Retail Industry

In this interview, Poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth shares the journey of building a prebiotic soda brand from a kitchen counter experiment to a 1.95 billion USD acquisition by PepsiCo. Ellsworth discusses the dynamics of the modern soda wars, the execution of influencer equity deals, and the creation of a viral digital marketing strategy. She details early financial hardships, explains how fun fuels corporate culture, and reflects on the emotional transition of exiting her startup.

In this interview, AutoTrust founder and CEO Dave Mondragon explains how independent automotive dealers can compete with large public dealer groups through collective purchasing power instead of acquisitions. He shares how AutoTrust leverages dealer-owned scale to improve profitability, strengthen lender and supplier negotiations, and help family-owned dealerships remain independent while adapting to a rapidly changing automotive retail market.

In this interview, Paul Guyett discusses how Leffler Leather has remained successful across generations by focusing on quality, expertise, and continuous adaptation. He shares lessons on preserving craftsmanship while embracing industry change, developing strong customer relationships, and building a resilient business for the long term. Guyett also explains why education, product knowledge, and a commitment to value are essential for sustainable growth in a specialized industry.

In this interview, James Dyson discusses how relentless experimentation and thousands of prototypes shaped the success of Dyson. He explains why engineering excellence, intellectual property, and manufacturing control create lasting competitive advantages. Dyson also shares lessons on innovation, product development, and scaling into new categories, emphasizing that sustainable growth comes from solving meaningful customer problems rather than following market trends.

Patrick Kelleher is the CEO of GXO Logistics, one of the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics providers. He assumed the role after years of leadership experience across logistics, transportation, and supply chain management. Under his leadership, GXO has focused on expanding its North American presence, accelerating technology adoption, and strengthening customer partnerships through automation, artificial intelligence, and operational excellence.

In this interview, Karan Virwani discusses how WeWork India became the country’s largest premium flexible workspace operator by combining institutional discipline with entrepreneurial agility. He explains why demand from multinational corporations, global capability centers, and fast-growing Indian businesses continues to drive growth. Virwani also shares lessons on unit economics, culture, market selection, and building a resilient business by focusing on long-term customer needs rather than short-term trends.

In this interview, Doug McMillon discusses how Walmart continues to evolve through technology, operational excellence, and a strong people-first culture. He explains why investments in wages, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence are essential for long-term growth, even when they pressure margins in the short term. McMillon also shares leadership lessons from navigating disruption, emphasizing adaptability, transparency, rapid decision-making, and an unwavering focus on serving customers and associates.

In this interview, Greg Marcus discusses leading The Marcus Corporation through industry disruption, changing consumer behavior, and generational transition. He shares insights on preserving a long-term family business, investing in customer experience, and maintaining financial discipline through uncertain times. The conversation highlights leadership, community engagement, real estate ownership, innovation in entertainment and hospitality, and how enduring values can help traditional businesses remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world.

In this interview, Garry Ridge discusses how he transformed WD-40 Company into a globally recognized brand by building a culture centered on servant leadership, trust, and continuous learning. He shares insights on employee engagement, creating psychologically safe workplaces, and replacing fear of failure with learning moments. The conversation highlights purpose-driven leadership, organizational culture, humility, and how investing in people can drive sustainable business growth and long-term success.

In this interview, David Mizrahi discusses his journey from running a struggling shawarma shop to building Salt Restaurant Group, a rapidly growing hospitality company. He shares insights on customer-first service, responsible expansion, operational excellence, and hands-on leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of listening to customers, building strong teams, maintaining quality during growth, and creating memorable dining experiences that drive loyalty and long-term business success.

In this interview, Goyaz founder and CEO Priyanka Vemuluri shares how she built one of India's fastest-growing silver jewellery retail brands from a single store to 19 locations across five states. She discusses entrepreneurship, women's leadership, scaling a retail business, customer-driven innovation, team building, and the importance of adaptability, speed, and consistency in achieving long-term growth.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Steve Rinella reflects on the journey from magazine writer to founder of MeatEater, sharing lessons on storytelling, entrepreneurship, family life, and raising children with curiosity and resilience. He discusses the importance of following opportunities that naturally make sense rather than chasing dramatic career pivots, the value of persistence in creative work, and why people often become too attached to a single idea instead of exploring new possibilities. The interview also explores parenting, outdoor experiences, media authenticity, and the role enthusiasm plays in shaping a meaningful life.

In this interview, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi shares the leadership principles that guided her rise from India to leading one of the world's largest companies. She discusses the importance of understanding a business from the ground up, making bold career decisions, developing future leaders, navigating corporate politics, balancing ambition with family responsibilities, and why great leadership requires both performance and purpose.

In this interview, entrepreneur Eman Gadzhi shares how he built a business empire before the age of 25, growing from a challenging upbringing in South London to becoming a successful investor and business owner. He discusses entrepreneurship, personal branding, digital products, relationships, wealth creation, mental health, and the lessons he learned from overcoming adversity. Eman also explains why purpose, discipline, and helping others have played a major role in his success.

In this thought-provoking conversation, entrepreneur and investor Tom Bilyeu discusses the power of personal responsibility, the role of mindset in shaping success, and the importance of building a belief system that is both truthful and optimistic. He shares personal experiences with anxiety, self-doubt, relationships, ambition, and fulfillment, while explaining why acquiring skills and taking ownership of one's life can transform the future. The discussion also explores social media, mental health, resilience, leadership, and the challenges facing modern society.

This conversation features Jim Keyes, who shares lessons from leading two iconic companies through major transformations and financial crises. He explains why debt—not Netflix—ultimately caused Blockbuster's downfall, reflects on growing up in poverty, discusses innovation at 7-Eleven, and shares his philosophy on learning, resilience, leadership, and overcoming fear. The discussion also covers entrepreneurship, franchising, AI, education, social media, and personal growth.

This interview features Debra Crew in conversation with Nicolai Tangen. They discuss trends in the global beverage alcohol industry, changing consumer behavior, premiumization, brand building, acquisitions, leadership, company culture, data-driven marketing, and career development. The conversation explores how Diageo adapts to moderation trends, the rise of premium spirits, and the importance of resilience, experimentation, and leadership in a changing market.