Tea with Rich. Getting Real.

Thomas Obrey
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Two friends and former agency executives getting real, and talking about life, leadership, and family with business leaders and eCommerce industry visionaries, delivering a rare and raw look at the realities of delivering with excellence. Whether in life, or the office.

  1. Episode 25; Tea & Rich Shooting the Sh!t

    12/31/2025

    Episode 25; Tea & Rich Shooting the Sh!t

    This is our final cast of the year, with just Rich and I hanging out and shooting the sh!t on a bevy or topics like why he shaved his beard, ideas for our next few guests, the lack of competition in the commerce platform space, and things we continue to see and mentor for, that we wish we didn’t. For those that might not know us… the proper intro would be… In this engaging conversation, Thomas Obrey and Rich Lyons discuss personal transformations, the impact of masculinity on mental health, and the importance of self-care and personal growth. They reflect on their experiences with Movember (psst… Rich shaved his beard. See it here), fitness, and the challenges of navigating the business landscape. The discussion also delves into leadership, fear, and the significance of taking action without waiting for the perfect moment. Chapters 00:00 - Rich Shaved His Beard and Personal Reflections  08:19 - Men's Health and Masculinity Discussions 14:51 - Fitness Journey and Blood Work Insights 18:08 - Intermittent Fasting and Nutrition Choices 20:36 - Functional Health and Blood Testing 21:13 - Functional Patterns in Movement 32:05 - Commerce and Market Trends 38:43 - Agency and Brand Dynamics 43:11 - Reflections on post-COVID Commerce Stagnation  43:20 - The Role of Partners in Business 44:55 - Parenting and Family Dynamics 46:02 - Life Lessons from Children 48:06 - Setting Strategic Goals for 2026 52:49 - Facing Fears and Embracing Growth 56:42 - Leadership Insights for Aspiring Leaders 01:06 - Encouragement for Action and Self-Exploration Peace. -t ...

    1h 11m

  2. 11/26/2025

    Episode 24; Getting Real with Dave Barr of CQL

    Well well. If this isn't an epic episode of Tea with Rich, featuring Dave Barr of CQL... this is the literal OG's of Commerce Agencies episode on all things old, new, and all of a sudden being the old guys. In this engaging chat, Thomas Obrey, Rich Lyons, and Dave Barr start with an epic shooting the sh!t session, and then move into a real discussion on the evolving landscape of e-commerce, the challenges and insights of being a first-time CEO, and the impact of AI on the industry. We reflect on our experiences, the transition of CQL (a former DWRE partner) towards Shopify Enterprise, and the importance of adapting to new technologies while maintaining a focus on client relationships. The discussion also touches on some key personal reflections, from each of us, and a potential future for the e-commerce sector. The ToC: 00:00 - Introduction and Casual Banter 04:46 - Transitioning to CEO: Insights and Challenges 09:28 - CQL's Evolution Toward a Focus on Shopify 14:29 - Navigating E-commerce Transformations 19:14 - The Future of E-commerce and Brand Strategies 23:44 - Post-COVID Business Mentality 26:30 - Navigating Enterprise Complexity 29:04 - Shifting to a Shopify-Focused Agency 30:35 - Leadership Transition and Challenges 32:42 - The Private Equity Influence on Business 37:14 - Power in Partnerships, Strategic Acquisitions and Your Network 40:40 - And All of a Sudden Your the Old Guy 42:25 - AI and it's Influence in Agency's, Shopping and within Brands 49:54 - Golfing, Personal Growth and Balancing Work and Leisure 54:36 - Navigating my Sabbatical and Future Aspirations 01:00 - Industry Insights: E-commerce and AI Trends Peace. -t...

    1h 7m

  3. 11/04/2025

    Episode 23; Getting Real with Michael Janiak of Pattern

    In this engaging conversation, Thomas Obrey, Michael Janiak, and Rich Lyons discuss their experiences in the e-commerce and design industry, touching on collaboration, competition, and the evolution of design practices. They share insights on starting an agency, the impact of AI on design, and the importance of relationships in navigating challenges. The discussion highlights the changing landscape of e-commerce and the necessity of adapting to new technologies and concepts to address client needs.There is a ton of anecdotal story telling in here too - like the first time Mike and Tea met, in a nightclub, a true Digital Jesus moment. We also talk about Third and Grove snapping up Elva. Co-oppetition (?). And this idea of Experience Orchestration. Rich also goes into detail about his decision to sell Lyons, the process, and what was going through his head the entire time, pre-during-and-post Exit.Of course we talk Metallica, the first project Michael (Pattern) and Tea (PixelMEDIA) collaborated on. And how that collaboration put Metallica ahead of the content, commerce and LLM game. There’s dozens of stories in, on and around the serious topics. Too. This is def worth a full listen. -tChapters00:00 - Introduction and Personal Background02:56 - Collaboration with Competition within the Design Industry05:10 - Mike Reflects on his First Decade in the Agency Space 11:10 - Navigating the Early Days of Entrepreneurship14:32 - Building a Design-Driven Culture16:00 - Challenges of Bootstrapping a Business22:43 - Survivor Mentality in Business25:33 - Experience Design Opportunities in an AI World29:52 - Generative AI and Its Limitations from a ExD Perspective32:13 - AI as a the Ultimate Research Assistant and Pitch Partner37:23 - Navigating Industry Changes Post-COVID45:30 - Thoughts Around Entering the Third-era of eCommerce as a System48:20 - The Evolution of Product Pages and Everything being a Landing Page50:18 - The Idea of Real-time Experience and Intent Orchestration56:13 - The Race to LLMs - Content, Commerce, and Embracing Composable57:53 - Moving Toward Composable and Winning with Metallica01:01 - Hot Topic - Third and Grove Joins Forces with Elva01:04 - Do Acquisitions Creating Gaps or Opportunities in the Market01:07 - Rich Explains his Journey Through Growing, Selling, and Exiting 01:13 - The Struggles Behind Success That No One Talks About01:26 - Reflections on Life After a Successful Exit01:32 - Reflections on Success and Legacy Peace. -t ...

    1h 41m

  4. 10/09/2025

    Episode 22; Getting Real with Scott Stephens of Rate.com

    Back from our Summer break, Rich hand I invite a close personal friend, Scott Stephens, to the Podcast. While currently an executive at Rate.com, his career spans a stint at the first SPAM agency (90’s), and as the former COO of Playboy (2000’s), leading their first foray into digital transformation. In this conversation, we are completely unprofessional for most of the episode, with fits of seriousness as we talk about his role at Rate, and their goal of becoming a beacon for financial and health education. Before that however, we discuss his injuries from Pickleball, including knowing himself out and putting his head through a wall to win a point. We also go deep into micro-dosing, our culinary adventures, sharing humorous anecdotes about a potential cooking challenge built around Penne Alla Vodka. They also explore the intersection of food and romance, recounting how cooking has played a significant role in their relationships. The discussion takes a turn towards the professional realm as they reflect on Scott's extensive career at Playboy and the impact of the digital revolution on the brand. The episode is filled with laughter, camaraderie, a shared passion for food, and a good deal of ribbing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 02:13 Celebrating Rich's Book Launch 05:16 Pickleball injuries 06:58 The Infamous Tattoo Story  10:16 Micro-dosing and Mental Health 13:04 Transitioning to Fintech at Rate.com 16:00 Financial Literacy and Youth Education 21:41 Understanding Financial Literacy and Cash Flow 24:12 The Mortgage Market and Its Complexities 25:52 Real Estate vs. Stock Market: A Long-Term Perspective 29:41 The Emotional Value of Home Ownership 31:10 Generational Wealth and Family Assets 32:26 Creating Memories vs. Financial Investments 35:26 Culinary Adventures and Personal Connections 42:50 Tattoo Memories and Culinary Adventures 45:13 Cooking Techniques and Personal Recipes 47:45 Food and Romance: A Culinary Love Story 51:27 The Playboy Experience: Insights and Anecdotes 55:44 The Evolution of Online Content and Business Strategies Peace. -t ...

    1h 3m
  5. Episode 21; Getting Real with Marko Bon of Domaine

    06/19/2025

    Episode 21; Getting Real with Marko Bon of Domaine

    In this engaging conversation, Marko Bon shares his journey from the early days of e-commerce as a brand-side creative leader through to his transition to a leadership role in the agency world. He discusses the impact of fatherhood on his personal growth, the importance of information architecture in design, and the challenges of transitioning from brand side to agency life.  The discussion also delves into the role of data in design, the evolution of his roles at Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Theory and all the spaces in-between, and the complexities of navigating being looked at as more than a designer.  We then move into the founding of Tomorrow, a Shopify Agency, now known as Domaine, taking Private Equity, merging with their number one competitor, and the challenges that come with leadership in a diverse and rapidly growing practice.    Chapters 00:00 - Fatherhood Reflections: The Joys and Challenges 05:07 - Home Renovation: Crafting a Mid-Century Masterpiece 07:42 - Diving into Information Architecture: A Designer's Path 10:22 - The Role of Data in Design: A Turning Point 13:15 - Brand Side vs. Agency Side: Navigating the Landscape 18:50 - The Evolution of Retail: Challenges and Opportunities 25:01 - The Shift from Design to Leadership 27:35 - Finding Creative Outlets Beyond Design 28:59 - The Art of Storytelling in Presentations 31:10 - The Importance of Team Dynamics 34:11 - The Birth of the Tomorrow Agency 36:18 - From Product Concept to Agency Model 39:38 - Building a Successful Agency 41:36 - Leveraging Brand Experience in Agency Work 44:41 - Navigating the Private Equity Landscape 57:34 - Navigating Strategic Partnerships 01:00 - The Evolution of Leadership 01:03 - Cultivating Company Culture in a Remote World 01:04 - Transitioning from Expert to Manager 01:11 - Generational Perspectives in Leadership Peace. -t ...

    1h 17m
  6. Episode 20; Getting Real with Kim Georgeton, The Road to Becoming a CEO.

    05/30/2025

    Episode 20; Getting Real with Kim Georgeton, The Road to Becoming a CEO.

    In this week’s episode of Tea with Rich, we are joined by Kim Georgeton, the CEO of Cloudality, where she shares her extensive career journey from her early days at Amazon to her leadership role at Cloudality.  A few fun facts here on Kim, I think… (a) Kim was Amazon employee number 270-something, ish. Shhhh. I’m writing from memory. The facts are within the cast. (b) Kim was brought in to Amazon to pilot their first 150 SKU’s of gifting ideas, or non-books as I like to say. You know, to see if people would buy something other than reading materials. I think we all know how that turned out. (c) Faced with a possible layoff of 30+ people that reported into her, in a prior leadership role, she successfully negotiated a role for herself AND THE ENTIRE TEAM, at a new company, despite having other offers that would of benefited her more personally. As a new CEO, I’ve had a front row seat to her exceptional thought process and leadership style. She’s definitely one to watch. Her style is both direct and collaborative, backed by an Advisory Group that is a who’s who of professional services success. Chapters 00:00 - Personal Reflections on Family and Mother’s Day 03:21 - Early Days of E-commerce and Amazon's Growth 04:51 - Transitioning to Trade Global and Digital Marketing 07:57 - Leadership Dynamics and Business Evolution 11:17 - Career Transitions and Team Loyalty 16:21 - Leadership and Team Protection 19:31 - Navigating CEO Challenges 28:51 - Mentorship and Personal Inspiration 32:56 - Who Inspires You 34:53 - Leadership Lessons and Realizations 39:26 - The Emotional Burden of Leadership 48:51 - Navigating Capital and Growth Strategies 58:59 - Starting an Advisory Board Early in the Process Peace. -t ...

    1h 2m

  7. 05/05/2025

    Episode 19; Getting Real with Ethan Zohn, Winner of Survivor Africa

    On this weeks episode of Tea with Rich we welcome Ethan Zohn to the Podcast. Ethan is the winner of Survivor Africa, founder of Grassroots Soccer, a 2-time Cancer survivor, and motivational speaker.  We cover his personal and professional journey, including how we met, his role in public speaking, overcoming adversity, and key moments that forever changed his life.  We of course share insights from Ethan's experience as a Survivor winner and repeat contestant, his work with Grassroots Soccer, the emotional aspects of public speaking, and the evolution of reality TV.  The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling and connection in both personal and professional contexts. Ethan discusses his journey leading up to and getting on Survivor, the importance of using fame for good, and the challenges faced during and after the show.  We of course get personal, and share stories related to our travel adventures, the challenges of managing relationships and expectations, overcoming adversity and the lessons learned from difficult experiences.  We end with a few questions from Ethan around how Rich and I handle the idea of competition and building long-lasting alliances.  Chapters 00:00 - Introductions 03:00 - Friendship and Networking in the Industry 06:02 - Survivor Experience and Public Speaking 09:02 - Overcoming Adversity and Sharing Stories 11:58 - Emotional Aspects of Public Speaking 15:10 - The Evolution of Survivor 17:55 -  From Professional Soccer to Survivor Contestant 25:07 - The Tryout Process for Survivor 29:14 - Grassroots Soccer and Making a Difference 35:08 - Health Challenges and Survivor's Impact 39:14 - Future Reality Shows and Personal Reflections 48:56 - Life Milestones, Family Connections and Safari Goals 54:55 - Surprise Vacations and Planning 56:49 - Food Obsessions and Weight Management 01:01 - Overcoming Adversity and Life Lessons 01:04 - Charity Events and Personal Connections 01:13 - Competitive Spirit and Game Dynamics 01:14 - The Impact of Cancer Research 01:17 - Leadership Retreats and Team Building 01:20 - Business and Survivor: Relationships Matter 01:29 - Business and Survivor: Creating Alliances Peace. -t ...

    1h 37m

  8. 04/21/2025

    Episode 18; Getting Real with Erik Huberman of Hawke Media

    On this weeks drop of Tea with Rich we welcome Erik Huberman of Hawke Media to the Podcast, where we cover everything from personal updates to politics, origin stories, and the future of agencies.  Erik and the Hawke team continue to execute on an impressive acquisition strategy, so we delve into the importance of maintaining a positive company culture, his vision for the future of the agency - emphasizing growth and innovation, and looking for and grooming future leaders. On the personal side Erik touches on the influences from his family that shaped his personal and professional growth, emphasizing the significance of mentorship and the lessons learned along the way, and his own journey of entrepreneurship prior to Hawke. Chapters: 00:00 - Introductions, the Fallout from the LA Fires, and Catching Up 03:13 - Health and Wellness Journey 06:04 - Leadership and Business Growth 09:01 - Navigating Political and Economic Challenges 11:53 - Acquisition Strategy and Integration 15:09 - Vision for the Future 27:48 - Navigating Business Decisions and Market Changes 31:44 - Balancing Family Life and Entrepreneurship 37:10 - Raising Kids with Intentionality 40:43 - Lessons from Parenting and Personal Growth 48:01 - Influences from Family and Personal Development 55:04 - Mentorship and Professional Growth 56:53 - Building Relationships and Early Success 58:46 - Starting Over: Lessons from the Past 01:00 - Navigating the AI Landscape 01:02 - The Future of Agencies and Innovation 01:05 - Intent and Excellence in Business 01:10 - The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs 01:13 - Reflections on Selling a Business You can find Erik on all the usual channels folks - LinkedIn, IG, the family of Hawke companies. He's one to watch. Peace. -t …

    1h 15m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Two friends and former agency executives getting real, and talking about life, leadership, and family with business leaders and eCommerce industry visionaries, delivering a rare and raw look at the realities of delivering with excellence. Whether in life, or the office.

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