Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

ICR

In the increasingly crowded and competitive corporate and financial ecosystem, it’s harder than ever for companies to break through the clutter and be heard. The media, investors, agenda-driven influencers, even customers and competitors, are defining your business story on their terms. Therefore, it is imperative that companies take control and proactively drive the conversation with stakeholders in an effort to build & maintain equity value. In Welcome to the Arena from ICR, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of ICR, Tom Ryan, interviews key business and financial players who influence the fate of public or aspiring public companies in the capital markets. As a former Wall Street Journal ranked sell-side equity analyst and the founder of one of the largest strategic communications firms in the world, Tom understands what it takes to navigate this complex environment. This is a forum for CEOs, CFOs, institutional investors, sell-side analysts, financial journalists, private equity professionals and other financial community participants to share their stories and give advice in an open and candid conversation. For more information, visit http://www.icrinc.com

  1. 22 hrs ago

    Ricardo Azevedo, CEO, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming — Canine Coifs: Building America’s largest premium pet brand through a commitment to quality and care

    Many people view their dogs as more than just pets — they see them as family members. So when they bring them to the groomer, they want to be sure they're well cared for. And many dog owners are willing to pay a premium for that kind of certainty. Ricardo Azevedo is the CEO of Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, America’s largest premium pet brand. Since joining in 2022, Ricardo has led the company from 150 locations to more than 330, adding five to eight new stores every month.    Prior to Woof Gang, Azevedo held senior leadership roles at Restaurant Brands International, where he worked across iconic brands, including Tim Hortons and Burger King.  Today, we talk to Ricardo about how his QSR experience translated to the pet space, what it takes to scale a franchise brand sustainably, and why the grooming industry is ripe for a dominant national player. Highlights: A decade at RBI (2:15)Inside Woof Gang (5:14)The white space in grooming (6:55)Footprint, growth, and real estate (9:48)Building the infrastructure (13:26)Restaurants vs. services (17:07)Selecting franchisees (18:38)Protecting brand standards (21:49)The pet industry today (23:49)Goals for ‘26 into ‘27 (27:38) Links: Ricardo Azevedo LinkedIn Woof Gang LinkedIn Woof Gang Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you’d like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    31 min
  2. Jun 17

    Sami Inkinen, Co-founder & CEO, Virta Health — Reversing Diabetes: How nutrition and technology are rewriting what’s possible in metabolic health

    The medical establishment spent decades telling patients that type 2 diabetes is a chronic and irreversible disease. Today’s guest decided to prove them wrong. Sami Inkinen is the co-founder and CEO of Virta Health, a company using a combination of nutrition science, remote monitoring technology, and individualized coaching to help patients reverse type 2 diabetes, obesity and other metabolic conditions.    Previously, Sami co-founded Trulia, the online real estate marketplace, serving as COO and president through its IPO and eventual sale to Zillow. He has also held roles at Microsoft and McKinsey, and rowed from California to Hawaii with his wife to raise awareness of the dangers of sugar. Sami joins us to talk about how his own health journey influenced his decision to start Virta, the challenges of scaling in the health space, and the incredible success they’ve had in treating metabolic disease.  Highlights: A personal pre-diabetes diagnosis (2:35)Lessons from Trulia (6:00)Why reversal, not management (9:30)Clinical results and outcomes (12:47)GLP-1s and Virta’s approach (15:26)Technology and personalization (17:33)Selling to employers (20:17) Overcoming the status quo (22:33)Building a full-stack team (25:15)Rowing California to Hawaii (28:30)Goals for ‘26 into ‘27 (30:58) Links: Sami Inkinen LinkedIn Virta Health LinkedIn Virta Health Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you’d like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    34 min
  3. Jun 10

    Mike Silvestrini, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Energea — High Yield and High Impact: Bringing clean energy to emerging markets, and generating incredible returns for investors

    Investing in clean energy infrastructure in emerging markets sounds more altruistic than profitable. But today's company shows that doing the right thing can also be incredibly lucrative. Mike Silvestrini, co-founder and Managing Partner of Energea, a US-based renewable energy investment platform. Mike's a seasoned renewable energy professional who has played a central role in developing over 500 solar projects across the US, Brazil, and Africa, contributing meaningfully to the global transition to clean energy.   Today, we talk to Mike about how Energea evaluates investment opportunities, how they mitigate risk, and the incredible differences he's been able to make in different regions around the world.   Highlights: Where the idea for Energea came from (2:20)How the platform functions (5:58)The types of deals Energea pursues (7:30)The minimum investment in Energea (9:52)Investment portfolios (11:53)Brazil (13:33)Investor Relations (15:27)Energea's Wealth Management Channel (18:32)Vetting new deals (19:45)Big institutional partners — Brookfield & Goldman Sachs (22:20)Community impact (24:23)Life perspective (28:16)Emerging Markets (30:11)Goals for '26 into '27 (31:37) Links: Mike Silvestrini LinkedIn Energea LinkedIn Energea Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    34 min
  4. Jun 3

    Josh Charlesworth, President and CEO, Krispy Kreme — Doughnuts to Dollars: An iconic American brand expands globally while staying true to its roots

    Krispy Kreme has built a global brand on the strength of their incredible doughnuts. But the brand has recently gone through some struggles, and they're turning it around by finding new ways to get their products to consumers. Josh Charlesworth is the President and CEO of Krispy Kreme, which trades under the symbol D-N-U-T. Josh has served as President and CEO since January of 2024, and he joined the company as CFO in May of 2017. He was also appointed COO in May of 2019, and global president in 2022.   Josh joins us to discuss Krispy Kreme's revamped business plan, including their approach to domestic expansion, and their strategy for capital-light international franchising.   Highlights: How Josh Joined Krispy Kreme: From Mars to Doughnuts (2:28)Krispy Kreme's 89-Year History (3:32) The Scale of the Business Today (4:38)The 2025 Turnaround: Why the Business Model Had to Change (6:29)Capital Light Strategy & the Hub-and-Spoke Model (9:02)US Expansion (10:16)International Growth: Brazil, Spain, France & Beyond (12:05)Surprising Markets & The Brand's Global Reach (13:27)Japan Case Study (14:30)Revenue vs. Profitability (16:22)Margin Improvements, Leverage Reduction & Outsourced Delivery (17:57)Preserving Quality while Franchising (20:57)Target, Costco, Walmart & Fresh Delivery Expansion (22:53)E-Commerce & Loyalty Membership (24:46)LTOs, Collaborations & Staying Culturally Relevant (26:27)GLP-1s & Changing Consumer Trends (29:07)Top Priorities for 2026–2027 (31:11)Josh's Favourite Krispy Kreme Doughnut (32:49)   Links: Josh Charlesworth LinkedIn Krispy Kreme LinkedIn Krispy Kreme Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    35 min
  5. Mark Goldston, Executive Chairman, The Beachbody Company — Heavy Lift: A renowned turnaround executive reinvigorates one of the world's foremost fitness brands (Re-broadcast)

    May 27

    Mark Goldston, Executive Chairman, The Beachbody Company — Heavy Lift: A renowned turnaround executive reinvigorates one of the world's foremost fitness brands (Re-broadcast)

    Today, we're revisiting a conversation from this years ICR conference, where we sat down with Mark Goldston, a respected turnaround executive, and the Executive Chairman of The Beachbody Company.  Summary: When a once-successful business falls on hard times, it can sometimes be hard for them to diagnose and fix the problem from within. Today's guest has built a career out of helping these businesses turn things around, and he's doing it again with one of America's premiere fitness brands. Mark Goldston is the Executive Chairman of The Beachbody Company, which trades under the symbol BODI. Mark is one of the world's most respected turnaround executives, and has spent his career reviving some of the best known brands in the world, including Revlon, Reebok, and LA Gear to name a few. He is also a prolific inventor with 135 US and foreign patents to his name.   Today, Mark walks us through the history of The Beachbody Company, the issues he identified within the business, and how he and his team are working to right the ship.    Highlights: Mark's Career (1:40)Symptoms of a struggling business (6:34)The Beachbody Company turnaround (10:12)Navigating a difficult retail environment (17:16)Brand Awareness (21:58)How GLP-1's are impacting the business (26:46)What are investors missing about Beachbody? (29:50)   Links: Mark Goldston LinkedIn The Beachbody Company LinkedIn The Beachbody Company Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

    34 min
  6. Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-Founder, Faherty Brand — Coast to Curb: A family-owned clothing brand blends beach-comfort with urban-style (Re-broadcast)

    May 20

    Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-Founder, Faherty Brand — Coast to Curb: A family-owned clothing brand blends beach-comfort with urban-style (Re-broadcast)

    As we work on some new episodes for you, please enjoy this past interview with Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-founder of the awesome family-owned clothing company, Faherty Brand. Summary: Alex and Mike Faherty built a clothing brand inspired by their origins as surfer kids on the Jersey shore, and their later years living in Manhattan. And even as the company has grown, they've always tried to stay true to that original vision, and the values that have made them a beloved brand for so many.   Alex Faherty is the co-founder and CEO of Faherty Brand, a family-owned lifestyle apparel company. Since its founding in 2013, he and his twin-brother have built a nine-figure omnichannel business, with nearly 80 stores, a large e-commerce presence, and a robust wholesale business with partners like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and numerous specialty stores across the country.   Alex joins us to discuss the origins of Faherty, their plans for international expansion, and how they plan on growing while remaining authentic to who they are.   Highlights: Faherty origins (1:46)Alex's PE Background (5:06)What is Faherty Brand? (7:21)Faherty Customers (8:51)Fashion Innovation (10:16)Embracing Wholesale (12:06)Faherty's Retail Strategy (14:01)Authenticity (16:35)Sustainability (18:34)Technology and AI (20:49)New Product Offerings (22:23)Competitive Landscape (24:58)10-year Vision for Faherty (26:34) Links: Alex Faherty LinkedIn Faherty Brand LinkedIn Faherty Brand Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    29 min
  7. Will Ulrich, Co-CEO, Presidio Petroleum — No Drilling Required: A soon-to-be public oil and gas company takes a unique approach to value creation (Re-broadcast)

    May 6

    Will Ulrich, Co-CEO, Presidio Petroleum — No Drilling Required: A soon-to-be public oil and gas company takes a unique approach to value creation (Re-broadcast)

    As we work on some new episodes for you, we'll be re-running some old favorites from the archive. Please enjoy this episode from back in February with Will Ulrich, the co-CEO of Presidio Petroleum.  Summary:For most companies in the oil industry, drilling new wells is a major part of their business strategy. Today, we're highlighting a firm that's taking a very different tack.   Will Ulrich has served as co-CEO of Presidio Petroleum alongside his partner Chris Hammack, since founding the company in 2017. Presidio's mission is to generate the oil industry's best return on capital by delivering the industry's lowest operating expenses, highest profitability and best emissions profile — all without doing any drilling.   Today, Will shares Presidio's unique approach to value creation, their upcoming plan to go public via business combination, and the reasons why they're optimistic for the future.   Highlights: Founding Presidio (1:57)Going Public (4:45)The end of the 'Capital Intensive Shale Era' (7:06)Institutional Backing (8:58)Dividend (10:46)Private Equity (13:58)Reducing Operating Costs (17:21)Field Incentive Plan (20:55)Stable Well Production (22:30)Hedging (23:42)CapEx (25:43)Acquisition Strategy (27:23)5-year Outlook (29:17) Links:   Will Ulrich LinkedIn Presidio LinkedIn Presidio Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

    31 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In the increasingly crowded and competitive corporate and financial ecosystem, it’s harder than ever for companies to break through the clutter and be heard. The media, investors, agenda-driven influencers, even customers and competitors, are defining your business story on their terms. Therefore, it is imperative that companies take control and proactively drive the conversation with stakeholders in an effort to build & maintain equity value. In Welcome to the Arena from ICR, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of ICR, Tom Ryan, interviews key business and financial players who influence the fate of public or aspiring public companies in the capital markets. As a former Wall Street Journal ranked sell-side equity analyst and the founder of one of the largest strategic communications firms in the world, Tom understands what it takes to navigate this complex environment. This is a forum for CEOs, CFOs, institutional investors, sell-side analysts, financial journalists, private equity professionals and other financial community participants to share their stories and give advice in an open and candid conversation. For more information, visit http://www.icrinc.com

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