In this episode, the operators dive deep into the current holiday shopping landscape, analyzing Black Friday Cyber Monday strategies and the shifting behavior of consumers in a soft economy. They debate the merits of starting sales early versus waiting for the "Cyber Five," discuss the complexities of inventory management, and share insights on forecasting growth for 2025 and 2026.

The conversation also explores the difference between "sexy" trend-based growth and durable long-term success, using case studies like Nike and On Running, before concluding with a candid discussion on the role of the CEO in prioritizing company initiatives and making high-leverage decisions

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:34 - Holiday Discounting & Consumer Sentiment

00:18:16 - Early Sales vs. Cyber Five Strategies

00:30:00 - Forecasting & Growth Targets

00:42:38 - Durable vs. "Sexy" Growth

00:54:53 - The CEO's Role & Priorities

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Fulfil.io.

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The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands.

Northbeam.

https://www.northbeam.io/

Richpanel.

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Saras.

https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc

Rivo.

https://www.rivo.io/operators

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Jon Buscemi joins the podcast to discuss his journey from trend forecasting at DC Shoes to founding his iconic luxury sneaker brand. He shares the inside story of selling his brand to private equity and how their strategy to create an attainable luxury diffusion line was the "kiss of death", violating the rules of luxury pricing. Buscemi argues that fashion's monoculture is dead, replaced by micro-communities, and that social media has killed the discovery aspect of fashion. He details how his new members-only golf brand Redan, is built on scarcity and community, predicting that this "members-only" model is the future trend for fashion.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:31 - The $1000 Sneaker

00:18:00 - From DC Shoes to Tribal Fashion Trends

00:33:17 - Selling to Private Equity

00:45:14 - Networking, Signaling, & The "Members-Only" Brand

00:59:11 - Can a Monoculture Brand Still Be Built Today?

Powered By:

Fulfil.io.

https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu

The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands.

Northbeam.

https://www.northbeam.io/

Postscript.

https://postscript.io/

Richpanel.

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Saras.

https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc

Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:

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Cash is king, period. In this episode, the operators get real about why cash flow matters more than your P&L, EBITDA, or vanity revenue numbers. They share their worst "cash crunch" war stories, like pushing payroll or having to choose between buying inventory and paying taxes. To prove a hard lesson: even profitable businesses go bankrupt all the time. You'll learn the backward-sounding truth of e-commerce: rapid growth bleeds cash, while slowing down can actually fill your bank account. They get into the weeds on risky trend-based inventory, and how to get your suppliers to finance your growth by trading margin for better terms. They also cover the real cost of equity (why you should probably just take the money) and why you need a serious finance team and audits long before you ever think about selling.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:07 - Worst Cash Crunch Moments

00:18:26 - How Growth & Inventory Type Affect Cash Flow

00:34:50 - Tactical Ways to Protect Cash

00:46:26 - The Truth About Equity Financing

01:03:27 - Partnership, Paranoia, and Playing the Leverage Game

Powered By:

Fulfil.io.

https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu

The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands.

Northbeam.

https://www.northbeam.io/

Richpanel.

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Saras.

https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc

Rivo.

https://www.rivo.io/operators

Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:

https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators

Subscribe to The Finance Operators here:

https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:

https://9operators.com/