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Making It Real

61 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 34 ratings

Have you ever had an idea for a new product but just didn't know how to get started? If so, then this is the podcast for you! Each week, we highlight a different product entrepreneur who turned a great new idea into a successful new product. You'll hear about their challenges, their triumphs, their ups, and their downs. But, most of all, you'll learn how each guest was able to take nothing more than an idea, and turn it into a viable, marketable product or business. Our guests have been featured on Shark Tank, The Profit, Today's Next Big Thing, QVC, Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and more! Tune in each week to learn how you can move beyond your product idea and toward Making It Real!

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Episodes

Making It Real. Bob Caporale, Founder of Strategy Generation Company

July 01, 2018 16:00 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MB

Bob Caporale – Strategy Generation Company “Learning Lessons and Making It Real” After 60 incredible episodes of Making It Real, it’s time for co-host Bob Caporale to take all the lessons he’s learned and go start a company himself! Strategy Generation Company is the culmination of Bob’s passion to help business leaders develop their own unique product and business strategies. Using non-traditional methods that inspire people to tap into their own creativity and intuition, Bob is setting...

Making It Real. Max Temkin, Co-Founder of Cards Against Humanity

June 22, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

Max Temkin – Cards Against Humanity “Stop Listening to Podcasts, And Go Do Something Great” Max Temkin and his seven childhood friends originally created Cards Against Humanity because they wanted something to play at parties. They made it available for free and the craze caught on from there! But this isn’t the story of making a lot of money; it’s the story of following your passion and seeing where it can take you. And where it takes us is something you don’t want to miss! Whether yo...

Making It Real. Fran Dunaway, Co-Founder of TomboyX

June 15, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MB

Fran Dunaway – TomboyX “Look for the Rainbow Unicorn Moments” Fran Dunaway, co-founder of TomboyX, strived to create an undergarment that was universally comfortable for both herself and for her friends. With humble Kickstarter roots, she listened closely to her customers and grew a business that promoted equality of comfort and freedom from labels. This week’s episode is filled with fun, energy, and an incredible story of inclusiveness, comfort, and business growth. This is one you don’...

Making It Real. Lee Mallahan III, Inventor of the Tadpole Tape Cutter

June 08, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MB

Lee Mallahan III – Tadpole Tape Cutter “If It Is to Be, It’s Up to Me” Lee Mallahan III, inventor of the Tadpole Tape Cutter, created his product out of necessity. While tackling home painting projects, he grew tired and frustrated with the process of cutting painter’s tape and quickly learned that there was no solution on the market to get a clean edged cut. So he invented an innovative product that is lightweight, easy to store, and can be universally re-used without frustration. Lee f...

Making It Real. Robert Harbauer, Owner of Bondic

June 01, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MB

Robert Harbauer – Bondic “Create Incredible Customer Service” Robert Harbauer has a tradition of visiting local hardware stores while traveling abroad. In his travels to Germany, Robert came across Bondic, a product that he became instantly passionate about. Tune in to this week’s episode as Robert shares his competitive journey of selling a household tool in big box retail, and how he conquered it all by putting the customer first. Whether you’re a product manager in an established co...

Making It Real. Elliot Harris, Founder of Absorbits

May 25, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MB

Elliot Harris – Absorbits “Becoming an Entrepreneur Has Never Had Less Barriers” Elliot Harris, founder of Absorbits, is a self-described accident-prone serial entrepreneur. After accidentally soaking his cell phone, Elliot was on a mission to reverse the damage. Many tests later, he created a patented pouch that dries out wet electronics. In this episode, Elliot shares nuggets of entrepreneurial advice while providing an approachable process that anyone with the next “big idea” can foll...

Making It Real. Denise Lee, Founder of Alala

May 18, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MB

Denise Lee – Alala “It Is Better to Make a Quick Bad Decision, Than a Slow Good One” While training for a triathlon, Denise Lee wanted to feel as good in her workout clothes as she did in her designer clothes. She just couldn’t find active wear that matched her New York City style. So she founded Alala, a luxurious athleisure brand, to fill her own need! Be sure to listen in as Denise shares her experience with her mentor Chris Burch, and how she grew her business to be carried by Nordst...

Making It Real. Blythe Harris, Co-Founder of Stella & Dot

May 11, 2018 04:00 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MB

Blythe Harris – Stella & Dot “You Are Your Own Pace Car” Blythe Harris, co-founder of Stella & Dot, is a woman on a mission who is empowering many! After years of experience in the design industry, Blythe Harris, joined her co-founder to create a fun accessory company with a strong community built around it. The Stella & Dot business model features flexible entrepreneurship opportunities for people to “style” their own careers. Tune in to this week’s episode as Blythe shares the story of...

Making It Real. Panos Panay, Founder of Sonicbids and VP of Innovation and Strategy for Berklee College of Music

May 04, 2018 04:00 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MB

Panos Panay – Sonicbids “Being an Entrepreneur is Creative” Panos Panay has some powerful entrepreneurial experience. After selling his company, Sonicbids, in 2013, Panos became the VP of Innovation and Strategy and the Director of Creative Entrepreneurship at the coveted Berklee College of Music. Tune in to this episode of Making It Real to follow Panos’ ultimate journey from building one of the leading web platforms to empower musicians, to leading the education and development of budd...

Making It Real. Jess Edelstein, Co-Founder of Piper Wai

April 27, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MB

Jess Edelstein – Piper Wai “If You Can’t Not Do It, You HAVE To Do It!” In Part 2 of this two-part series, we share the story of Jess Edelstein, the second co-founder of Piper Wai. Jess had very sensitive skin, so she took to the Internet for a solution. After testing and tweaking several different all-natural deodorant recipes, she landed on a surefire formula that was non-irritating and really worked! Listen in as Jess shares the story of how she brought her big idea to life and how sh...

Making It Real. Sarah Ribner, Co-Founder of Piper Wai

April 20, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 43 MB

Sarah Ribner – Piper Wai “Make Sure You Have The Right Team In Your Corner” In this two-part series, we share the stories of two ambitious young entrepreneurs who built a thriving all-natural deodorant brand from scratch. In Part 1, we meet Sarah Ribner, co-founder of Piper Wai, who has always made health and wellness a priority in her life. When her best friend, Jess Edelstein, presented her with a tub of homemade, all-natural deodorant, Sarah accepted it with open armpits! And the rest...

Making It Real. Damion Lupo, Founder of Total Control Financial

April 13, 2018 04:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MB

Damion Lupo – Total Control Financial “Stop Smoking Hopeium!” After the death of his father, Damion Lupo made it his mission in life to find a way for people to live without regrets and to help them find financial freedom. He later founded Total Control Financial and used his newly formed company to help spread the world about a little known retirement option that breaks the mold of a traditional 401K plan. In this episode, Damion shares his story of starting a business in college, losin...

Making It Real. Nik Hawks and Lee Selman, Co-Founders of Paleo Treats

April 06, 2018 04:00 - 47 minutes - 43.2 MB

Nik Hawks and Lee Selman – Paleo Treats “You Can Do Whatever You Want If You Work Really Hard For It and Use Your Gifts To Make It Happen!” Nik Hawks, a Navy veteran, and Lee Selman, a former camel handler, are passionate about fueling their bodies with clean energy. Together, they created Paleo Treats, a natural treat company aimed at Paleo dieters that want to have their cake and eat it too! This episode promises education, inspiration, and wanderlust as Nik and Lee share their adventu...

Making It Real. Brian Smith, Founder of UGG

March 30, 2018 04:00 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MB

Brian Smith – Founder of UGG “You Can’t Give Birth To An Adult” Brian Smith, founder of UGG, the popular sheepskin boot, has the ultimate story to tell. This product entrepreneur shares his journey from idea conception to parking lot sales and from marketing to mass-production. Brian walks through each phase of his adventure while sharing how he helped UGG earn an overwhelming amount of popularity from its humble roots on the beaches of California to now being one of the most widely reco...

Making It Real. Tony Post, Founder of TOPO Athletic

March 23, 2018 04:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MB

Tony Post – TOPO Athletic “The Best Lessons Are Learned In The Field” After being in the footwear industry for over 30-years, Tony Post, decided to start his own brand, TOPO Athletic. This unique athletic shoe company, inspired by Tony’s passion for running, focuses on comfort, support, and enabling proper running form. Listen in as Tony shares the wealth of knowledge that he gained as a product manager, an executive, and a successful product entrepreneur. Whether you’re a product mana...

Making It Real. Jeffrey Woolf, Inventor of the Morpher Helmet

March 09, 2018 05:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MB

Jeffrey Woolf – Morpher Helmet “Sometimes You Have to Eat a Lot of Eyes, and Chew a Lot of Knuckles” With the rise of bike sharing programs in some of the largest cities across the globe, the inconvenience of carrying around a traditional helmet is becoming more real than ever. So instead of trying to change riders’ habits, Jeffrey Woolf, founder of Morpher Helmets, paid attention to what they ultimately wanted instead. He invented an award-winning helmet that folds flat while preserving...

Making It Real. Alex Shirley-Smith, Founder of Tentsile

March 02, 2018 05:00 - 49 minutes - 68.1 MB

Alex Shirley-Smith – Tentsile “Grow With Your Business, Step By Step.” Alex Shirley-Smith of Tentsile had a longing desire to save the rainforest since he was a child. For Alex, that passion sprouted into a successful career in tree house design. But even after becoming an accomplished architect, Alex was not satisfied. He wanted to bring the idea of “hanging out in trees” to the masses with comfortable tree-based tents that were even more environmentally friendly than permanent structur...

Making It Real. J.P. Laqueur, Co-Founder of Brand Foundations

February 23, 2018 05:00 - 44 minutes - 60.4 MB

J.P. Laqueur – Brand Foundations “Find The Sacred Cow, and Change It.” As co-founder of Brand Foundations, JP Laqueur is determined to help corporations nix their mission, vision and value statements. He helps companies with their culture and encourages them to share their key differentiators through memorable brand storytelling. With a blog that went viral, and a 3-stage “PWI” process, JP’s strategy is applicable and accessible to both corporations and entrepreneurs that are looking to ...

Making It Real. Karen Yankovich, Founder of Up Level Media

February 16, 2018 05:00 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MB

Karen Yankovich – Up Level Media “Don’t Limit Yourself” Karen Yankovich, is a digital strategist, and founder of Up Level Media. She recognizes the importance of social connections for businesses in our evolving world. Karen is teaching and encouraging her clients to take social media marketing to a new and more conversational level; turning their valued connections into valued clients. Tune into this episode for advice, strategies and high-energy inspirations to fine-tune your social me...

Making It Real. Jane Och, Co-Inventor of Guac-Lock

February 09, 2018 05:00 - 45 minutes - 62 MB

Jane Och – Guac-Lock “No One Knows About Your Product Like You Do!” Jane Och, co-inventor of Guac-Lock, is a mom on a mission who solved a major party problem: brown guacamole. After some relentless brainstorming, and prototype testing, Jane developed a patent-pending plastic storage system that would keep her ‘guac’ green for days! With a design innovation award granted, a licensing deal created, and some minor snafus solved, Jane shares her energetic story along with a handful of lesso...

Making It Real. Sarah Dusek, Founder of UnderCanvas

February 02, 2018 05:00 - 44 minutes - 61.6 MB

Sarah Dusek – UnderCanvas “Our Biggest Obstacles are our Greatest Opportunities” Sarah Dusek, founder of UnderCanvas, is making camping glamorous. Learn how Sarah is conquering the eco-tourism industry to make camping accessible, sustainable, and memorable for people of all ages. Sarah draws from her experience working with non-profit organizations and property development companies to help her redefine the hospitality industry. With multiple properties surrounding major national parks, ...

Making It Real. Chris Logsdon, Founder of Godspeed Co

January 26, 2018 05:00 - 53 minutes - 73.6 MB

Chris Logsdon – Godspeed Co “Don’t Waste Time, Do It Now” Chris Logsdon, founder of Godspeed Co, is an avid motorcyclist, passionate entrepreneur and a genuinely cool guy. While cleaning up a spill on his desk, Chris reached for his mechanic’s rag in his back pocket and had a light bulb moment. He had bigger ideas in mind for this little red rag, and began a successful clothing company that embodied the nostalgic durability that a shop rags possesses. This made-in-the USA Shop Rag Shirt ...

Making It Real. Christina Stembel, Founder of Farmgirl Flowers

January 19, 2018 05:00 - 44 minutes - 61.4 MB

Christina Stembel – Farmgirl Flowers “Be Realistic With Yourself” Christina Stembel, founder of Farmgirl Flowers, is disrupting the flower industry. As she builds a business based around her customers, Christina is blossoming as an entrepreneur and is blooming with success. She strives to create a special experience that recipients will remember and that senders can rely upon. Christina’s beautiful in-season bouquets decrease the waste and increase the experience. Listen in as Christina ...

Making It Real. Jessica Rhodes, Founder of Interview Connections

January 12, 2018 05:00 - 44 minutes - 61.3 MB

Jessica Rhodes – Interview Connections “Balance Purpose and Passion” Jessica Rhodes, founder of Interview Connections, offers a concierge booking service for guest experts and podcast hosts. Follow Jessica’s journey as she goes from non-profit canvasing to podcast matchmaking. Jessica talks about balancing your passion with your product and encourages listeners to ask customers for feedback while retaining their initial purpose. Whether you’re a product manager in an established compan...

Making It Real. Gene Fowler, Founder of Loogaroo

January 05, 2018 05:00 - 54 minutes - 74.6 MB

Gene Fowler – Loogaroo “Have A Burning Desire For Your Business” As a talented animator, and ‘maker of projects,’ Gene Fowler takes the word creativity to a new height. He is the founder and Creative Director of the popular animation studio, Loogaroo, and has worked on familiar commercials and cartoons such as Family Guy, Caillou, and Wow Wow Wubbzy. In this episode, Gene openly shares his business successes and failures, and the lessons he learned along the way. Tune in to hear about th...

Making It Real. Shawn Smith, Founder of Don’t Dis-My-Ability

December 29, 2017 05:00 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MB

Shawn Smith – Don’t Dis-My-Ability “You Must Fail To Succeed” Shawn Smith, founder of Don’t Dis-My-Ability Consultation Services, has had unique experiences in both school and in business. These experiences eventually led him to the wonderful world of entrepreneurship. Don’t Dis-My-Ability is an innovative company specializing in the emerging fields of Neurodiversity and studying attention deficit disorders. Tune into this unique episode of Making It Real for a fresh view on perception, ...

Making It Real. James Leonard Deamer, Co-Founder of Garden Space

December 22, 2017 05:00 - 37 minutes - 51.2 MB

James Leonard Deamer – GardenSpace “If You Hit a Speed Bump, Be Relentless” Calling all gardeners! James Deamer, has set out to be the world’s biggest food producer without owning any farms. As co-founder of GardenSpace, James invented an advanced outdoor camera that measures your garden’s plant health, growth and water demand. As a participant of the competitive HAX accelerator, James explains the product development process he used to help bring his product idea to life. GardenSpace wi...

Making It Real. Joe Apfelbaum, Founder of Ajax Union

December 15, 2017 05:00 - 41 minutes - 56.4 MB

Joe Apfelbaum – Ajax Union “Energy Without Strategy is a Waste of Time” Joe Apfelbaum is an energetic entrepreneur, podcaster, author, speaker, and coach. He is also the CEO and founder of Ajax Union, a successful marketing agency in Brooklyn, NY. Tune into this episode of Making It Real to feel Joe’s energy and passion as he gives advice on marketing yourself and the importance of refining your business for profitability. After listening, be sure to tune into one of his great podcasts, ...

Making It Real. Stephanie Lai, Founder of Little Hippo

December 08, 2017 05:00 - 42 minutes - 58.2 MB

Stephanie Lai – Little Hippo “Fake It ‘Til You Make It” Stephanie Lai, founder of Little Hippo, was once a corporate lawyer. She loved her job but yearned for a business of her own. With a focus on beautiful, modern children’s products, Stephanie developed her first product. The Mella is a modern clock and sleep trainer for children that is designed to help both children and parents alike. Listen in as Stephanie shares her entrepreneurial journey, from corporate to Kickstarter, providing...

Making It Real. Elana Duffy, Founder of Pathfinder Labs

December 01, 2017 05:00 - 44 minutes - 61.3 MB

Elana Duffy – Pathfinder Labs “Dedicated To Veterans” The story began as Sergeant First Class Elana Duffy was medically returned from the Army after being injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq. She suddenly needed to find a job, housing and Veteran benefits in New York City. To help combat the confusion of thousands entering civilian life, Elana created Pathfinder Labs, a directory of community resources that allows members to rate, review and connect with these helpful services. In this ep...

Making It Real. Bethany Deshpande, Founder of SomaDetect

November 24, 2017 05:00 - 44 minutes - 60.8 MB

Bethany Deshpande – SomaDetect “Surround Yourself With Your Customers” It all started with a glass of milk. Bethany Deshpande shares the entrepreneurial story of her father’s passion for biophysics, and how the simple test of a laser beam and a glass of milk turned into a winning product called SomaDetect. Used as a tool for dairy farmers to measure milk quality, and herd health, farmers are now able to use Soma Detect to create better milk, increase their bottom lines, and have happier ...

Making It Real. Michael Stausholm, Founder of Sprout

November 17, 2017 05:00 - 46 minutes - 63.8 MB

Michael Stausholm – Sprout “Tell a Good Story and Watch Your Company Grow” Michael Stausholm, founder of Sprout, used to struggle to teach people exactly what sustainability is. And then he stumbled on Sprout! Sprout pencils have a dissolving cap of seeds in place of an eraser, allowing consumers to use their pencils, then plant the unused “stumps” to grow into beautiful gardens. As a founder that had been a serial entrepreneur for over 15 years and who had experienced working in both la...

Making It Real. Adam Lazar, Founder of Asarasi

November 10, 2017 05:00 - 57 minutes - 79.5 MB

Adam Lazar – Asarasi “Start With the What If” Adam Lazar, founder of Asarasi, shares his passion of sustainability and environmental stewardship with his product, organic sparkling tree water. While on an impromptu adventure with his kids, Adam visited a maple syrup farm and recognized that the farmers were discarding pure, potable water that was a byproduct of the maple syrup production. He left with an idea and ignited it when the market timing was just right. Listen to Adam’s episode ...

Making It Real. Debbie Drum, Owner of Bee Fresh Publishing

November 03, 2017 04:00 - 53 minutes - 72.8 MB

Debbie Drum – Bee Fresh Publishing “We Live in a World of Reviews” After a simple Google search of “How to Make Money Online”, Debbie Drum, owner of Bee Fresh Publishing, is now in her seventh year of business and is growing successfully. With over 50 self-published books, Debbie developed a strong understanding of the self-publishing industry, and now coaches and consults other people to help them optimize their writing processes. Tune in to this episode to learn more about pioneering t...

Making It Real. Taylor Jones, Founder of Jones Bar

October 27, 2017 04:00 - 43 minutes - 60.3 MB

Taylor Jones – Jones Bar “Poco a Poco” Taylor Jones is an entrepreneurial foodie on the go. In his search to provide a quick, clean meal, he brought the Jones Bar to market. This fresh take on the ever-popular energy bar provides 5 easy-to-read ingredients with a promise to provide simple, organic energy. Tune in as Taylor shares the journey from his kitchen to Whole Foods and emphasizes his entrepreneurial motto, “poco a poco” or little by little. Whether you’re a product manager in a...

Making It Real. Keegan Cooke, Founder of Magical Microbes

October 19, 2017 04:00 - 45 minutes - 62.9 MB

Keegan Cooke – Magical Microbes “Cultivate Your Network”  Keegan Cooke, founder of Magical Microbes, makes science exciting with a kit that harnesses the power of microbes found in soil (quite literally). Tune in as Keegan takes an otherwise intimidating scientific process and turns it into a next-generation STEM educational tool; providing keen entrepreneurial advice that he has learned along the way. Whether you’re a product manager in an established company or an aspiring business o...

Making It Real. Kelly Roach, Founder of Kelly Roach Coaching

October 13, 2017 04:00 - 44 minutes - 61.2 MB

Kelly Roach – Kelly Roach Coaching “The 4 Keys to Entrepreneurial Success”  Prepare to be inspired as we speak to Kelly Roach from Kelly Roach Coaching. As a business growth strategist and peak performance coach, Kelly is determined to help entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. Kelly’s contagious energy will WOW as she explains her 4 core keys to success that are easy to follow and exciting to put into action. Be sure to tune into Kelly’s podcast, Unstoppable Success Radio. Wh...

Making It Real. Craig Lewis, Founder of Gig Wage

October 06, 2017 04:00 - 43 minutes - 59.5 MB

Craig Lewis – Gig Wage “Fail Faster and Get Better”  Craig Lewis, founder of Gig Wage, shares his urgency to help small businesses with their payroll. While pivoting from a full-service company, to the niche of managing independent contractors, Craig shares his passion for payroll, and his urgency to help small businesses succeed. Listen as Craig openly shares his entrepreneurial success, struggles and pivots that drive him to dream bigger, fail faster, and get better. Whether you’re a...

Making It Real. Chris Castleberry, CEO of Knox Box

September 29, 2017 04:00 - 51 minutes - 71.3 MB

Chris Castleberry – Knox Box “Bring Entrepreneurial Spirit into Your Corporate Role”  As a former product executive at a large, global corporation, Chris Castleberry can relate to product managers and entrepreneurs alike. Now, owner of KnoxBox, Chris shares his corporate lessons learned, along with his current entrepreneurial path filled with acquisitions and strategic transitions. In this episode, Chris encourages our listeners to embrace their own entrepreneurial spirit, no matter thei...

Making It Real. Drew Cohn, Founder of Radiant 44

September 22, 2017 04:00 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MB

Drew Cohn – Radiant 44 “Don't Sound Like You're Selling”  From his experiences, Drew Cohn, founder of Radiant 44, understands that success in business is a winding journey. After years of experience in both the corporate world and the start-up world, Drew whole-heartedly admits to being “bit by the entrepreneur bug”. While seeking a new opportunity that drove his passion and fueled his personal growth, Drew decided to open his own business. Tune in as this entrepreneur and actor, talks a...

Making It Real. Conor Horrigan, Founder of Half Full Brewery

September 15, 2017 04:00 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MB

Conor Horrigan – Half Full Brewery “Make Sure the Stress Matters”  Conor Horrigan, founder of Half Full Brewery, was on the ultimate pursuit of passion. After enduring taxing desk hours on Wall Street, Conor set out on a 15-week trip around the world to figure out how to match his passions with his career. Following his motto and his mission to always make time for things that make you feel “half full”, Conor created Half Full Brewery. Tune in as Conor shares his journey, his growth and ...

Making It Real. Jeff Wilcoxon, Co-Founder of Bobtail Ice Cream

September 08, 2017 04:00 - 44 minutes - 60.5 MB

Jeff Wilcoxon – Bobtail Ice Cream “Let Your Customers Drive Your Innovation”  As both the co-founder of Bobtail Ice Cream in Chicago, and a product management professional at a large corporation, Jeff Wilcoxon shares the ultimate advice for product entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn about the inner workings of a legacy ice cream business and how those small business lessons can be translated into a large corporate product management environment. In this episode, Jeff talks about growth, cus...

Making It Real. Carlos Vega, Founder of Jersey Italian Gravy

September 01, 2017 04:00 - 46 minutes - 63.4 MB

Carlos Vega – Jersey Italian Gravy “Take the Leap and Be All In” To Carlos Vega, founder of Jersey Italian Gravy, the perfect tomato sauce tastes like home – and ultimately like family.  While owning and managing a pizzeria, he came across a recipe that flew off the shelves and made many people experience the same feeling of nostalgia. Tune in as Carlos discusses his road to success, all while staying true to his Jersey Italian Gravy recipe, and his core family values.  Now available in ...

Making It Real. Anya Burgess, Founder of Sola Violins

August 25, 2017 04:00 - 47 minutes - 64.7 MB

Anya Burgess – Sola Violins “Turning a Passion for Strings into a Storefront”  Anya Burgess, founder of Sola Violins, is a talented luthier and a passionate violinist. Listen to Anya’s story as she is faced with the challenge of turning a home-based business into a thriving storefront in the heart of Lafayette, LA. She has found a strong niche for passionate musicians, and has marketed a welcoming space for both professional musicians and beginners alike.   Whether you’re a product man...

Making It Real. Martha Bernal, Founder of Wet Nose University

August 18, 2017 04:00 - 49 minutes - 68.1 MB

Martha Bernal – Wet Nose University “If You Don’t Move, You Don’t Eat” Martha Bernal, founder of Wet Nose University and a successful corporate product manager, has turned her passion for dog training into an entrepreneurial venture. In this episode, Martha discusses the similarities between entrepreneurship and product management, and the challenges that she had to overcome in a small business to find a great deal of success. Whether you’re a product manager in an established company ...

Making It Real. Mark Ethier, CEO and Co-Founder of iZotope

August 11, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 82.8 MB

Mark Ethier – iZotope “Be Bold and Listen To Your Customers” Mark Ethier, founder of iZotope, an award-winning audio technology company, shares his journey during the burst of the dot com bubble. With a passion for both music and computer science, Mark and his co-founders were able to stay in constant touch with their customers throughout each product lifecycle; all while continuing to offer incredible customer service. This, among many other factors, enabled iZotope to become one of the...

Making It Real. Daniel Webster Clark, Co-Founder of RompHim

August 04, 2017 04:00 - 50 minutes - 68.7 MB

Daniel Webster Clark – RompHim “The Secret Sauce to Going Viral” Be sure to listen as Daniel Webster-Clark shares his story of going viral upon introducing the hottest new fashion statement: the male romper. The RompHim was designed by a gaggle of business students, and went from being an extra-credit project to becoming a booming business. Tune in to hear the highs and lows of establishing a business, going viral, and growing a brand within the blink of an eye.   Whether you’re a prod...

Making It Real. Brett Walker, CEO of CircuitScribe

July 28, 2017 04:00 - 45 minutes - 103 MB

Brett Walker – CircuitScribe “Making Circuitry Fun and Exciting” While working towards a PhD, Brett Walker, CEO of CircuitScribe, came up with the idea to create a conductive ballpoint pen that can draw circuits on paper. He has combined art and science together making an irresistible kit for kids and adults alike. While entering the big box stores, and understanding the B2C world, Brett has also built a successful B2B company focusing on conductive materials for consumer electronics. Tu...

Making It Real. Travis Peterson, Founder of Joker Greetings

July 21, 2017 04:00 - 44 minutes - 102 MB

Travis Peterson – Joker Greetings “Turning a Good Joke into a Customer Need” Travis Peterson, founder of Joker Greetings, understands the power of a prank. With a growing product line of greeting cards, Travis has matched an interesting customer need and created cards that feature everything from endless singing to a friendly pop of confetti. Tune in as Travis redefines the greeting card space while creating “that perfect card” with a very memorable experience. Whether you’re a product...

Making It Real. Thor Ernstsson, Founder of Alpha

July 14, 2017 04:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MB

Thor Ernstsson – Alpha “Innovate With Confidence” Thor Ernstsson, founder of Alpha, talks about how he connected his passion for user experience to product management. Now, Alpha UX provides a platform to drive experimentation and provide real time answers with a database of over 90 million users. Thor emphasizes the importance of making customer-centric decisions and provides the tool to do so. Whether you’re a product manager in an established company or an aspiring business owner wi...

Guests

Jessica Rhodes
1 Episode