B2B Breakthrough Podcast

• Best of CoCreate 2025: Words of Wisdom from Lori Greiner, Simu Liu, and More!

  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

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• Building Baby Products That Parents Actually Need with Vonu Founder Brittany Harvey Private

  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

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• Limitless Looks, Less Waste: Holly Garrard on Building a Purpose-Driven Fashion Brand

  Why do most sustainable fashion brands stick to "boring and beige," and how is one founder proving colorful conscious fashion can thrive?Breaking the beige barrier in sustainable fashion takes more than good intentions—it requires bold vision, strategic sourcing, and a willingness to challenge industry stereotypes. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Holly Garrard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fundae-founder-holly-garrard/), founder and chief visionary officer of Fundae (https://www.fundae.com), the eco-chic footwear brand redefining what sustainable style looks like. With a patent-pending modular shoe system that transforms one pair into limitless looks, Holly shares how she left her corporate media career at ESPN to prove that fashion can be colorful, conscious, and commercially viable. Learn how she navigated product development challenges, built supplier relationships through strategic sourcing, and created a brand rooted in purpose-driven pillars that guide every business decision. Tune in to learn: (00:00) From ESPN to Eco-Chic: Holly's Journey to Fundae (10:23) Patent-Pending Innovation: Creating the Modular Shoe System (13:47) Sourcing Sustainable Materials Through Alibaba.com (26:18) Mission-Driven Business: The Four Pillars of Fundae (34:15) Solopreneur Realities: Navigating the Gig Economy (37:28) From D2C to Wholesale: The Future of Fundae Check out our three most downloaded episodes: The Marmals Method: How to Sell Toys, Test Ideas & Thrive on the Convention Circuit(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/the-marmals-method-how-to-sell-toys-test-ideas-thrive-on-the-convention-circuit) 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 ) Chapters (00:00:00) - B2B Breakthrough Podcast(00:01:00) - Celebrity Interview(00:01:52) - The New York Fashion Week: Funday(00:06:56) - What Makes Fund So Fun?(00:10:15) - The Fun Day Shoe(00:17:18) - The story of food made from waste(00:19:12) - What's the Vetting Process for Your Leathers?(00:21:56) - Starting a business in your 30s(00:23:28) - How High Heels Are Made: The Italian Boot(00:25:45) - The Secret to Crafting a Design(00:27:00) - AI Sourcing: The Ultimate Search Engine(00:27:56) - The Purpose Behind Fund(00:31:32) - Flip Flops Charity Giving Day(00:34:01) - The Real Story of Covid Shoes(00:39:39) - Fool My Shoes: What's Next for the Company(00:42:50) - B2B Breakthrough: Alibaba.com

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• Startup to Pitch Champion: How Reekon Tools has Grown Sustainably

  Building a profitable hardware brand without venture capital requires strategic thinking, authentic relationships, and unwavering focus on cash flow management. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Christian Reed (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianrreed/), founder of Reekon Tools (https://support.reekon.tools/hc/en-us), fresh off his big win at Co Create Pitch. Christian shares how he scaled from a $1.2 million Kickstarter campaign to a sustainable 15-person operation, all while maintaining profitability and developing innovative digital measuring tools that are revolutionizing construction and home improvement. Learn how strategic supplier relationships, disciplined growth, and community-driven product development through Kickstarter have enabled Reekon Tools to thrive without traditional VC funding. Tune in to learn: (00:00) From Side Project to $1.2M Kickstarter Success (07:34) Kickstarter's Hidden Power: Building a Community of Champions (13:03) Strategic Team Expansion and Scaling with Intention (16:23) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement (19:43) Factory Relationships and Manufacturing Infrastructure (29:33) Cash Flow Over Revenue: The Most Critical Metric (35:05) Pitching Advice: Lead With Passion Check out our three most downloaded episodes: How to Nail Your Next Pitch: Insights from Power to Pitch's Kat Weaver (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/how-to-nail-your-next-pitch-insights-from-power-toecj) The Marmals Method: How to Sell Toys, Test Ideas & Thrive on the Convention Circuit(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/the-marmals-method-how-to-sell-toys-test-ideas-thrive-on-the-convention-circuit) Disrupt or Be Disrupted: Future-proofing your Supply Chain with Kerim Kfuri(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/disrupt-or-be-disrupted-future-proofing-your-supply-chain)Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder... Chapters (00:00:00) - India's Vision for Innovation(00:00:24) - B2B Breakthrough: Christian Reed's(00:01:17) - Rebuilding With a Digital Tape Measure(00:04:37) - Startup: Fully Self-Sustained(00:07:09) - Have You Learned From Your Kickstarter Success?(00:09:29) - Return to Kickstarter: The Community's Input(00:12:56) - Kickstarter's Team Has Expanded(00:14:16) - Have You Had Any Challenges As You've Expanded?(00:16:27) - Sourcing with Axio AI(00:17:32) - Microsoft's Return on Reconed Cash(00:19:46) - Do you have, you know, consistent relationships with suppliers?(00:21:40) - Have Independent Consultants Had an Impact on the Infrastructure?(00:22:54) - The Right Partner for Your Product(00:29:36) - Cash Flow Lessons for Businesses(00:31:32) - Where Are You Selling Your Products?(00:32:30) - Reasons to Scan Your Worksites(00:34:47) - Pushing the Pitch(00:36:49) - Where Can People Find Christian Jones?(00:37:19) - B2B Breakthrough: Accelerating Business Growth

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• How Vuliwear Redefines Sunglasses with Style and Impact

  How did macro photography of insect eyes inspire a bold eyewear brand that's redefining fashion and eye health?Building a fashion-forward eyewear brand that prioritizes both style and eye health requires authentic design, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment to quality. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Dionne Ellison (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionne-ellison-5721261/), founder and creative force behind Vuliwear (https://vuliwear.com/), about her journey from discovering macro photography of insect eyes to creating bold, UV 400 protective sunglasses that make a statement. Learn how she navigated supply chain disruptions, built her brand while maintaining a day job, and why she believes in "out-differenting" rather than outdoing the competition. Tune in to learn: (00:00) Finding Your Lane and the Insect Eye Inspiration (04:53) Lens-First Philosophy: UV 400 vs Polarized Education (10:39) Breakthrough Moments and Customer Collaboration Strategy (17:11) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement (18:30) Out-Differenting the Competition and Strategic Partnerships (25:46) Scaling with Family and Future Expansion Plans Check out our three most downloaded episodes: Disrupt or Be Disrupted: Future-proofing your Supply Chain with Kerim Kfuri(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/disrupt-or-be-disrupted-future-proofing-your-supply-chain) How to Nail Your Next Pitch: Insights from Power to Pitch's Kat Weaver (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/how-to-nail-your-next-pitch-insights-from-power-toecj) The Marmals Method: How to Sell Toys, Test Ideas & Thrive on the Convention Circuit(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/the-marmals-method-how-to-sell-toys-test-ideas-thrive-on-the-convention-circuit)Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group;... Chapters (00:00:00) - B2B Breakthrough Podcast(00:00:56) - VouliWear(00:03:08) - Wool Wear Designer on Juggling Her Day Job(00:04:33) - The New Look: Polarized Sunglasses(00:08:13) - The New Look: Eye Health(00:10:26) - Oyster Lens Covers(00:12:41) - Beyond Woolly Wear: Collaborations With Artists(00:15:44) - Have Entrepreneurs Had to Change Their Lens Manufacturer?(00:17:13) - How to Source Like a Pro with Axio(00:18:07) - Separate Eyewear: How to Differentiate(00:21:52) - The Right Partner for Your Business(00:23:52) - Vooly Sunglasses: The Story Behind The Names(00:25:36) - George Clooney Expands Into Lifestyle Products(00:28:37) - VoliWear's Unisex Fashion(00:31:23) - Bobbi Woolly Wear(00:33:29) - Where Have You Got All of Your Inspiration?(00:35:14) - Sierra Leone on Lessons Learned From Starting a Business(00:36:57) - B2B Breakthrough: Accelerating Business Growth

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