The Growth Fire Kevin Hourigan

Scott Maroney is the President and Co-owner of Crazy Shirts, a t-shirt and clothing brand founded in Hawaii. In his role, Scott drives retail sales and profitability across the United States through creativity, exceptional customer service, and innovation. His 25-year journey in the retail industry includes experience at outlet shopping malls with Phillips-Van Heusen and operating 14 Champs Sports stores owned by Foot Locker. 
Scott specializes in retail management, training and development, visual merchandising, marketing, direct-to-consumer, ecommerce growth strategies, and running brick-and-mortar stores. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he served as the Chairman and board member of Retail Merchants of Hawaii from 2016 to 2018, was recognized as one of PBNs 40 under 40, and was named Retailer of the Year in 2019.
In this episode… In addition to fostering a sense of shared responsibility and accountability, resilient cultures inspire confidence among team members, preparing them to deal with crises. What can you learn from a company that’s leveraging resilience and impactful leadership for growth? 
For retail executive Scott Maroney, the hallmark of resilient leaders lies in their capability to create feelings of belonging in the workplace. He credits Crazy Shirts’ success to instilling loyalty and prioritizing employees during challenges and crises. Reflecting on the company’s response during fire outbreaks and the pandemic, he cites examples of team leaders who demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, going above and beyond to support employees and find new ways to retain them. Additionally, he highlights the importance of coming together and supporting each other during difficult times. Beyond the internal support system, Scott describes how the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) has supported Crazy Shirts during crises, providing a platform for members to share updates and encourage each other. 
In this latest installment of the Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Scott Maroney, the President and Co-owner of Crazy Shirts. Together, they discuss the importance of leadership, culture, and resilience in a retail business. Scott shares insights on retail management, training, and vertical company operations and his experience with YPO.

Laura Walmsley is the Chief Commercial Officer of Personify Health, the industry’s first personalized health platform delivering health plan administration, wellbeing solutions, and comprehensive health navigation. In this position, Laura spearheads the company’s commercial go-to-market strategy, with responsibility for all client-facing teams. With 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and account management, Laura has held executive roles at Fortune 500 and mid-market companies, deploying game-changing solutions. She thrives on growth and is passionate about empowering others.
In this episode… For forward-thinking brands, providing value to customers is central to delivering quality products and services. It requires an in-depth knowledge of your audience’s pain points and creating meaningful experiences for them. How can you leverage consumer-centric marketing to build a strong brand community and scale? 
Having navigated the health services industry for over two decades, sales expert Laura Walmsley maintains the value of strategic creativity in conveying your product’s value to potential customers. She has discovered that business growth occurs when you understand a buyer’s needs and match solutions to them rather than trying to sell a product or service. Additionally, Laura prioritizes nurturing relationships with existing clients through data insights and recommendations, an approach that increased her company’s sales by 40% in a year. A winning marketing strategy entails balancing client needs with market trends and developing solutions that position your brand as a long-term partner. 
In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan hosts Laura Walmsley, the Chief Commercial Officer of Personify Health, to discuss value-added marketing, leadership, and mentorship. Laura emphasizes creating diverse experiences for buyers, developing solutions for existing customers, and adapting creative marketing strategies to generate leads. She also shares her versatile career arc, the power of mentorship, and how she built her leadership skills. 

Lisa Martin is the Chief Revenue Officer at 8x8, a company that unifies customer engagement and communications across organizations with a single, all-in-one platform. In this role, Lisa drives and maximizes revenue growth, oversees sales strategies, and manages a global team. With a robust sales background in the technology and communication sectors, she has consistently delivered double-digit year-over-year growth by leading global teams effectively. Lisa's tenure as VP of Flex North America, Willow, and Genesys showcases her ability to navigate complex market landscapes and drive impactful results.
In this episode… Effective sales strategies are the lifeblood of successful businesses, offering a roadmap for engaging customers, driving revenue, and fostering growth. With a keen understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior, businesses can tailor their approaches to meet evolving needs and preferences. How can you leverage these insights and solutions to elevate your sales strategies and achieve success?
After transitioning from a sales engineer to a representative, sales leader Lisa Martin discovered she needed to develop soft skills to communicate with customers. She notes that consumers are often wary of salespeople trying to upsell or deceive them, so you must identify your customers’ needs and provide solutions to help them achieve business outcomes and solve problems. Becoming acquainted with your prospects on a personal and professional level fosters connection and trust, making them feel at ease with the interaction. You can also leverage visual technology and automation tools to streamline and enhance the experience. 
In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan hosts Lisa Martin, the Chief Revenue Officer at 8x8, to talk about sales strategies, insights, and innovations. Lisa discusses 8x8’s target audience, their go-to-market strategy, and how to propose your solution to prospects effectively.

Jason Mandel is the Founder and CEO of Mandel Family Office, a firm dedicated to providing comprehensive financial services to high-net-worth individuals and families. As a Wall Street insider and private financial advisor, he has held senior positions at the LeFrak Organization, D.E. Shaw, and Cantor Fitzgerald. Jason has over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in financial services and risk management. Additionally, he is the President of Caretrust Financial and the author of DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Stop Wall Street Greed and Rising Taxes From Destroying Your Wealth.
In this episode… As the wealth management industry undergoes a significant evolution, traditional Wall Street ideologies are being challenged by a paradigm shift toward transparency and accountability.
Jason Mandel, a seasoned practitioner in this field, sheds light on this transformation through his book, DEMAND TRANSPARENCY. With a background steeped in the industry's evolution, Jason endorses the increasing demand for clarity and accountability that was once concealed in obscurity. Central to Jason's philosophy is his unwavering commitment to his clients' best interests. Going beyond conventional norms, he advocates for transparency and integrity, forging lasting relationships built on trust and mutual understanding.
In the newest episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan hosts Jason Mandel, Founder and CEO of Mandel Family Office. Jason delves into his passion for wealth building and unveils the motivation behind his book, DEMAND TRANSPARENCY. He also shares insights on cultivating client loyalty and provides a comprehensive breakdown of the wealth management industry.

Dean Mavrikos is the Channel Growth Manager at Kentico, a fully integrated digital experience platform (DXP). He started at the company as a Business Development Representative before becoming the Director of Business Development for North America, where he led hiring and training initiatives for a team of business development representatives. In 2023, Dean assumed the role of Channel Growth Manager, where he supports a diverse range of implementation partners throughout North America. Alongside his role at Kentico, Dean is actively involved in various industry initiatives and endeavors.
In this episode…  
In competitive sales, success hinges on resilience, adaptability, and an unrelenting dedication to excellence. However, beyond performance pressures, how do personal and professional growth contribute to a fulfilling and successful career?
Sales and business development leader Dean Mavrikos acknowledges the significance of upholding a healthy lifestyle and mindset, even in the face of rejection. Prioritizing self-care and well-being enables him to stay focused and energized when confronting challenges. Rather than letting setbacks deter him, Dean views them as opportunities to refine his sales skills and enhance his approach. Through consistent refinement and adaptation, he has transformed rejection into resilience, emerging from each setback stronger and more determined than before.
In this recent episode of The Growth Fire Podcast with Kevin Hourigan, Dean Mavrikos, Channel Growth Manager at Kentico, shares insights on the intersection of personal and professional growth in leadership. Dean discusses his journey into sales, strategies for overcoming rejection, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and mindset for success. 

Sofyan Almoayed is the CEO of Almoayed Investments, a versatile family business focused on real estate, travel technology, contracting, transportation, and F&B sectors. Additionally, he will assume the role of Global Chairman for 2024 and 2025. Almoayed Investments has been a beacon of success, consistently delivering value through its commitment to growth and diversification. Sofyan's leadership has propelled the company to thrive in MENA and North American markets, solidifying its position as a prominent player in various industries.
In this episode… Many YPO members view their membership as a strategic decision. Beyond expanding networks and enhancing business acumen, what additional benefits does joining this global leadership institution offer?
Through YPO forums, incoming YPO Global Chairman Sofyan Almoayed admits he’s gained valuable perspectives from fellow business leaders, enabling him to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities effectively. He attributes much of his leadership growth to forum interactions and discussions. One of Sofyan’s key takeaways has been the universal lessons he’s learned from these diverse perspectives. Regardless of your industry or geography, he emphasizes the importance of adaptability, resilience, and innovative thinking in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.
On the latest episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath hosts Sofyan Almoayed, CEO of Almoayed Investments, to explore the advantages of YPO membership. Sofyan shares insights on his motivation for joining YPO, its impact on his business acumen, and offers valuable leadership advice for C-suite executives.