B2B Breakthrough Podcast

What if 40% of your shipping damage happens before your container even leaves port—and you've been focused on the wrong stage entirely?

Here's something most entrepreneurs don't realize: The majority of logistics disasters don't actually start at customs—they start much earlier with packaging decisions you make before your product ever leaves the factory. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Iron from Forest Leopard Logistics (https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/forest-leopard-logistics.html), a comprehensive cross-border trade partner, about the most common and costly cross-border logistics mistakes and how to avoid them. Learn how packaging decisions impact damage rates, why standard shipping insurance rarely covers what you think it does, and how end-to-end visibility can reduce inventory costs by 20%. Whether you're shipping your first container or managing complex international supply chains, this conversation delivers game-changing strategies for protecting your products and your profits.

Main Episode:
(00:00) The Hidden Source of Logistics Disasters: Packaging Mistakes
(01:36) Strategic Packaging Decisions & The 20% Cost Savings
(03:07) Where Damage Actually Occurs: The 40-30-20 Breakdown
(05:34) The Insurance Myth & Why Documentation Matters
(08:03) End-to-End Visibility & Four Actionable Steps

Special Offer: Use code PODFL10 for 10% off first shipment from Forest Leopard

Small Business Spotlight- R & B Dog Bakery:

Aisha Byrd is the founder of R & B Dog Bakery (https://www.rbdogbakery.com), an all-natural dog treat company providing over 30 varieties of treats, cakes, and macaroons for dogs with sensitive stomachs and dietary restrictions. Starting from a farmer's market in 2018, Aisha has grown R&B into a multi-channel business featured on Walmart, with a brick-and-mortar location in Texas and partnerships across multiple states. As a People and Planet First certified company, R&B maintains a zero-waste model and sources ingredients locally from Texas farmers. Aisha also founded Paws for Cost Pet Food Pantry, a nonprofit supporting pets in need.

Small Business Spotlight:
(10:44) Meet Aisha Byrd of R&B Dog Bakery
(11:24) Benjamin's Story & 22 Years of Research to Five-Star Success
(14:08) Multi-Channel Growth & Sustainable Sourcing Through Alibaba
(17:53) Find Your Niche: Passion-Driven Entrepreneurship

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

Limitless Looks, Less Waste: Holly Garrard on Building a Purpose-Driven Fashion Brand(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/limitless-looks-less-waste-holly-garrard-on-building-a-purpose-driven-fashion-brand)

Building Baby Products That Parents Actually Need with Vonu Founder Brittany Harvey (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/vonu-founder-brittany-harvey)

Win-Win Supplier Negotiations: From Transaction to Partnership with Titan Network (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/win-win-supplier-negotiations-from-transaction-to-partnership-with-titan-network)

Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity N...

Chapters

(00:00:00) - 3 Cross-Border Logistics Mistakes
(00:00:38) - The One Packaging Mistake Every Business Should Avoid
(00:05:37) - Shipping Insurance: Why It's Worth It
(00:07:55) - End-to-End Visibility: How to Know Where Your
(00:09:11) - Small Business Spotlight: Forest Leopard Logistics
(00:11:04) - In the Elevator With R and B Dog Bakery
(00:12:23) - R & B Dog Bakery
(00:13:45) - How Is Your Business Structured?
(00:14:29) - How Do You Stay Sustainable?
(00:17:33) - B2B Breakthrough: Small Business Owners

How do you maintain founder momentum without sacrificing your mental health, physical fitness, and operational clarity as you scale?

Don't let the new year pressure derail your momentum. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Kareem Raslan (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kareem-raslan-d2c), co-founder of BrainGain (https://braingain.fit), about how product founders can enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and operational strength. Learn how stripping away FOMO, conducting ruthless SKU audits, and focusing on unit economics can transform profitability. Whether you're battling burnout or chasing every opportunity, Kareem shares the exact framework BrainGain used to turn a 0% margin product into a 15% contributor—and why mental and physical health are just as critical as spreadsheets.

Kareem Raslan is the co-founder of BrainGain, a direct-to-consumer home gym equipment company operating across the UK and Europe via Shopify and Amazon. What started as two friends selling dumbbells from their parents' garages during the pandemic has scaled to over 100,000 customers across 30 countries. With a background in restructuring and finance, Kareem brings a data-driven approach to e-commerce, focusing on unit economics, operational discipline, and sustainable growth. Beyond building BrainGain, Kareem now mentors emerging brands on scaling smartly and staying profitable in competitive markets.

Tune in to learn:

(0:00) Introduction: Setting Up For Momentum in 2026

(0:30) From Pandemic Garage to Six-Figure Business

(2:12) The Pendulum Swing: When Scaling Too Fast Backfires

(5:34) Building a Lean Team That Delivers Quality

(6:46) Why Mental and Physical Health Can't Be Negotiated

(11:12) The Power of Full Transparency with Your Team

(14:00) Managing Tariffs and External Shocks

(16:44) Founder Fitness: The Non-Negotiables for Performance

(21:02) Adaptability Over Agility in Today's Market

(26:10) SEO is Dead, Long Live ChatGPT Optimization

(30:28) The SKU Audit That Changed Everything

(34:48) Rapid Fire: Keep, Drop, Gain for 2026

(36:39) Where to Find BrainGain and Kareem

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

Limitless Looks, Less Waste: Holly Garrard on Building a Purpose-Driven Fashion Brand(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/limitless-looks-less-waste-holly-garrard-on-building-a-purpose-driven-fashion-brand)

Startup to Pitch Champion: How Reekon Tools has Grown Sustainably (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/startup-to-pitch-champion-how-reekon-tools-has-grown-sustainably)

Building Baby Products That Parents Actually Need with Vonu Founder Brittany Harvey (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/vonu-founder-brittany-harvey)

Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group; Mike McClary, CEO of Amaz...

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Brain Gain: Setting Up for Growth in 2026
(00:01:49) - How Did Fitness Brand Go From Start to
(00:04:38) - How to bring heavy stuff to market
(00:05:34) - How To Build a Lean Team
(00:09:45) - Six Years of Simplification and Focus
(00:12:54) - Hormozi on Expansion in 2020
(00:16:38) - In the Elevator: Prioritization
(00:17:57) - Seasonality in the D2C Industry
(00:20:12) - How To Manage Your Time As a Founder
(00:26:46) - Q&A
(00:28:02) - What is the role of AI in marketing?
(00:29:33) - How to Get From 0 to 10%
(00:34:37) - 3 Rules for a Success
(00:38:13) - Jesse Haynes on Solaro Shades
(00:39:38) - Where Everything Clicks: Eyeglasses for Women
(00:41:49) - How has that relationship with your manufacturers and your partners helped you grow

Why do successful entrepreneurs negotiate payment terms even when they have millions in the bank—and what does it reveal about building lasting supplier partnerships?

Negotiating with suppliers isn't about winning—it's about creating partnerships where both sides thrive. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Lyden Smithers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyden-smithers/?originalSubdomain=au), President and Co-Founder of Titan Network (https://discover.titannetwork.com/) and founder of China Magic (https://www.chinamagictrip.com), about transforming supplier relationships from transactions into strategic partnerships. Learn how asking the right questions, building face-to-face relationships, and focusing on cash flow can unlock better payment terms, pricing, and long-term growth. Whether you're sourcing your first product or scaling to seven figures, Lyden shares practical strategies for negotiating like a pro and building supplier relationships that weather any challenge.

Lyden Smithers is the President and Co-Founder of Titan Network, overseeing over $150 million in annual sales on Amazon. With deep expertise in global sourcing, manufacturing partnerships, and production optimization, Lyden has helped countless entrepreneurs streamline their supply chains and negotiate game-changing terms with suppliers. As founder of China Magic, he leads sourcing trips to Canton Fair twice yearly, teaching 50-100 students how to find reliable suppliers, negotiate better payment terms, pricing, and MOQs, and build lasting factory relationships. An international speaker for SellerCon, Helium10, and Global Sources, Lyden is known for his six-step process for securing extended payment terms and his philosophy of turning negotiations into partnerships.

Tune in to learn:

(00:00) Practical Negotiation Advice That Works

(02:06) The Win-Win Negotiation Mindset

(03:04) Green Flags: Asking the Right Questions

(08:20) What Suppliers Look for in Business Partners

(15:52) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement

(21:55) Success Story: Landing 180-Day Payment Terms

(28:48) Why Payment Terms Matter Even When You Have Capital

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

Staying Profitable Amid Tariff Changes: Steven Selikoff on Navigating the End of De Minimis (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/staying-profitable-amid-tariff-changes-steven-selikoff-on-navigating-the-end-of-de-minimis)

How Vuliwear Redefines Sunglasses with Style and Impact (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/how-vuliwear-redefines-sunglasses-with-style-and-impact)

Limitless Looks, Less Waste: Holly Garrard on Building a Purpose-Driven Fashion Brand(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/limitless-looks-less-waste-holly-garrard-on-building-a-purpose-driven-fashion-brand)

Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group; Mike McClary...

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Leiden Smithers on The Titan Network
(00:01:37) - The Importance of Negotiation in Finding a Supplier
(00:07:58) - What am I looking for in a supplier negotiation?
(00:11:16) - How to Negotiate Margin as Your Business Grows
(00:15:51) - What is a Sign That Your Supplier Is Gonna Move?
(00:18:00) - How to Negotiate with a Company in China
(00:20:32) - How to Negotiate Payment Terms
(00:24:58) - The Key to Negotiating Business Terms

What do Shark Tank investors, Marvel superheroes, and World Cup champions all agree is the secret to entrepreneurial success?

The best moments don't happen in boardrooms—they happen on stages where entrepreneurs, champions, and innovators share the unfiltered truth about building businesses in turbulent times. In this special episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo takes you inside CoCreate 2025, Alibaba.com's premier global trade event held in London and Las Vegas, featuring an extraordinary lineup of voices from Shark Tank, the Dragon's Den, the Marvel Universe, the Olympics, and the World Cup.

This isn't your typical interview episode—it's a curated collection of the most powerful insights from the stages at CoCreate 2025, where 25,000 entrepreneurs gathered to rewrite the playbook on resilience, execution, and breakthrough success.

Featured Speakers:

Kuo Zhang (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuo-zhang-0714708/?originalSubdomain=sg) - President of Alibaba.com (https://www.alibaba.com) - On navigating turbulence in global trade

Lori Greiner (https://www.lorigreiner.com/) - "Queen of QVC" and Shark Tank investor - The formula for product success

Darrell Spencer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-spencer-30a572b5/) - Founder of Crowned Skin (https://www.crownedskin.com) and Kings Crowning - From $10K to 8-figures with Alibaba.com

Simu Liu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/simu-liu-47946a2b1/) - Actor, entrepreneur, and Dragon's Den investor - Why execution beats ideas

Rio Ferdinand (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rio-ferdinand/) - Former international footballer and strategic investor - Building resilience through loss

Eric Larcheveque (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlarch/) - Co-founder of Ledger and serial entrepreneur - The price of resilience

Alex Tsai - Head of Strategic Partnerships, Alibaba.com - Moderating the resilience conversation

Tune in to learn:

(00:00) Welcome and Introduction to CoCreate 2025

(01:26) Kuo Zhang - Turbulence Is Daily Life for Entrepreneurs

(03:40) Introduction to Lori Greiner's Session

(04:00) Lori Greiner - The Formula for Product Success

(05:48) Introduction to Darrell Spencer

(06:00) Darrell Spencer - From $10K to 8-Figures Through Alibaba.com

(09:49) Introduction to Simu Liu

(10:04) Simu Liu - Ideas Are Easy, Execution Is Everything

(14:05) Introduction to the Resilience Panel

(14:25) Panel Discussion - The Reality of Entrepreneurial Failure

(22:18) Rio Ferdinand - Expecting and Preparing for Failure

(22:57) Eric Larcheveque - Taking Big Risks Without Fear

(24:52) Rio Ferdinand - Two Types of Resilience

(27:02) Eric Larcheveque - The Sacrifice Behind Success

(28:09) Closing and Holiday Message

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

Chapters

(00:00:00) - A Year in the Life
(00:00:57) - Why SMEs Are Surviving Turbulence
(00:03:14) - Darrell King's Crowning: Formula for Success
(00:08:13) - Simu Liu on Helping Entrepreneurs
(00:11:11) - What Makes a Brilliant Entrepreneur?
(00:18:03) - Rio Ferdinand and Eric Leshevec
(00:19:56) - Rio on Resilience and the Challenges

What if you could turn your biggest parenting frustration into a six-figure business in just 90 days—using nothing more than a turkey carving knife and memory foam?

From 2am desperation to 90-day product launch—parenting pain points have a way of turning into breakthrough businesses. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Brittany Harvey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-harvey/), co-founder of Vonu (https://vonubaby.com), about transforming a sleepless night into the Burplee Lounger, a patented memory foam solution that's helping thousands of parents tackle gas, reflux, and tummy time challenges. Learn how Brittany went from carving memory foam with a turkey knife to scaling a thriving baby product business while navigating the realities of patents, 3PLs, and building a brand that solves real problems. Whether you're a sleep-deprived parent or an aspiring product developer, this conversation delivers honest insights about manufacturing hurdles, supplier relationships, and the power of solving problems you actually experience.

Tune in to learn:

(00:00) The Burplee Origin Story: From 2am Crisis to Viral Success

(17:26) Expanding the Product Line: Stack Pack Innovation

(25:25) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement

(26:58) Mom vs Dad Co-Founder Perspectives

(37:46) Manufacturing and Alibaba.com Sourcing Strategy

(47:36) 3PL Challenges and Family Fulfillment

(51:52) Entrepreneurial Wisdom: Filtering Noise and Staying Focused

(55:20) Where to Find Vonu

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

Scale Your Business Using These (Free) Audience Research Strategies (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/scale-your-business-using-free-audience-research-strategies)

Crowdfunding Unpacked: Kickstarter’s Blueprint for Small Business Success (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/crowdfunding-unpacked-kickstarters-blueprint-for-small-business-success )

Staying Profitable Amid Tariff Changes: Steven Selikoff on Navigating the End of De Minimis (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/staying-profitable-amid-tariff-changes-steven-selikoff-on-navigating-the-end-of-de-minimis)

Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group; Mike McClary, CEO of Amazing.com; Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Media; Kia-Shun Voltz, Chief Executive Officer of ShampooTime; Matt Jones, Founder of The Crease Beast; and Julianna Dahbura, Founder of Deco Beauty.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - B2B Breakthrough: The Stack Pack
(00:00:36) - How To Manage Having a Business and a Baby
(00:01:27) - The Burpli: A Baby Lounger
(00:04:33) - How To Start a Parenting Business on TikTok
(00:07:55) - Beyond the Gas Job: Gas Relief for Baby
(00:09:19) - Have You Changed The Berkeley Burpli?
(00:10:43) - The 40-degree Burp cloth
(00:17:03) - The Stack Pack Baby Diaper Bag
(00:20:56) - Bottle Pack: Meta Ad
(00:23:02) - Ideas Are Welcome at Tech Companies
(00:25:19) - AI Sourcing: The Business Sourcing Engine
(00:26:13) - How to Stay Connected With Moms Postpartum
(00:33:33) - Are Dad's Involved in Parenting?
(00:36:46) - Dads in the Manufacturing Process
(00:37:27) - How To Find a Custom Fabric Maker
(00:41:25) - How To Build a Bundles With Alibaba
(00:43:25) - What is a valuable accessory to go with your burp?
(00:47:23) - How 3PLs Have Affected Our Business
(00:51:37) - What Do You Wish You Knew Before Starting Your Business?
(00:55:11) - Where to Find Brittany VanUaby
(00:55:51) - B2B Breakthrough: Accelerating Business Growth