The Growth Fire Kevin Hourigan

Greg Selkoe is the Co-founder and CEO of XSET, an esports lifestyle gaming brand. Renowned for his pioneering contributions to e-commerce, entertainment, and esports, he previously founded the Boston streetwear company Karmaloop, driving it to over a billion in lifetime revenue. He also served as the President of FaZe Clan, boosting its revenue to $400 million before exiting. 
An alumnus of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and Y Combinator, Greg has been honored as Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, one of Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, and a Summit Series Top 35 Entrepreneurs under 35.
In this episode… What does it take to revolutionize an industry not once but multiple times? How do industry pioneers turn creative concepts into lucrative ventures that resonate across generations?
Greg Selkoe, a trailblazing business leader, transformed his passion for lifestyle brands into highly successful entrepreneurial ventures. From his pioneering e-commerce success with Karmaloop to his instrumental leadership at FaZe Clan and the evolution of his new venture XSET, Greg’s story highlights an unrelenting pursuit of innovation. By focusing on content and celebrity partnerships, XSET has grown rapidly, creating a community-centered brand that merges gaming and lifestyle. He emphasizes the value of resilience, pivoting, and mentorship, drawing from experiences with impactful mentors. Through his revolutionary approach, Greg redefines industry boundaries, making significant strides in gaming and fashion.
In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Greg Selkoe, the Co-founder and CEO of XSET, to discuss the art of pivoting in entrepreneurship. Greg shares his remarkable journey, from a creative kid with learning disabilities to a widely recognized fashion industry pioneer. He highlights the role of audience-building in XSET’s development, the power of content in driving business growth, and how philanthropic work fosters a positive company culture.

Rick Torrison is a transformational leader and growth catalyst with over 25 years of experience in personal growth and team building. As a certified Executive Director of The John Maxwell Team, he is qualified to facilitate, speak, train, and coach individuals and groups in leadership development, professional skills, and personal growth. Additionally, Rick specializes in communication and conflict resolution training as a DISC facilitator and trainer. In January 2024, Rick published his first book, Born Limitless, which draws on his experiences of self-discovery and growth, empowering readers to crush limiting beliefs that hold them back. 
In this episode… Have you ever felt held back by unseen forces within yourself? Many people struggle with beliefs that shape and limit their lives. How can discovering and reframing these views unlock great personal and professional successes? 
With the belief that leadership is who we are and not what we do, Rick Torrison's self-discovery journey has been instrumental in his growth. As a coach and consultant, Rick emphasizes the importance of challenging limiting beliefs, which significantly impact our behaviors and outcomes. By addressing and overcoming these mental barriers, individuals can propel themselves forward, unlocking their full potential. Rick also advises seeking mentors in your industry to learn from their experiences and challenging the status quo in existing leadership practices to foster innovation.
In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Rick Torrison, a transformational leader and growth catalyst, to discuss the significance of cultivating a growth mindset to achieve personal growth and professional success. Rick shares his journey as a coach and consultant, highlights the significance of overcoming obstacles, and demonstrates how to create a roadmap to success.

Sharon Toerek is the Owner and Founder of Toerek Law, where she dedicates her practice to advising independent marketing and creative services agencies on protecting and monetizing their intellectual capital. A marketing law attorney with extensive experience in copyright, trademark, and content protection, Sharon offers strategic counsel on licensing, brand protection, social media, and advertising compliance. 
She is a sought-after speaker at top industry events, including INBOUND, Content Marketing World, and MAGNET Global Agency Network, empowering professionals to recognize legal risks and uphold their rights. Recognized for her contributions, Sharon was inducted into The American Advertising Federation (AAF) Cleveland Hall of Fame in 2019, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in legal advocacy and community leadership.
In this episode… The rise of AI-generated content has sparked numerous legal and ethical concerns, prompting industry leaders to advocate for a nuanced understanding of ownership, liability, and legal implications. Although AI streamlines processes and enhances content quality, how can marketing and advertising agencies ensure brand protection?
With years of experience in intellectual property protection, Sharon Toerek has witnessed firsthand the challenges of recognizing legal issues and safeguarding creative assets. She underscores the need for agencies to grasp the legal landscape surrounding AI implementation, emphasizing its gradual evolution and the importance of regulations to safeguard brands. One of the central concerns revolves around determining ownership and copyright protection for AI-generated content. As agencies navigate this complex terrain, recognizing and appraising intellectual property, combined with a vast knowledge of industry dynamics, emerge as vital pillars for fostering growth, innovation, and legal compliance within the ever-evolving landscape of AI-driven creativity.
In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Sharon Toerek, the Owner and Founder of Toerek Law, to discuss AI-generated content ownership, liability, and legal implications. Sharon provides insights into copyright protection for AI-generated content, highlights the importance of human oversight in AI, and explores the potential for agencies to monetize their intellectual property.

Julia Fitzgerald is a seasoned marketing executive, board advisor, and author with over 20 years of experience in branding, digital transformation, and marketing strategies. Her expertise has consistently driven growth across various sectors, having served as the CMO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, the American Lung Association, and The AZEK Company, and as the Chief Digital Engagement Officer at Sears Holdings. A renowned public speaker on marketing and leadership, Julia is the author of Midsize, which shares success stories and strategies for marketing midsize firms.
In this episode… Leadership and marketing are intertwined disciplines that play crucial roles in shaping the success of organizations. Can resilient leadership, fueled by a commitment to lifelong learning, drive impactful marketing initiatives and propel organizations toward success in an ever-evolving landscape? 
Marketing executive Julia Fitzgerald sheds light on the essence of effective leadership and its intersection with marketing strategies. With over 20 years of experience leading marketing initiatives, Julia believes effective leadership requires a blend of creativity, strategic vision, and a willingness to embrace change. As AI emerges as a game-changer in marketing, Julia emphasizes the importance of discerning genuine innovations from mere trends. By staying abreast of industry shifts and leveraging emerging technologies, leaders can steer their organizations toward sustainable growth and relevance in a dynamic marketplace. 
In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan chats with Julia Fitzgerald, a seasoned marketing executive, about the intersection of leadership and marketing. They delve into Julia’s career trajectory, how industry leaders and mentors shaped her perception of the industry, marketing strategies for midsize companies, and leveraging emerging technologies efficiently.

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.