Drinks and Deals

Assad Quraishi
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Pour a drink and pull up a chair — these are the stories behind the deals. Drinks & Deals is the candid podcast where business developers swap real-world lessons, hard-won victories, and the occasional detour from the field. No buzzwords, no corporate speak — just honest conversations about what it really takes to build relationships, close deals, and keep moving forward. Hosted by Assad Q., each 20-minute episode cuts through the noise with true stories, smart tactics, and unfiltered advice from the people actually doing the work. Whether you’re early in your business development career

  1. 12/24/2025

    Episode 27 – David Bossin-Hardy – Luck, Opportunity, and Building a Career You Believe In

    We wrap up this three-part series with a powerful discussion on luck, opportunity, resilience, and long-game business development. David shares the story behind how he landed at JALI, why timing matters, and how saying yes to the right opportunities can change the trajectory of your life. We talk about product belief, handling rejection with a clear head, using customer feedback to improve, and why every deal still requires real effort—even when you have a marquee client like Cyberpunk 2077 on your résumé. David also shares one of my favorite stories: how JALI helped a small indie studio bring their narrative vision to life. It’s the perfect reminder of why this work matters. This final episode ties together the mindset, grit, and curiosity needed to grow in BD and create a career you’re proud of. Where to Connect with DavidLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/⁠ Website: ⁠https://jaliresearch.com/⁠ Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn:⁠ Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn ⁠Websites:⁠ QS Consulting  ⁠Music Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

    45 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    Episode 26 – David Bossin-Hardy – Why Authentic People Make the Best Dealmakers

    In part two of our conversation, David and I unpack why so many exceptional business development leaders start their careers outside of traditional sales roles. David explains how authenticity builds trust, why the “slick salesperson” model is outdated, and how relationship-first selling drives long-term success in the gaming and tech industries. We explore how being yourself—not a template—creates genuine connection. David shares insights on conference behavior (including how to stop badge-scanning), the value of sincerity, and how small gestures like handwritten notes can create meaningful moments that set you apart. This episode is filled with real, field-tested advice for becoming the kind of BD professional people actually want to work with. Where to Connect with DavidLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/⁠ Website: ⁠https://jaliresearch.com/⁠ Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn:⁠ Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn ⁠Websites:⁠ QS Consulting  ⁠Music Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

    18 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    Episode 25 – David Bossin-Hardy – How Restaurants Created a World-Class Biz Dev Leader

    In this first part of our three-episode series, David Bossin-Hardy shares the unexpected path that led him from restaurants and bartending to becoming Director of Sales and Partnerships at JALI Research, one of the most innovative facial-animation companies in the industry. David breaks down how customer service, expectation management, and reading people in real time shaped his entire approach to business development. We talk about why the best BD professionals often come from nontraditional backgrounds, how to “own the table,” and how the skills he learned in hospitality directly translate to building trust, managing deals, and guiding clients through complex decisions. If you’ve ever wondered how to take your everyday experiences and turn them into elite business development instincts, this episode sets the stage beautifully. Where to Connect with David LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/Website: https://jaliresearch.com/ Contact Info for AssadLinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedInWebsites: QS ConsultingMusic CreditMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

    17 min
  4. Episode 24 – Rabia Dincer – How Curiosity, Empathy, and Real Conversations Drive Better Partnerships

    12/03/2025

    Episode 24 – Rabia Dincer – How Curiosity, Empathy, and Real Conversations Drive Better Partnerships

    In this episode of Drinks & Deals, recorded live at MIGS, Assad sits down with Rabia Dincer, Partnerships Manager at CrazyGames, to unpack what authentic business development looks like when you strip away the pitch deck polish. Rabia shares her unconventional journey into BD, the early challenges of being the only woman in a male-dominated company, and how learning to advocate for herself reshaped both her confidence and her approach to partnerships. The conversation dives into Rabia’s operating philosophy: keep messages short, make them personal, avoid ego-driven outreach, and “sell the way you would want to be sold to.” She breaks down how listening, empathy, and curiosity consistently outperform clever scripts. Assad and Rabia also explore the emotional realities of BD — burnout, travel fatigue, and protecting your energy — along with practical insights on understanding your ICP, spotting real prospect needs, and crafting outreach that resonates. If you work in partnerships, sales, or business development, this episode gives you a grounded, human look at how top performers build trust, stay curious, and create opportunities through genuine connection. business developmentpartnershipsCrazyGamessales outreachempathy in salesgaming industry BDwomen in techMIGSclient relationshipscuriosity-driven selling Where to Connect with Rabia Dincer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdincer/Website: https://www.crazygames.com/Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assad-quraishi/Websites: QS Consulting & XP GamingMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay Music Credit

    22 min
  5. Episode 23 – Ethan Cossio – Bridging East and West in International Business Development

    11/26/2025

    Episode 23 – Ethan Cossio – Bridging East and West in International Business Development

    In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad sits down with Ethan Cossio — Level Designer, Biz Dev professional, and international bridge-builder between East Asian and Western markets. Ethan shares how a single trip to GDC set him on a path to connecting with creators, studios, and business leaders across China, Korea, and Japan. This conversation dives into the real nuances of international BD: cultural expectations, etiquette differences, relationship-building in Asia, and how authenticity can make or break a deal. Ethan also explores the importance of networking aggressively before traveling, respecting cultural norms (like Japan’s business card etiquette), and understanding the long-game relationship mindset common in East Asia. Whether you’re entering a new market, trying to collaborate with partners overseas, or simply want to learn how to navigate cross-cultural business with confidence, this episode delivers practical, real-world insight from someone living it. Where to Connect with Ethan Cossio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethancossio/Website: https://alkemilabz.com/ Contact Info for AssadLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assadquraishi/Websites:QS Consulting: https://qsconsulting.infoMusic CreditMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay international businesscross-cultural BDEast Asia partnershipsJapan business etiquetteKorea business cultureChina networkingglobal BD strategyrelationship buildingbusiness development podcastDrinks and Deals

    26 min
  6. Episode 22 – Joseph Fontana – The Ted Lasso of Sales: Authenticity, Burnout, and Building Back Better

    11/12/2025

    Episode 22 – Joseph Fontana – The Ted Lasso of Sales: Authenticity, Burnout, and Building Back Better

    After 30 years in sales leadership, Joseph Fontana stepped away to recharge, rediscover himself, and redefine what success really means. In this candid conversation, Joe and Assad dive deep into the realities of modern sales — the grind, the burnout, and the transformation that happens when you finally stop playing a role and start selling as your authentic self. From the aggressive 90s cold-call culture to today’s relationship-driven selling, Joe shares how sales has evolved into a mix of art and science, why every seller needs a mentor or coach, and how tools like AI or automation can never replace human connection. He also opens up about how over 1 billion in revenue and 155,000 hours of talk time taught him one lesson above all: tech should replace nothing but time. If you’ve ever wrestled with burnout, imposter syndrome, or the pressure to always perform, this episode will remind you that great sellers aren’t machines — they’re humans who care, connect, and keep learning. sales authenticity, burnout recovery, mentorship, sales leadership, B2B sales, human selling, sales coaching, automation in sales, work-life balance, sales mindsetWhere to Connect with Joseph Fontana LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-fontana75/Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedInWebsites: QS ConsultingMusic Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

    40 min
  7. Episode 21 – Dylan Lavis – How to Win at Conferences Without Burning Out

    11/05/2025

    Episode 21 – Dylan Lavis – How to Win at Conferences Without Burning Out

    In this episode of Drinks & Deals, host Assad Quraishi sits down with Dylan Lavis, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Paragon Interactive, to unpack how to make conferences actually pay off. From his early days managing trade shows to leading BD at Forbes and now co-developing games at Paragon, Dylan shares real strategies for preparing, performing, and following up after events. You’ll learn how to plan your conference calendar like a pro, create memorable connections, and measure ROI in long B2B cycles — all without losing your sanity. Expect a refreshingly human conversation about diligence, humility, and the power of strong personal foundations. Whether you’re attending GDC, MIGS, or your next local networking event, this episode will change how you think about conferences forever. Conferences, Business Development, Networking, Sales Strategy, ROI, Paragon Interactive, Forbes, B2B Marketing, Game Industry, Leadership Where to Connect with Dylan Lavis LinkedIn: Dylan LavisWebsite: paragoninteractive.io Contact Info for AssadLinkedIn: Assad QuraishiWebsites: QS Consulting | XP Gaming Music CreditMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

    35 min
  8. Episode 20 – Calson Sheng – Building Partnerships That Actually Move the Business Forward

    10/29/2025

    Episode 20 – Calson Sheng – Building Partnerships That Actually Move the Business Forward

    In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad Quraishi sits down with Calson Sheng, a serial entrepreneur and former Next 36 fellow, to talk about what every founder eventually learns the hard way: success isn’t just about ideas—it’s about partnerships. Calson shares lessons from building startups across AI, SaaS, and Web3, and how his latest project aims to transform financial operations for nursing homes. The conversation dives into deal-making, audience scoping, and how understanding industry-specific workflows can make or break your go-to-market strategy. He also discusses the art of outreach, the reality of cold calls, and why relationship building is the only true moat in today’s B2B world. Whether you’re launching your first product or refining your pitch, this episode offers clear, grounded advice on building something that lasts. Key takeaways: Identify the right pain point for the right audience. Narrow your focus — “everyone” is not your customer. Understand industry workflows before writing a single line of code. Don’t skip relationship-building — it’s your most defensible advantage. Founders should validate problems before building solutions. Entrepreneurship, startups, business development, B2B SaaS, partnerships, deal-making, audience targeting, cold calling, Next 36, relationship building Where to Connect with Calson Sheng LinkedIn: Calson Sheng on LinkedIn Website: Coming soon – follow Calson on LinkedIn for updates.Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn Websites: QS Consulting Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

    27 min
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About

Pour a drink and pull up a chair — these are the stories behind the deals. Drinks & Deals is the candid podcast where business developers swap real-world lessons, hard-won victories, and the occasional detour from the field. No buzzwords, no corporate speak — just honest conversations about what it really takes to build relationships, close deals, and keep moving forward. Hosted by Assad Q., each 20-minute episode cuts through the noise with true stories, smart tactics, and unfiltered advice from the people actually doing the work. Whether you’re early in your business development career

Information

  • Creator
    Assad Quraishi
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Assad Quraishi
  • Show Website
    Drinks and Deals