“There’s no secret formula—we just refused to stop.”| Natasha Thomas, Whitney Smith, Madeline Hamilton | Ivy City Co.
Release Date: 04/15/2025
From Cotopaxi to Pingora: Building Individualty and Aspiration | CJ Whittaker and Mike May @ Pingora
Retail War Games
Mike May (founder of Cotopaxi) and CJ Whittaker are building Pingora—join Anna and Kassi to talk about building a brand that actually stands for something. This episode dives into why individuality matters, what accessible aspiration really looks like, and how Pingora is redefining what it means to lead in the outdoor space. One of our favorite lines from CJ: “I don’t care what you think I’ll like—I want to know what you believe in.” A bold, honest conversation from two founders who know what it takes. #RetailCollective #Pingora #Cotopaxi #BrandWithBelief
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He Helped Build MrBeast’s Wildest Videos—Now He’s Building for a Cause | Shawn Hendrix @ Barbarian Foundation
Retail War Games
What if your brand didn’t just support a cause — it was the cause? In this episode, I sit down with Shawn, who helped lead survival production for MrBeast and is now the founder of the Barbarian Foundation — a CPG brand built inside a nonprofit. Every dollar of profit goes straight to the Barbarian Foundation, supporting firefighters, veterans, and volunteers who step in when no one else does. We talk about: – What Shawn learned behind the scenes at MrBeast and Prime – Building a brand with real mission and trust – The shift from content to cause – Why CPG can be more than a...
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Pinners Trade Shows Everytime | Roxanne Bennett | Pinners Founder
Retail War Games
Is your brand pouring money into trade shows with nothing to show for it? In this episode of Retail War Games, we’re talking about why so many emerging brands spend $15K–$20K (or more) on events that lead to zero ROI—and why Pinners Conference is the exception. You’ll hear why Pinners works, how brands are pulling in $25K–$30K in a single weekend, and how those sales can unlock real retail conversations. We’re breaking down: The trade show gamble no one talks about What makes Pinners different How to turn consumer sales into retail momentum Why now is the time to prep if you're...
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LIVE IN STUDIO | Jeremy Brockbank | CVS Can Make or Break Your Brand | What Every CPG Founder Needs to Know
Retail War Games
CVS Can Make or Break Your Brand | What Every CPG Founder Needs to Know CVS is one of the biggest retail chains in the U.S.—but getting on their shelves (and staying there) isn’t as simple as sending samples and hoping for the best. In this live studio session, Jeremy Brockbank shares what really happens behind the scenes with CVS buyers: How CVS evaluates brands (and why buyer dynamics matter more than you think) What payment terms you’ll face — and why net 30 might not be the full story Why shelf space isn’t free — and the hidden costs most brands overlook If you’re...
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Not Everyone Has to Agree—But Everyone Has to Commit | How VC Decisions Really Get Made | Ben Capell, Peterson Ventures
Retail War Games
Not everyone has to agree—but everyone has to commit. We sat down with Ben Capell from Peterson Ventures to talk about how venture capital decisions actually get made behind the scenes. It’s not a vote. It’s not about getting everyone on the same page. It’s about making your case, standing by it, and trusting the people around you to go all in once the decision is made. We talk about: • Why debate is part of the process • How conviction can outweigh consensus • What real trust looks like inside a winning team • And yes… even a Rudy reference made its way in This episode...
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Brandon Doyle & Bubba Page on Turning Content into Cash
Retail War Games
Have you heard of influencer whitelisting? Brandon Doyle, founder of Wallaroo, sat down with entrepreneur and influencer Bubba Page to talk about what actually drives sales. Brandon shares how Wallaroo runs paid ads through influencer accounts. So you’re not just posting for awareness, you’re pushing real traffic straight to your site. It's one of the most effective ways to turn content into cash. If you're not doing it yet, you should be. If you're not working with Wallaroo, you also should be!
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How Tyler Howells built Cozy Earth into a DTC brand Oprah couldn’t stop talking about.
Retail War Games
In this episode, Tyler Howells, CEO of Cozy Earth, discusses his path from musician and surfer to leading a premium sustainable bedding and apparel brand, featured in Oprah's Favorite Things. He shares insights on direct-to-consumer strategies, effective partnerships, and managing global supply chain challenges while highlighting the role of cultural connections in building strong business relationships.
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From Nike to CEO of the Year—Nate Randle left the big leagues to build tech that protects kids and empowers parents.
Retail War Games
Nate Randle—2023 CEO of the Year and former Nike and Callaway exec—is now leading Gabb, one of the fastest-growing tech companies for kids and families. In this episode, Nate shares how his upbringing in a single-parent home shaped his mission, how he landed his dream job at Nike, and why he walked away to build something with real impact. We dive into Gabb’s approach to building safer tech for kids, the launch of Gabb Music, and their newest partnership with Mark Burnett to take the brand to the next level. It’s a conversation about leadership with purpose, building what the world...
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From Reality TV to Launching Baby Mama: Mayci Neeley Tells All
Retail War Games
Ever wonder how influencers really pick their brand deals? What does it take to get someone like Mayci Neely to say yes? She goes into exactly what she looks for, what’s an automatic no, and how her fertility journey led to the creation of Baby Mama.
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Speed to lead = speed to trust. | Trey Boyer
Retail War Games
Speed to lead isn’t just a sales tactic—it’s a standard. When a buyer reaches out, the clock starts ticking. Trey Boyer shared that while at Podium, the bar was clear: respond within 2 minutes. Why? Because speed builds trust—and trust closes deals. In today’s world, if you’re not answering fast, someone else is. And they’re the ones winning the business.
info_outline“There’s no secret formula—we just refused to stop.”
In this episode, the founders of Ivy City Co—Natasha Thomas, Whitney Smith, and Madeline Hamilton—sit down with Jeremy Brockbank and Bri Ray to unpack the real story behind one of the fastest-growing fashion brands in the country.
They talk about launching without industry connections, growing a team from scratch, and how staying relentlessly focused on the customer has shaped every decision—from design to operations to scale. It’s not about perfection—it’s about persistence, learning as you go, and never losing sight of your why.
If you're building something meaningful and ambitious, this conversation is a blueprint worth hearing.
#VolcanicRetail #RetailCollective #IvyCityCo #ModernRetail #BrandGrowth #FounderJourney #BuiltDifferent #NextGenRetail