Crunching Your Growth - Growth Class

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Tina Burgos, founder of Covet + Lou, a curated online boutique and retail store that champions independent, sustainable, and women-owned designers. They explore what it really takes to build a scalable retail brand in a world obsessed with volume, trends, and aggressive discounting, and how disciplined curation and customer understanding can create long-term brand loyalty instead of short-term sales spikes. Tina shares lessons from her early brick-and-mortar experience in Boston’s Newbury Street retail scene, including the operational risks of mismanaging inventory per square foot and underestimating market readiness for emerging designers, as well as how those lessons shaped her more intentional approach to building Covet + Lou. Covet + Lou website: https://covetandlou.com/There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Carlos Carvalho, co-founder of One Movement Threads. Carlos shares his journey from working as a city laborer and union advocate to building a purpose-driven company that helps unions, nonprofits, and community organizations strengthen engagement through custom apparel, branding, websites, podcasting, and marketing services. The conversation explores how authentic community building can create stronger organizations, why merchandise can be a powerful tool for movement growth, and the challenges and opportunities of supporting ethical, locally made manufacturing in North America. Carlos also discusses the importance of understanding workers, serving mission-driven organizations, and creating brands that people are proud to represent beyond the workplace. One Movement Threads website: https://onemvmt.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Claudia Chase, founder and president and Elena Kawachi, Co-owner and head of marketing at Mirrix Looms. Claudia shares the remarkable story of how a personal need for a portable, professional-quality tapestry loom evolved into a globally recognized weaving brand that has served artists and makers for nearly three decades. The conversation explores how Mirrix Looms built a loyal customer base through education, content marketing, community engagement, and continuous product innovation rather than relying on traditional advertising. They discuss the power of solving a real customer problem, the importance of creating products that last, and how a niche manufacturing business can achieve sustainable growth while remaining debt-free and committed to U.S.-based production.Mirrix Looms website: https://mirrixlooms.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of Crunch Your Growth, host Phil Masiello interviews Michael Londo, founder of Body Balance System, a US-based manufacturer of FDA-registered red light therapy beds designed for med spas, wellness centers, and longevity clinics. They explore the growing gap between marketing claims and real product performance in the red light therapy industry, where terms like “FDA cleared” are often misused and difficult for buyers to verify. Michael breaks down how measurement standards such as milliwatts per centimeter squared are actually defined, why many competitors inflate output numbers, and how physical design factors like diode distance and beam angle dramatically impact real-world effectiveness. Body Balance System website: https://bodybalancesystemonline.com/There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of Crunching Your Growth, host Phil Masiello interviews John Hughes, master golf instructor and founder of John Hughes Golf. They explore John’s unconventional journey from collegiate and professional soccer player to becoming a respected figure in golf coaching, and how that transition shaped his philosophy on performance, discipline, and mindset. John breaks down how elite performance in golf is less about mechanics and more about decision-making, emotional control, and consistency under pressure, drawing strong parallels between success in sport and success in business. John Hughes Golf website: https://johnhughesgolf.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Machine, host Phil interviews Meesha Farzaneh, founder of Meesha Farzaneh Jewelry. They explore how a season of physical recovery and personal adversity became the foundation for a globally recognized creative brand built on resilience, experimentation, and intentional design. Meesha shares how multiple invasive surgeries and limited mobility led her to discover textile art as a form of healing, eventually evolving into polymer clay jewelry design that balanced creativity with physical limitations. The conversation dives into the early organic growth of her brand, the unexpected virality of her signature “Medusa” designs, and how rapid success during the pandemic exposed the challenges of scaling too quickly without operational alignment. Meesha Farzaneh Jewelry website: https://www.meeshafarzaneh.com/There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of Crunch Your Growth, host Phil Masiello interviews Kylen Ribeiro, CEO of DefenderShield, a health-tech and digital wellness company focused on EMF awareness and protective consumer products. The conversation explores how Ribeiro helped scale DefenderShield from early-stage innovation into a category-defining brand in the digital wellness space, while working alongside leading researchers to bring EMF education into mainstream awareness. Key insights include how the company approaches science-backed product development without fear-based messaging, and how it builds practical solutions—from cell phone cases and AirTube earbuds to lifestyle accessories—that integrate seamlessly into everyday life. The discussion also dives into the broader implications of living in a rapidly evolving, tech-saturated environment, particularly for families and children, and why education and informed choice are central to navigating modern digital exposure.DefenderShield website: https://www.defendershield.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Paul Wolchuk, founder of iiCiNG, a Canadian beverage flavor enhancement company. They explore how Icing evolved from an initial focus on beer flavoring into a versatile product used across vodka sodas, tequila, wine, cocktails, sparkling water, juices, and even non-traditional applications, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of building an entirely new beverage category. Paul shares insights into the realities of retail distribution, including the long process of entering major chains like Loblaws, and explains how a “try it first” sampling approach became a powerful driver of conversion by helping buyers and consumers immediately understand the product’s value. The conversation also covers the strategic decision to expand through smaller regional liquor stores to build traction before approaching larger U.S. retailers, as well as the broader shift toward customizable drinking experiences in a changing alcohol market. iiCiNG website: https://iicing.ca/There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews J.J. Jaxon, co-founder and co-CEO of Mission MightyMe. The conversation explores how a deeply personal parenting challenge evolved into a fast-growing consumer brand on a mission to help end the food allergy epidemic. J.J. shares the origin story behind Mission MightyMe after his daughter developed severe food allergies and how groundbreaking pediatric research inspired the company’s science-backed snacks designed to help parents safely introduce allergens early in infancy. Phil and J.J. also discuss the realities of launching a disruptive food brand during the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating retail expansion, educating consumers in an emerging category, and building long-term retail velocity beyond simply getting shelf placement. Mission MightyMe website: https://missionmightyme.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiolo interviews Tierra Forte, co-founder and CEO of Mightly. They explore how a values-driven approach to fashion can reshape an entire business model, from prioritizing organic cotton and supply chain traceability to building a brand rooted in ethical production and long-term sustainability. Tierra shares how her early experience as a mother influenced her awareness of environmental and consumer safety issues, ultimately leading her to challenge the norms of the fashion industry and build a company focused on transparency and responsibility. The conversation also dives into the realities of manufacturing decisions, including producing in India, ensuring supplier accountability, and navigating the trade-offs between cost, quality, and ethical standards in a highly competitive global apparel market. Mightly website: https://www.mightly.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Marissa Gurdian, founder of Sweet Paws. They explore how identifying everyday friction points in pet ownership can lead to scalable product innovation, and how Marissa built Sweet Paws by focusing on both functional and emotional needs of pet parents. The conversation highlights how solving small, overlooked problems—like puppy teething or opening dog waste bags—can evolve into differentiated products with strong consumer demand, as well as how tapping into emotional drivers led to the creation of a greeting card line designed specifically for pet parents. Marissa also shares insights on expanding from a single product into major retail channels, emphasizing the importance of persistence, product-market fit, and understanding the deeper motivations behind consumer behavior. Sweet Paws website: https://sweetpawspup.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Joshua Rystedt, Managing Owner of R Creative, a digital marketing agency specializing in high-stakes industries such as finance, healthcare, and architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). They explore why most B2B companies struggle with lead generation due to overly broad positioning and how narrowing focus can dramatically improve marketing performance. Joshua shares why many firms mistakenly rely solely on referrals, leaving significant untapped opportunity in channels like SEO, which can deliver exceptionally high ROI in industries such as construction. R Creative website: https://www.rcreative.marketing  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Gregory Hegger, co-founder of Fox Fold. They explore how a simple observation inside hotel rooms—partially used toilet paper and tissue products being discarded—turned into a scalable B2B opportunity within a traditionally overlooked industry. Gregory shares how identifying inefficiencies at scale can unlock meaningful cost savings and sustainability improvements, and why some of the best business ideas come from problems hiding in plain sight. The conversation also dives into the realities of building a physical product company from scratch, navigating complex distribution systems in the hospitality sector, and the importance of persistence when entering fragmented markets with multiple decision-makers. Fox Fold website: https://foxfold.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of Crunching Your Growth, host Phil Masiello interviews Dr. Babak Baravarian, founder of Arch Tek Socks. They explore the realities of building a product in an “unsexy” category and why even the most innovative products struggle without the right go-to-market strategy. Dr. Baravarian shares how his background as a foot and ankle surgeon led him to rethink product design from a functional, performance-first perspective, ultimately reinventing the traditional sock with patented features aimed at improving alignment, reducing fatigue, and enhancing overall body performance. The conversation dives into two key lessons: first, the importance of selling outcomes rather than features when positioning a product, and second, how narrowing focus to the right audience—such as healthcare professionals—can unlock traction, credibility, and strategic partnerships like his collaboration with FIGS. Arch Tek Socks website: https://archteksocks.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Jesse Kozlov, Co-Founder and CEO of The Dog Stop. They explore the realities behind entrepreneurship and franchising, breaking down why not everyone is suited to business ownership and what it truly takes to sustain and scale a company. Jesse shares candid insights on the pressures of running a business, from the shift to 24/7 responsibility to the long-term commitment required once you take the leap. The conversation also highlights one of the most overlooked drivers of success: a relentless focus on the customer. Jesse explains how consistently viewing decisions through the lens of the customer—and later, the franchisee—has shaped the company’s growth, simplified complex decisions, and built long-term trust. The Dog Stop website: https://thedogstop.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Machine, host Phil Masiello interviews Amy McCord, founder and CEO of Flower Moxie. They explore the realities of entrepreneurship, including why there is no perfect formula for success and how strong leaders develop the resilience to pivot quickly when plans fail. Amy shares her perspective on business decision-making, explaining how entrepreneurs must accept trade-offs between money, time, creative freedom, and impact, and why identifying those priorities early can shape long-term growth. The conversation also highlights the importance of bouncing back from setbacks, learning from unexpected failures, and building businesses that evolve through experimentation rather than rigid planning.  Flower Moxie website: https://flowermoxie.com There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Larry Reines, CEO and President of Floafers. They explore how decades of experience across the footwear industry—from warehouse operations to executive leadership—shaped a 360-degree understanding of building and scaling a brand. Larry breaks down how deep operational exposure creates stronger leadership decisions, especially when managing teams, sourcing products, and aligning execution across functions. The conversation also dives into how Floafers identified unexpected growth in the kids’ market by closely listening to retailers and analyzing real customer behavior, revealing powerful “family-driven” purchase patterns that expanded the brand beyond its original use case. Floafers website: https://floafers.com/There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Matt Warnock, CEO of RidgeCrest Herbals. They explore how his transition from attorney to business leader led him to challenge long-standing medical assumptions and rethink how modern healthcare approaches treatment. Matt shares insights into the limitations of the traditional “one disease, one drug” model and explains how portfolio-style formulations—combining multiple ingredients to address health challenges from different angles—can create more predictable and balanced outcomes. RidgeCrest Herbals website: https://www.rcherbals.com There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Kyle Ponton, co-founder and CEO of The Cold Life. Kyle shares the personal health experience that introduced him to contrast therapy and ultimately inspired the creation of a premium cold plunge brand built around performance, recovery, and product quality. He explains how a single breakthrough moment with cold plunging sparked a business journey that has grown into a nationally recognized wellness brand, selling thousands of units and expanding into complementary product categories such as filtered shower systems. The Cold Life website: https://thecoldlife.com There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Nancy Bogart, Founder and CEO of Jordan Essentials. Nancy shares the origin story behind launching her business from her kitchen table after years as a stay-at-home mom, where she created her first product—a solid lotion bar—that eventually grew into a thriving direct sales company focused on empowering women and families. She discusses how necessity and flexibility drove her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of creating income opportunities that allow people—especially mothers—to balance work and family life. Jordan Essentials website: https://jordanessentials.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Nick Shaw, Founder and CEO of RP Strength, an evidence-based fitness and nutrition company that has grown from a small coaching operation into a global digital platform serving clients worldwide. Nick shares the origin story of how simple client referrals between colleagues evolved into a scalable online coaching business, including the pivotal shift from in-person training to remote services that dramatically expanded reach and flexibility. He also discusses the key lessons learned about scaling beyond personal time by hiring highly trained coaches, building standardized systems, and eventually transitioning into digital products that fueled rapid growth. RP Strength website: https://rpstrength.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Vanessa Cancio, co-founder and CEO of VAIN, a technology-driven skincare platform focused on personalized skin health insights. Vanessa shares the story behind launching VAIN and building a beauty-tech solution designed to help users track their skin, analyze patterns, and make smarter decisions based on real data rather than guesswork. The conversation explores how founders without deep technical backgrounds can still bring complex digital products to life by focusing on problem clarity, strong partnerships, and relentless execution. VAIN website: https://www.vainlysoled.com/There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Lanette Fidrych, founder and CEO of Cycle Dog. They explore how she built a U.S.-based manufacturing company in a market that initially dismissed domestic production as too expensive and unsustainable, and how persistence helped transform that perception into a competitive advantage. The conversation dives into the operational realities of scaling a product business, including the importance of controlling production to enable faster iteration and reduce inventory risk, as well as the challenges of earning retailer trust and proving long-term viability. Lanette also shares a key mindset shift that has shaped her decision-making: “what gets measured gets managed,” explaining how tracking metrics like add-to-cart rates, checkout conversions, and customer behavior can uncover hidden bottlenecks and prevent wasted marketing spend. Cycle Dog website: https://cycledog.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Lindsey McCoy, Co-Founder and CEO of Plaine Products, a sustainable personal care company known for its refillable packaging model. Lindsey shares how rethinking consumption habits and relocalizing production can dramatically reduce shipping waste and reliance on single-use plastics, highlighting the importance of building systems that allow packaging to be reused locally rather than constantly transported across the country. Plaine Products website: https://www.plaineproducts.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Brian Leeper, President of Floral Services LLC. They discuss the realities of scaling a product-based business inside competitive retail environments and the leadership mindset required to grow beyond the startup phase. Brian shares how early failures shaped his approach to delegation, emphasizing that leaders must learn to let go of tasks—even those they can do better—to focus on the true drivers of business growth. The conversation also explores the importance of identifying a clear customer profile, building a brand that reflects customer identity and values, and investing strategically in marketing and infrastructure to create long-term growth. Floral Services LLC website: https://www.fsidecor.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Melissa Tavss, Founder and CEO of Tipsy Scoop, a pioneering boozy ice cream brand known for its liquor‑infused artisanal frozen treats that blend classic dessert craftsmanship with spirited cocktail influences. Melissa shares how she built Tipsy Scoop from a niche side project rooted in family ice cream tradition into a growing franchise‑friendly business with barlour locations across major metropolitan markets, emphasizing the strategic focus on brick‑and‑mortar growth over wholesale or online‑only channels and the importance of controlling the full brand experience.Tipsy Scoop website: https://tipsyscoop.com/  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Aaron Zagha, Chief Marketing Officer of Newton Baby. They discuss how Newton Baby scaled from an early-stage direct-to-consumer brand into a trusted leader in the baby sleep category by leveraging influencer marketing, disciplined product launches, and data-driven decision-making. Aaron shares insights into how influencer partnerships helped build early trust in sensitive parenting communities, why forecasting demand during product launches remains one of the most difficult operational challenges, and how stockouts or excess inventory can significantly impact growth and profitability.  Newton Babywebsite: https://www.newtonbaby.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Emma Crepeau, CEO of Jack Archer. Emma shares the behind-the-scenes reality of transforming a complex portfolio of small Shopify brands into a focused, scalable business, and why eliminating distractions was the first critical step toward growth. She explains how her team made the difficult decision to deprecate multiple brands in order to concentrate resources on a single flagship brand, highlighting the operational discipline required to simplify logistics, unify systems, and create a foundation for long-term scale. Throughout the conversation, Emma emphasizes the importance of strategic focus—both at the leadership and company level—and discusses how entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of chasing too many opportunities instead of committing to the few initiatives that truly drive results. Jack Archer website: https://jackarcher.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Rick Smith, co-founder and CEO of HyVIDA Brands, Inc., a beverage technology company pioneering hydrogen-infused drinks and scalable hydrogen delivery systems.Smith shares how his background in engineering and medical technology led to the invention of proprietary hydrogen infusion methods designed to integrate seamlessly into existing beverage manufacturing systems.   He also discuss how focusing on compatibility with existing routines and infrastructure can accelerate growth, reduce barriers to entry, and create scalable business opportunities in the rapidly expanding functional beverage market. HyVIDA Brands, Inc. website: https://hyvida.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Brandon Salomon, Chief Operating Officer of Providence Diamond, Rhode Island’s premier luxury jewelry and watch retailer known for its curated fine jewelry collections and longstanding partnership as an Official Rolex Jeweler. They explore how evolving consumer behavior—from the impact of smartphones and wearable tech to rising interest in collectible timepieces—has shaped the luxury wristwatch market and what that means for modern retail strategies.Brandon shares insights on how Providence Diamond balances supply and demand for high‑end products like Rolex watches while ensuring every customer interaction feels personalized and memorable, and he breaks down how broader cultural shifts, digital exposure, and pandemic spending helped create a vibrant watch enthusiast community. Providence Diamond website: https://providencediamond.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Edward Terry, CEO and Founder of The Shutter House. They explore how identifying an underserved niche in exterior window treatments led to the development of a scalable franchise model built on specialized services, operational systems, and strong market demand. Edward shares how focusing on exterior shutters—an often overlooked segment compared to interior window solutions—created a competitive advantage and opened opportunities for expansion into markets rich in historic architecture and renovation activity. The conversation highlights the importance of strategic territory growth, building strong supplier relationships, and creating repeatable systems that allow franchisees to deliver consistent quality while scaling into new regions. The Shutter House website: https://theshutterhouse.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Lany Sullivan, operations specialist and founder of Lany Sullivan where she and her team help businesses streamline processes, build efficient systems, and unlock growth through better operations and delegation. They explore how operational gaps silently drain both revenue and time, why most money “leaks” are rooted in broken systems rather than sales, and how leaders can create space for team innovation by clearly defining outcomes and empowering others to improve processes. Lany also teaches listeners to evaluate whether their business could handle doubling tomorrow and to prepare scalable workflows that prevent collapse under growth pressure.  Lany Sullivan's website: https://lanysullivan.com/  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Kashaun Cooper, leadership strategist and founder of Five Stages of Yes. They discuss how leaders can maintain clarity and decisiveness when pressure rises and why leadership breakdowns rarely happen from lack of information, but from hesitation and unclear decision-making under stress. Kashaun shares insights from his Five Stages of Yes framework, explaining how leaders move from uncertainty to ownership by making decisions before pressure hits and by using scenario mapping to prepare for moments when reality does not align with expectations. Five Stages of Yes website: https://www.fivestagesofyes.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Geovanni Leiva, founder of Leyva’s Coffee. Geovanni shares the origin of his mission-driven coffee business and how his deep roots as a fourth-generation coffee farmer shaped his commitment to building a transparent, vertically integrated supply chain that supports farming communities. Geovanni also discusses the long-term vision behind creating sustainable markets that support multiple generations of farmers, the importance of identifying a clear dream customer, and why building community—not just transactions—is essential to scaling a purpose-driven brand. Leyva’s Coffee website: https://leyvascoffee.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Kun Yang, co-founder and CEO of Pricklee. They explore the early days of launching a new beverage brand in 2021 and the unexpected momentum that followed when the team received an invitation to apply to Shark Tank just days after their initial launch. Kun shares the behind-the-scenes reality of navigating one of the most influential PR opportunities in startup history and explains how national television exposure became a catalyst for long-term brand awareness, customer growth, and retail expansion. The conversation highlights how Pricklee built a differentiated product in the highly competitive beverage industry by introducing cactus water as a healthier, lower-sugar alternative to traditional hydration drinks while emphasizing sustainability and innovation. Kun also reflects on the importance of staying resilient through long application processes, embracing unexpected opportunities, and recognizing that breakthrough moments—like a national TV appearance—are only part of the larger entrepreneurial journey. Pricklee website: https://pricklee.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Michael Monaghan, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Founder ETFs LLC, about the creation and strategy behind the Founders 100 ETF (ticker: FFF) and how founder‑led companies can offer unique long‑term investment opportunities. Michael explains how FFF trades on major U.S. exchanges and is designed to be accessible to a broad range of investors, allowing participation through familiar brokerage platforms while intentionally setting the fund’s net asset value near $20 to make it approachable for individuals at all stages of their financial journey; he also shares the mission behind the fund, which is to help people convert wages into capital assets and get on the “right side of inflation” through disciplined, founder‑centric investing.Founder ETFs LLC website: https://www.founderetfs.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Jacob Johnson, CEO and founder of Calyan Wax Co., a mission‑driven home fragrance company that crafts clean, soy‑based candles and donates a portion of revenue to combat human trafficking in the United States. Jacob shares how Calyan evolved from a garage startup into a growing business with a purpose beyond profit, highlighting the challenges of balancing financial sustainability with social impact and the importance of building leadership teams to support long‑term growth. He also breaks down how finding product‑market fit in grocery and retail channels, leveraging data to win top placement, and forging strong distributor partnerships have helped Calyan scale while staying true to its mission. Calyan Wax Co. website: https://www.calyanwaxco.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Phoebe Tan, co‑founder and CEO of Taelor, a Silicon Valley‑based menswear rental and styling subscription service that combines AI‑driven outfit recommendations with personalized stylist support to help busy professionals simplify their wardrobes and express their best selves. Phoebe discusses how Taelor uses data and artificial intelligence to solve the problem of endless browsing and decision fatigue in fashion, the strategic value of blending technology with human expertise, and how circular fashion — renting multiple times and extending garment life — supports sustainability and convenience in modern consumer behavior. She also shares lessons from building a fashion tech startup from the ground up, insights on scaling an AI‑enhanced service, and why focusing on real customer pain points is essential for growth and retention in a subscription‑based business model.Taelor website: https://taelor.style  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Steve Walsh, founder of Bison Equity Group, a private equity firm dedicated to helping founders and investors scale high‑potential companies with strategic capital and disciplined execution. Steve shares his insights on why rapid growth often breaks customer connection and how staying rooted in your audience is essential to sustainable scaling, why entrepreneurial ego and a reluctance to delegate can become hidden bottlenecks in leadership, and how aligning the right people, systems, and capital strategy drives durable expansion rather than burnout‑driven hustle. He also discusses the importance of smart capital deployment, operational discipline, and the mindset shifts necessary for founders to transition from operator to owner while maintaining connection to the customer and building scalable systems that outlast the individual. Bison Equity Group website: https://www.bisonequitygroup.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Marc McConnaughey, CEO of BioBond. They discuss the realities of building sustainable materials that can truly compete with petroleum-based products, and why performance, safety, and cost discipline must come before marketing claims. Marc shares how BioBond is engineering plant-based adhesives and coatings designed to meet strict industry requirements, eliminate harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde, and improve workplace safety without sacrificing durability or scalability. The conversation highlights the importance of solving real customer problems rather than chasing trends, and explores how focusing on measurable outcomes—such as safer materials, odor-free application, and improved environmental impact—can create competitive advantages in highly regulated industrial markets. Marc also explains the disciplined framework behind developing materials that outperform traditional options while remaining cost-effective, offering listeners practical insights into innovation, product-market alignment, and building sustainable solutions that work in the real world.BioBond website: https://biobond.com  There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Susana Chen, co-founder of Never Have I Ever, an artist-licensed press-on nail brand redefining beauty as wearable art. The conversation explores Susana’s journey from working on global product launches to building a brand from the ground up through hands-on testing, customer feedback, and disciplined proof-of-concept validation. She shares how early-stage founders can turn ideas into viable businesses by creating small prototypes, testing them directly with real customers, and generating early revenue before seeking outside capital. The episode also dives into the realities of funding, including how financial services begin to take interest once traction is proven, and why founders must carefully evaluate the cost and long-term implications of accepting capital. Never Have I Ever website: https://neverhaveiever.shopThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

n his role as a mentor and coach to entrepreneurs, serial-entrepreneur Jeremy B. Shapiro helps small business owners make the transition from “solopreneur” to “business owner” – an important distinction that many entrepreneurs can easily miss when working “in” their business instead of “on” their business. For over two decades, through structured mastermind groups, one-on-one coaching, and consulting work, Jeremy has been helping entrepreneurs discover the core strengths in themselves and their business, and realize their true potential combining passion and expertise to grow their businesses and attain the freedom they deserve. Jeremy is also the author of the #1 Best Seller Your Business Growth Playbook: Breakthrough Strategies to Scale Your Business for Business Owners Who’ve Outgrown Hustle. There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

On this week’s episode of Crunching Your Growth, I sit down with Andre Ankri — founder of UTS Group, Metador, and Beyzim — to unpack how traditional industries can win with automation, AI, and smarter systems.Andre started in construction and security technology and went on to build companies that integrate advanced tech into very real, very offline businesses. From access control and automation with UTS Group, to future-ready business workflows with Metador, to B2B lead generation and marketing with Beyzim, Andre is obsessed with one thing: creating efficient, scalable, and sustainable businesses.We talk about:How to bring AI and automation into day-to-day operations without overwhelming your teamWhat traditional businesses get wrong about technology (and how to fix it)Turning marketing into a lead engine instead of a vanity metricThe mindset shift from “busy” to “built to scale”Lessons from architecture, the army, and entrepreneurship that shape his leadership todayIf you’re a founder, operator, or leader trying to modernize your business without losing your mind (or your margins), this episode is for you.There are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

Want to raise capital for your business? I am laying out exactly what to do based upon my experiences and from investors. If you can’t answer five simple questions, what is your product, what problem does it solve, how does it solve it, who buys it, and what they’ll pay, you’re not raising capital today. In this video I break down what PE & VCs told me directly at an investor conference, including the 35% IRR growth reality.  $1M to $3.5M to $7M and how to craft a 10 slide pitch investors actually underwrite.What you will learnEquity vs debt. Why a 35% IRR, which investors require, makes equity very expensive. Also, another way I have used and what i have outlined in the video.Always want active money not passive money. 10 slide pitch deck. No one wants to go over 20 or 30 slides. these are very smart people. They want you to have clarity. Practice your one line pitchIf you would like me to pressure test your pitch deck? DM me. The 10 Slide Pitch BlueprintOne line value propProblem & urgencySolution & edge better and differentMarket & ICP you can reachTraction: revenue, growth, retention, LTV & CACGo-to-market & unit economicsCompetition real alternativesTeam & founder-market fitFinancials, runway, use of fundsThe Ask 18-month milestonesThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

Stop romanticizing the idea. Start validating the business.In this video I’m breaking down the 3 tough truths I tell every founder I coach. They’re uncomfortable… and they’re the difference between “we’ll see” and “we’re scaling.”Tough Truth #1 — Your Initial Idea Is Probably WrongYour first idea is a hypothesis, not a business model. The market does not care how in love you are with your solution. • Pivoting isn’t failure — it’s evidence. • Focus on the pain, not the product. • The goal early is not “being right,” it’s “learning fast and cheap.”Tough Truth #2 — Funding Isn’t Validation, Revenue IsA wire transfer is not product-market fit. • Funding is trust, not proof. • Revenue is the only real validation: will someone pay, repeat, and refer? • Every dollar of funding starts a countdown. It doesn’t remove pressure. It adds pressure.Tough Truth #3 — Building a Team Is Harder Than Building the ProductCode ships. Culture cracks. • Your first 5 hires become your culture. • Your job shifts from “person who does” to “person who multiplies.” • No, culture is not snacks and a hoodie. It’s how you behave under pressure.Want direct help?Contact me at philmasiello.com—► Subscribe for weekly founder strategy, revenue acceleration, and real scaling tactics ► Connect with me on LinkedIn: Phil Masiello ► Show: Crunching Your Growth—#startup #founder #entrepreneurship #productmarketfit #scaling #growth #ecommerce #leadership #funding #teamculture #philmasielloThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

Startups don’t fail because they run out of money — they fail because they scale too early, too fast, and with the wrong strategy.In this no-fluff video, startup mentor and growth expert Phil Masiello reveals the 5 most common — and fatal — mistakes founders make when scaling their business. Whether you're in SaaS, e-commerce, tech, or services, these lessons apply to any founder serious about sustainable growth.Backed by real-world startup postmortems, Phil breaks down exactly how billion-dollar brands like Quibi, Fab.com, Zenefits, Jawbone, Theranos, and Uber grew too fast — and collapsed even faster.💥 In this video, you’ll learn:✅ Why scaling before product-market fit is a guaranteed failure path (Quibi’s $2B disaster) ✅ How companies go “growth broke” by ignoring cash flow fundamentals (Fab.com’s $14M/month burn) ✅ What happens when founders don’t systematize or automate early (Zenefits and regulatory chaos) ✅ Why bad hiring decisions destroy startups from the inside (Jawbone, Theranos) ✅ How a toxic work culture can ruin everything — even with product-market fit (Uber)📊 This video is for you if you're searching for:Why startups fail after raising moneyStartup scaling strategiesHow to scale your business the right wayMistakes founders make during hypergrowthProduct-market fit explainedBuilding scalable operationsAvoiding startup burnoutWhat not to do when growing your company🚀 Ready to scale smarter, not faster?👉 Apply for 1:1 coaching with Phil: [Insert link] 🧠 Get the free Scaling Survival Toolkit: [Insert link] 🎯 Subscribe for weekly videos on startup growth, mindset & leadershipLike, comment, and share if you're building a brand you want to scale the right way. Subscribe for straight-talk founder insights every week.#startupadvice #scalingmistakes #foundertips #productmarketfit #startuplessons #entrepreneurcoach #philmasielloThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth

WELCOME TO THE FIRST YEAR OF STARTUP SUCCESS!If you just followed our "12 Steps to Start a Business" video and are now officially operating, congratulations! But getting off the ground is only half the battle. The first year of running a startup is all about testing, adapting, and proving your model.In this deep-dive, we share the top 10 actionable, battle-tested tips every new founder needs to master. From financial ninja moves to prioritizing customer experience and finding a mentor, these are the entrepreneurial tips that separate the survivors from the high-growth success stories. Learn how to be agile, focused, and financially smart to crush your first-year goals.RESOURCES & CONNECT WITH THE GROWTH CLASS➡️ WATCH NEXT: Our "12 Steps to Start a Business" Video:   • How To Start A Business In 12 Steps For An...  📚 Sign Up For The Next Mastermind For Entrepreneurshttps://philmasiello.com/calibrating/💻 The Growth Class Website:https://www.philmasiello.comThere are a lot of  "experts" out there giving advice who’ve never built a thing. They’ve never stayed up all night sweating a product launch. Never had to scale a team. Never had to meet payroll.They’re just regurgitating what they read in someone else’s book.That’s not me. I’ve built brands. I’ve scaled them. I’ve exited them. I’ve failed, won, and fought through it all.And now, my team and I help brands do it every single day — across eCommerce, retail, and digital. We don’t just advise — we execute. We write the playbook.So if you’re done with fluff, fake gurus, and marketers who’ve never sold anything outside of a slide deck — you’re in the right place.This show is real strategies, real tactics, and real talk.https://www.facebook.com/philmasiellohttps://www.instagram.com/philmasiello/https://www.tiktok.com/@philmasiellohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/https://www.youtube.com/@philmasiello#StartupGrowth #EcommerceTips #ScaleYourBrand #DTCMarketing #PhilMasiello #GrowthClass #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CrunchGrowth #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth