Up Arrow Podcast

William Harris
  • 5.0 (36)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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This is Up Arrow Podcast where we feature successful people in the venture capital, B2B, and e-commerce industries as they discuss how entrepreneurs can improve their business and drive their profits to the next level.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Dirty Secret of eCommerce Growth: Everyone Is Copying Everyone With Cherene Aubert

    Cherene Aubert is the CEO of Growth Capital, a growth marketing firm that scales consumer brands. As a seasoned e-commerce and digital growth leader, she has nearly two decades of experience scaling DTC brands and managing media investments across multiple high-growth companies. Before Growth Capital, Cherene was the Fractional SVP of Digital & eCommerce at ILIA Beauty, where she drove omnichannel digital strategy for a rapidly growing clean beauty brand.  In this episode…  Marketing has become automated and identical across companies. Brands chase the same ads, channels, and short-term wins, only to discover that growth stalls and loyalty disappears. How can you build something memorable and scale without losing trust? The way forward starts with obsessing over customers, not competitors. As a growth and e-commerce leader, Cherene Aubert maintains that brands should use customer insights — from ad data to conversations — to guide creative strategy, redefine quality as value for the customer, and invest in full-funnel thinking. This requires originality, emotional resonance, and the space for creative teams to build long-term demand rather than quick conversions.  In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Cherene Aubert, CEO of Growth Capital, to discuss how brands can escape the marketing echo chamber. Cherene explains why copying competitors backfires, how full-funnel content drives sustainable growth, and how premium and beauty brands can stay culturally relevant.

    1h 17m

  2. FEB 10

    Why the Most Successful People All End up Writing a Book With Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson is the Founder and CEO of Kevin Anderson & Associates, a global leader in professional book-writing, editing, and publishing navigation services. A #1 New York Times best-selling editor, national best-selling author, entrepreneur, and investor, Kevin has built KAA into an industry-leading firm with a team of former Big-5 executive editors, literary agents, and best-selling writers. Since founding the company in 2007, he has helped launch thousands of authors and contributed to hundreds of national and international bestsellers. Kevin is also the Founder of Dissertation Editor and the co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller PhDone. In this episode… Books can elevate ideas beyond the noise of social media and fast-moving content. They don't just share information — they build credibility, trust, and lasting authority in a way few other mediums can. How can publishing a book open doors for founders? According to best-selling editor and publishing expert Kevin Anderson, books signal depth, expertise, and timeless value, making them a powerful tool for entrepreneurs who want to stand out. He notes that the ROI isn't in book sales, but in the opportunities that follow: media visibility, stronger SEO authority, and increased trust from high-level audiences. Kevin encourages founders to publish before they think they're ready, focusing on solving readers' problems rather than waiting to feel like they've accomplished enough. A well-positioned book becomes a long-term asset that compounds influence over time. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris talks with Kevin Anderson, Founder and CEO of Kevin Anderson & Associates, about how books help founders build authority and unlock new opportunities. Kevin discusses why books create lasting credibility, how they generate ROI through media and visibility, and how founders can maximize impact after publication.

    1h 10m

  3. FEB 3

    eCommerce Brands Are Just Renting Customers (Here's Why That's Dangerous) With Ross Correia

    Ross Correia is the Co-founder and CEO of Reactiv, an AI-powered mobile commerce platform. Under his leadership, Reactiv has raised significant seed funding and forged partnerships with major retail brands. Before Reactiv, Ross held sales and leadership roles at companies, including Shopify. He has also been named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for retail and e-commerce.  In this episode… Most e-commerce brands believe they own their customers — until ad costs spike, algorithms shift, or attribution breaks overnight. When growth depends on rented attention, even healthy revenue can hide fragile foundations. What allows brands to build durable growth and real customer relationships in an increasingly noisy digital world? Mobile app builder Ross Correia maintains that the strongest brands focus on ownership over optimization — prioritizing direct relationships, reducing friction at every touchpoint, and meeting customers where and when they're most receptive. Brands should stop over-optimizing short-term metrics, design experiences that feel native to how people use their phones, personalize outreach thoughtfully, and choose long-term trust over quick wins. The result is sustainable growth rooted in loyalty, not volatility. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris talks with Ross Correia, Co-founder and CEO of Reactiv, about building owned customer channels in e-commerce. Ross explains why paid ads create hidden risk, how mobile-first experiences increase retention, and what it takes to build a company — and culture — by choosing the difficult but durable path.

    1h 20m

  4. JAN 27

    Process Wins: Why the Companies That Scale Don't Feel Chaotic With Mikel Lindsaar

    Mikel Lindsaar is the Founder and CEO of StoreConnect, a customer commerce platform that helps businesses unify e-commerce sales, services, and systems. As a seasoned technology entrepreneur, he founded multiple software companies, including Exec IO and reinteractive, and exited several SaaS ventures.  In this episode… Growth doesn't just stall when the business is underwater; it stalls when everything appears to be working, yet decisions slow, complexity piles up, and momentum fades. Leaders often feel the weight before they can recognize the cause, sensing friction in meetings, handoffs, and execution. What causes companies to break, and how can founders remove barriers before they compound? According to seasoned technology entrepreneur Mikel Lindsaar, the root issue is decision-friction, and he argues that leaders must design organizations to move decisions faster, not upward. He emphasizes replacing "maybe" with clear yes-or-no frameworks, pushing ownership closer to the work, and using simple metrics to reveal problems early. Leaders can also turn repeated questions into written guidance and coach teams to present solutions rather than just problems. These practices create speed, trust, and resilience at scale. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Mikel Lindsaar, Founder and CEO of StoreConnect, about designing organizations that scale through clarity and speed. Mikel explains why indecision kills momentum, how policies and metrics empower teams, and what founders must do personally to sustain long-term leadership effectiveness.

    1h 25m

  5. JAN 20

    The Customer Journey Mistakes That Kill 8-Figure Brands With Jason Anderson

    Jason Anderson is the COO of Andzen, a global customer journey and AI-powered CRM agency. In his role, he oversees operational execution and helps drive the agency's growth and client success across email, SMS, and loyalty programs. Jason has over a decade of experience in the e-commerce lifecycle and CRM marketing. In this episode… Scaling an e-commerce business can feel like combining tactics without experiencing momentum. Brands add more channels, push more messages, and chase efficiency metrics, yet retention stalls and growth plateaus. What separates brands that break through from those that remain stuck? According to e-commerce retention expert and CRM strategist Jason Anderson, the difference lies in designing intentional customer journeys. He emphasizes valuing your work, attracting ideal customers — not just the least expensive ones — and building systems that drive repeat purchases. Additionally, brands should segment customers by intent and engagement, integrate their tech stacks to uncover meaningful data, and use loyalty programs to reward behavior. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Jason Anderson, COO of Andzen, to discuss how intentional customer journeys fuel e-commerce growth. Jason shares lessons from Andzen's near-failure, smarter segmentation and reengagement strategies, and how loyalty programs can increase lifetime value without eroding margins.

    1h 18m

  6. JAN 13

    If You Want To Be Acquired by Private Equity, Fix This First With Felicia Shakiba

    Felicia Shakiba is the Founder and CEO of CPO Playbook, a leadership and human capital advisory firm serving private equity and venture-backed companies. As an industrial-organizational psychologist and certified Korn Ferry coach, she has over two decades of experience driving people strategy across Fortune 500 and high-growth companies. Felicia is also an Advisory Council Member for Harvard Business Review, hosts the CPO PLAYBOOK podcast, and developed PIA360™, the first tool that quantifies leadership and culture across a portfolio.  In this episode…  Many founders assume that strong financial performance is enough to ensure long-term success. Yet after an acquisition, organizations often encounter misalignment, slowed decision-making, and cultural friction that undermine results. Why do businesses with solid strategies struggle when leadership dynamics are tested? Leadership and organizational effectiveness expert Felicia Shakiba argues that these challenges stem from leadership behaviors rather than flawed economics. She advises aligning mission and vision across the company, building trust-based communication, and replacing intuition with data-driven insights. Leaders should surface issues early, reinforce accountability, and build decision agility so teams can adapt without losing focus. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris talks with Felicia Shakiba, Founder and CEO of CPO Playbook, about leadership risk and value creation in private equity-backed companies. She shares common concerns investors have after deals close, how ownership mindset and decision agility drive performance, and the key questions founders should address before entering the boardroom.

    1h 19m

  7. 11/18/2025

    The Foundation for Scaling a Luxury DTC Brand (While Raising 3 Kids) With Lindsey Johnson

    Lindsey Johnson is the Co-founder and CEO of Weezie Towels, a modern luxury bath brand. As CEO, she leads the company's product development, customer experience, and brand vision. Lindsey began her career in finance, working for firms including Morgan Stanley and BlackRock before co-founding Weezie to address a gap in the towel market.  In this episode… Building a consumer brand today takes more than a clever idea; it demands clarity, discipline, and the willingness to swim against the current. Many founders chase rapid scale, but intentional growth often wins in the long run. How can you build an enduring business while staying true to your values? According to entrepreneur Lindsey Johnson, the answer lies in obsessing over product quality and listening closely to customers. She emphasizes validating a legitimate market gap before building your business, developing deep operational expertise, and growing sustainably rather than chasing flashy milestones. Lindsey highlights practices like rigorous customer surveys, disciplined spending, and systems that keep teams aligned on vision and accountability. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Lindsey Johnson, Co-founder and CEO of Weezie Towels, about intentional brand-building. Lindsey discusses shifting from finance to consumer goods, how she navigated early operational chaos, and tips for developing a disciplined growth philosophy.

    1h 19m

  8. 11/04/2025

    Telling Your Story is Evolving — How Truth and Persistence Built Pickle Juice Into a Global Brand

    Filip Keuppens is the CEO of The Pickle Juice Company, a functional beverage company known for its specialty sports hydration beverage, Pickle Juice®. Under his leadership, he scaled the company from $250,000 in annual revenue to over $10 million, turning it into a global, science-backed brand. Before The Pickle Juice Company, Filip held sales roles at major firms, including 20th Century Fox, Warner Home Video, and Kraft Heinz. In this episode… Building a brand that stands out in a saturated market isn't just about clever marketing or bold claims; it's about proving your worth through tangible results. How can you create something so authentic that your customers become your loudest advocates? According to consumer product growth and brand strategy veteran Filip Keuppens, building an authentic brand starts with truth, humility, and action. Instead of controlling the narrative, he advises leaders to let users experience the product and share honest feedback, even if it's negative. Additionally, showing up, listening, and leading by example is the foundation for lasting growth and team trust. Genuine credibility can't be bought; it's earned through consistency and transparency. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris welcomes Filip Keuppens, CEO of The Pickle Juice Company, to discuss building authentic brands through action and accountability. Filip shares how experiential marketing fuels sustainable growth, why staying humble helps scale culture, and what it means to lead with integrity.

    1h 21m
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About

This is Up Arrow Podcast where we feature successful people in the venture capital, B2B, and e-commerce industries as they discuss how entrepreneurs can improve their business and drive their profits to the next level.

Information

  • Creator
    William Harris
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Up Arrow Podcast (c) 2023
  • Show Website
    Up Arrow Podcast