Marketing Today with Alan Hart

Melton Littlepage is a seasoned marketing executive with over two decades of experience driving innovation, creating new categories, and accelerating growth in the technology sector. Currently the Chief Marketing Officer at 1Password, Melton previously held the same role at Outreach, where he led comprehensive global marketing teams to enhance brand presence and revenue generation. His prior leadership roles include transformative contributions at Tenable in cybersecurity, New Relic in software analytics, Schoology in edtech, and Concur, a multi-billion dollar global B2B SaaS leader. His expertise spans strategic communications, brand management, demand generation, and customer engagement across diverse domains.1Password offers identity security and access management solutions built for the way people work and live today. Trusted by over 150,000 businesses and millions of consumers worldwide, the company’s enterprise password manager helps individuals and businesses store, manage, and use passwords and other sensitive information safely, and features strong password generation, secure storage, encrypted data protection, and cross-platform accessibility. Ideal for personal and enterprise use, 1Password supports secure credential sharing, password hygiene monitoring, and integration with business tools, offering a user-friendly solution for enhancing digital security. In 2024, 1Password became a multi-product security company with the debut of its 1Password Extended Access Management platform, enabling businesses to secure every sign in to every app from every device.On today’s show, Alan and Melton discuss 1Password and its role in the cybersecurity space, exploring how Melton differentiates the brand. They explore 1Password’s strategic move into the golf industry through the Presidents Cup and the potential power of sports marketing. Melton shares his approach to crafting marketing strategies for both B2B and B2C audiences. They end by examining how trends like Formula 1’s resurgence and the popularity of longform podcasts are shifting the way we should think about marketing.In this episode, you'll learn:The strategy behind a bold marketing move Insight on how to successfully pitch a new strategyHow Formula 1 and longform podcasts are reshaping the way we approach marketingKey Highlights:[01:11] Personal story: Fear of heights[04:05] Career path to 1Password[11:42] What is going on in the cybersecurity industry[13:56] How 1Password is approaching security[16:33] Differentiating within industry[19:19] Recent sports marketing move with golf [24:12] The pitch [27:04] An experience from your past that defines you[29:08] Advice to your younger self[30:32] A topic that marketers need to learn more about: Mapping your buyers journey[33:04] Trends or subcultures others should follow: Formula 1 movement[36:00] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers today: Longform podcastLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Maples is the co-founding partner at Floodgate, a venture capital firm that focuses on early stage investments in technology companies. He has been featured on the Forbes Midas List eight times in the past decade, recognized as a “Rising Star” by FORTUNE, and profiled by Harvard Business School for his enduring contributions to entrepreneurship. As a founder and operating executive, Mike played pivotal roles in two successful IPOs: Tivoli Systems (later acquired by IBM) and Motive (acquired by Alcatel-Lucent). Mike’s career as a seed investor has solidified his legendary status in Silicon Valley. Some of his notable investments include Twitter, Twitch.tv, Clover Health, Okta, Outreach, Chegg, Demandforce, and Applied Intuition. Together with Stanford Professor Peter Ziebelman, Mike developed insights on identifying "Pattern Breaking" concepts, referred to as "Inflections." These ideas form the foundation of his book, Pattern Breakers, which explores over 15 years of investment experience to reveal the sources of breakthrough potential in startups. The book is a National Bestseller and ranks as the #1 Venture Capital book on Amazon.On today’s show, Alan and Mike dive into Mike’s latest book, Pattern Breakers, exploring what pattern breakers are, their key components, and how they drive transformational change. They examine the concept of inflection points, pivotal moments that define the trajectory of a startup. Mike explains the importance of being radically different and the necessity of building a movement around your business and products to stand out in competitive markets. They also explore what truly makes a company radically different and how these elements come together to fuel extraordinary success.In this episode, you'll learn:Why being radically different is essential for startups and how to achieve itStrategies to identify and connect with your ideal customer base early Key startup principles that even large companies can adopt, plus actionable tips for collaborating with startupsKey Highlights:[02:17] Being a professional calligrapher  [03:32] Career path to Floodgate[05:50] Why is now the right time for the book, Pattern Breakers[08:53] Why startups need to be radically different[14:00] Is getting competition good or bad[15:58] How to find the customer base early on[18:59] How the principles of a startup can apply to large companies[22:28] Tips for large companies working with startups[23:46] Risk profiles and mindsets [26:16] Inflections [30:05] Different categories of growth[32:05] Inflections, pattern breakers, creating movements relating to marking[34:04] Does radically different only matter if its a commercial success[37:50] An experience from your past that defines you[41:35] Advice to your younger self- personal monopoly [43:50] A topic that you and other marketers need to learn more about - AI [50:12] Trends or subcultures others should follow[50:51] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers todayLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Bager is the President and CEO of the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA). Before joining OAAA, Anna spent 15 years in the telecom industry, beginning with the global research firm IDC. She then moved to the client side at Ericsson Multimedia, where she led mobile advertising initiatives in Sweden as the Head of Research and Business Intelligence. After relocating to the U.S., she served as Executive Vice President of Industry Initiatives at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). Five years ago, Anna became the CEO of OAAA, and her industry contributions have earned her numerous accolades. She has been recognized as one of the "Most Powerful Women in Mobile Advertising" by Business Insider and as one of the "Top Women in Media" by Folio Magazine and Cynopsis Media. Most recently, Anna was honored as one of Campaign’s "Most Inspiring Women of 2024."Out-of-Home Advertising (OOH) is a form of advertising found outside of a consumer’s home. Traditionally, this includes everything from billboards to bus shelters, benches, etc. The Out-of-Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is the leading trade association representing the out-of-home (OOH) advertising industry. OAAA's membership includes over 850 media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad tech providers, and suppliers. Since its founding in 1891, OAAA has advocated for the responsible growth of OOH advertising.On today’s show, Alan and Anna discuss her unique perspective on the advertising industry and the changes she anticipates. They explore the role of out-of-home (OOH) advertising within the broader marketing mix, recent innovations in the OOH industry, and how the upcoming election is influencing — and being influenced by — OOH. Additionally, they examine how OOH fits into the landscape with the rise of retail media networks.In this episode, you'll learn:How the election is impacting Out-of-Home advertising—and how OOH is impacting the electionEmerging shifts in advertising and where OOH plays a pivotal roleHow Out-of-Home integrates into the growing landscape of retail mediaKey Highlights:[01:18] Experience as a backgammon master[02:34] Career path to OAAA[05:02] How do you see advertising today changing[08:17] How does Out of Home fit in the broader marketing mix[10:08] What is new in the Out of Home industry[13:55] How Out of Home and the election impact each other [18:00] What is the role of Out of Home in retail media [20:40] An experience from your past that defines you[21:42] Advice to your younger self[22:15] A topic that you and other marketers need to learn more about[24:00] Trends or subcultures others should follow[24:45] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers todayLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Cooley is the Chief Marketing Officer at PlayVS, a leading scholastic esports platform in North America, where he brings over 25 years of experience in marketing. His marketing career began in the automotive industry with Land Rover North America, where he spent three years focusing on customer relationship marketing and retail operations. Brian then transitioned to the tech industry, spending six years with IBM. He continued his tech-focused trajectory at Blackboard, where he served as Senior Director of Global Marketing Services before advancing to Vice President of Global Demand Generation. Brian spent the next nine years as CMO at EverFi, deepening his role in edtech by leading the company’s marketing strategy. Now, in his first year as CMO of PlayVS, he leverages his rich background in edtech and marketing to drive growth and expand the platform’s reach in the competitive scholastic esports market.PlayVS was founded in 2018 and is now a leading esports platform in North America, partnering with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to provide and host organized competitive gaming in high schools across all 50 U.S. states and Canada. As of November 2023, PlayVS expanded access by removing enrollment fees for its state and regional leagues, making participation free for high schools. This initiative has likely increased the number of participating schools, which was around 4,000 as of late 2023.In today’s show, Alan and Brian dive into the booming market for collegiate and scholastic esports, exploring how partnerships with professional sports leagues are creating new opportunities for access and growth. They also discuss PlayVS’s collaboration with the Special Olympics to increase accessibility for students and why esports and gaming are essential areas for marketers to watch closely.In this episode, you'll learn:How marketing to the new generations changes the gameWhy marketers should pay attention to esports and gamingWhat to consider when partnering with an influencerKey Highlights:[01:37] How growing up in many different countries has influenced you[03:03] The most interesting meal from your travels[04:52] Career path to PlayVS[08:33] What is PlayVS[10:35] How PlayVS got started[15:17] The esports that PlayVS focuses on[17:42] Partnerships with pro sports[20:35] Partnership with the Special Olympics[22:17] Why marketers should care about esports and gaming[26:02] Experience from your past that defines you[28:10] Advice to your younger self[30:12] A topic that you and other marketers need to learn more about[32:29] Trends or subcultures others should follow[34:45] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers todayLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sue Hermann is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at BOK Financial. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and began her career in public relations. As Director of Corporate Communications and Content, she led a team responsible for internal and executive communications, public relations, and content development. Later, she became the Senior Vice President and Director of Communications at CoBiz Financial Inc. When BOK Financial acquired CoBiz Financial in 2018, Sue joined BOK Financial, where she had served as Director of Communications since 2000 and CMO since 2022.BOK Financial Corporation, headquartered in Tulsa, OK, is a top 25 U.S. bank with $50 billion in assets and a wealth division managing over $107 billion in assets under management and administration. While rooted in the Midwest and Southwest, BOK Financial serves clients nationwide. The corporation operates under various names, including Bank of Oklahoma and Bank of Texas, with a diverse range of services. In addition to commercial and consumer banking, BOK Financial offers brokerage, trading, investment services, mortgage origination and servicing, as well as one of the nation's top 10 electronic funds transfer networks.On today’s show, Alan and Sue discuss her journey to becoming CMO at BOK Financial and the current state of marketing and banking today. They also delve into gender diversity in finance, balancing a career with motherhood/parenthood, and what leaders need to recognize about their teams to foster the right environments and cultures.In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of gender diversity in financeMarketing trends impacting the banking industryInsights and challenges from balancing motherhood and careerKey Highlights: [01:15] Wanting to be a coroner [02:39] Career path to CMO at BOK Financial [05:02] What is BOK Financial [07:00] The current state of marketing today[08:12] The importance of relationships[09:36] Gender diversity [14:12] Approach on blending parenthood and career[20:20] What insight leaders need to take from parenthood[24:34] Experience of your past that defines you[25:40] Advice to younger self[25:56] A topic that you and other marketers need to learn more about, AI[27:45] Trends or subcultures others should follow, Gen Z[29:15] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers today, noise Looking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher "Chris" Carl became the first U.S. Head of Marketing at AliExpress in 2023. Under his leadership, order volume increased by 60%, the brand's share of voice grew by 75%, headcount expanded by 400%, social media following surged by 500%, and brand awareness doubled. Chris’s impressive marketing career began as an intern at Calvin Klein. He then moved to BBDO in Germany, where he worked on pricing strategies, market expansions, and e-commerce development for European brands. Following this, he launched the U.S. office for Pulse Advertising, focusing on influencer marketing, and served as COO and President. He also founded his own men’s grooming brand before taking on his current role at AliExpress, where he continues to make a significant impact.AliExpress is a global online retail platform owned by the Alibaba Group, headquartered in China. Launched in 2010, it connects buyers with a wide range of sellers, primarily manufacturers and wholesalers from China, offering products at competitive prices. AliExpress focus is on facilitating international trade by allowing businesses and individuals to sell a wide range of products to consumers around the world at an affordable cost.On today's show, Alan and Chris discuss what AliExpress is and how it fits within the Alibaba Group. They explore advertising campaigns and partnerships, including the recent collaboration with UEFA and the latest campaign featuring David Beckham. Their conversation also touches on consumer behavior, the future of e-commerce, and how AliExpress plans to capitalize on emerging trends.In this episode, you'll learn: Strategies to enhance the online shopping experience while driving affordabilityInsights into consumer behavior and its implications for market positioningInnovative approaches to leverage emerging trends for competitive advantageKey Highlights: [01:35] Story of being brushed with fame in New York[03:13] Career path[07:20] Insights you gained from prior career experiences [11:42] AliExpress’ aspirations in the U.S.[14:00] State of U.S. consumers today[16:30] Where AliExpress is focusing its energy[19:23] Campaign with David Beckham [22:33] What’s next for AliExpress[24:55] Experience of your past that defines you[26:18] Advice to younger self[27:11] A topic that you and other marketers need to learn more about[28:13] Trends or subcultures others should follow[29:37] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers todayLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

440: Entering the Consumer Market while Driving Sustainability with Elyse Winer CMO & GM of Consumer at GenPhoenixElyse Winer, CMO and GM of Consumer at GenPhoenix, began her career at Merrill Lynch before transitioning to healthcare consulting at Vynamic, where she gained branding and sales experience. She then moved into startups, leading marketing for Boston-based companies and collaborating with Reebok at MC10. Before joining GenPhoenix full-time, Elyse became a partner at Material Impact, a venture capital fund, where she served as interim CMO for GenPhoenix, overseeing a rebrand and their expansion into the consumer market. Her success in both startups and large companies has earned her numerous accolades, including Forbes' "30 Under 30" in Marketing & Advertising.GenPhoenix, founded in 2007 for the aviation industry, is a market leader in the mass transportation seating category, with over 250 airlines using their material. Their technology breaks down waste leather to the fiber level and uses recycled water to rebuild the fibers, creating a product even stronger than before. This recycled leather has an 86% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional leather. GenPhoenix has since expanded into the leather goods and footwear industries, collaborating with brands like Coach and Dr. Martens. To date, they have diverted more than 10,000 tons of waste from landfills.On today's show, Alan and Elyse discuss the sustainability of the fashion industry and its future direction. They explore how GenPhoenix is adapting, shifting from a predominantly B2B model to expanding into the consumer market. They also highlight partnerships with brands like Coachtopia and Dr. Martens, among others, and discuss strategies for promoting and protecting your brand in collaborations. Additionally, they discuss what early-stage companies and scale-ups, like GenPhoenix, should prioritize when allocating their marketing budgets.In this episode, you'll learn: Strategies when expanding into the consumer marketHow to protect and promote your brand in a collaborationWhat to prioritize when allocating marketing budgets, on a budgetKey Highlights: [01:37] What Snoop Dogg is like [04:36] Career path to GenPhoenix[11:00] What is GenPhoenix [14:25] What combined role of CMO and GM of Consumer looks like[18:05] Sustainability in the fashion industry[23:45] Expanding into the consumer market[27:49] How to protect your brand in a collaboration[35:22] How being budget constrained can drive creativity[40:47] Experience of your past that defines you[43:40] Advice to younger self[45:19] A topic that you and other marketers need to learn more about[47:35] Trends or subcultures others should follow[50:00] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers todayLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pam Morrisroe is the CMO of Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Studies from the University of Vermont and an MBA in Marketing and Media Communication from Fordham University. With over 20 years of marketing experience, Pam has led award-winning campaigns for clients like Ford, American Express, and Volkswagen across multiple channels, including digital activation, experiential, branding, consumer, business-to-business, CRM and omnichannel commerce. As Managing Director at VMLY&R, she spearheaded innovative virtual programming during the pandemic, driving significant growth. Now at Breakthrough T1D, Pam leads campaigns to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and support the organization's mission to create a world without T1D.Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1970 by families affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D). It is now the leading global research and advocacy organization for T1D. Its mission is to accelerate life changing breakthroughs to prevent, cure, and treat T1D and its complications by connecting the brightest minds to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care.On today's show, Alan and Pam discuss what sparked the rebranding from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D. They delve into the research behind the rebrand, the careful selection of the new name, and how it has been seamlessly integrated into their marketing strategy. They also highlight the progress made, what’s working well, and other critical milestones essential for rebranding success. Additionally, Pam highlights the importance of diversifying knowledge across various marketing categories, explaining how this approach has contributed to her expertise and success in the field. In this episode, you'll learn: Why research is critical to a successful rebrandHow to effectively integrate a rebrand into every aspect of your companyThe strategic, intentional steps behind a successful rebranding campaign, and how it expands consumer reachKey Highlights: [02:14] Experience of dropping your oldest son off at college[03:15] Living the only child life[04:10] Pam’s career path[06:50] What is Breakthrough T1D[08:22] What sparked the rebrand[10:30] Critical milestones to rebranding[13:51] How you knew you had the right name[16:40] Why simplicity was so important in the pitch process[18:00] How does the rebrand manifest in the marketing[22:03] Lessons learned[25:42] Experience of your past that defines you[27:13] Advice to younger self[29:05] A topic that you and other marketers need to learn more about[30:05] Trends or subcultures others should follow[32:36] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers todayLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Buchanan is from Lexington, Kentucky, and went to Western Kentucky University, where he studied journalism broadcasting with the dream of being a VJ. After graduation, Patrick moved to LA to pursue those dreams, but instead fell into marketing through a side hustle as an assistant at Creative Recreation. He found he had a knack for it, embraced his new path, and over the next 7 years, worked his way up to become Marketing Director at Creative Recreation before he moved on to Global Marketing Director at K-Swiss Global Brands, then Senior Director of Brand Marketing for Bravado at Universal Music Group. In 2021, Patrick became Vice President Marketing at GOOD AMERICAN, and today, he serves as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Lulu's, a women's fashion business with a mission to make women feel special and beautiful for all of their life's moments. On the show today, Alan and Patrick talk about what Lulus does, who they serve, and the kinds of altruistic disruptive campaigns they are implementing to get organic attention. Patrick also tells us how brands should be thinking about the types of partners and influencers they invest in to most effectively and authentically speak to their target audience, as well as his lived experience being a young black head of marketing and what he hopes to do with his platform. In this episode, you'll learn:Examples of disruptive campaigns to get organic attention How to pick and leverage the right influence partnersPatrick’s experience as a young black man and head of marketing Key Highlights:[01:40] A brush with fame alongside Kelly Clarkson [03:10] Patrick’s career path[08:30] What Lulus does and who they serve[10:00] How to get your brand noticed [12:30] Leveraging partnerships to bring brand missions to life[17:35] How to engage with influencer marketing as it evolves [20:10] Patrick’s experience as a young black man and head of marketing [23:30] Learning to maneuver creatively and never accepting no as an answer [25:20] Advice to his younger self [26:55] Always be learning more about your customers and what they like. [28:50] Trends and subcultures to watch [30:30] Opportunities and challenges with AILooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the show today, Alan and Jen talk about how John Deere is staying relevant as a 187-year-old brand in today's market and what strategies they are using to help people, specifically the younger generation, more fully appreciate the pivotal role that farmers, construction workers, and maintenance crews play in our everyday lives. Jen also tells us about their recent hunt for a Chief Tractor Officer, how they ran the campaign on a budget by leveraging values-aligned celebrity relationships, and what qualifications made Rex perfect for the CTO job.Jen Hartmann has over 25 years of experience in public relations, communications, and marketing. However, after high school, she originally wanted to be a teacher, but discovered PR when she was in college and immediately knew she wanted to head public relations at John Deere. After a number of various marketing roles at companies like the Illinois Soybean Association, Advanced Technology Services, and United Way, she eventually landed at John Deere about 16 years ago. Today, she serves as their Global Director of Strategic Public Relations and Enterprise Social Media. In this role, Jen is responsible for managing the image and reputation of the company, leading media relations and social media community building, and handling crisis events and issues that could have an impact on the brand. In this episode, you'll learn:How the 187-year-old brand is staying relevant with innovative PR strategies and their new Chief Tractor Officer, RexThe key to organic social media successAdvice for working with values-aligned celebrities Key Highlights:[01:30] Royal Ball Run, an autism non-profit Jen founded [03:25] Jen’s career path[05:05] What John Deere (is outside of green tractors)[07:00] How a 187-year-old brand is staying relevant in today's market[08:00] The hunt for a Chief Tractor Officer [12:00] The Chief Tractor Officer hunt campaign on a budget[13:55] What made Rex perfect for the job?[17:25] The key to organic social media success[19:25] Advice on working with celebrities [23:10] Lessons learned from her daughter [25:15] Advice to her younger self[26:20] The AI portion of the show[27:55] Catching a vibe from X and Reddit[31:40] The biggest threat facing marketers todayLooking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sun Lee is a seasoned marketing leader with over a decade of proven business success. She started her career on the agency side, working with small start-ups as a brand and digital designer in Silicon Valley during the e-commerce boom. She went on to get her Masters Degree, then reenter the workforce on the client side, heading up marketing and communications for big-name companies like Sisu Data, SurveyMonkey, and Pure Storage, before joining BigPanda as the CMO in April 2023. BigPanda brings AI to IT operations in order to proactively identify and resolve incidents before they become costly problems. They work with large brands like Autodesk and Zayo, as well as large banks and airlines, to ensure seamless technology operations. BigPanda is a start-up and challenger brand competing with giants in the industry, meaning Sun and her team are operating with a relatively small budget, allowing them to move faster and position themselves as an innovator in the sector.On the show today, Alan and Sun talk about her experience of coming to the US alone at 15, learning to speak English, and how being a nonnative speaker has given her one of her marketing superpowers. They also talk about how she navigated career transitions from specialized roles in design to broader roles in marketing and how that varied experience has contributed to her success as a CMO. Sun outlines with us her approach to digital marketing, the importance of understanding content journeys, and the marketing benefits of being a startup challenger brand. She also tells how she and her team have been implementing AI and how she foresees it shifting the ways marketing teams work as well as the characteristics of who she is looking to hire. In this episode, you'll learn:How and why to drive alignment between marketing and sales Marketing benefits and strategies for startup challenger brandsHow AI is causing a shift in expectations of marketers hiresKey Highlights:[01:50] Coming to the US alone at 15[03:30] Benefits of English as a Second Language in Marketing[04:15] Sun’s career path[07:20] How her experience shapes her approach to marketing [12:00] Finding alignment between marketing and sales [13:00] BigPanda: what they do and who they serve[15:05] Marketing benefits of being a startup challenger brand[17:10] Thoughts on digital marketing [19:45] Starting with the content journey [20:35] How AI is shifting Sun’s thoughts on marketing and productivity [22:35] From specialization marketing to the CMO role[25:30] The most embarrassing professional moment of Sun’s career [28:20] No dumb questions, only dumb questions. [29:00] Soft skills are the way of the future. [30:25] The evolution of word-of-mouth marketing [31:50] The biggest opportunity facing marketers today Looking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elyse Oleksak is the author of A Shark Ate My Bagel and co-founder of Bantam Bagels. Elyse has always been competitive and incorporated the concepts she learned as a D1 lacrosse player, such as time management, hustling, and perseverance, into her entrepreneurship. She began her career in advertising as an Account Associate at JWT. From there, she went to Morgan Stanley, where she learned how to navigate the politics of corporate America. After some soul-searching, a late-night idea came to her husband, and eventually Bantam Bagels was born. After googling “how to make a bagel," figuring out how to get the cream cheese inside, and developing a business plan, they came up with the recipe that they took to Shark Tank.On the show today, Alan and Elyse talk about her rocket ship ride into entrepreneurship as the cofounder of Bantam Bagels, when they knew they had something real, her experience with Shark Tank, and how it changed everything for them. We also talk about her recent book, what inspired her to write it, and the advice she has for budding entrepreneurs that she learned from both failures and successes alike.In this episode, you'll learn:How Bantam Bagels was bornThe benefits of being a Shark Tank brandElyse’s advice to budding entrepreneursKey Highlights:[01:20] Experience of a D1 lacrosse player [06:00] How Bantam Bagels was born[12:00] How do they get the cream cheese inside?[12:30] When they know they really had done it[13:15] Why A Shark Ate My Bagel, and why now? [15:15] The Shark Tank experience [19:35] Major lessons learned[24:20] Success does not exist without failure. [29:30] Advice to budding entrepreneurs[31:10] The impact of a semester abroad [34:45] Advice to her younger self [35:40] The AI balance [37:45] Trends to watch[38:35] The speed of change Looking for more?Visit our website for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned in this episode, and ways to connect with the guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.