the performance of tech stocks in the past few years (8:14)
Tom's playbook for positive market performance (9:44)
Commonalities with companies that are lagging (11:10)
Indicators that impact tech stocks most today (12:31)
Bull or bear? What's in store for the rest of 2023 (14:15)
The capital market sentiment today for tech companies (15:51)
The increase in demand for IPO's (21:01)
Tom's position on where the IPO window is (23:38)
When to prepare for going public (24:07)
How the election might effect things (25:20)
Tom talks about his mentors and the best advice he's gotten (26:26)

Links:

Baird website

Baird LinkedIn

Tom Schadewald LinkedIn

David Pennino on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

David Pennino, Founder & CEO, LogicSource – Procure and Conquer: Behind the Scenes of Procurement Optimization

ICR — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 04:30:00 -0400

For companies with expenditures that run into the billions, strategic procurement can mean millions for the bottom line.

Today we're sitting down with David Pennino, President, CEO, Board member and Founding Partner of LogicSource, a purpose-built procurement services and technology provider focused exclusively on indirect or not-for-resale expenditures. LogicSource’s service and technology solutions drive cost reductions and efficiencies for clients across all areas of this spend, which typically add up to 20% of a company's revenue and represent a significant opportunity for profit improvement. David has over 20 years experience in the services and outsourcing industry, including roles as a senior executive at Williams Lea Group, Scient, and Gartner.

We had a great conversation about how LogicSource secures big wins for businesses, and what's next for this growing company.

Highlights:

David explains LogicSource's operations, and what the space is like today (2:45)
Why there's a lot of "noise" around the space at the moment (4:35)
How LogicSource makes money (5:54)
Some specifics about how they unlock savings (8:34)
The misconception that a company like LogicSource might slow down operations for companies (10:46)
How they differ from consultants (13:17)
The sensitive area of cost-cutting through eliminating roles (14:15)
The tech LogicSource developed for their clients and services (16:13)
David discusses the use of AI in this industry (19:11)
What David sees in procurement in the next 5-10 years (22:30)
David's aspirations for LogicSource (24:42)
The team and culture at LogicSource (26:38)

Links:

LogicSource on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Jeff Grass, Co-Founder & CEO, HUNGRY – Feeding Innovation: A visionary app for a thriving food industry

ICR — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 04:30:00 -0400

During the pandemic, there was an eruption of on-demand delivery sites and apps focused on consumer convenience. Today's guest has built a strategic service that provides flexible opportunities for both their customers and their employees.

This week we sit down with Jeff Grass, Co-Founder and CEO of HUNGRY. It's the first ever platform that connects independent chefs to the catering and corporate food services markets while improving the lives of its chefs, clients, community, and team.

HUNGRY now operates in 13 U.S. cities, and is growing at triple-digit rates. The company has raised 60 million in venture capital from its investors, including food industry heavyweights, Walter Robb, founder of Whole Foods, Ming Tsai founder of Simply Ming, Seth Goldman's Beyond Meat and Honest Tea, and Dan Simmons of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group. From the entertainment industry, Jay-Z, Usher, and Kevin Hart, are also investors, and HUNGRY's venture capital investors are Sands Capital Ventures, Motley Fool Ventures, Evolution VC Partners, and Marcy Venture Fund.

Jeff was also a chairman and co-founder of LiveSafe, a fast growing venture-backed mobile safety and anonymous communications platform, which crowd-sources safety insights and actionable intelligence that safety and security professionals can leverage for better situational awareness, evidence gathering, and emergency response. LiveSafe was acquired in 2020. He's also Chairman and Co-Founder of BuySafe, a VC backed online trust company enabling businesses to rapidly increase customer trust and make online shopping safer for buyers, and more profitable for online merchants. Jeff earned his MBA from Wharton and has a BBA in finance and economics from James Madison University.

Highlights:

Jeff talks about his earliest ventures and idea behind HUNGRY (2:57)
The market for HUNGRY, and how they are disrupting the industry (4:13)
Jeff talks about the structure of HUNGRY, how it works, and the pain point is addresses (5:39)
How HUNGRY helps chefs (8:07)
How they are able to offer this service so cost effectively (9:25)
How Jeff put together such an impressive investor team (10:43)
Their carbon-neutral delivery program (12:17)
How HUNGRY has navigated the pandemic and inflation (14:09)
HUNGRY’s locations, and their plans for future expansion (17:46)
The team, and the company culture (18:59)
The company’s growth rate and milestones (20:15)
Jeff’s advice for other entrepreneurs (21:52)

Links:

Jeff Grass on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Alison Lange Engel, Partner at Greycroft – From the Ground Up: Managing and maintaining business partnerships in venture capital

ICR — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Starting any business is a highly complicated endeavor. In the start-up space, where stakes are higher and more competitive than ever, businesses need guidance to survive and stand out from the crowd. Today's guest draws on her vast career experience to provide expertise to businesses at pivotal phases in their development.

This week we sit down with Alison Lange Engel, a partner at Greycroft. Greycroft is a venture capital firm that invests in early and growth stage technology companies, primarily across consumer enterprise software, FinTech and health-tech. They manage over 2 billion in capital and made more than 200 investments, including household names like Venmo, The Real Real, Goop and Bumble.

Alison joined Greycroft in 2019 and focuses on early stage companies in FinTech and their active investments include Cardless, Clasha, Spectrum Labs, and Toggle, among others. She has 20+ years of experience leading, structuring, and scaling high-growth businesses.

Prior to Greycroft, Alison held positions as the VP of Marketing at LinkedIn, where for six years she had a broad impact on their advertising business unit, and then as the first chief marketing officer at Stripe. Before that, Alison was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, focused on media, entertainment, and consumer sectors. Her media background includes HBO and the CBS television network, where she worked in sales and programming roles. She holds a BA in communications from UCLA and an MBA from Wharton.

Highlights:

Alison's background, and variety of career experiences (3:04)
How Alison got the opportunity to work at Greycroft (4:37)
The characteristics that distinguish Greycroft from other venture capital firms (5:12)
Greycroft's approach to client relationships (7:05)
Alison explains what surprised her during her first year at Greycroft, and how it differed from previous work (7:44)
Alison describes one of Greycroft's start-ups that aligned perfectly with her prior career experience (9:47)
The importance of a strong senior team, and diversity in their experiences (12:11)
Alison describes how Greycroft sifts through crowded spaces to find their partners (13:09)
Common mistakes founders make when meeting with a venture capital firm (17:25)
Alison describes the relationship and the level of activeness of investors in their companies (20:27)
Alison's opinion on the biggest challenge in venture capital currently (22:20)
How to stay grounded and maintain discipline during a booming market (25:10)
Alison's advice for women entering the venture capital space (26:55)

Links:

Alison Lange Engel on LinkedIn

Greycroft on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Sarah-Marie Martin, VP, Corporate Development & Capital Markets at Uber – Drivers of Growth: Changes and challenges from investment banking to early-stage companies (re-broadcast)

ICR — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 04:30:00 -0400

This week we're re-sharing a really fun interview from back in April, with the unstoppable Sarah-Marie Martin.

It's pretty inspiring to hear from people who climb huge heights, and then go looking for even bigger challenges. And that's exactly what today's guest did. On this episode we're sitting down with Sarah-Marie Martin, who joined Uber in 2022 as Head of M&A Investor Relations and Capital Markets, after a successful 25-year career in investment banking.

At Uber, Sarah-Marie helps optimize and finance Uber's portfolio of businesses. Before joining Uber, she was the first CFO of Yumi, a digitally native, organic children's food company. Previously, in her time as an investment banking Sarah-Marie was a partner at Goldman Sachs, and also worked at Credit Suisse for 20 years. In the early days of her career, Sarah-Marie worked in the high-yield and equity capital markets groups, as well as Latin American corporate finance. She earned a BA from Stanford in Quantitative Economics, graduating with distinction. And she got her MBA from Columbia Business School, where she was valedictorian of her class.

Sarah-Marie serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of The Door, an organization that empowers disconnected youth in New York City.

She's a board member of Easy Point, a pre-IPO shipping software company. And in her spare time, she's the mom of five kids. We had a great conversation about her fascinating career, and the exciting direction that Uber is headed.

Highlights:

Sarah-Marie's education, how she got into investment banking, and what led her to Goldman-Sachs (3:05)
What it was like being a woman in such a male-dominated field (6:25)
Why Sarah-Marie decided to pivot after 25 years in banking (8:21)
What the transition was like going from banking to Yummi (10:50)
How she ended up at Uber (12:46)
Sarah-Marie's priorities (14:16)
Sarah-Marie talks about Uber's situation when she joined (15:51)
What Uber's focus is right now (17:00)
Diversity and inclusion at Uber (19:26)
Sarah-Marie's experience at the World Economic Forum in January 2023 (22:05)
Corporate employees driving for Uber (24:25)
Tips for getting your Uber rating up (25:54)
Sarah-Maries top product recommendations for Uber (26:53)
How Sarah-Marie balances her career with having 5 children (27:33)

Links:

Sarah Marine-Martin on LinkedIn

Uber on LinkedIn

Uber Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Lee Pacchia and Joan Vollero, Managing Directors of Special Situations, ICR – Mastering Crisis: Navigating High-Stakes Shifts with Legal and Communications Expertise

ICR — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 04:30:00 -0400

When it comes to high-stakes strategising for businesses undergoing challenging shifts, the incredible value of legal training mixed with communications expertise can't be overstated. Today's guests know all about that.

On this episode, we welcome two of ICR's finest, Joan Vollero and Lee Pacchia. Joan and Lee are both Managing Directors in ICR's Special Situations practice group.

Joan advises companies and individuals on a wide range of matters relating to crisis and litigation. For more than 11 years, she ran communications and external affairs for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where she served as the Director of Communications and a Senior advisor to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. Earlier in her career, Joan worked as a journalist at New York One News. She's a graduate of Tufts University and received her masters from the Med Hills School of Journalism in Northwestern University.

Lee is also in ICR's Special Situations practice, where he works on a range of corporate crisis matters with a focus on advising, financially distressed businesses, exploring strategic alternatives, restructuring, or chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Previously, Lee served as a Senior Executive at a boutique restructuring advisory firm, providing financial, operational and communications advisory services to companies in crisis, restructurings, or bankruptcy. After completing his Law Degree at New York Law School, Lee clerked for the US Bankruptcy Court, before joining Bloomberg as a journalist covering bankruptcy in the legal industry.

Highlights:

How Joan was introduced to litigation communications (3:03)
Cases and matters Joan handled during her time at the Manhattan DA Office (3:41)
Common mistakes made by companies involved in high-profile court cases (4:23)
Lee's previous work and how it led him to his current consultation position (5:45)
Self-awareness and denial when creating internal solutions for management teams (8:15)
How management teams can be prepared, and what internal functions need to be concerned about (9:51)
Scenarios when management teams need experts like Joan and Lee for guidance (10:56)
Misconceptions about the term bankruptcy, and what it means for a business (13:03)
What has stayed the same, and what has changed in the litigation world in recent years (14:27)
How Joan approaches sensitive situations when management teams are experiencing turbulent litigation situations (15:08)
How ICR's array of clients attracted Joan to her position (17:14)
Recent interesting developments, and working with management teams in the emerging technology space (19:24)
A recent public case that Joan would have liked to litigate (21:15)
A recent public case that Lee would have liked to litigate (22:25)

Links:

Lee Pacchia on LinkedIn

Joan Vollero on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Gregg Nabhan, Chairman of America's Equity Capital Markets for Bank of America – Staying Afloat in the Economic Current: Navigating the post-COVID economy with financial foresight

ICR — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:30:00 -0400

In the developing post-pandemic landscape, the discussion of a possible recession has been the latest ongoing hot topic, leaving businesses in a difficult position for decision-making. Today’s guest is sharing his expansive career knowledge to inform businesses about the reality of the current market.

We're sitting down with my only two-time guest, Gregg Nabhan. If you tuned in to the first episode with Gregg, you'll remember that he's Chairman of America's Equity Capital Markets for Bank of America, as well as Managing Director of the Consumer and Retail Team.

Gregg is responsible for the origination, IPO valuation, structuring, book-building, price discovery, allocation trading, and aftermarket performance of the equity transactions. He has 35-plus years of experience on Wall Street, and during the last 20 of those years, Gregg has led over 400 transactions raising over 265 billion dollars for companies around the world including 115 IPOs.

Prior to joining B of A in June of 2008, Gregg worked at Morgan Stanley for 13 years where he was an MD in their equity capital markets group. On this week's episode, we talked about the reality of the current economic market.

Highlights:

A brief overview of the current economic market (2:44)
How Gregg sees the current economic landscape, and its rate of potential risk (3:40)
Gregg breaks down how to understand the perspective of market fluctuation and trends (5:02)
Current events affecting the economy, and economist predictions (7:16)
Understanding the context of the current IPO market (8:38)
Areas of focus for management teams maneuvering the economic climate (10:24)
Industries of focus for investors looking to put their money to work (12:42)
Analyzing past IPO market trends and predicting the potential future of the space (13:53)
What made an investment like Kenvue so successful for investors? (15:37)
Insight on dividends and buybacks (17:55)
Techniques that issuers are using to navigate the current market (18:55)
Adjusting focus from daily changes to long-term planning (21:55)
Gregg's biggest piece of advice to listeners and investors (23:34)

Links:

Gregg's first WTTA episode

Bank of America on LinkedIn

Bank of America Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Vijay Manthripragada, President & CEO, Montrose Environmental Group – A Greenprint for Success: A Win-Win Formula for Business and the Earth

ICR — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Solving today's huge environmental problems takes creativity and innovation, but it also requires businesses to build strong industry partnerships. Today's guest is doing just that.

We're sitting down with Vijay Manthripragada, President, CEO and Board Member of Montrose Environmental Group, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol, M E G. Vijay brings significant leadership in management experience to the company. Previously, he was the CEO of PetCareRX, a high-growth e-commerce company in the pet health industry. Prior to that, Vijay was in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, and was also a director at The Advisory Board Company and a member of Johnson & Johnson's management development program. He received his MBA from Wharton and his BS from Duke and Oxford.

In this episode we talk about Montrose's mission to protect the environment with ground-breaking technology.

Highlights:

Vijay explains Montrose's business, and his family's connection to environmental work (2:38)
How Vijay went from finance to the environment (3:57)
The market and the competition for Montrose is in (5:06)
Montrose's strategy with integrating with other service providers (6:40)
Who are Montrose's clients? (7:41)
R & D at Montrose (8:11)
Vijay talks about Montrose's work in greenhouse gas mitigation (9:35)
How politics have impacted the business (11:01)
The Inflation Reduction Act's new standards (12:37)
Montrose's financial position since going public (13:45)
Montrose's portfolio and what Vijay sees as holding promise in the future (14:52)
Creating value with non-organic growth (15:57)
Montrose's current balance sheet (17:04)
What Vijay hopes he could see in the industry in the next 5 years (17:49)
Vijay's ideal vacation (18:30)
Vijay's favourite musicians/music (19:50)
What investors might miss about Montrose (21:03)

Links:

Vijay Manthripragada on LinkedIn

Montrose Environmental Group on LinkedIn

Montrose Environmental Group Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Cyrus Vance, Partner, Baker McKenzie - The Prosecutor's Dilemma: Navigating tough decision-making in the legal sector

ICR — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 04:30:00 -0400

A great thinker once said "what is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right." Our guest on this episode has built his legacy on difficult, but hugely influential decision-making.

We're joined by Cyrus Vance Jr., best known for serving as New York County's top law enforcement officer for 12 years. As Manhattan District Attorney, he oversaw everything from white-collar fraud to cybercrime, human-trafficking, and even cold-case homicides. He's now a partner at global law firm, Baker Mackenzie, where he wears three hats, sitting in its litigation and government enforcement and global investigations and compliance groups, all while serving as Global Chair of the Cybersecurity Practice.

After graduating from Yale University and earning his JD from Georgetown Law Center, Cy entered his first stint in public service as an Assistant District Attorney in the office that he was later elected to lead. His career has taken him everywhere from Africa to the Pacific Northwest, and we're very fortunate to have him as a guest.

Highlights:

Cyrus describes his background and journey to the Manhattan DA Office(2:58)
Cyrus' father's influence on his career (4:42)
What it's like to run for office, and learning how to operate in the public eye (6:02)
Returning to work in the office: what was the same and what was different (7:39)
The benefits and problems of working with large amounts of money (11:10)
Developments in anti-corruption legislation, and heightening pressure on white-collar crime (15:06)
Cyrus on if he regrets leaving office amongst the current prosecution of President Trump (19:31)
What Cyrus learned from a business standpoint about managing a large team at the Manhattan DA Office (20:55)
Cyrus' current goals as head of cybersecurity at Baker McKenzie (22:21)
Cyrus discusses potentially writing a book in the future (24:16)
Cyrus' hobbies and passion for motorcycles (26:57)
What Cyrus would be doing if he didn't pursue a career in law (27:57)

Links:

Baker McKenzie on LinkedIn

Cyrus Vance on LinkedIn

Baker McKenzie Website

Manhattan DA Office Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Dr. Marc Hedrick, President & CEO, Plus Therapeutics - The Plus Side: Making groundbreaking developments in cancer research

ICR — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Millions of Americans with medical conditions spend years waiting for breakthrough treatments. Today's guest is making extraordinary advances in cancer treatment to significantly improve outcomes.

Today we're sitting down with Dr. Marc Hedrick, President and CEO at Plus Therapeutics whose stock trades under the symbol PSTV. Previously, Dr. Hedrick served in a number of executive leadership roles, including President, CEO and Director of Cytori Therapeutics, and President and CEO of STEM Source. He's a trained general vascular and plastic surgeon, and former Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at UCLA. He also served as co-Director of the Laboratory of Regenerative Bioengineering and Repair at UCLA.

Dr. Hedrick received his MD from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, and an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA in 2005. We talked about his company's incredible new technology that is revolutionizing how some cancers can be treated.

Highlights:

Marc describes his background, and path to the medical field (2:52)
How Plus Therapeutics approaches their work to change outcomes for debilitating diseases (3:34)
How Plus Therapeutics targeted treatment differs from traditional radiotherapy (5:19)
Marc breaks down how the company chooses what types of cancer to develop treatments for (6:11)
How Plus Therapeutics is driving innovation (7:39)
What treatments their distinctive drugs can be used for and how they work (9:44)
Plus Therapeutics partnerships, and what the company looks for in a partner (12:16)
How the company managed challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic (13:47)
Competition in the CNS space, and the challenges Plus Therapeutics faced introducing a new treatment (15:18)
Funding, and the company's unique capitalization strategy (16:33)
The competitive landscape (18:32)
Plus Therapeutics leadership team, and value of culture (20:16)
Locational benefits, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Texas (21:42)
Marc's predictions on the future of the radiotherapy industry (22:59)
What investors might not understand about this company (24:42)

Links:

Plus Therapeutics on LinkedIn

Marc Hedrick on LinkedIn

Plus Therapeutics Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

John Dowd, CEO of GoGreen Investments, and Chris Showalter, CEO of Life Zone Metals - Digging Deep: Unearthing the future of sustainable mining

ICR — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:30:00 -0400

When it comes to legacy industries, it's all too common for business processes to become embedded and stagnant, but with growing technological and environmental transformation across markets, there may be no choice but to change. Today's guests are teaming up to promote a technology that could drive that change with the potential to disrupt the mining industry.

Today we're talking with John Dowd, CEO of GoGreen Investments and Chris Showalter, CEO of Life Zone Metals. GoGreen is a special-purpose acquisition company combining with Life Zone Holdings Limited in a go-public transaction set to list on the New York Stock Exchange in July under the symbol LZM.

John has over 30 years of energy and commodity investing experience and has received six Lipper Awards for best risk-adjusted performance in in the energy sector. Previously, he researched energy companies for 11 years as a sell-side analyst. Needless to say, John has a deep understanding of what resonates with investors.

Chris is the CEO of Lifezone Metals. He brings a corporate finance and merchant banking background to the Lifezone team and has extensive experience across Africa. In addition to capital markets and fundraising, Chris brings strong expertise, originating sourcing, and developing relationships across the continent.

He held the role of director and partner at the Merchant Bank, Hanneman Partners in Zimbabwe, where he focused on African mining sector. Over six years in Zimbabwe he has developed specific, he has developed specific expertise in the platinum sector and advised a number of platinum mining companies prior to that. He spent nine years at Goldman Sachs where he held various roles in equity capital markets where where also ex, while also exploring opportunities for Goldman across Southern Africa.

Highlights:

John explains GoGreen's mission statement (3:16)
How GoGreen approached the SPAC process (3:42)
John explains the benefits of the SPAC structure (5:06)
John describes what attracted GoGreen to Life Zone Metals (5:50)
SPAC redemption rates, and the process of securing a partnership (7:37)
Chris breaks down Life Zone Metals' work, and relationship to Africa (9:41)
Chris compares traditional smelting practices to the benefits of Lifezone's Hydra-Met technology (12:10)
Efficiency of Hydra-Met technology, versus traditional mining practices (14:23)
What makes Kabanga nickel sustainable? (15:20)
Chris describes the market in Africa, and why they companies work in the location (16:28)
Tanzanian Nickel and its relation to the recent Inflation Reduction Act (18:47)
Chris and John describes the total addressable market for their industry (20:35)

Links:

Chris Showalter on LinkedIn

John Dowd on LinkedIn

GoGreen Investments on LinkedIn

Life Zone Metals on LinkedIn

GoGreen Investments Website

Life Zone Metals' Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

David Katz, Founder & CSO, and Robert Jacks, President and CEO, Sparrow Pharmaceuticals – Pioneering Relief: A prescription for changing lives and healthcare

ICR — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Sometimes abstract thinking that can lead to real breakthroughs. The knowledge and innovative thinking of today's guests led to an life-changing solution to an ongoing 75-year puzzle. Today we sit down with David Katz and Robert Jacks; Chief Scientific Officer, and President & CEO, of Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, respectively. Sparrow has come up with a groundbreaking way to help patients who need steroid treatments.

Robert was previously President & CEO of Indalo Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing therapeutics for serious fibrotic diseases, and President, CFO, and Co-Founder of Symbiomix Therapeutics, which was sold after achieving NDA approval for Solosec®. Robert began his career in finance and product development at Pfizer, where he last worked as the Director of Business Development for Oncology and Infectious Diseases.

Prior to Sparrow, David Katz was a pharmaceutical R&D leader at Abbott and AbbVie, where he led clinical development and drug discovery teams, and was a personalized medicine pioneer. David is dedicated to the mentorship of the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs, currently as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Oregon Health & Science University. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Highlights:

David explains Sparrow's key focus, and they problem they are solving (2:49)
How Sparrow planned for the economics of developing a new treatment (5:13)
Robert explains why he jumped on board at Sparrow (7:21)
David talks about his background, mentors, and interests in the field (8:36)
David explains the 75-year puzzle of glucocorticoids (13:50)
How Sparrow's SPI-62 treatment can change a patient's life, and how it's a novel approach (16:27)
Sparrow’s current clinical trials (19:41)
Sparrow's strategic partners (21:20)
Why an investor would be attracted to Sparrow now (22:19)
Managing being on 2 different coasts, and how they attract talent (23:18)
The businesses/leaders that David admires (24:40)
David talks about his passion for both art and science (25:58)
Robert discusses Sparrow's unique value proposition (26:51)

Links:

Sparrow Pharmaceuticals on LinkedIn

Robert Jacks on LinkedIn

David Katz on LinkedIn

Sparrow Pharmaceuticals Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

David Horowitz, Founder & CEO, Touchdown Ventures - Scoring Big: The power of partnerships and strategic investing

ICR — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Building partnerships and investing strategically can be key in the growth of a business. However, for big corporations, and small start-ups, creating and managing a variety of partnerships can be challenging. Today's guest created his company to help ease that process.

On this episode we're sitting down with David Horowitz, founder and CEO of Touchdown Ventures. Touchdown partners with leading corporations to manage their venture capital funds, and currently they partner with Kellogg T-Mobile, Amerisource Bergen, Olympus, and Erie Insurance, Masco and Colorcon just to name a few.

Prior to starting touchdown, David was founding partner and managing director at Comcast Ventures for nearly 15 years. There he focused on investments in digital media, advertising, technology, digital home education, and financial technology. David also helped start and was partner at Gencast Ventures, a seed stage venture capital fund affiliated with Comcast Ventures.

Prior to Comcast, David worked in investment banking at Bear Stearns. He started South Jersey Tech Collective and networking group of entrepreneurs and investors in South Jersey, and David is also the inventor of the board game 'Frequent Flyer', which we'll talk about later in the program.

Highlights:

David's previous work, and introduction to Touchdown Ventures (3:10)
Market change and transitioning into corporate venture capital (4:33)
Benefits of corporate venture capital investing (6:08)
Common mistakes corporations make with investments (7:19)
Pros and cons of venture capital partnerships (9:11)
Industries investing in corporate venture capital (11:12)
What makes a company an ideal partner for Touchdown Ventures (12:53)
How Touchdown Ventures' model works, and success examples (14:03)
Effects of the current market on investing and venture capital business (15:35)
The company's future goals and trajectory (17:45)
David's board game 'Frequent Flyer' (18:42)

Links:

David Horowitz on LinkedIn

Touchdown Ventures on LinkedIn

Touchdown Ventures Website

David's 'Frequent Flyer' board game

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Robert Irvine, World Class Chef & Entrepreneur – The Recipe for Success: Cooking up a second chance, and turning setbacks into comebacks

ICR — Wed, 31 May 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Making mistakes is a natural part of building every business, but leaving problems unresolved for too long can be costly. Today's guest is teaching business owners that huge success can come out of grand failures - if you’re paying attention.

Today we're sitting down with Robert Irvine, a world-class chef and host of Food Network's hit show 'Restaurant: Impossible', where he takes two days and under $20,000 to transform failing restaurants and give their owners a second chance.

Robert's also an entrepreneur, a Royal Navy veteran, and a tireless supporter of the military. In addition to his restaurants, he's the owner of 'Fit Crunch', makers of protein bars and snacks; Robert Irvine Foods, which makes restaurant-quality, prepared meals available in grocery stores and for food service applications; and Boardroom Spirits, makers of Irvine's Vodka and Irvine's American Dry Gin. Robert is also the author of five books, the latest of which is called 'Overcoming Impossible'.

Highlights:

Robert's childhood, and introduction to military (2:44)
'Restaurant: Impossible' TV show, and inspiration for new book (3:56)
Robert's businesses, and business hurdles (6:04)
Philosophy on businesses integrating social media (8:49)
Robert explains how, and why businesses fail (10:39)
Memorable success stories from 'Restaurant: Impossible' (13:26)
How Robert discovered his talent for leadership (17:15)
Robert discusses scalability and growth (19:47)
Hiring and maintaining a great team (20:31)
The Robert Irvine Foundation and philanthropy (23:23)

Links:

Robert Irvine on Instagram

Robert Irvine on LinkedIn

Robert Irvine's Website

Robert's TV Show 'Restaurant: Impossible'

Buy Robert's Book 'Overcoming Impossible'

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Alex Ryan, CEO, The Duckhorn Portfolio – Aged to Perfection: A generational journey in crafting brand legacy

ICR — Wed, 24 May 2023 04:30:00 -0400

To create a brand with a lasting legacy, owners have to set and follow clear principles from the very beginning. Today's guest has continued to strengthen and grow their brand while maintaining those key principles.

Today we're sitting down with Alex Ryan, President, CEO, and Chairman of The Duckhorn Portfolio, North America's premier luxury wine company, with 10 wineries, eight state-of-the-art wine-making facilities, seven tasting rooms, and over a thousand coveted acres of vineyard spanning 32 estate properties.

Their wines are available throughout the US, on five continents, and in 50 plus countries around the world. Their stock trades under - not surprisingly - NAPA. Since 1988, Alex's visionary leadership has been instrumental in establishing and growing The Duckhorn portfolio from a modest 15,000 cases and a few million dollars in revenue to one of the most highly respected and fastest growing luxury wine companies in the world with multiple Appalachians brands, price points, and styles.

Alex's story about moving to the region and rising through the ranks to his current position is so interesting, and it's safe to say Tom has been looking forward to this interview for months. Join him on this week's episode as he cracks a bottle of Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2019 just for the occasion.

Highlights:

Alex's relationship with the Duckhorns (2:57)
Alex's start in the business (4:24)
The Duckhorn Portfolio brands and products (5:15)
Alex's path to CEO (7:52)
How being on the production side has influenced Alex's approach to business (8:06)
What makes The Duckhorn Portfolio unique (9:58)
The company's distribution strategies (11:37)
Off-premise growth strategy (13:42)
Innovation and incorporating modern technology into the business (15:01)
The company's total addressable market, and going international (17:02)
Growth investments (18:26)
The executive team at The Duckhorn Portfolio (20:23)
Company values, and brand legacy (22:18)
How the brand makes and chooses their acquisitions (24:15)
The impact of inflation and the current economy have on the business (25:29)
Alex's proudest moments in his career (27:28)
Wine recommendations from Alex (28:22)

Links:

The Duckhorn Portfolio on Instagram

The Duckhorn Portfolio on LinkedIn

The Duckhorn Portfolio Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Krishna Gupta, Chairman and Interim CEO at Presto – Driving Innovation: Using AI tools to accelerate the service industry

ICR — Wed, 17 May 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Recently, the restaurant industry has been struggling to hire new workers and retain their current employees. Today's guest is using innovative AI technology to deliver speed and consistency in customer service, and in the kitchen.

On this week's episode we sit down with Krishna Gupta, Chairman and Interim CEO of Presto, one of the largest drive-through automation technology providers in the hospitality industry. Krishna is a founder and CEO of venture firm Remus Capital which he founded as a student at MIT in 2008. Remus partners with visionary founders and management teams to build technology businesses that rewire entire industries. This led him to Presto, which many years later trades on NASDAQ under the symbol PRST. Prior to Remus, Krishna spent time at McKinsey & Company, and JP Morgan, helping several Fortune 100 clients on billion dollar technology transactions.

Krishna is an incessant traveler, and has done business across five continents. Outside of investing, he has a broad set of intellectual interests. He's conducted chemistry research at the University of Chicago, and in Israel. He produced a film on English ancient history, which is used at Cambridge in Oxford, and competed as a finalist in the USA Mathematics Olympia.

Highlights:

Krishna's start in venture capital and investing (2:57)
Presto's products and their purpose (4:30)
How Krishna stepped up as interim-CEO (7:14)
What makes Presto services unique in the industry (8:05)
The addressable market for automation (9:40)
Automating labor and automation ROI (11:18)
The journey to becoming a public company (13:33)
Automation duality for customers and businesses (15:15)
Collaboration with OpenAI and ChatGPT (17:10)
How AI is implemented in the service industry (18:16)
Current projects and goals for the future (20:21)
Managing their P&L (21:21)
Krishna's advice for beginner entrepreneurs (22:21)
The state of human-machine convergence (24:03)
What investors might miss about Presto (26:01)

Links:

Krishna Gupta on LinkedIn

Presto on LinkedIn

Presto Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Sandra Campos, 3x CEO & Entrepreneur – Fashion Forward: Leading the fashion industry into the future

ICR — Wed, 10 May 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Highlights:

Upbringing and entrepreneurial background (3:23)
How Sandra was introduced to retail and fashion (5:20)
Sandra's business mindset (7:44)
Her first CEO role (8:44)
Bringing together creative and business mindsets (10:18)
Recent transformation in the retail industry (12:53)
Sandra's partnership with Selena Gomez (15:13)
Finding the right role in the fashion industry (17:50)
Working on a Board of Directors (19:06)
Sandra's experience working in a male-dominated and less culturally-diverse industry (23:16)
Her new role with Fabric and Daniel's Jewelers (24:46)
Latina visibility in the workforce (27:56)

Links:

Sandra Campos on LinkedIn

Fabric on LinkedIn

Fabric Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Sean O'Scannlain, President & CEO of Fortune International – Reeling in Success: Utilizing tech to take the seafood industry global

ICR — Wed, 03 May 2023 04:30:00 -0400

The food industry is a tough business that relies on tight planning and logistics, but today's guest has created a finely-tuned operation by taking advantage of tech innovations.

On this episode, we're sitting down with Sean O'Scannlain, who founded Fortune International in 2001. Since then, the company has grown both organically and through numerous acquisitions into one of the country's leading processors, distributors, and importers of quality seafood, meats and gourmet products.

Today, Fortune International employees over 1,300 people and is the parent company of Fortune Fish and Gourmet Fortune Imports, Chef Martin, Coastal Seafood, D'Artagnan and Lobster Gram. The company handles more than 15,000 seafood and gourmet products daily throughout the central, southeastern and northeastern United States.

It's no surprise that Sean is well respected in the seafood industry. Among many leadership positions, he’s a past chairman of the National Fisheries Institute, and he’s a founding member of SeaPak group of seafood companies dedicated to driving continuous improvement of social, economic, and environmental responsibility throughout the global seafood chain.

Highlights:

Sean describes Fortune International's reach and background (3:04)
How Sean started the business (3:54)
How Fortune finds its customers (6:51)
Industry changes, and new tech (8:43)
How seafood travels (11:37)
Using acquisitions to expand 14:20)
Making acquisition decisions, and the finding the right fit (16:46)
Fortune's most recent acquisition, and future growth plans (18:09)
Direct-to-consumer project (20:05)
The senior team at Fortune International (21:37)
The current economy's effect on business (23:55)
The company's total addressable market (25:16)
Sean's favorite products, and locations for seafood (26:02)

Links:

Sean O'Scannlain on LinkedIn

Fortune Fish & Gourmet on LinkedIn

Fortune International Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott – Bling it On: Building a Values-Driven Jewelry Empire

ICR — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 04:30:00 -0400

In business, you have to want to win. But in addition to that, simple, honest values go an incredibly long way. Today's guest leads a company that is powered by that philosophy.

Highlights:

The origin story of the company (2:58)
Tom's background and career trajectory (4:02)
The appeal of the Kendra Scott story and her as a leader (8:33)
Tom outlines the company's brand values (10:43)
Why Tom made the decision to join the company/the importance of philanthropy (14:36)
The various tipping points in the company's growth (16:52)
The importance of their relationship with Berkshire (19:29)
Tom discusses Kendra Scott's creative approach to marketing (20:28)
The Kendra Scott Foundation (22:50)
The men's line (23:40)
Tom talks about his leadership philosophy and the closeness with his team members (25:36)
The company's vision for the next 5 to 10 years (27:08)

Links:

Tom Nolan on LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods – Gut Feeling: Building demand for probiotic foods

ICR — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:30:00 -0400

A business's true test of survival is based on their ability to learn from challenges. By adapting to changing times, today's guest found a sweet spot in the market for their product to thrive.

Today we're sitting down with Julie Smolyansky, who became the youngest female CEO of a publicly held firm when she took over Lifeway Foods at the age of 27 in 2002. Over the ensuing years, Julie has continued the company's growth trajectory with creative product development and marketing, bringing an Eastern European product into the US mainstream. Under her leadership, the company has grown annual revenues from 12 million in 2002 to over 119 million in 2021. During Julie's tenure, the company has expanded distribution throughout the United States, and has expanded their reach internationally.

Julie serves as a member of the United Nations Foundation, Global Entrepreneur's Council, and was part of the 2015 Class of Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum. She's produced several documentaries, co-founded a non-profit test 400k, and she released her first book, a cookbook in 2018.

On this episode we have a great conversation about taking over her family's business, the health benefits of kefir, and overcoming business hurdles.

Highlights:

Lifeway Foods' history and introducing kefir (2:57)
Julie's transition to CEO (4:37)
Gut health and kefir health benefits (7:28)
The growing probiotics market (10:37)
How the pandemic affected business at Lifeway Foods (12:08)
Lifeway Foods' marketing strategies (16:13)
Scaling the business, and future expansion (18:00)
Manoeuvring in the current economy and supply chain concerns (20:26)
Current products and new projects (22:20)
Charity work and supporting Ukraine (24:12)

Links:

Julie Smolyansky on Instagram

Julie Smolyansky on LinkedIn

Lifeway Foods on LinkedIn

Lifeway Foods Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

John DiLullo, CEO of LiveVox – Dialing Up Efficiency: Transforming call center communications with cloud-based tech

ICR — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:30:00 -0400

The success of a company can hinge on clear and accessible communication with customers. Today's guest is leveraging tech to marry communication quality with the ultimate efficiency.

This week, we're sitting down with John DiLullo. John is the CEO of Live Vox, which is transforming call centre communications with cloud technology. LiveVox trades under the symbol LVOX. John is a growth oriented industry veteran with a track record spanning more than 30 years in networking, telecom application delivery and cybersecurity, including 10 years experience in multi-channel contact center and enterprise voice communications.

Most recently, John was the Chief Revenue Officer at Force Point where he drove the company's worldwide revenue operations, sales, marketing, and business development efforts. Prior to Force Point, John served as the CEO of Last Line Security, a fast-growing AI-based network, threat detection company that was acquired by VMware in 2020. John holds two US patents and is a former Stanford University fellow.

John and I had a great conversation about LiveVox's state-of-the art cloud data platform, hybrid and remote working, and the future of AI.

Highlights:

John describes his career path leading up to LiveVox (2:51)
How the software works, and customer service (4:18)
LiveVox's customers (5:59)
How the software improves an agent's service quality (7:29)
LiveVox's unique cloud-based architecture (8:48)
Implementing the software, and transforming old systems (11:10)
Employee retention rate and managing enterprise risk (15:10)
Catering to customer experience (17:12)
The future of customer service and how LiveVox will respond (19:06)
How LiveVox uses and creates AI solutions (21:30)
LiveVox's projection and growth goals (24:28)
What investors miss about the company (26:06)

Links:

John DiLullo on LinkedIn

LiveVox on LinkedIn

LiveVox Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Sarah-Marie Martin, VP, Corporate Development & Capital Markets at Uber – Drivers of Growth: Changes and challenges from investment banking to early-stage companies

ICR — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:30:00 -0400

It's pretty inspiring to hear from people who climb huge heights, and then go looking for even bigger challenges. And that's exactly what today's guest did.

On this episode we're sitting down with Sarah-Marie Martin, who joined Uber in 2022 as Head of M&A Investor Relations and Capital Markets, after a successful 25-year career in investment banking. At Uber, Sarah-Marie helps optimize and finance the company's portfolio of businesses. Before joining Uber, she was the first CFO of Yumi, a digitally native, organic children's food company. Previously, during her time in investment banking Sarah-Marie was a partner at Goldman Sachs, and also worked at Credit Suisse for 20 years.

In the early days of her career, Sarah-Marie worked in the high-yield and equity capital markets groups, as well as Latin American corporate finance. She earned a BA from Stanford in Quantitative Economics, graduating with distinction. And she got her MBA from Columbia Business School, where she was valedictorian of her class.

Sarah-Marie serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of The Door, an organization that empowers disconnected youth in New York City. She's a board member of Easy Point, a pre-IPO shipping software company. And in her spare time, she's the mom of five kids.

Sarah-Marie and I had a great conversation about her fascinating career, and the exciting direction that Uber is headed.

Highlights:

Sarah-Marie's education, how she got into investment banking, and what led her to Goldman-Sachs (3:16)
What it was like being a woman in such a male-dominated field (6:29)
Why Sarah-Marie decided to pivot after 25 years in banking (8:19)
What the transition was like going from banking to Yumi (10:45)
How she ended up at Uber (12:43)
Sarah-Marie's priorities (14:05)
Sarah-Marie talks about Uber's situation when she joined (15:37)
What Uber's focus is right now (16:41)
Diversity and inclusion at Uber (18:59)
Sarah-Marie's experience at the World Economic Forum in January 2023 (21:34)
Corporate employees driving for Uber (23:58)
Tips for getting your Uber rating up (25:14)
Sarah-Marie's top product recommendations for Uber (26:11)
How Sarah-Marie balances her career with having 5 children (26:44)

Links:

Sarah Marie-Martin on Twitter

Sarah Marine-Martin on LinkedIn

Uber on LinkedIn

Uber Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Robert Piconi, Chairman and CEO of Energy Vault – Fuel for Thought: Creating the Preeminent Energy Storage Company

ICR — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Renewable, sustainable energy has made strides in the last 20 years with developments in solar and wind power, but much of the field still struggles to move forward from traditional fossil fuels. Today's guest has broken new ground on a uniquely clean, and extremely effective energy technology.

Robert Piconi is Chairman and CEO of Energy Vault, developers of sustainable energy storage solutions. Prior to Energy Vault, Robert was founder and CEO of Pantheon Healthcare Group, and he also served as group at the Danaher Corporation. His earlier experience includes roles of increasing responsibility at Fortune 500 public companies, including the Diversified Energy Group at Amoco and British Petroleum, as well as executive leadership roles at Bell Labs Lucent Technologies. Robert holds a BS/BBA from Notre Dame, and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

We talk to Robert about his early career, the energy storage market, and Energy Vault's huge runway for growth.

Highlights:

Robert's transition from the fossil fuel market to renewables (2:51)
Energy Vault's story and services (5:06)
How Robert spotted a gap in the market (6:37)
Energy Vault's growth and expansion tactics (9:02)
The Inflation Reduction Act and impact on business (12:38)
How the unique gravity storage method works (14:25)
Target audience and customers (17:29)
Robert explains the business's economic model (21:46)
Energy Vault's leadership team (24:10)
The future of the business and new projects (25:49)

Links:

Robert Piconi on LinkedIn

Energy Vault on Instagram

Energy Vault on LinkedIn

Energy Vault Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Dr. Eddie Sullivan, President, CEO at SAB Biotherapeutics – The Battle of Biotech: Fighting disease with a breakthrough treatment strategy

ICR — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:30:00 -0400

In healthcare, they say the only constant is change. Medical practices and treatments are always evolving, and today's guest is on the cutting edge of an exciting development.

Today we're sitting down with Dr. Eddie Sullivan, co-founder, President and CEO at SAB Biotherapeutics. Eddie served in biopharma leadership positions for more than 25 years, and prior to joining SAB, he was CEO of Hema Tech, where he led initiatives to develop infectious disease, cancer, and autoimmune immunotherapies. A recognized thought leader in antibodies in transgenic animals, Eddie serves on the board of directors for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, he's earned two PhDs in health science administration and reproductive physiology, and he holds an MS in reproductive physiology and molecular biology, and a BS in Animal health sciences.

On the show, we talk to Eddie about SAB's polyclonal antibody research, perceptions about this research in the biotech world, and the future of fighting diseases.

Highlights:

Eddie's path to the Biotherapeutics field (3:04)
Founding SAB and the immunotherapy industry (3:41)
How SAB uses cows for research (4:59)
SAB's take on the COVID vaccine (8:43)
Perceptions of monoclonals vs. polyclonals (13:27)
Slow growth in polyclonal research (16:57)
SAB's work on Type 1 Diabetes and other disease treatment (20:13)
What Eddie is excited about in the future for the field (26:19)
The biggest challenge in biotech (27:10)

Links:

Dr. Eddie Sullivan on LinkedIn

SAB Biotherapeutics on Linkedin

SAB Biotherapeutics Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Tom Harrington, CEO at Primo Water Corporation – A Refreshing Approach: Shifting business models and designing an infallible growth strategy

ICR — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:30:00 -0400

Making a decision like transitioning from a successful soda brand into a water company will certainly come with its risks, but it can also open the door for commercial expansion and innovation. Today's guest was able to make that shift seamlessly.

On this week's episode, we get to sit down with Tom Harrington, Chief Executive Officer of Primo Water, which trades under the symbol PRMW. Tom took the post in the beginning of 2019 and prior to that, he served as the CEO of Primo's North American Business Unit after the acquisition of DS Services in December of 2014. Before the acquisition, Tom served in various roles with DS Services including CEO, President and COO. Prior to joining DS services, Tom worked with Coca-Cola Enterprises in a number of roles including VP and General Manager of the New York and Chicago divisions.

Tom and I talked about the evolution of Primo Water, and the investments they've made into developing their service-based model.

Highlights:

Tom introduces Primo's services (3:10
Primo's business model (3:52)
Recurring-revenue business strategy (4:59)
How Primo's business model has changed over time (5:56)
E-commerce and technology (7:08)
Investments and supply chain optimization (8:14)
Water resourcing and environmental concern (9:51)
New products and partnerships (10:41)
Inflation and economic impact (11:55)
How Primo raise their EBITDA margins (13:43)
Benefits of being a pure-play water company (15:07)
Primo's differentiation from competitors (16:05)
Mergers and acquisitions (17:09)
Primo's growth formula (18:26)
The effect of imposing tariffs (20:40)
How investors misjudge Primo (21:59)

Links:

Tom Harrington on LinkedIn

Primo Water Corporation on LinkedIn

Primo Water Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Matthew Doctor, President & CEO at Regis Corporation – A Cut Above: Rebuilding a business model, and transitioning from corporate to franchise

ICR — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 04:30:00 -0500

As a public company, moving into a fully franchised model isn't always easy. There are lots of challenges and misconceptions, but today's guest has come through all of that with flying colors.

Matthew Doctor is President, CEO, and a Board Member of Regis Corporation, which trades under the symbol R G S. Regis is the beauty industry's global leader in salons and cosmetology education, with more than 5,500 locations worldwide operating under concepts such as Supercuts®, SmartStyle® and First Choice Haircutters® to name a few. Matt joined Regis in February of 2021, as Chief Strategy Officer, before becoming President in 2022.

Previously, Matt was a partner and chief financial officer for Kava Restaurants, a Tim Horton's franchisee. Prior to Kava, he held several roles at Restaurant Brands International, owner of the Burger King, Tim Horton's and Popeye's Brands. There, he was head of Global Development and franchisee performance of Burger King, he led M and A in Asia for Burger King, and led development efforts for Tim Horton's. Matt started his career as an investment banker for JP Morgan in New York.

On this week's episode, we sat down to talk about Matt's franchise career, and his incredible work with Regis during a really tricky period.

Highlights:

Matt shares Regis' brand history (2:58)
Services provided under the Regis brand umbrella (5:31)
Franchise reach, audience, and customer profile (6:11)
Matt's work in the franchise field, and his introduction to Regis (7:16)
How Regis fits the 'franchise model' (10:13)
Matt discusses his senior team's synergy (12:31)
What Regis focused on for future profitability (14:23)
Technology initiatives and industry innovation (17:07)
Future goals for the franchise (18:22)
Matt explains Regis' growth expansion plan (20:24)
Common mistakes to avoid as a franchisor (22:45)
Effectively communicating your business to investors (24:35)

Links:

Mathew Doctor on LinkedIn

Regis Corporation on LinkedIn

Regis Corporation Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Mei Mei Hu, CEO and Co-Founder of Vaxxinity – Taking a Shot: Chronic disease prevention and democratizing healthcare with vaccine technology

ICR — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 04:30:00 -0500

We get to hear from a lot of smart people with incredible ideas on this show, but it's extra exciting when they also have a world-changing vision, and our guest today has just that.

On this week's episode we're talking with Mei Mei Hu, CEO and Co-Founder of Vaxxinity, which trades under the symbol VAXX. Mei Mei is also a member of the Executive Committee of United Biomedical, and has overseen the launch of one of the first antibody vaccines in the world, and the successful spin out of five companies, including Vaxxinity's IPO in 2021. She currently leads an active pipeline of chronic disease immunotherapeutic candidates, including for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, migraine, hypercholesterolemia, and variant inclusive COVID booster.

Mei Mei has been named to the Time 100 Next List, Fortune 40 under 40, and is a member of the Young Global Leaders of World Economic Forum. She holds a BA from University of Pennsylvania and a JD from Harvard Law School. We recorded this episode with Mei Mei in January 2023, and talked about the fascinating science behind Vaxxinity's work, and their amazing vision for making these vaccines accessible to the world.

Highlights:
• Mei Mei breaks down what drew her to the biotech field (3:03)
• Vaxxinity's origin story (3:58)
• Mission statement and company goals (5:37)
• Vaccine technology and Vaxxinity's approach to solving health problems (6:48)
• How chronic diseases are chosen and prioritized (9:09)
• How the vaccine works against Alzheimer's (10:38)
• A vaccine for Parkinson's, and working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation (12:37)
• A vaccine for cholesterol and simplifying cholesterol medication (13:57)
• The undiscussed disability: Migraines (16:28)
• How the economics work, and the company business model (18:14)
• COVID-19 vaccine developments, and short term vaccine studies (20:57)
• Taking the business public (23:00)
• Vaxxinity's leadership strategy and characteristics for a great team (24:47)
• Biotech trends for 2023 (26:55)
• Mei Mei's predictions for the future of chronic disease management (28:09)

Links:
ICR Twitter
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Website
Mei Mei Hu
Vaxxinity on LinkedIn
Vaxxinity Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co

Rob Arena, Co-President of Global Atlantic Financial Group – Making 'Cents' of Wealth Management: Providing clients with strong, reliable plans

ICR — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 04:30:00 -0500

For people navigating financial planning in these shaky times, there's a great deal of comfort in the way that insurance companies can help mitigate risk and still grow wealth. Global Atlantic is one of those companies offering innovative products and solid planning.

On today's show we're joined by Rob Arena, Co-President of Global Atlantic where he supports Chairman and CEO Allan Levine in operating the business and executing the company's growth strategy. Rob also leads the company's individual markets business, and oversees operations and technology.

Rob has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including leadership of the Hartford's annuity business and in his role as President of Hartford Mutual Funds. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President for American Scandia Prudential Annuities.
In this episode Rob tells us about about his lengthy career, the role of insurance companies today, and the importance of safety in your portfolio.

Highlights:
• Rob describes his path to wealth management at Global Atlantic (2:51)
• The value of strong work culture (4:48)
• How the wealth management industry has changed over time (5:54)
• Rob explains his product distribution method (7:02)
• How and why annuities are so important for retirees (8:47)
• Rob's observations of recent trends in the annuity market (9:36)
• Current consumer challenges within the annuity market (10:47)
• How companies like Global Atlantic can help consumers get through market fluctuations (11:44)
• Common misconceptions from consumers (14:20)
• Rob explains how technology is integrated into the practice (16:41)
• Global Atlantic's recent partnership with KKR (19:08)
• The 'Trust Business' and how Rob ensures quality for consumers (20:45)
• Global Atlantic's Accolades (22:05)
• Rob describes his strong, strategic senior team (23:34)

Links:
ICR Twitter
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Website
Rob Arena on LinkedIn
Allan Levine on LinkedIn
Global Atlantic Financial Group on LinkedIn
Global Atlantic Financial Group Website

Disclaimer:
Annuities are issued by Forethought Life Insurance Company, 10 West Market Street, Suite 2300, Indianapolis, Indiana. Registered products are underwritten and distributed by Global Atlantic Distributors, LLC.

Life Insurance is issued by Accordia Life and Annuity Company, 215 10th St, Des Moines, Iowa.

Guarantees provided are subject to the financial strength of the issuing insurance company; not guaranteed by any bank or the FDIC.

Global Atlantic Financial Group (Global Atlantic) is the marketing name for The Global Atlantic Financial Group LLC and its subsidiaries, including Accordia Life and Annuity Company and Forethought Life Insurance Company. Each subsidiary is responsible for its own financial and contractual obligations. These subsidiaries are not authorized to do business in New York.

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Mark Walker, Founder and CEO of Direct Digital Holdings – Finding Your Audience: Digital advertising solutions that reach multicultural audiences

ICR — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:

Digital advertising has allowed companies to be laser-focused with their audiences, and that means a super-efficient, high-impact campaign. On this episode we sit down with Mark Walker, Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Direct Digital Holdings, which trades under the symbol DRCT. Direct Digital Holdings (DDH) is a digital advertising solutions holding company consisting of three subsidiaries: Colossus SSP, Orange 142, and Huddled Masses.

DDH provides programmatic digital advertising solutions with a specialization in reaching highly sought-after multicultural audiences and under-served middle market companies across the US. The company is at the forefront of dynamic and inclusive approaches to advertising, and in February of 2022, DDH became the ninth ever black-owned US company to go public.

Mark is an expert in strategic planning, management, and revenue generation for Fortune 500 companies, private firms, and startups. Prior to co-founding DDH, he directed business development for N R G Energy and served as COO at Ebony Media. Mark serves on multiple advisory boards and has written multiple research articles and case studies for Jupyter Research, Search Engine Watch, and the IAB.

Highlights:

Mark explains what DDH does (3:23)
The challenges and opportunities he saw when he was starting the company (4:12)
The meaning of end-to-end programmatic, and how their subsidiaries function together (6:16)
Mark explains why some of these multicultural audiences have been more difficult to reach (8:47)
The key industry verticals (10:25)
How Mark defines the middle market (11:22)
How DDH might benefit from the economic slow down (12:56)
Mark discusses DDH's performance and market valuation in 2022 (14:30)
DDH's strong client retention (15:56)
Mark talks diversity and the management team (17:08)
Where Mark sees growth coming from in 2023 (18:13)
The economic power of the multicultural marketplace (19:51)

Links:

Direct Digital Holdings LinkedIn

Direct Digital Holdings website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Louis Chen, Executive Vice President and CSO of Perfect Corp – Industry Makeover: The technological transformation of beauty brands

ICR — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:
AI and AR technologies are rapidly becoming stable stakes for any retail experience, and today's guest is leading the way there. On this episode, we're talking to Louis Chen, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Perfect Corp, which trades under the symbol PERF. Perfect is an AI and AR-powered beauty tech solutions provider, and Louis leads the company's corporate development, strategic partnerships, and marketing efforts. He joined Perfect when it was established back in June of 2015, starting as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. Prior to that, Louis spent 12 years at Cyber Link, where he served as VP of Business Development and Marketing, heading Consumer Business.

Louis has a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in computer science from National Taiwan University. He joined me from his office in Taipei to tell us about Perfect's groundbreaking technology, and how it's transforming the beauty industry.

Highlights:

Louis explains how Perfect came about (2:56)
The total addressable market for this technology (5:50)
The multi-channel approach for the product (6:34)
How Perfect fits in with the ESG goals of their customers (9:13)
The ROI for the customer (11:17)
Perfect's go-to-market strategy (13:48)
Louis discusses the geographic footprint of the company (16:10)
Growth potentials for this technology (17:40)
The adjacencies for the technology down the road (19:44)
The company's financial performance (21:46)
Perfect's approach to allocating capital (23:48)
The company's strategy on acquisitions (25:11)
Louis' observations on consumer behavior in this space (26:05)
What investors might not understand about the company (27:21)
Louis talks about the importance of the company founder's insight (29:19)
Perfect's management team (30:05)

Links:

Perfect Corp LinkedIn

Perfect Corp Twitter

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of FAT Brands – The Best Ingredients: Building a strong portfolio of restaurants

ICR — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 04:30:00 -0500

Success in the restaurant industry can be tricky, but today's guest has really nurtured the built-in growth opportunities in his business, with remarkable results.

On this episode we're sitting down with Andy Wiederhorn, President and CEO of FAT Brands. FAT Brands is a global franchising company that acquires, markets and develops a range of casual and quick-service dining restaurant concepts.

Andy made his first restaurant acquisition in 2003 with Fatburger, and went on to acquire Buffalo's Cafe in 2011, and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses in 2017. That same year, Andy took FAT Brands public. He continued FAT Brand's aggressive acquisition strategy over the next few years, striking deals with legacy brands including Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza, Marble Slab Creamery, and Great American Cookies, to name a few. He also struck deals with Twin Peaks, Fazoli's, and Native Grill & Wings. The FAT Brand portfolio now features 17 restaurant concepts with more than 2300 locations worldwide.

Andy's been incredibly busy for the past 20 years, but he was able to join us to talk about the company's history, growth and their strategy for the next few years.

Highlights:

Andy's background in finance and his first acquisition with Fatburger (3:03)
Andy's must-haves when looking at new acquisitions (5:17)
The portfolio's categories and how they work together (6:13)
Andy discusses how the portfolio will look 5 years from now (7:29)
How different concepts are doing in the current economic environment (8:15)
Andy's perspective on supporting his franchisees (9:26)
Co-branding with FAT Brands (10:26)
Opportunities for new acquisitions in this market environment (11:51)
The benefit of Andy's finance background (13:39)
Fat Brands' manufacturing opportunities (14:35)
The team's approach to setting up FAT Brands (15:47)
Andy's business philosophy during COVID and how the brands handled it (17:12)
How the chains are navigating inflation (19:24)
What we can expect for FAT Brands in 2023 (20:37)
Andy talks about his team (21:37)
What investors might miss about FAT Brands (22:34)

Links:

Andrew Wiederhorn bio FAT Brands

Andy Wiederhorn LinkedIn

Andy Wiederhorn Twitter

FAT Brands website

FAT Brands Twitter

FAT Brands LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Cindy Hess, Partner at Fenwick – Big Tech's Big Deals: Counseling the world's most influential technology companies

ICR — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 04:30:00 -0500

Even the most ingenious technologies won't go far without a solid legal foundation and a forward thinking framework that will help it scale, and this episode's guest knows all about that. Cindy Hess is a corporate partner at Fenwick and for over 10 years she's served as the co-chair of the firm's startup and venture capital group.

Over the course of her practice, Cindy has counseled technology companies on a broad range of corporate transactional matters. She's worked with a wide range of high tech clients including some of the hottest and most innovative companies in mobile SaaS and social media.
Cindy has had numerous industry honors, including being named as one of the Recorder's Top 10 Most Trusted Corporate Counselors, and one of the Top Women Leaders in Tech Law. She was also named to the Legal 500's Hall of Fame of the Venture Capital and Emerging Companies category. Cindy was the recipient of the Women in Business Law Award for Best in Technology, and the Silicon Valley Business Journal named her as one of the leading women of influence in Silicon Valley. She's a member of the State Bar of California and of New York. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton, and her J.D. from Cornell.

We sat down to talk about Cindy's incredible career working on some of the biggest deals in history, and what she sees for big tech deals in 2023 and beyond.

Highlights:

How Cindy got her start with Fenwick (3:24)
What Fenwick does and why it's different than other firms (4:14)
Cindy's client base (7:58)
The part of the practice that Cindy thinks is strongest right now (9:17)
How Cindy got into law (10:06)
Cindy talks about some of the biggest deals at Fenwick (11:19)
The deal that was most transformative for Cindy's career (13:21)
Cindy talks about her experience as a woman in this field over the length of her career (14:36)
Mentors that have helped along the way (15:27)
Cindy's predictions for capital markets in 2023 (17:08)
Cindy discusses the findings of the latest edition of Fenwick's Silicon Valley Venture Capital survey (19:20)
Cindy's advice to founders going through the early stages of development, and what to consider when going public (23:05)
What's next for emerging companies looking to grow their business (24:16)

Links:

Cindy Hess Bio Fenwick

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Michael Pengue, CEO at ZOA Energy – Rocking the Boat: Shaking up the world of energy drinks

ICR — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:
If you're going to jump into the massive beverage market with a brand new product, you better have some incredible experience and a solid team behind you. And that's exactly what today's guest has. On this episode we're sitting down with Mike Pengue, who has been CEO of ZOA Energy since its launch in March of 2021.

Prior to ZOA, Mike was Senior Vice President, General Manager for the Emerging Brands Group at Keurig, Dr. Pepper. He came to Keurig, Dr. Pepper from Bai Brands where he was Chief Strategy Officer, and was instrumental in the 1.65 billion sale to Dr. Pepper Snapple.

Mike also spent 20 years at Nestle Waters North America in a variety of positions. His last role there was Executive Vice President, leading the $5 billion brand portfolio that included Perrier Pellegrino, Nestle's Pure Life, Poland Spring, Ozarka, and Deer Park, among others.

Mike joined me to share the story of ZOA Energy and the amazing founders he's working with. We also discuss why this new drink is standing out and growing at breakneck speed.

Highlights:

Mike describes the ZOA Energy drink product, who the founders are and their collective strengths (3:04)
Mike's initial thoughts about joining the company (5:58)
The brand and what it stands for (7:46)
The market size and where ZOA fits (9:18)
ZOA's total addressable market (11:57)
Mike talks about the company's remarkably fast growth (13:36)
How the ZOA team have approached marketing spend (15:38)
Mike talks new flavors and their approach to product size (17:12)
The challenges that the team is looking at now (21:24)
Mike discusses their international growth (23:32)
Managing inflation, supply chain and other economic challenges (24:54)
The mentors that Mike has had along the way (26:13)

Links:

Michael Pengue bio - Beverage Forum

Michael Pengue LinkedIn

ZOA Energy LinkedIn

ZOA Energy website

ZOA Energy Twitter

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Molly Langenstein, President and CEO at Chico's FAS – Know Thy Customer: Building brands and revitalizing sales in the retail fashion industry

ICR — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:
To really serve your customer, you have to understand them. And that's just one of the crucial ways that today's guest has led her company into remarkable growth. On this episode, we welcome Molly Langenstein, CEO, President and Board Member of Chico's FAS. She joined the company in August of 2019 and became CEO and President less than a year later, in June 2020.

Molly is a 30-year retail industry veteran with a proven track record of building multiple successful brands, and revitalizing sales and profitability in the retail fashion industry. Prior to Chico's, Molly held multiple roles at Macy's, including General Business Manager for Ready to Wear, Private Brands Officer of Macy's in Bloomingdale's, and Executive Vice President of private brands for Men's and Children's wear.

I sat down with Molly to talk about the unique strategy at Chico's and her amazing career in the retail industry, that in some ways, started when she was just a kid.

Highlights:

Molly tells about what she learned growing up in her mother's boutique (2:58)
What has changed and what's stayed the same with consumers (4:27)
Molly explains the main brands at Chico's (5:34)
What attracted Molly to this opportunity at Chico's (8:36)
The strategic pillars of their plan (9:56)
The connection that is made with a customer through these brands (14:34)
How an increasingly younger customer base and the multi-channel approach is significant to the company's growth (16:17)
The company's digital tools for their customers, and their loyalty program (18:44)
Chico's balance sheet (21:46)
How Chico's is managing the economic challenges of the moment (22:53)
Molly talks about the company's response to Hurricane Ian in Florida (24:17)
Molly's signature piece of management advice (25:58)

Links:
ICR Twitter

Molly Langenstein LinkedIn

Molly Langenstein Bio

Chico's Twitter

Chico's FAS Website

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

John Carrington, CEO at Stem – Powering Up: Transforming the energy industry with AI

ICR — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 04:45:00 -0500

Summary:
Extreme weather, aging grids, power storage and distribution; these are just some of the challenges that clean energy is stepping up to solve. And companies like Stem are at the forefront, with cutting edge AI-driven services. Today we hear from John Carrington, CEO of Stem. John leads the energy storage and analytics movement at the company and has more than 25 years of leadership experience in technology, energy, and industrial companies.

John came to Stem from MiaSolé, the world's largest CIGS-based thin film solar company, where he was CEO and Director. Prior to that, John was the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at First Solar, growing the company from 250 million to more than 2 billion dollars in open markets in the US, Asia, and Europe. John also spent over 16 years at General Electric, most recently as the General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer of GE Plastics. He was part of a small executive team that executed on the 12 billion dollar sale of GE Plastics to SABIC in 2007.

I sat down with John to talk about his interesting career trajectory and the huge runway he has in front of him with Stem.

Highlights:

John discusses how he got his start in the energy field (2:51)
How John ended up at Stem, and what the company does (4:39)
How Stem fits into the larger energy transition (7:28)
John talks about the ground-breaking software that Stem has built and the real-life use cases (8:39)
Stem's total addressable market (11:44)
How the Inflation Reduction Act is benefiting energy storage (13:16)
The ease of "going solar" today (14:40)
Stem's partnership with In Charge, an EV charging infrastructure solution(16:17)
John talks about Stem's truly innovative approach (18:07)
The benefits of being a public company for Stem (18:58)
How John is positioning Stem in this challenging economic time (19:29)
The key drivers for margin expansion in the next few years (20:49)
The backlog for 2022 vs. 2021 (22:01)
John talks about his great team (24:08)
Stem's approach to capital allocation (25:20)
John's outlook for energy storage in the next three to five years (26:31)
John's most important mentors (27:49)

Links:
ICR Twitter

John Carrington, Stem Inc bio

John Carrington LinkedIn

Stem LinkedIn

Stem website

Stem Twitter

Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Tom Ryan, Founder & CEO, ICR – Year in Review: Observations, Advice and Holiday Greetings for 2022

ICR — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:

It's been an amazing year on Welcome to the Arena, and we've heard from some of the most exciting and successful businesses and strategists in the game. On this brief episode of the show, Tom Ryan, founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena shares his reflections on 2022, and looks ahead to 2023 and the 25th anniversary of ICR.

Enjoy the holidays, and look for new episodes and more incredible guests coming in January!

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Todd Lachman, President and CEO at Sovos Brands – Secret Sauce: Disrupting the food aisle with premium brands

ICR — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:

Being a disruptor in business can be as uncomplicated as putting out high quality products, in a small-but-mighty category. And that's what today's guest has done, with incredible success. On this episode we're talking to Todd Lachman, the founder, President and CEO of Sovos Brands.

For 25 years, Todd's delivered growth and value creation for some of the biggest names in consumer packaged goods. He served as Global President of Mars Pet Care, President of Mars Chocolate, North America and Latin America, and Executive Vice President of Del Monte Foods Company. He also held senior management roles at H.J. Heinz Company after moving up the marketing ranks at Proctor and Gamble.

Outside of his extensive professional experience, Todd's an active board member with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in the Bay Area, and he's a super active guy who's into skiing, cycling and hiking with his family and two dogs.

I managed to tear him away from his busy life for a conversation about how he built Sovos Brands into the huge success it is today, and what made him start the company in the first place.

Highlights:

Todd talks about starting Sovos and how he arrived at the idea (2:57)
How each of the Sovos brands fit together (5:15)
Why Sovos went public when they did (7:10)
All about Rao's Sauce and why it's so successful (8:04)
Becoming a billion dollar brand (11:03)
Todd discusses their approach to international sales (13:13)
Pricing premium products during a tricky economic and political time (14:25)
Todd discusses efficiencies when it comes to P and L (16:00)
The Sovos approach to innovation and new brands (18:24)
The horizontal culture at Sovos (20:46)
The achievements at Sovos this year (22:02)
Todd's approach to M and A (23:40)
The advantages of being a CEO who is from the marketing side (24:40)
What Todd is most proud of with Sovos (26:49)

Links:

Todd Lachman LinkedIn

Todd Lachman bio

Sovos Brands LinkedIn

Sovos Brands website

Sovos Brands Twitter

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Kyle Kazan, Founder and CEO at Glass House Brands – High Hopes: Growing the cannabis industry in California and beyond

ICR — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:

There are a lot of things that California produces well: movies, wine, and now cannabis. Today's guest knows all about that. Kyle Kazan is co-founder and CEO of Glasshouse Brands, a vertically integrated sustainable producer of cannabis products. In 1991, he began investing in real estate, and became a manager of private equity funds. He's now launched a total of 23 funds with a current estimated value of almost $3 billion.

In 2016 Kyle pivoted to the regulated cannabis industry. Since his early service as a special education teacher and law enforcement officer, Kyle's been a vocal advocate for police reform and ending the war on drugs.

He makes frequent appearances on CNN and Fox and has been a guest professor at NYU, USC, and UCLA's business schools. Kyle's a graduate of University of Southern California where he played varsity basketball, and his long and varied career made for a great conversation.

Highlights:

Kyle talks about his early years as a basketball player, then a police officer turned real estate investor (2:57)
What led Kyle to move into cannabis (5:38)
The assets that Glass House has today (8:58)
Glass House's vertical integration (10:49)
Kyle discusses the brands of Glass House (13:37)
How growing the product in California figures into Glass House's marketing (15:41)
The challenges in this industry and the state of the market now (18:31)
How the current political climate might affect Glass House (20:05)
The total addressable market for Glass House (22:06)
Kyle talks about his great team at Glass House (24:20)
Their unique approach to investors (27:01)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Manny Hilario, President and CEO at The One Group – Appetite for Growth: Redefining the restaurant experience

ICR — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:

At a time when many restaurants are cutting back on what they offer guests, the One Group is raising the bar on the dining experience, and positioning themselves for huge success in the process.

Today's guest is Manny Hilario, CEO of The One Group and long-time friend of ICR. The One Group is a global hospitality company that develops and operates upscale and polished casual, high energy restaurants and lounges. Their two primary restaurant brands are STK and Kona Grill, where they aspire to be the global leader in vibe dining, a unique combination of casual, upscale lounge and restaurant experiences. They trade under the symbol T K.

Manny joined The One Group as a board member in April 2017, and in October 2017 he became President and CEO. Prior to that he was CFO of Sizzling Platter, and was COO at Einstein Noah Restaurant. Manny began his career at McDonalds where he held various financial roles with the company.

On this episode, Manny and I talked about the One Group's bold approach to hospitality, their growth strategy, and of course their unique vibe dining concept that is setting them apart from the competition.

Highlights:

What the vibe dining concept offers (2:57)
Manny describes the STK and Kona Grill brands (4:16)
New restaurant locations and how they're doing (6:00)
The prospects for ROI on the expansion of the restaurants (7:57)
The total addressable market for the restaurant brand (10:10)
Manny discusses how their franchises work (12:41)
The One Group's optimism heading into the holidays (14:33)
Technology's role in the restaurant business (16:32)
Manny talks about the deal with Reef Kitchens and the ghost kitchen opportunity (18:59)
The One Group's philosophy on capital allocation (20:15)
What Manny has learned from his various roles in the industry (22:09)
Recent trends in the industry that have surprised Manny (24:00)

Links:

Manny Hilario, The ONE Group

The ONE Group Website

The ONE Group LinkedIn

Manny Hilario LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Dana Telsey, CEO and CRO at Telsey Advisory Group – Tales of Retail: Telling the story of the consumer universe

ICR — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:
You can never underestimate the power of high quality consumer research from a globally renowned team, especially when they're led with energy and heart by a top industry analyst.

Case in point is today's guest, long-time friend of ICR, Dana Telsey. Dana is the CEO and Chief Research Officer of Telsey Advisory Group, which was founded in 2006. The firm has grown to be a leading equity research trade execution, investment banking and consulting firm focused on the consumer space.

During her 35-year career, Dana has followed over a hundred companies. From 1994 to 2006, she was Senior Managing Director covering the retail sector at Bear Stearns. Prior to that, she was a retail analyst at CJ Lawrence and was a V.P. of the Baron Asset Fund at Baron Capital. In 2015, she also formed Telsey Consumer Fund Management, an asset management firm investing in consumer oriented companies.

Dana's received countless awards and accolades during her career. This year, Dana was named for the third time as one of Barron's Hundred Most Influential Women in US Finance, and she was named for a second time as one of Rethink Retail's Top 100 Retail Influencers. And maybe most impressive is that she was a member of Institutional Investor Magazine's All America Research Team for 13 years, from 1992 to 2005.

Dana is a regular on CNN and CNBC, she's a fountain of energy and knowledge, and on today's episode we had a great conversation about her career, the fascinating story of retail, and what's to come.

Highlights:

Dana talks about getting her start in the business (3:16)
When and why she started the Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) (5:32)
The industries and segments that TAG covers (8:08)
The brands that Dana gets excited about (9:25)
How equity research has changed in the last 20 years (10:25)
Why differentiation matters for brands (11:50)
Dana talks about being one of the few women-owned firms on Wall Street (13:14)
Dana reflects on the uncertainty of the past 3 years (15:25)
Which consumer areas are currently holding up well (16:32)
Dana's observations on technology investment (18:11)
What Dana sees happening with the IPO market, and what investors are looking for (19:44)
Capital allocation and new channels like the metaverse (21:31)
The holiday season and forecasting into 2023 (23:21)
What TAG is investing in (26:27)

Links:

Telsey Advisory Group LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Noah Glass, Founder and CEO at Olo – Changing Your Order: The digital transformation of the restaurant industry

ICR — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 04:30:00 -0500

Summary:

We take for granted how rapidly restaurants have gone digital in the past few years, but it's actually been a vision 20 years in the making. And it all started with today's guest.

Noah Glass is the founder and CEO of Olo, a leading commerce platform powering the restaurant industry's digital transformation. Over 600 of the most recognized restaurants and C-Store brands use Olo to grow digital sales, preserve direct consumer relationships, and maximize profitability. More than 85 million consumers run their orders through the platform annually.

After attending Yale and spending some time abroad, Noah founded Olo at the age of 24. He established the company before the rise of the smart phone, starting out with a focus on text message ordering. Noah is now recognized as among the most influential leaders in the restaurant industry, and was named number one on 2020's Nation's Restaurant News Power List.

Noah and I talked about Olo's inspirational origin story, the incredible impact the company has had on the restaurant industry, and the huge opportunities in this space going forward.

Highlights:

An introduction to Olo (3:23)
Noah tells Olo's origin story (4:01)
From protype to actually commercializing the product - getting restaurants on board in the early days (8:27)
Noah takes us through Olo's products (10:51)
The challenges of digital transformation in the restaurant industry (14:39)
Noah talks about the total addressable market and how far into digital transformation we really are (16:38)
The status of the restaurant industry, and the mindset around tech adoption (18:14)
Olo's approach to R and D (21:06)
Noah discusses Olo's financial position and philosophy on acquisitions (22:59)
The culture at Olo (25:23)
What investors might not understand about Olo (27:32)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Gregg Nabhan, Chairman of the Americas Equity Capital Markets, Bank of America – The Wisdom of the Deal: Learning from four decades of Wall Street deal-making

ICR — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

It's always a pleasure to speak to a grizzled veteran who has decades of experience leading hundreds of deals that have raised billions of dollars.

Here to share that wisdom is Gregg Nabhan, Chairman of the America's Equity Capital Markets, as well as Managing Director of the Consumer and Retail team at Bank of America. Gregg is responsible for the origination, IPO valuation, structuring, book-building, price discovery allocation trading, and aftermarket performance of equity transactions.

Gregg has almost 40 years of experience on Wall Street. He's led over 400 deals, raising over 265 billion for companies around the world, including 115 IPOs totaling 50 billion dollars.

Prior to joining Bank of America in 2008, Gregg worked at Morgan Stanley for 13 years where he was a Managing Director in the equity capital markets. He has a BA in Economics and Political Science from Columbia University.

Gregg and I talked about the past 4 decades of economic twists and turns, some of his career highlights and what he sees coming around the bend.

Highlights:

Gregg talks about his start at Bank of America (2:45)
The IPO resources that B of A offers (4:35)
Gregg's perspective on the last 3 years of market activity (5:20)
The Fed's inflation strategy (8:43)
The number of IPOs now, compared with the past 15 years (10:08)
Industries that are favoured to open the IPO market (11:20)
Gregg discusses the valuation reset (12:46)
What strong performing companies have in common (14:45)
What the Fed needs to see to change their stance on interest rates (16:15)
Gregg's take on the state of the consumer (18:58)
Gregg tells us about some of his favourite deals over the years (19:44)
The biggest challenges for management teams going through an IPO (20:55)
Gregg's take on ESG (23:15)
Will IPO Road Shows remain virtual, post-COVID? (24:38)
Gregg talks about the huge value of his mentors over the years (25:46)

Links:

Gregg Nabhan LinkedIn

Bank of America Twitter

Bank of America Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Joe Ennen, CEO at SunOpta – Milking the Market: Sustainable food products and the plant-based milk revolution

ICR — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:45:00 -0400

Summary

A growing number of food companies are investing in sustainable product development, but only a handful are really getting it right. Joining me to talk about doing sustainability successfully is Joe Ennen. Joe is CEO and a director at SunOpta, which trades under the symbol S T K L. The company sources, processes, and produces organic, natural, and non-GMO plant and fruit-based food and beverage products. SunOpta sells to retail customers, food service distributors, branded food companies, and food manufacturers. They have 14 processing facilities, mainly in North America.

Joe has over three decades of experience as a food industry leader. Prior to his current role, he was Group Vice President of Innovation at PepsiCo, and served as CEO at Columbus Foods, and CEO of Columbus Manufacturing. Joe has an undergraduate degree in Finance and Marketing from University of Minnesota, and an MBA from University of Michigan.

We talked about Sun Opta's investments in capacity, innovation, and the five factors that have fuelled the huge growth of plant-based milk products.

Highlights:

Joe explains SunOpta as a business (2:57)
The changes at SunOpta since Joe's arrival (4:21)
SunOpta's five strategic imperatives (5:50)
The company's ESG focus (8:45)
Joe discusses what he sees for this market in the next few years (10:20)
How SunOpta assures customer retention (13:06)
Managing a diverse customer base (15:22)
Joe talks about their impressive 2nd quarter results (16:31)
Navigating through difficult times (18:11)
How SunOpta moves with the consumer (19:40)
What investors might not understand about Sun Opta (20:52)
SunOpta's capacity-building achievements (22:45)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

TJ Jiang, CEO at AvePoint – Ahead in the Cloud: Riding the huge growth in the Saas software industry

ICR — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:51:00 -0400

Summary

In an industry that's seen incredible growth in the last few years, lots of Saas companies are exploding. But Saas software vendor AvePoint was on the scene long before the industry took off, and their strategic vision of the cloud's potential has helped secure their own extraordinary long-term growth.

Back in March we chatted with AvePoint's Chief Brand Officer, Dux Raymond Sy about building brands, so I'm excited to learn more about this growing company with today's guest, AvePoint's CEO, Dr. TJ Jiang.

TJ co-founded AvePoint in 2001, and he's served as CEO since 2005. He holds a Master's degeree in electrical and computer engineering from Cornell University, and a PhD in data mining from NYU and in 2010, TJ was the recipient of Ernst and Young's, Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Ave Point is the Saas backbone of data management and the hybrid workforce. Their full suite of Saas solutions enable organizations worldwide to collaborate with confidence in the cloud. More than 9 million cloud users rely on AvePoint solutions for securing data, sustaining connections and ensuring business continuity.

TJ and I spoke about the early, lean years of the business, AvePoint's careful choices along the way, and the evolutionary factors that have made AvePoint one of the biggest players in the Saas industry.

Highlights:

TJ's enterpreneurship story: how AvePoint began (3:15)
What AvePoint does and who their clients are (5:58)
How the pandemic influenced their business (7:38)
TJ explains the benefits and necessity of Saas technologies (10:15)
The size of the market and why this is just the beginning of digital transformation (13:34)
TJ talks about AvePoint's go-to-market strategy (15:01)
Why AvePoint is enjoying great growth when other companies are struggling (16:58)
The story on some of AvePoint's latest acquisitions (19:01)
TJ discusses their philosophy on capital allocation (23:03)
Some of the factors that have led to AvePoint's strong balance sheet (24:50)
The things that investors might miss about AvePoint (26:32)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Scott Hart, CEO at StepStone Group – Flywheeling High: Creating a niche in private markets investment and growing on your own momentum

ICR — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 04:45:00 -0400

Summary:

Private markets investment is a giant field, and finding a unique place in the business isn’t easy. But when you pay close attention to timing, the needs and wants of your clients, and building a solid team, you can make a definitive mark in the industry.

Joining me to talk about how that's done is Scott Hart, CEO of StepStone Group, a private markets investment firm. Since its founding in 2006, StepStone’s seen steady growth, and that’s been fueled by their customized investment solutions and advisory and data services. With 23 offices around the world and $137 billion of assets under management, they just keep growing.

Scott joined StepStone in 2007, and he’s held a number of responsibilities across the organization, managing important client relationships, serving as co-head of private equity co-investments, and eventually becoming co-CEO in 2019, and CEO in January 2022. Scott is also a member of the global executive committee, private equity executive committee, private equity investment committee, and private equity portfolio and risk management committees.

We talked about the factors around StepStone’s huge growth since Scott started in 2007, and the flywheel effect that’s helped get it there. We also took a dive into how diversification helped them carve out a niche built around custom products for a global client base.

Highlights:

Scott tells us about StepStone's mission and how they carry it out (03:16)
Some of the important trends StepStone reacted to when they began 15 years ago (05:51)
Scott outlines StepStone's strong position within the GP and LP ecosystem (08:04)
StepStone's diversification strategies, global approach, and visibility (10:26)
What they have offered retail investors versus industrial investors (13:40)
Scott discusses StepStone's acquisition of Greenspring Associates (15:02)
StepStone's company culture and how they attracted the right people (16:39)
The keys to international expansion and managing a global firm (19:31)
The resiliency of the private markets after a decade-long bull run (21:57)
Scott shares projections for StepStone's long-term organic growth (24:53)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Meaghan Montegari, Managing Director at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Investor Access

ICR — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 04:08:00 -0400

Summary:

In an ever-changing market, consistent communication and messaging is essential to building up stakeholder trust. Corporate access is key when it comes to developing relationships between companies and investors, but access strategy can be difficult to navigate without the right experience.

Joining me on this episode of ICR Industry Reports is Meaghan Montegari, Managing Director and Head of Global Investor Access. Meaghan recently joined ICR with over a decade of experience in all facets of corporate access and institutional equity sales. While on the sell side with companies like BofA Merril, Scotia Capital and Wells Fargo, she worked closely with corporates to identify potential shareholders, execute road shows, assist in mergers, spins, and acquisitions, and coordinate major conferences.

In this episode, Meaghan and I discuss today's corporate access landscape, the importance of clear and consistent marketing, and why access to data combined with a human touch is such a difference maker.

Highlights:

What are investor access and corporate access? (02:46)
Meaghan talks about the implementation of MiFID II and subsequent conflicts of interest (03:47)
Meaghan discusses ICR's holistic view of the market (07:11)
How has the shift towards in-house corporate access changed the market landscape? (09:05)
Meaghan explains why a human touch is necessary when interpreting data (11:40)
Why is it critical to consistently meet with or refresh your shareholder base? (13:30)
How often should companies meet with investors? (16:45)
Meaghan breaks down why ICR's corporate access services are designed to partner with the sell side (19:07)
How is Meaghan using ICR's data to create a powerful new targeting platform? (20:29)

Links:

Meaghan Montegari LinkedIn

Meaghan Montegari Bio

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

John Mancini, Partner at Mayer Brown — Investing in your IP Strategy : The importance of protecting your intellectual property

ICR — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

In today's knowledge-based economy, your intellectual property is your competitive advantage and it needs to be protected.

My guest this week is John Mancini, partner at Mayer Brown and a member of the firm's global intellectual property practice, which was named IP practice group of the year in 2017 and 2020 by Law360.

John's practice focuses on litigating copyright, trademark, trade secret, and patent disputes across the country, and he has successfully tried high-profile intellectual property cases as lead council, representing both public and private companies in a wide range of industries. His clients include tech giants like Google, YouTube, Spotify and many others and his contributions to the field have been recognized with many awards and honors including his 2020 induction into The Legal 500 Hall of Fame for trade secret litigation.

John and I spoke about IP-related vulnerabilities companies should be aware of, new intellectual property challenges facing businesses in the social media age, and why getting your IP assets figured out should be an early priority for any company.

Highlights:

John walks us through his path to intellectual property litigation (03:03)
John outlines Mayer Brown's practice and history (04:35)
Why pre-IPO companies should prioritize protecting their IP rights (06:06)
How companies can enforce their IP assets as barriers to entry (09:12)
IP vulnerabilities pre-IPO companies should be aware of (11:00)
How are social media influencers creating new vulnerabilities for companies they work with? (17:50)
John shares some significant cases he's been involved with (19:15)
John explains how to approach protecting IP rights on a global scale (20:51)
Who does John consider an ideal client? (26:48)

Links:

John Mancini LinkedIn

John Mancini Bio

Mayer Brown LinkedIn

Mayer Brown Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Henry Nassau, CEO at Dechert — On Firm Footing : How law firms play an essential role in the corporate landscape

ICR — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

Given the legal complexity of just about every aspect of running a company, lawyers are nearly ubiquitous in the corporate world. So, it should come as no surprise that a lifetime in corporate law amounts to an incredible wealth of knowledge and insight that can extend a lawyer's value far beyond just providing legal advice.

My guest this week is Henry Nassau, CEO of global law firm, Dechert. First joining Dechert in 1987 and returning in 2003 after a stint as in-house general counsel (and briefly COO) at Internet Capital Group, Henry served as chair of Dechert's corporate and securities group for a combined 14 years, representing private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, public and private corporations, management teams, boards, and special committees regarding corporate and securities matters and advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, investments, securities offerings, proxy contests, corporate governance, and general corporate matters.

CEO since July of 2016, Henry has played an instrumental role in expanding the Philadelphia-based firm's international platform across Europe, Asia, and the middle east. Today, Dechert has equal representation of lawyers inside and outside of the United States, making them a go-to choice for cross-border matters.

Henry and I spoke about the rise and fall of the dot-com bubble as it compares to current market conditions, trends in economic globalization, and why the transition from private equity law to businessperson can be a relatively seamless one.

Highlights:

Henry outlines the history of Dechert, as well as his own history with the firm (03:29)
Henry explains his decision to go in-house at ICG in the late 90s (08:42)
Henry unpacks how lessons he learned from the burst of the Internet bubble inform his practice today (13:33)
What sets Dechert apart from other firms? (16:53)
Henry discusses trends he sees in globalization (18:39)
How did COVID affect Dechert and what adaptations seem permanent? (20:38)
Henry offers insight on recent market trends (23:53)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Joe Folkman, Co-founder and President at Zenger Folkman — The Data on Distrust : Building and maintaining trust as a leader

ICR — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

My guest this week is co-founder and president of Zenger Folkman, a leadership development consultancy, Joe Folkman. For more than 30 years, Joe has been assessing and studying top leaders in a variety of industries and is a world-renowned psychometrician and leadership development expert. If you're not familiar with his unusual job title, a psychometrician creates psychological tests to measure employees' knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Joe is also a prolific writer and has contributed to the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Business Insider. His research has also been featured in Business Week, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Finally, Joe is the best-selling author and co-author of nine books on leadership and feedback, including his latest work; The Trifecta of Trust: The Proven Formula for Building and Restoring Trust.

Joe and I spoke about the foundational theory of this latest book, how the implementation of diversity and inclusion policies have a positive effect on trust, and why you actually can please everyone...and have to.

Highlights:

Joe talks about his use of data in making his assessments (03:29)
Joe lays out the three pillars of The Trifecta of Trust (05:52)
Joe discusses some top-level statistics of trust and links them to the corporate world (07:16)
Joe outlines why consistency is important when building trust (10:27)
Do you need to please everyone to be trusted? (12:04)
How did the pandemic change which leaders were trusted? (13:52)
Joe reveals that managers often have a preference for giving negative feedback (16:49)
How do we regain lost trust and how do managers navigate what they don't know? (20:44)
Joe talks about the interplay between trust and diversity and inclusion policies (23:50)
Joe talks about intergenerational variations of trust (27:32)

Links:

Zenger Folkman LinkedIn

Zenger Folkman Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Scott Sanborn, CEO at LendingClub — Bank on It: Innovative lending for better financial futures

ICR — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:24:00 -0400

Summary:

According to recent surveys, 43% of Americans expect to add to their debt in the next six months in order to make ends meet. Most will use credit card debt to bridge the gap, but high interest rates could see this put the financial futures of many Americans at risk. Innovative solutions to help manage that debt can make all the difference.

Today's guest is Scott Sanborn, CEO of LendingClub, the only full-spectrum FinTech Marketplace Bank that has helped more than 4 million Americans save billions of dollars with no plan to slow down any time soon. A LendingClub veteran since 2010, Scott served first as the company's Chief Marketing Officer, then Chief Operating Officer before stepping into the CEO position in 2016. Scott was instrumental in steering the company through a prolonged period of triple-digit growth running up to its 2014 IPO, the largest tech IPO that year, and has long been a driving force in the organization.

In this episode, Scott and I talk about the company's impressive and consistent growth, why their services are accessible to a wider range of customers than their competitors, and how their 2021 acquisition of a digital bank has transformed their business.

Highlights:

Scott traces LendingClub's path from its founding to its recent bank acquisition (03:17)
Scott discusses what sets LendingClub apart from their competitors (06:13)
Scott explains how the bank acquisition expanded LendingClub's TAM (09:15)
How does LendingClub use technology to improve their customer service? (12:01)
Scott unpacks LendingClub's positive flywheel, and what is driving their repeat business (14:41)
Scott teases the products and services we can expect to see from LendingClub over the next few years (18:37)
How will AI be a game changer down the road? (21:34)
How is LendingClub positioned to help Americans deal with inflation and rising interest rates? (23:15)
What do shareholders misunderstand about LendingClub? (27:31)
Scott shares how his passion for surfing informs his work (29:28)

Links:

Scott Sanborn LinkedIn

Scott Sanborn Bio

LendingClub LinkedIn

LendingClub Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Jim Barr, CEO at Nautilus — Don't Sweat It: The home fitness trend is here to stay

ICR — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 04:34:00 -0400

Summary:

While gyms were closed, and most of the population was stuck at home during the pandemic, the home exercise equipment category saw a huge boom in sales. With this came increased consumer appetite for connectivity and consolidation of their fitness experience across all the products in their home gyms.

Today's guest is Jim Barr, CEO of the iconic fitness brand Nautilus Inc. Also falling under the Nautilus umbrella are well-known brands like Bowflex and Schwinn. Before joining Nautilus, Jim was Group President of Richie Brothers, a global leader in sales of used industrial equipment, and Chief Digital Officer at Office Max, where he led the transformation of its online and omni-channel experiences.

In this episode, Jeff and I talk about how Nautilus managed the huge surge in demand for their products during the pandemic, how they've used digital technology to transform the customer experience, and how getting your team right is a key driver of success.

Highlights:

Jim discusses the current landscape of the home fitness industry (4:12)
Jim gives a breakdown of his strategic business plan North Star (7:15)
Jim talks about Nautilus' huge growth in digital members and how this was achieved (10:24)
Jim explains how a diverse portfolio of products has helped Nautilus grow (12:40)
How did the pandemic affect Nautilus' supply chain demand and how has this changed? (14:24)
Jim takes us through his personnel changes, and how this has benefitted Nautilus (16:11)
Jim talks through the pivot that Nautilus made to AI, machine learning, and vision and motion capture technologies (18:04)
Jim discusses industry competition and the power of the Nautilus brand (20:30)
How can diversity in retail channels manage risk? (23:21)
Jim talks about having a long-term view can help investors understand your story (25:31)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Greg McDowell, Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Technology Investor Relations

ICR — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 05:01:00 -0400

Summary:

Tech companies are having to work harder than ever to prove their resilience in an increasingly noisy market. For investors, the pandemic has highlighted the need for sustained growth and detailed future planning when choosing where to put their capital, and communicating these avenues of value to investors needs to be a part of every company's core strategy.

Joining me today on this episode of ICR Industry Reports is Partner Greg McDowell, Head of Technology Investor Relations. Greg has spent the last 25 years fully immersed in software, spending 10 years at Oracle as an Account Manager, then moving to JMP, an investment bank based in San Francisco. He's seen the sector change over time -- everything from the dot com crisis through the pandemic re-writing the tech rule book.

In this episode, we discuss the fluctuating nature of tech stocks, how investor requirements are changing, and how resistance, detailed forward planning and high-quality communication are all key to successful growth.

Highlights:

Greg talks about the work culture at Oracle (3:58)
Greg breaks down the work he does with tech clients at ICR (5:22)
Greg lays out the landscape of tech stocks and investor sentiment (8:09)
As a tech company, how do you prove the durability of your revenue growth to investors? (12:13)
Greg discusses the durability of software companies in a market dependent on them (13:57)
Greg talks about the importance of telling your story to investors (15:49)

Links:

Greg McDowell LinkedIn

Greg McDowell Bio

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Dave Prokupek, CEO at Ideal Image — The Beauty Business is Booming: The rapid rise of the aesthetics industry

ICR — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 04:49:00 -0400

Summary:

The 'Fountain of Youth' was first mentioned in the writings of Herodotus in the 5th century BC. The world may have changed a lot since the Ancient Greeks, but our desire to look better, look younger, has not. Fast forward to today, Tiktok "beauty hacks" and YouTube videos promising to help us "look younger in seconds" flood the internet. The human obsession with youth and beauty has been alive and well for thousands of years, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the aesthetics category is giant, and continuing to grow.

Today's guest is Dave Prokupek, CEO of Ideal Image, North America's leading aesthetics brand with over 1000 doctors and medical professionals who have performed more than 20 million FDA approved treatments. Backed up by 20 years of experience, Ideal delivers affordable and effective health and beauty services including laser hair removal, Botox, filler, body sculpting, skin rejuvenation, and medical grade skincare. Prior to joining Ideal, Dave built a cross-industry career by leading transformational growth as the CEO of an impressive list of companies like Smashburger and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.

In this episode, David and I discuss the mechanics of Ideal Image's successful business model, the massive growth they are seeing in the health and beauty market, and how digital innovation is giving them a leg up on their competition.

Highlights:

Dave unpacks the opportunities he saw that led him to Ideal Image (02:57)
Dave discusses the broad consumer pool that Ideal Image is targeting (04:59)
Dave explains the benefits of partnering with a private equity firm like L Catterton (06:40)
What business model allows Ideal Image to scale rapidly while maintaining a personal experience for customers? (07:45)
Dave talks us through how the pandemic affected Ideal Image (10:35)
What is the Ideal Image tele-aesthetics platform? (12:16)
Dave explains how Ideal Image is using technological innovation to grow the business (13:38)
How are current market conditions affecting Ideal Image's bottom line? (18:04)
Dave describes Ideal Image's affiliate program (19:05)
Dave offers advice to CEOs on growing their companies, regardless of the industry they're operating in (20:38)

Links:

Dave Prokupek LinkedIn

Ideal Image LinkedIn

Ideal Image Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Jeff Fischer, President at Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics — Passing the Test : How this small company made a big difference in the fight against COVID-19

ICR — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 04:15:00 -0400

Summary:

Testing the population is a vital step in the pursuit of disease control. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the biotech industry was challenged to rapidly adapt and produce safe, effective testing at an almost unimaginable scale, businesses were forced to adapt and re-think the way diagnostic tests are designed, distributed, and safely conducted in order to keep up with demand.

Today's guest is Jeff Fischer. Jeff is the co-founder and president of Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics LLC, an industry leading biotechnology company that has been on the frontlines of the battle with COVID-19. From 2007 to 2017, Jeff served as CFO of Longhorn. Jeff has previous experience in the biotech industry as an executive VP and CFO, and he is also a former infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps.

In this episode, Jeff and I discuss Longhorn's innovative FDA-approved PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium -- a product that has changed the way viruses are tested, how seeking FDA approval helped with mass rollout in a time of crisis, and how Longhorn found an unusual solution to a shortage of essential supplies.

Highlights:

Jeff discusses his motivation to start a company focused on diagnostic tools to address what he saw as a coming influenza pandemic (03:00)
How life in the Marine Corps influenced Jeff's understanding of the world and his work (04:03)
What is PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium? (05:35)
How Longhorn adapted to increased demand during the pandemic (10:10)
How the Coca-Cola Bottling Group became the solution to test tube supply chain issues during the pandemic (13:43)
Jeff discusses Longhorn's market opportunity and long term avenues for growth (15:47)
Jeff explains the agility and independence afforded to Longhorn by not being a public company (17:29)
What is the concept of "one health," and how will it change the way we think about the health of humans and the planet (19:10)
Is a universal influenza vaccine just around the corner? (21:24)

Links:

Jeff Fischer LinkedIn

Longhorn LinkedIn

Longhorn Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Brad Cohen, Managing Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Proptech, Real Estate & Lodging

ICR — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Summary:

As a public company, building strong relationships with investors is vital. In a down market, the strength of those relationships relies more than ever on honest, reliable communication. No matter what's happening in the market, your company always has a story to tell. Telling it genuinely builds trust, and your investors will thank you for it.

My guest today is corporate communications expert and ICR Managing Partner, Brad Cohen. At ICR, Brad leads the PropTECH, Real Estate, and Lodging group, covering a broad range of industries. A former sell-side analyst and hedge fund manager, Brad has significant experience in investor relations and brings extensive knowledge of the strategic communications business to the table.

In this episode, Brad and I discuss the trends he is observing across different areas of his practice, what it takes for a company to make it to the public market in current conditions, and how Brad recommends managing relationships with investors during periods of market instability.

Highlights:

Brad's path from hedge fund manager to ICR (02:31)
What areas of Brad's practice are doing well in current market conditions? (04:19)
Brad describes the type of companies that are currently able to raise money and break into the public market (06:44)
Brad walks through how the construction sector is responding to challenges like supply chain issues and labor shortages (08:56)
Brad explains why now is the time for companies to set realistic expectations for their investment communities (10:45)
What are the benefits of holding investor days in a down market? (13:39)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Joseph Antoun, CEO at L-Nutra — Food for Thought: Turning sick care into health care with science-based nutrition

ICR — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

We live in the era of the most advanced medical technologies the world has ever seen, but are we really that much healthier for it? According to the CDC, 6 in 10 adults in the US are living with at least one chronic disease, 4 in 10 have two or more. In the wake of the pandemic, those numbers look primed to keep going up.

Modern health care systems treat these illnesses after the fact, but what if healthcare began long before we got sick? And what if the best preventative medicine starts with something as simple as the food we eat? With today's science-based advancements in nutrition for health and longevity, the old adage "food is medicine" may be closer to the truth than ever before.

Today's guest is Dr. Joseph Antoun, the CEO and Chairman of L-Nutra, a unique nutri-tech company applying cutting-edge science to nutrition with the aim of helping people live longer, healthier lives. Dr. Antoun served as the Chairman of the Board at the Global Healthspan Policy Institute and as a member of Forbes Business Development Council. Before joining L-Nutra, Dr. Antoun was the CEO of Health Systems Reform, the Co-Director of the Center for Health Policy at the University of Chicago, and the Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Helath Systems and Reform, among other accomplishments.

In this episode, we speak about the science behind L-Nutra's fasting mimicking technology, what they see as their three areas of growth potential, and how their programs and products stand out in a crowded market.

Highlights:

Dr. Antoun explains the scientific premise behind L-Nutra's products and programs (03:22)
Dr. Antoun's describes how a career in medicine led him to L-Nutra (05:45)
What are the health benefits of fasting, and how do L-Nutra products mimic its effects? (09:34)
Why are customers more likely to complete a ProLon "fast" than other diets or meal plans? (16:33)
Dr. Antoun walks through some of the products under the L-Nutra umbrella, including Fast Bar and Nutrition for Longevity (18:44)
L-Nutra's approach to differentiation (22:18)
Dr. Antoun unpacks the three areas of growth potential L-Nutra is focusing on (23:54)

Links:

Joseph Antoun, MD, PhD LinkedIn

Joseph Antoun, MD, PhD Bio

Nutrition for Longevity Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Jerry Morgan, President & CEO at Texas Roadhouse — Serving Up Success: The key ingredients? Great value and 'legendary' service

ICR — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

When inflation goes up, and disposable incomes shrink, consumers approach their spending with increased scrutiny. Despite tighter budgets, however, people are still social and they still need to eat, and restaurants that consistently provide great value to their customers will come out on top.

Today's guest is Jerry Morgan. Jerry is President and CEO of Louisville, Kentucky-based Texas Roadhouse, trading under the symbol TXRH. With 35 years of food service experience, including time at Bennigan's and Burger King, Jerry is an industry expert with a ton of institutional knowledge. He began his career with Roadhouse in 1997 as the managing partner of the first Texas Roadhouse in Texas, and worked his way up through the company ranks. In 2020 he was named President of Texas Roadhouse, and became CEO in 2021 following the untimely death of the company's founder and former CEO, Kent Taylor.

In this episode, I speak with Jerry about the company values that have been instrumental to the success of the brand, how they're handling recent inflation, and the two additional restaurant concepts they'll be expanding over the next few years.

Highlights:

Jerry walks through the Texas Roadhouse backstory (03:03)
Jerry explains how he got his start with Texas Roadhouse, and why it beat out other restaurant chains for his attention (05:29)
Jerry describes the company's values, and their commitment to quality and service (06:54)
Jerry unpacks the market partner structure of Texas Roadhouse (08:12)
Jerry's philosophy on pricing, and how he looks at passing rising costs on to customers (09:50)
How a company culture of "fun with purpose" helps Texas Roadhouse succeed (11:06)
How Texas Roadhouse is approaching technology (15:14)
Jerry describes the two additional restaurant concepts in the Texas Roadhouse family: Jaggers and Bubba's 33 (17:36)
Jerry talks about the advantages of being a public company with increased cash generation from a stakeholder perspective (22:05)

Links:

Jerry Morgan LinkedIn

Texas Roadhouse LinkedIn

Texas Roadhouse Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Nino Ciappina, CEO at PARTS iD — Standing Apart: Finding success through differentiation

ICR — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 04:45:00 -0400

Summary:

The automotive industry is changing. Shifting consumer behavior, increased demand for sustainability, and macro shifts towards digitization, automation, and new business models could see companies that are unable to keep up get left behind. For companies ready to embrace these changes, however, there are new opportunities for significant growth.

Today's guest is Nino Ciappina, CEO of PARTS iD. PARTS iD is a digital commerce company, trading under the symbol ID, that is responding to evolving consumer needs and showing the aftermarket parts and accessories industry what an ideal customer experience looks like in 2022. Previously, Nino served as the Chief Marketing Officer and later the General Manager of Onyx, the predecessor company of PARTS iD. Nino has also served in a variety of digital marketing, marketing, and eCommerce positions, notably as the Director of Digital Marketing & Customer Acquisition at The Children's Place, VP of eCommerce and Digital Marketing at Firestar Diamond Group, and later as Senior Director of eCommerce and Digital Marketing at Foot Locker.

In this episode, I speak with Nino about why the iD brand is unique in the industry, their efforts to expand from automotive parts and accessories into complementary verticals, and how PARTS iD is responding to current events.

Highlights:

Nino describes the three things that distinguish PARTS iD in the aftermarket parts and accessories industry (03:09)
Nino provides perspective on the scale of the business, describing PARTS iD's catalogue of over 18 million SKUs (07:19)
What are the verticals adjacent to PARTS iD's focus on automobiles? (10:06)
Nino explains why the iD brand is closely tied to the identities of their customers (14:30)
Nino walks through how PARTS iD is expanding their offering to appeal to customer's who want a "do it for me" experience (18:41)
How is PARTS iD preparing for the electric vehicle revolution? (21:56)
Nino explains why he points to Wayfair's business model as comparable to PARTS iD's (24:54)
Nino comments on the way PARTS iD is handling market changes dues to global events (26:33)

Links:

Nino Ciappina LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

James Foster, CEO at ZeroFOX — Heading Off Hackers : Why external cybersecurity is not just a defensive sport

ICR — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 11:57:49 -0400

Summary:

As threat volume and complexity grows, cyber attacks are quickly becoming one of the biggest concerns facing companies today. When the pandemic accelerated the shift towards digital, and employees around the world began logging in to work from anywhere, the threat of data being compromised only deepened. This is a big problem, not only for businesses, but for the stakeholders who put their trust in them. Cybercriminals are getting bolder, and cyber risks are always evolving. To protect your organization, you need a solution that evolves alongside the threat.

Today's guest is doing the critically important work of developing effective cybersecurity solutions. James C. Foster is a world-renowned thought leader on cybersecurity, and founder and CEO of ZeroFOX. Foster has published over a dozen books, holds several patents, and has spoken on Capitol Hill about the increase in international cyber threats. Prior to founding ZeroFOX in 2013, Foster founded the cybersecurity company Ciphent which he grew to almost a hundred employees and a thousand customer before it was acquired by Accuvant in 2010. He's also worked with several high-growth cybersecurity organizations and executed on exit strategies for companies like Foundstone, Guardent, and Information Security Magazine, and as an advisor for the United States Department of Defense.

In this episode, I speak with Foster about pressing external cybersecurity concerns, ZeroFOX's recent public transaction with L&F Acquisition Corp, and where he sees market opportunity in the coming years.

Highlights:

Foster explains external cybersecurity, and how ZeroFOX works to eradicate those risks for businesses (02:52)
Foster describes the effects the pandemic and the ongoing shift towards digital have had on the business (05:46)
What is the market opportunity for external cybersecurity? (07:14)
Foster explains the rate of cyberattack in recent years, and how a company like ZeroFOX can help ease the minds of execs (08:55)
ZeroFOX's public transaction with L&F Acquisition Corp, and their acquisition of IDX (12:37)
Foster talks through ZeroFOX's recurring revenue model (18:22)
Who are ZeroFOX's clients, and where do they see opportunity in the market for expansion?(20:02)
Foster comments on the way global events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine affect cybersecurity around the world (22:22)

Links:

James C. Foster LinkedIn

James C. Foster Twitter

James C. Foster Bio

ZeroFOX LinkedIn

ZeroFOX Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Kyle Kostesich, Executive Creative Director at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Branding + Creative Practice

ICR — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 04:04:00 -0400

Summary:

Your brand is your promise. It's how you signal to stakeholders who you are and what you stand for. With so much on the line, it's no wonder that a messy brand can have a huge impact on your business.

Joining me for this installment of ICR Industry Reports, the mini-series where we profile some of the industry leaders within ICR, is Kyle Kostesich. Kyle is the Executive Creative Director for ICR's Branding + Creative practice, having spent the last 15 years leading ICR's creative teams in the areas of branding, marketing, digital media, web design, and more. Coming from a diverse creative background, Kyle has worked with clients across numerous sectors, developing successful campaigns for luxury brands, like The Ritz-Carlton, global financial giants, like Mirae Asset, well-known consumer names, like Planet Fitness, and healthcare industry titans, like Pfizer.

In this episode, I speak with Kyle about the elements of a strong branding strategy, how the Branding + Creative practice adds value for ICR clients, and the long-term benefits of creating a great brand, both internally and externally.

Highlights:

Kyle's career path: from graphic designer to ICR (02:32)
Kyle describes the characteristics of an untidy brand (05:43)
How a great brand can differentiate your company (07:52)
How companies should be thinking about keeping their websites fresh (11:55)
How Kyle works with management teams to form alignment on branding decisions (16:41)

Links:

Kyle Kostesich LinkedIn

Kyle Kostesich Website

Kyle Kostesich Bio

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Marc Silverberg, Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Energy, Sustainability & Modern Mobility

ICR — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 04:30:00 -0400

Summary:

This week: the next of our ICR Industry Reports. In this mini-series we profile some of ICR's industry experts, and hear about what they're observing at the frontlines of their fields.

My guest today is Marc Silverberg, Partner and head of ICR's Energy, Sustainability & Modern Mobility investor relations practice. His team specializes in working with companies across the ESM ecosystem, with focus areas including electric vehicles, battery technology, and renewable energy among others. Marc joined ICR in 2015, bringing with him over 17 years of experience in the capital markets industry. Before coming to ICR, Marc served as a Director of Investments at Oppenheimer, and as Vice President of the energy and equity research team at Barclays and Lehman Brothers.

In this episode, I speak with Marc about the biggest challenges he sees facing the companies he works with, how they are thinking about the future, and how sustainability-focused companies can differentiate their ESG stories.

Highlights:

How Marc's career path led him to ICR (02:32)
Marc describes his work in ICR's Energy, Sustainability & Modern Mobility practice (04:41)
What are the biggest challenges facing the companies Marc works with today? (06:57)
How Marc works with client to develop milestones and long-term goals (10:59)
Marc explains how companies in an industry already focused on sustainability can differentiate their ESG stories (13:38)

Links:

Marc Silverberg LinkedIn

Marc Silverberg Bio

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Russell Fleischer, General Partner at Battery Ventures — Supporting CEOs: How investment partners with firsthand operations experience can help

ICR — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:30:53 -0400

Summary:

Growth through M&A can be hit or miss. Studies show that nearly half of these transactions fail to see value creation as a result of acquisition. Why is that? Well, one reason may be that M&A is disruptive to stakeholder relationships. The challenge for investment firms is to strike the ideal balance between creating enough change to see accelerated growth in the companies they acquire or invest in and preserving the brand and core values of those companies so that key stakeholders feel secure. Great investment partners are able to look beyond the bottom line so they can evaluate and adapt to the dynamic relationships that make each company unique. Firsthand operations experience can help.

Today's guest is Russell Fleischer, a former 3X software industry CEO and current general partner at Battery Ventures, a global technology-focused investment firm with a collaborative research style. At Battery, Russell is focused on new opportunities in the enterprise software sector, typically later stage transactions including buyouts, roll-ups, and take-privates. His experience as a CEO has allowed him to engage on a personal level with his portfolio company CEOs, coaching them and their teams to create more stakeholder value.

In this episode, I speak with Russell about Battery's research-driven approach to choosing investments, how current issues are affecting the tech industry, and how he approaches the human elements of mergers and acquisitions.

Highlights:

Russell describes his early career journey through the software sector (03:39)
Russell explains how his experience with private equity as a CEO led him to Battery (06:25)
The challenges of being a CEO, and why an investor with firsthand experience can help (10:27)
Why management teams shouldn't be afraid to make personnel changes (12:36)
Battery's research-driven approach to choosing investments (15:15)
Russell's observations of where the technology industry is moving geographically (18:52)
Russell shares his thoughts on how the tech industry has responded to recent market shifts (21:32)
Russell explains why he believes the social aspect of companies has such a huge impact on success during mergers (24:10)

Links:

Russell Fleischer LinkedIn

Russell Fleischer Bio

Battery Ventures LinkedIn

Battery Ventures Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Farah Soi, Partner at ICR — ICR Industry Reports: Consumer, Retail & Digital Commerce

ICR — Wed, 18 May 2022 04:07:00 -0400

Summary:

This week is the first in a new mini-series profiling some of ICR's leading industry experts: ICR Industry Report. Alongside our usual content, this series will feature observations and analysis of what ICR's leaders are seeing in the market, and what trends they anticipate are coming up next in their verticals. These bite-size segments will be jam-packed with useful information to help you better understand the fields you're playing in.

My guest today is Farah Soi, Partner in ICR's Consumer, Retail & Digital Commerce group. Since joining ICR in 2010, Farah has helped retailers and consumer goods companies, from emerging growth companies, to pre-IPOs, to established market leaders, with their investor relations efforts, leaning on many years of investor experience on the buyer side to inform her advice. Prior to ICR, Farah spent six years at the hedge fund Fine Capital Partners, and was an associate vice president at Citigroup Asset Management.

In this episode, I speak with Farah about trends she has observed as the market recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, inflation, and rapidly developing geopolitical events; the qualities she sees in great CEOs; and how her clients are succeeding at telling their ESG stories.

Highlights:

Farah lays out the work experience that brought her to ICR (03:23)
Farah describes ICR's Consumer, Retail & Digital Commerce group (05:48)
What are the biggest concerns facing Farah's clients today, and how are they responding to inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and supply chain issues? (07:28)
Farah's take on what makes a great CEO (10:40)
How Farah's clients are telling their ESG stories (13:14)
What Farah believes investors miss when reviewing the performances of companies in periods of dislocation (15:41)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Conor Flynn, CEO at Kimco Realty — Realty Reality, Post Pandemic: Responsible REITs are more than just landlords

ICR — Wed, 11 May 2022 04:49:00 -0400

Summary:

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can be pretty misunderstood as investment opportunities, particularly amongst younger investors. Their slow-and-steady pace and relative lack of volatility can lead investors looking for quicker action to focus on other asset classes. However, REITs have historically produced long-term capital appreciation and high, consistent dividend income at relatively low risk. For growth-oriented investors, they should be worth consideration.

Conor Flynn is the CEO of Kimco Realty, and my guest on this episode of Welcome to the Arena. Kimco is a real estate investment trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KIM. It's America's largest publicly traded owner and operator of open air, grocery-anchored shopping centers and mixed-use assets with approximately 540 properties and more than 93 million square feet of gross leasable space.

In this episode, I speak with Conor about the strategic choices that have positioned Kimco with their highest credit rating and strongest balance sheet to date, and what action they took to support their tenants during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

Conor describes catching the real estate bug early in life, and how that led to his position at Kimco Realty (03:52)
Conor explains how Kimco has remained adaptable throughout its six decades in operation (08:53)
Conor unpacks the concepts of "necessity-based retail" and "the last mile" (10:47)
Conor acknowledges the ways Kimco stood by its tenants during the pandemic (13:57)
Conor talks through the strategies behind Kimco's acquisition of Weingarten Realty, and its investment in Albertsons (16:34)
Conor explains Kimco's capitalization and credit access (21:54)
Kimco's strategy for creating shareholder value (24:09)
Conor explains why he is keeping a watchful eye on inflation (27:08)
Kimco's dedication to ESG initiatives (28:21)

Links:

Kimco Realty LinkedIn

Kimco Realty Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Eli Manning and Drew Sheinman, Partners at Brand Velocity Group — Pro Sports and Private Equity: A differentiated approach to managing PE portfolios

ICR — Wed, 04 May 2022 04:05:00 -0400

Summary:

A company culture where you win together or lose together as a team gives everyone an incentive to perform at their best. It also creates supportive environments where strategic risk-taking is encouraged, opening the door to new opportunities. In private equity, a lot of scrutiny goes into every investment decision, but there's one factor that has historically been overlooked: human capital. However, there's been a shift in recent years. Companies ahead of the curve in recognizing value in the human element in their portfolio companies now have a chance to pull ahead in what is becoming an increasingly competitive space.

My guests today, Eli Manning and Drew Sheinman, are both partners at Brand Velocity Group. BVG is a PE firm with a unique investment approach, partnering with the companies they acquire to help them innovate and accelerate their businesses through specialized operating resources, in-house marketing, and their thoughtful approach to human capital. Before joining BVG as founding partner, Drew's career spanned time with William Morris Endeavor, Coca-Cola, Madison Square Garden, the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Mets, and the Breeders' Cup (among others). He's also made some significant industry contributions including developing new financial models for commercial real estate, and athletes becoming business owners. Eli Manning is a two-time Super Bowl winning NFL quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP, who has turned his attention to private equity and brings along an impressive track record of adding value to the brands he endorses, invests in, and is otherwise associated with.

In this episode, I learn about the ways BVG differentiates from other firms, and why they felt like the right fit for Eli as he was considering his next move post-retirement from the NFL.

Highlights:

BVG's differentiated approach to private equity (03:52)
Eli explains how he became involved with BVG (05:23)
Eli describes the benefits of BVG's marketing strategy, and why he enthusiastically supports their internal incentive program (07:15)
Drew explains the structure of BVG's high-profile accelerator program (09:05)
Drew shares how BVG is attempting to make private equity a more appealing industry for young talent entering the workforce (13:02)
Drew and Eli discuss The BBQ Guys and their association with the Manning family (14:15)
BVG's "white space opportunity" strategy, and their partnership with Original Footwear (18:53)
Why Jay Glazer is a good fit to represent Original Footwear (19:47)
Eli looks ahead to his future with BVG (21:06)
Eli's thoughts on the New York Giants' 2022 draft strategy (23:08)

Links:

Drew Sheinman LinkedIn

Brand Velocity Group Website

Brand Velocity Group LinkedIn

The BBQ Guys

Original Footwear

Jay Glazer Twitter

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Brian Kelsey, Voice Actor and Host of Ten Minutes With — Take it from a Talk Show Host : Building a brand from the bottom up

ICR — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 04:55:00 -0400

Summary:

Before there was Apple, or Amazon, or Disney, or Google, there was a person with an idea, who was willing to put in the work to see that idea come to life. Across industries, there are common lessons to be learned from the stories of the entrepreneurial-minded people who have built successful brands from the bottom up.

One such person is my guest today, Brian Kelsey, a 25-year veteran of the television, radio, and voiceover industries. He's been a radio host on some legendary stations, has worked on The Howard Stern Show, and on Martha Stewart Living Radio, and has made appearances on Martha's TV show along with The Today Show, HGTV, FOX, and more. Most recently, Brian started a quirky celebrity talk show he began hosting out of his garage in 2019, called Ten Minutes With.

In this episode, I learn about the development of Ten Minutes With, and dig into the similarities between what goes into building a talk show in your garage, and what goes into building any other brand or business.

Highlights:

Brian answers some icebreaker questions (03:17)
Brian describes his industry experience (06:06)
Brian explains how he got started on Ten Minutes With (10:07)
Brian walks us through the structure of Ten Minutes With, including the special segments he does on the show (15:35)
Brian describes what makes a great interview (18:04)
Notable rejection letters Brian has received from potential guests (21:18)
Ten Minutes With's social media and distribution strategy (22:34)
Brian outlines his goals for the show, and what fans can expect to see next (24:00)
Wrap Up (25:03)

Links:

Ten Minutes With Instagram

Brian Kelsey LinkedIn

Brian Kelsey YouTube

Ten Minutes With Website

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Joth Ricci, CEO at Dutch Bros Coffee — One Cup at a Time: How a simple model and strong mission can drive growth

ICR — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 04:17:00 -0400

Summary:

With Covid-19 mandates relaxing and consumers eager to rejoin the real world, the beverage industry has been bouncing back over the last year. However, the landscape is not exactly what it used to be, and while doors are open, there are some new challenges to face. Changes in consumer habits as a result of the pandemic, along with the much-discussed supply chain issues, have forced many in the industry to reconsider best practices. 2021 even saw industry giant Starbucks close nearly 400 of their sit-down locations in favor of simplified, pick up and takeaway options. They're onto something, but they didn't get there first.

My guest today is Joth Ricci, CEO of Dutch Bros Coffee, a drive-through coffee chain headquartered in Oregon that has been having success with this model for years. It's a brand that has been a "30 year overnight success," and an amazing case study on building a culture that is foundational to stakeholder success.

In this episode, Joth explains the business model that helped Dutch Bros avoid the obstacles other retail beverage companies have experienced in the last few years, their plans to continue expanding into new geographical markets, and why their focus on employee satisfaction and company culture is paying off.

Highlights:

How Joth came to join Dutch Bros Coffee as CEO (03:22)
Joth talks through the premise of Dutch Bros Coffee (05:20)
Joth explains the advantages the Dutch Bros business model affords the company (06:30)
Why being a "people business" is central to Dutch Bros philosophy (07:47)
Joth explains how Dutch Bros has been expanding their market reach (12:00)
What Dutch Bros Coffee's recent IPO means to the company (13:30)
Joth explains new initiatives the company is taking, including their new rewards program (15:30)
Joth talks through some of the companies financials (19:10)
Joth explains the importance of philanthropy to Dutch Bros Coffee (22:45)
Wrap Up (24:35)

Links:

Dutch Bros Coffee Website

Dutch Bros Coffee LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co.

Andy Rothman, Investment Strategist at Matthews Asia — Investing in China: Why misperceptions might have you missing out

ICR — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 04:43:00 -0400

Summary:

In America, there are a lot of misconceptions about many aspects of Chinese culture and economic policy. These have become especially apparent over the last two years during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many investors are curious about the opportunities to be found in China’s fast-growing market but while factors like the country’s political structure, ongoing trade wars with the US, and regulatory differences shouldn’t deter investment, it is important to understand the risks involved when it comes to investing in China.

Here to give us an insider’s perspective is Andy Rothman, an investment strategist at Matthews Asia, the largest dedicated active investor in Asia and China in the United States. Before heading to Matthews, Andy spent more than 20 years living and working in China, first as a student, then as an American diplomat. At Matthews, Andy is primarily responsible for developing research focused on China’s economic and political developments.

In this episode, Andy discusses the major shifts that have been happening in the Chinese economy both pre- and post-pandemic, the changing role of private companies in China, and his take on US/China economic policy and regulation.

Highlights:

A brief history of the modern Chinese economy (03:08)
The changing role of China’s public companies (04:54)
How Covid-19 affected China’s role in the global supply chain (07:25)
China’s shift away from a manufacturing economy (09:47)
Andy’s take on the status of the Chinese residential property market (11:19)
Andy describes the easing cycle China is going through this year (16:09)
Factors that will affect whether Chinese public companies list in China or the US (18:25)
Andy describes the two “weather patters” occurring in the Chinese economy (21:33)
Positive steps from the Biden Administration in US/Chine policy (24:58)
Andy’s take on China’s relationship to the Russia/Ukraine conflict (26:43)
Wrap Up (28:41)

Links:

Andy Rothman LinkedIn

Andy Rothman Bio

Andy Rothman Twitter

Matthews Asia Website

Matthews Asia LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co.

Dux Raymond Sy, Chief Brand Officer at AvePoint — Business' Brand New Era: Building brand visibility and reputation post-pandemic

ICR — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:02:00 -0500

Summary:

In 2021, the average person was estimated to encounter between 6000 and 10 000 ads every single day. And, with eyes more glued to screens than ever before, digital marketing, finding its way to us via smartphones and computers, accounts for a great deal of that ad consumption. Customers are constantly bombarded with messaging telling them to “buy now,” but in increasingly crowded markets of near-identical competitors, how can you convince them to not just “buy now,” but buy you. That’s where brand (your company’s unique identity and reputation) comes in.

This week’s guest, Dux Raymond Sy, is a brand expert who will help unpack the advantages of building brand into your business strategy. Dux is the Chief Brand Officer at AvePoint, a NASDAQ listed company under the symbol AVPT. Founded in 2001, AvePoint is the largest independent software vendor of SaaS data solutions for Microsoft 365 and they migrate, manage and protect data in Google, Microsoft Cloud, SharePoint, and Salesforce, optimizing SaaS operations and secure collaboration.

In this episode, Dux describes the differences between marketing strategy and branding strategy, how AvePoint is establishing their brand based on customer confidence, and the digital marketing shifts he has seen in the SaaS space coming out of the pandemic.

Highlights:

From poser to pro: Dux’s journey to brand and marketing (03:21)
Dux unpacks brand vs. marketing and the characteristics of a memorable brand (06:59)
Dux describes AvePoint’s history and purpose (08:35)
How to approach brand management across cultures in a global company (11:27)
How AvePoint adapted to Covid-19 conditions (12:26)
Dux’s take on the long term impacts of the pandemic on brand and marketing (15:51)
Dux explain AvePoint’s new #SaaSInStyle campaign (18:05)
How AvePoint is diversifying their offering (22:17)
Why B2B SaaS companies should be looking to market on non-traditional Platforms (24:22)
Wrap Up (26:25)

Links:

Dux Raymond Sy LinkedIn

Dux Raymond Sy Website

Dux Raymond Sy Twitter

AvePoint Website

AvePoint LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co.

Dave Tayeh, Head of Private Equity North America at Investcorp — Investing in Relationships: The people side of private equity

ICR — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 03:51:00 -0500

Summary:

The private equity industry has a reputation for being, well, pretty private. That’s been changing over the course of the last decade and where PE firms used to keep their cards close to their chest, they are increasingly championing transparency. That shift allows investors to form more informed assessments, and businesses looking to sell are able to have a better understanding of who they’re working with and how their interests align.

Relationships are an important factor to evaluate in investment decisions. Dave Tayeh, Head of Private Equity North America at Investcorp knows that well, having had experience as both an operator and an investor. At Investcorp, a global manager of alternative investments, Dave and his team leverage their global platform and resources to drive growth and value in the companies and relationships they invest in.

In this episode, Dave explains how he evaluates opportunity when deciding which companies to partner with, his perspective on how the private equity game has changed over time, and the investment strategies his team employed to support their portfolio throughout the pandemic.

Highlights:

Introduction to Dave’s career at Investcorp (03:16)
Dave describes Investcorp and their mission (05:44)
Why private equity wants to partner with founders (06:48)
What differentiates Dave and his team at Investcorp (08:19)
Dave describes the six verticals they invest in (09:58)
The case study of Wrench (11:00)
Dave’s philosophy on leverage (12:26)
How Investcorp weathered the storm of Covid-19 (14:15)
Dave explains why managing people and relationships is key to PE strategy (18:53)
Dave provides his opinion on how private equity has changed over the last 20 years (21:00)
Wrap Up (23:30)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, elizabeth@lowerstreet.co.

Lyndon Park, Partner & Head of ICR Governance Solutions — Embracing ESG: Finding value in your company's values

ICR — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 03:40:00 -0500

Summary:

In recent years, ESG has become a hot button topic for almost all companies, public and private alike. As conversations around environmental and social issues continue to gain momentum, opportunities can present themselves for companies willing to stop playing defense with ESG and start using it as an offensive tool. Investment stories and ESG stories are quickly merging and with disclosures on ESG factors becoming standardized and related shareholder activism continuing to rise, companies who are not prepared may be left behind.

There to give them a boost is Lyndon Park, Head of Governance Solutions at ICR where he guides boards and management teams through the complexities of ESG and corporate governance to align with investor and market expectations. A former executive at BlackRock and recognized thought leader in the field, Lyndon is an expert advisor on issues ranging from shareholder activism and ESG to board composition and succession planning.

In this episode, Lyndon Park shares how ESG plays into investment strategies, he takes a deep dive into shifting rating standards, and he looks into how future trends in ESG will impact both public and private companies.

Highlights:

Introduction to Lyndon Park and his route to ESG (02:56)
Why ESG should be viewed as an opportunity (06:10)
Approaching ESG incrementally (08:39)
Fitting ESG goals into existing framework (09:33)
How silo thinking within an organization can cause issues on ESG votes (12:45)
“Looking at ESG from the value perspective, and not values perspective.” (14:39)
The consolidation of rating standards (16:19)
How Lyndon helps companies integrate ESG during an IPO and beyond (20:00)
How private companies should be thinking about ESG (22:09)
Lyndon’s predictions for the future (24:23)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co.

Stan Chia, CEO & Board Director at Vivid Seats — Winning a Seat at the Table: Entering established markets

ICR — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 03:23:00 -0500

Summary:

Breaking into a market controlled by prominent players can be daunting, but competition breeds innovation and when newcomers are successful it usually means big benefits for consumers and investors. Vivid Seats (online ticket marketplace), led by CEO Stan Chia, is one of those success stories.

Vivid Seats has carved out a space for themselves in an industry that has historically been dominated by big names like TicketMaster and StubHub by focusing on customer service and consumer engagement. Despite the hit live events and ticketing took from cancellations and postponements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, they recently went public, and acquired sports gaming app “Betcha” soon after, showing no signs of slowing down their impressive growth anytime soon.

In this episode, Stan Chia shares what Vivid Seats is doing differently than the other profitable players in the ticketing space, he breaks down how Vivid Seats was able to maintain customer trust throughout the pandemic, and he explains why they're a great example of a how a SPAC transaction can go right.

Highlights:

Introduction to Stan Chia and Vivid Seats (2:16)
What going public means for Vivid Seats (5:16)
Vivid Seats’ acquisition of Betcha (6:36)
The Vivid Seats team and workplace culture (8:11)
How Vivid Seats differentiates itself in the industry (10:03)
Why user engagement is important to Vivid Seats (14:07)
How Vivid Seats is investing in technology (15:00)
How Vivid Seats is moving forward after the pandemic (17:06)
Why going public via SPAC was the right move for Vivid Seats (20:30)
Long-term growth and diversification (24:28)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co.

Steve Glenn, CEO of Plant Prefab — Building Better Businesses: Efficient and eco-conscious construction

ICR — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 11:17:06 -0500

Summary:

Here’s a quick word association. What comes to mind when you hear the word, “construction.” Your first thought probably wasn’t “efficient,” but CEO Steve Glenn and his company, Plant Prefab, are trying to change that. Plant Prefab creates architect-designed custom homes held to the highest environmental standards and, because they fabricate structural pieces at production facilities simultaneously to onsite construction, they operate much more efficiently than companies using traditional methods.

The construction sector is vast, with every niche having multi-billion dollar potential. Companies that can set themselves apart through innovation have a lot to gain. Reliability, efficiency, and an eco-friendly mission that appeals to both socially conscious consumers as well as developers trying to keep up with ever-stricter government regulations are helping Plant Prefab stand out from the competition. In an industry where cost of labor is a particular pain point, the ability to streamline and regulate the building process is in increasingly high demand, especially in the urban infill corner of the market where Plant Prefab thrives.

In this episode, Steve Glenn shares his insights on the massive investment opportunity that is the real estate and construction market, and what Plant Prefab is doing to continue setting new standards of efficiency and sustainability in the industry.

Highlights:

Introduction to Steve Glenn and Plant Prefab (2:26)
Why Plant Prefab is a technology company (6:10)
Plant Prefab’s investors (8:19)
Pros and cons to focusing on urban infill (12:39)
The stats on Plant Prefab vs. traditional building methods (16:15)
Achieving carbon neutrality (19:08)
The “hub and spoke” model of manufacturing facilities (22:05)
Efficiency and sustainability in the construction industry (26:33)

Links:

Plant Prefab LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co.

Chris Rondeau, CEO of Planet Fitness — It Works Out in the End: The future of fitness

ICR — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500

Summary:

When businesses were forced to shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, gyms found themselves particularly vulnerable. One company that managed to weather the storm (without losing a single location) and is now poised to come back stronger than ever is Planet Fitness. In this episode, we hear from the CEO of Planet Fitness, Chris Rondeau.

From working the front desk of a single location in New Hampshire, to CEO of a public company with 2000+ locations, Chris Rondeau takes us through the evolution and success of Planet Fitness in his almost 30 years with the company, and offers a sneak peek of what investors can expect from the gym chain in the future. Between their focus on creating a judgement-free environment perfect for first-time gym goers, and an economic model that makes franchising profitable and relatively simple, Planet Fitness stands to take full advantage of the “fitness boom” Rondeau is predicting in the near future.

In this episode, we'll hear from Chris on how Planet Fitness is continuing to grow their already over 15 million members by centering the mindset of their specific clientele, investing in ways technology can add additional value, and honing in on how to attract the already fitness-minded Gen Zers who are aging into membership.

Highlights:

The origin stories of Planet Fitness and Chris Rondeau (2:12)
How they knew the economic model worked for franchising (6:32)
Effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the gym industry (8:25)
Redefining the industry: Wellness vs. Vanity (11:06)
Real estate and providing value to landlords (12:15)
Digital innovation in the fitness industry (14:52)
New Year’s Eve and capitalizing on January’s resolution-makers (18:52)
Investors and how Planet Fitness makes money with $10/month membership (21:14)
Imagining the future of Planet Fitness (25:39)
Creating value for shareholders and stakeholders (28:38)

Links:

Bloomberg Quicktake: The Business of Sports

Planet Fitness Website

Chris Rondeau LinkedIn

Planet Fitness LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co.

Jason Kelly, Bloomberg Quicktake— Good News: How the media can help your business

ICR — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0500

Summary:

With fast-growing private and public companies, you’re often juggling a lot of stakeholders: management, employees, board members, investors. But there’s one key stakeholder that’s often forgotten: the media. But ignore them at your peril. They control a huge portion of the narrative and public image of your company—and if you haven’t established the relationships and trust to tell your story, then they’re going to tell it for you.

Fortunately, there are journalists like Jason Kelly. Jason has spent almost 20 years reporting on business at Bloomberg in a variety of capacities, from New York Bureau Chief to his current role as Chief Correspondent for Bloomberg Quicktake, Bloomberg’s “Business Network for the New Generation.” He’s also authored two books, The New Tycoons on the rise of private equity, and Sweat Equity on the fitness economy. In his role, he’s been able to observe some giants of the industry, learn what makes businesses tick, and forge relationships with leaders across sectors.

We sat down to talk about Jason’s approach to business journalism, and his new pursuits at the nexus of business, sports, and culture. He’ll share his philosophy on asking tough questions, the benefits of longstanding relationships with the media, and why CEOs should depart more often from their talking points. So join us! Because in the arena, all news is good news.

Highlights:

What makes a great journalist (1:16)
How to publish things people don’t like (3:00)
The power of relationships (4:59)
Consumption changes in an on-demand world (10:42)
QuickTakes: The intersection of sports, business, and culture (13:20)
What Jason learned from The Last Dance (17:13)
Making representation possible through “Portrait” (20:50)
How writing a book let Jason engage with subjects in a different way (24:30)
The most interesting person Jason’s interviewed (26:57)
Jason’s observations on the business storylines going forward (28:46)
The world moves on fast from mistakes (34:23)
“In an era where you’re tempted to say less, say more” (35:49)

Links:

Bloomberg Quicktake: Portrait

Sweat Equity

The New Tycoons

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Brian Gonick, Co-CIO of Senvest — Diamonds in the Rough: Finding the value that everyone else ignores

ICR — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Investing in stocks that the market has passed by is certainly risky, but that's right where Co-Chief Investment Officer Brian Gonick and his team at Senvest find value. Through strong understanding of management, a discerning eye, and techniques adopted from the CIA, Senvest find stocks with the potential for exponential long-term growth.

Brian Gonick highlights how Senvest look to invest over an extended period of time, showing how important they view their horizons. To be part of the Senvest journey, you need to understand a thing or two about community. Developing strategies and building networks are two pieces of the investment puzzle, as far as Senvest are concerned.

On this episode, we'll understand how Brian and his company set out to bring companies together for a brighter and more profitable future. For Senvest, getting from point A to B is the ultimate goal, but they believe as long as milestones are being hit, success will follow.

Highlights:

Outlining Senvest's investment strategy (0:19)
How they implement FBI questioning tactics with potential companies (7:15)
Brian's biggest success story (9:52)
When situation trumps sector (14:06)
Examples of the view on value to growth (15:41)
How Senvest is using data like never before (20:31)
Why hitting milestones and achieving expectations is key for Senvest (27:08)

Links:

Brian Gonick LinkedIn

Senvest LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Paddy Spence, CEO & Amy Taylor, President of Zevia — Can-do!: The benefits of being nimble in the beverage industry

ICR — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 04:00:00 -0500

Carbonated beverages and health don't often go hand in hand, but Zevia intends to change that. By using plant-based ingredients and all-natural sweeteners, Zevia eliminates sugar, GMO's and artificial ingredients from the equation. They deliver drinks that fly off the shelves, both in-store and online; they rank as the number-one sold beverage on Amazon. But their commitment doesn't stop at great taste. CEO Paddy Spence and President Amy Taylor are passionate about consumer health and eliminating plastic waste. Together, the two of them have developed a company that goes way beyond the can.

During the COVID pandemic, as with many beverage companies, Zevia has found itself facing many difficulties, like aluminum shortages and customers who don't want to shop in person. But through their resilient nature, nimble structure, and "can-do" attitude, Paddy and Amy have gone from strength to strength. Advancing on scalability, developing in-store strategies and strengthening the balance sheets has made Zevia one of the major players in the beverage market.

On this episode, we discuss Zevia's commitment to health and sustainability and how its agile strategy has positioned it well for the future. We'll talk about how Paddy and Amy dealt with supply chain issues and how they partner with retailers to position their brand in-store, as well as their strategies to engage new demographics. Listen on for a refreshing conversation!

Highlights:

Removing sugar from their products and using non-plastic materials (2:24)
Creating customer convenience (3:38)
Developing consistent platform strategy (4:20)
How Zevia is all-inclusive for both the customer and investor (7:18)
Building an accessible product for customers (13:43)
How Zevia are both premium and affordable (19:11)
Getting the market to understand their context and mission of their product (23:54)
Providing a product for the new generations that has great taste but is also healthy(27:23)

Links:

Zevia Executive Leadership Team

Amy Taylor LinkedIn

Zevia LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, ross@lowerstreet.co

Katherine Fogertey, CFO at Shake Shack — Grabbing a Byte : Innovation, digitalization and experience in the new age fast-food industry

ICR — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0500

Highlights:

Learning within the fast-food industry (4:36)
Digital transformation of the company (5:46)
Enlightened hospitality and commitment to service (6:54)
Creating a stellar experience for the customer (8:22)
Importance of digital channels (10:02)
How the company values its people, both customers and employees (15:45)
Menu innovation (18:51)
Cold-beverage innovation (21:22)
Logistics of company balance sheets (23:15)
Intention of digital ecosystem regarding promotions and user engagement (24:03)

Links:

Katherine Fogertey LinkedIn

Shake Shack LinkedIn

Shake Shack Mobile App

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, ross@lowerstreet.co

Syed Raj Imteaz, ICR — Convert Operations: Why (and how) you should use convertible securities

ICR — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500

Highlights:

How Raj found himself in equity derivatives (0:35)
What makes a convertible instrument more complex than debt or equity (2:36)
Why you need advice if you’re going to attempt a convert (4:58)
Convertible language that could hurt you down the road (9:45)
Why the market for converts is so hot (11:38)
Raj’s sell-side convertible pitch (16:55)
When Raj saved a company millions (20:09)
How convertibles can help you rethink capital return (24:05)

Links:

ICR Capital – Convertible Securities

Syed Raj Imteaz LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, ross@lowerstreet.co

Eric Yunag, Convergint — Connecting the Dots: Making your technology work together

ICR — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500

Highlights:

How Convergint is applying the technology they have at their disposal (2:51)
The next technological revolution (5:37)
How organizations can implement new technologies in physical world applications (7:44)
How society is using "computer vision" to navigate itself (9:38)
People should begin using technology as a visual intelligence platform (14:55)
The power of gaze detection (16:52)
How Convergint provides strategic guidance (17:42)
Giving service that feels like an experience (19:44)
How technology can improve workplace safety in the wake of the pandemic (23:34)
Alternative lenses to reframe how you view technology (28:07)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, ross@lowerstreet.co

Russ Wheeler, BBQGuys — In Your Grill: A look at the innovative platform that's changing the outdoor game

ICR — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Highlights:

Intro to community surrounding BBQGuys (2:46)
How private equity actually attracted Russ to the company (5:01)
How BBQGuys are getting employee buy-in (7:10)
How BBQGuys found gaps in the market for their own brand (10:45)
Creating a professional customer base (12:43)
Defining the addressable market (15:30)
Creating a content platform (17:33)
How investors should read into acquisition costs (19:51)
Why Russ is excited about getting acquired by a SPAC, Velocity Acquisition Group (22:24)
Insight into senior team of the company (25:47)

Links:

Russ Wheeler LinkedIn

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, ross@lowerstreet.co

Miguel Martin, Aurora Cannabis — High Times: An exploration of the ever-evolving cannabis industry

ICR — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Highlights:

Introduction of the 4 key areas (1:08)
The pathway to SG&A profitability (4:19)
What it takes to succeed in medical (6:25)
The importance of building relationships with regulators (9:47)
The future of cannabinoids (14:50)
Dynamic nature of the cannabis market (18:21)
Breakdown of the science and innovation unit of Aurora (19:55)
The pathway to EBITDA profitability (24:02)
Aurora's next steps (26:07)

Links:

Miguel Martin LinkedIn

Aurora Website

Aurora LinkedIn

Aurora Twitter

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Harold Edwards, Limoneira — Freshly Squeezed: Creating an agile, sustainable business that lasts

ICR — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Highlights:

The asset base and background context on Limoneira (3:57)
How the company dealt with challenges brought by the pandemic (10:43)
How the pandemic changed supply-demand dynamics (13:10)
Limoneira's secret weapon (15:46)
Why there is increased emphasis on company balance sheets and Limoneira's plans for capital structure moving forward (20:33)
How the company is integrating technology to provide a better brand experience (26:31)
Limoneira's technical transformation (29:56)
What investors need to understand when they look at the company (32:08)

Links:

Compass Diversified Holdings Website

Harold Edwards LinkedIn

Calavo Growers Website

Calavo Growers Twitter

Compass Diversified Holdings Twitter

Limoneira Website

Limoneira LinkedIn

Limoneira Twitter

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Rob Sharp, Ramy Brook — Both Sides of the Check: Lessons from Private Equity and Management

ICR — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Highlights:

The benefits of diplomacy in the private equity world (8:08)
What Rob looked for in his initial meetings with management teams (11:45)
The personal nature of business and private equity (16:42)
The origins of Ramy Brook (17:47)
The power that comes from people (19:42)
You can't be too detailed: what Rob has learned moving from private equity into management (23:06)
The importance of your team (25:40)
How Rob uses the complexity of his business to drive value (27:20)

Links:

Baron Capital Group LinkedIn

Laird Bieger LinkedIn

Baron Funds

Baron Funds Twitter

Mentioned in this Episode:

MidOcean Partners

Ben & Jerry's

The Bronfman Fellowship

Mike Milken

Deutsche Bank (formerly Banker's Trust)

Agilex (acquired by Accenture)

Thomas' Baked Goods

Vitaquest

Keith Frankel - MidOcean Partners

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Bob McCooey, Nasdaq — After IPO Day: A look into securities exchange and the logistics of foreign markets

ICR — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Highlights:

Bob's change of career from brokerage to Nasdaq (5:06)
The modern services Nasdaq provide (5:52)
How Nasdaq provides an exceptional experience to listed companies (10:39)
Consolidation and trends among the exchanges (14:17)
A look at some of the companies that Bob has counseled (18:39)
Next steps in building Nasdaq brand globally (24:18)
How Nasdaq approaches the SPAC market (26:52)
Bob's personal assessment of SPACs (28:50)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Don Duffy, ICR — SPACs: the ongoing evolution of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies

ICR — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Highlights:

Looking at the impact of SPACs and recent history of the market (0:41)
When the market 'pivoted' and institutions changed their transactional approach (4:06)
The changes of structure relating to transaction negotiation (5:52)
Don's opinion on regulation (13:30)
The benefits of buying SPACs for investors (15:35)
Sponsor and target relations (23:29)
Media strategy difference between IPO and SPAC (28:02)
How to deal with the threat of short-sellers (30:32)

Links:

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Laird Bieger, Baron Capital Group — Eyes on the Buys: What the Buy-Side Looks for When Investing

ICR — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0400

The buy-side has analysts that know your industry, so why don't you know the universe of buyers? Asset managers have different strengths and different strategies. Knowing the players will help you find the best investment partner for your business. It also helps to know what they're looking for. On this episode, Laird Bieger, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the Discovery Fund at Baron Capital, gives us a peek behind the curtain of a successful fund. What makes them confident enough to invest in a business, and how can you position yourself to receive that investment?

Highlights:

The blessing and the curse of investing in small-cap off-the-radar businesses (7:10)
Why the Discovery Fund focuses on specific subsectors (12:00)
Why Laird loves talking to middle management when researching a company (13:46)
The questions Laird asks to discern a company's growth potential (16:37)
What is a "shadow list" (17:53)
Why you should be more transparent when things are going poorly (19:30)
Why it can be beneficial to be conservative in your guidance estimates (20:52)
The importance of a bulletproof balance sheet (22:08)

Links:

Baron Capital Group LinkedIn

Laird Bieger LinkedIn

Baron Funds

Baron Funds Twitter

Mentioned in this Episode

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Nicole Miller, Piper Sandler — Food for Thought: Sell-Side Analysis & the Restaurant Universe

ICR — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Effective sell-side analysts have to be well-versed in their industry. The best are experts on every aspect: consumer behavior, competitive landscape, and industry trends. Nicole Miller is one of those experts. As Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler, she has been conducting sell-side analysis for over 15 years, and is an authority on the restaurant and hospitality universe. We sat down with Nicole to talk how the restaurant industry drove value by adapting to COVID, what factors into her picks, and where she thinks equity research is headed.

Highlights

How the restaurant industry has adapted during COVID (3:10)
Structural changes that businesses made during the pandemic (6:05)
What companies can do to help analysts (9:06)
The companies that do the best don't care about their stock prices (12:28)
How ESG factors into Nicole's analysis (13:13)
How private companies are emerging from the pandemic (15:29)
Where does Nicole think equity research is headed? (23:01)
Why you should think long-term in a world focused on the present (25:14)

Links