Conquering Complexity: Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

About Conquering Complexity: Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

🎙️ How Do I? — The Podcast for Ambitious Founders Ready to Scale Smarter Welcome to How Do I?, the podcast that tackles the real, raw, and sometimes messy questions founders face on the path to sustainable growth. Hosted by Matt Putra, seasoned Fractional CFO and strategic advisor to 8- and 9-figure brands, this show delivers hard-earned wisdom without the fluff. Each episode dives into a big question like: How do I scale without breaking my systems? How do I fix cash flow and still invest in growth? How do I align my leadership team to actually hit our goals? Whether you're building a CPG empire, scaling a service firm, or just trying to make payroll and progress, this podcast brings frameworks, real talk, and occasional guests who've been in the trenches. 👊 Straight answers. 📈 Strategic insight. 💥 No generic BS. Subscribe and join us every week as we break down the questions that keep high-growth entrepreneurs up at night—and give you tools to break through.

Publisher

Matt Putra

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Oct 2024

Latest episode

20 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Nov 2025

   How Do I… Turn Company Culture into a Growth Engine? w/ Emily Yueh

   How Do I… Turn Company Culture into a Growth Engine? w/ Emily Yueh Subtitle From outsider to industry leader: how authentic leadership and organizational “health” drive performance. Episode Overview In this episode of How Do I?, Matt Putra sits down with Emily Yueh, President at Sneex and former COO of David Yurman, where she led a 25% growth turnaround and international expansion. Drawing on 15 years as a McKinsey partner, Emily shares a rare, practical framework for transforming culture from a vague buzzword into a measurable business advantage. She breaks down how to identify when culture is capping growth, how to fix it, and how to scale teams globally without losing alignment or performance. If you’re a founder or executive looking to drive healthy, sustainable growth—this one’s for you. Emily Explains How to move from an outsider to an insider in leadership Why culture and organizational “health” directly impact performance The difference between compliance and true alignment How to measure cultural health beyond employee satisfaction What makes international expansion succeed or fail Why the best culture champions are always your top performers Timestamps 00:00 – Matt’s intro and why this conversation matters 01:30 – Emily’s journey from China to leading global brands 05:10 – How education and curiosity shaped her career path 10:40 – Lessons from 15 years at McKinsey 18:00 – Feeling like an outsider at the top 20:30 – Culture as a silent cap on growth 22:00 – How to diagnose “organizational health” 26:00 – Data-driven ways to assess team health 29:30 – Why satisfaction ≠ performance 31:00 – Designing the right interventions for culture change 34:00 – How to connect culture and profit 36:00 – Structuring teams for global expansion 38:30 – The balance between global consistency and local flexibility 41:00 – Corporate vs local decision-making 42:00 – Final reflections and how to reach Emily Follow Emily Yueh Website: sneex.com (https://sneex.com/) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilyyueh About Emily’s company Sneex is a leading luxury brand known for its commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and global growth. Under Emily Yueh’s leadership, the company focuses on building high-performing, resilient cultures that scale internationally without losing their creative edge. What Emily shared: Focus on organizational health as a measurable driver of performance Link culture initiatives directly to business outcomes Champion growth through authentic leadership and alignment About How Do I? The How Do I? Podcast gives you 60 minutes with industry experts who teach their expertise to eCommerce founders and business operators. Each episode centers on a single "How do I...?" question, providing actionable tactics you can implement immediately. Host: Matt Putra, Founder & CEO of Eightx Our Sponsors Eightx helps eCommerce, CPG, and SaaS companies scale profitably with expert CFO services and financial architecture. Founded by Matt Putra, Eightx specializes in cash flow optimization, financial planning, and strategic growth guidance for businesses between $5–80MM in annual revenue or venture-backed companies. Their team of experienced CFOs provides the knowledge and proven strategies that make scaling, growing, and lasting effortless. Services include: • Fractional CFO and financial leadership • Cash flow

2. 

   28 Oct 2025

   How Do I Build a Prospecting System That Scales? w/ Gabe Lullo

   How Do I Build a Prospecting System That Scales? w/ Gabe Lullo Episode Subtitle Turning cold calls into warm conversations: Gabe Lullo’s blueprint for scalable prospecting success. Episode Overview In this episode of How Do I?, host Matt Putra, Founder &amp; CEO of Eightx, sits down with Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alō, the world’s largest cold-calling firm. Gabe has built and scaled SDR teams for major brands like ZoomInfo, Peloton, and Microsoft, delivering over 11 million cold calls per year. He shares his proven frameworks for building prospecting systems that actually scale — including how to find the right audience, structure SDR compensation, and make cold calling effective in a digital-first world. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your outbound sales without burning cash or patience, this episode is your playbook. Gabe Explains How to identify and understand your ideal buyer before building your system Why cold calling still works — and how to make it scale The tech stack, data, and KPIs you need for predictable outbound success How to recruit, train, and motivate world-class SDR teams Why “prospecting is not a light switch” — and how long to give it before pivoting How to blend LinkedIn thought leadership with multi-touch outreach for real results Timestamps 00:00 – Matt introduces Gabe and Alō 02:10 – How Gabe got into sales at age 13 04:00 – The evolution of prospecting in 2025 and beyond 05:40 – Why LinkedIn is still the best B2B platform 07:00 – Cold calling vs. email: what really works 09:25 – How Gabe’s team makes 11 million cold calls a year 11:45 – Knowing your numbers and KPIs for fundraising and scaling 13:55 – How to incentivize SDRs and structure compensation 16:10 – The 3-stage hiring process for elite SDRs 18:30 – Why asynchronous video interviews reveal top performers 20:00 – The “bag of popcorn” analogy for consistent prospecting 22:30 – How long it really takes to see results 25:00 – When cold calling makes sense — and when it doesn’t 28:00 – Understanding ROI and ACV before scaling outbound 30:20 – Building multi-channel campaigns (calls, LinkedIn, email) 31:30 – Humanizing your outreach and standing out online 33:00 – Gabe’s offer for startups and how to connect with him Follow Gabe Follow Gabe Lullo Website: www.aloai.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gabelullo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabelullo) About Alō Alō is the world’s leading sales development and cold-calling agency, managing over 150 SDRs worldwide and generating millions of qualified leads for B2B companies. The firm provides end-to-end prospecting services — from data sourcing and messaging to full SDR enablement and management. What they offer: Fractional and fully managed SDR teams Cold-calling and multi-channel outbound systems Intent data and KPI-driven analytics Recruiting, onboarding, and SDR training frameworks Alō helps both startups and enterprise brands build scalable, high-performing outbound teams without the overhead of hiring in-house. About How Do I? The How Do I? Podcast gives you 60 minutes with industry experts who teach their expertise to eCommerce founders and business operators. Each episode centers on a single "How do I...?" question, providing actionable tactics you can implement immediately. Host: Matt Putra, Founder &amp; CEO of<a...

3. 

   2 Oct 2025

   How Do I Create a Supplement That Solves Men's Aging Joints Without Looking Like a Beauty Product w/ Lennart Winqvist

   Episode Overview Lennart Winqvist, CEO and founder of Arctic Collagen, shares the two-year, half-million-dollar journey of creating a premium liquid marine collagen supplement specifically designed for men's aging joints. Drawing from his entrepreneurial background as founder of Socuza Corporation, Lennart explains how he transformed personal frustration with existing collagen products into a gender-agnostic solution that delivers 8,000mg of marine collagen in convenient, portable sachets. Joined by co-founders Jazan and Rayhan Winqvist, the team breaks down everything from product formulation and bioavailability science to packaging design and strategic market positioning for health-conscious male consumers. Lennart Explains ◽️ Why gender-agnostic packaging design is critical for men's supplement adoption and market success ◽️ How liquid marine collagen achieves up to 95% absorption versus 40% for powder supplements ◽️ The scientific rationale behind 8,000mg dosing combined with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C ◽️ Why wild-caught Norwegian cod scales produce superior collagen compared to bovine or Asian sources ◽️ The real timeline and investment required: two years and $500K from concept to market launch ◽️ How to navigate early retail opportunities like QVC and Target without destroying your emerging brand Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:22 The collagen journey begins 04:40 Creating supplements without scientific background 07:00 Solving men's joint pain perception problem 09:25 Recovery improvements at 39 versus 60 11:47 73-year-old tennis player's transformation story 13:59 Marine collagen versus bovine explained 16:24 The 8,000mg dosing research process 18:48 Bioavailability: liquid versus powder absorption rates 21:13 Cold processing preserves collagen efficacy 23:14 Finding the right food scientists 25:43 The real cost: half million dollars 27:54 The two-page flyer strategy 30:03 Building a multigenerational team advantage 32:27 Turning down QVC and Target deals 34:54 Social media and influencer challenges Follow Lennart Follow Lennart Winqvist Website: arcticcollagen.com (https://arcticcollagen.com/) LinkedIn: [Not provided in transcript] About Arctic Collagen Arctic Collagen is a premium liquid marine collagen supplement launched in 2024, specifically formulated to address joint pain and recovery while maintaining gender-agnostic appeal. The product delivers 8,000mg of hydrolyzed marine collagen sourced from wild-caught Norwegian cod scales, enhanced with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for optimal absorption. Each convenient sachet provides a honey-like texture that can be consumed directly or mixed into beverages and food. Key Features: Up to 95% bioavailability through cold-process liquidization Sustainably sourced from pristine Arctic waters Manufactured to EU standards in Norway, final production in Long Island, NY Available in strawberry and lemon flavors 14-day supply boxes with subscription options (20% discount + free nationwide shipping) Where to Purchase: Direct: arcticcollagen.com (https://arcticcollagen.com/) Amazon (recently launched) OneLavi.com (https://onelavi.com/) (health platform) <a href="https://medpaidmarket.com/" rel="noopener...

4. 

   25 Sept 2025

   How Do I Adapt My Culture to Support Neurodiverse Employees? w/ Shawn Johnston

   Episode Overview Shawn Johnston, founder and CEO of a 14-year-old agency, shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life and how it transformed his approach to building workplace culture. After discovering his own neurodivergence while supporting his son's diagnosis, Shawn rebuilt his entire company around neurodiversity-friendly practices. Now leading a team that's approximately one-third neurodiverse, he reveals the specific accommodations, communication strategies, and cultural shifts that not only support neurodivergent employees but create stronger, more productive teams for everyone. Shawn Explains • What neurodiversity actually is and the common misconceptions that harm inclusive hiring • How masking behaviors exhaust neurodivergent employees and why authenticity drives performance • The five key workplace accommodations that transform neurodivergent employee success • Why documentation and clear communication systems benefit all team members • How workplace trauma affects neurodivergent individuals and what leaders can do about it • The business advantages of building sensory-safe environments and flexible work structures Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to neurodiversity in workplace culture 02:07 Shawn's personal journey with late diagnosis 04:25 What neurodiversity actually means and includes 06:45 How neurodivergent brains process information differently 09:06 Understanding masking behaviors in professional settings 11:15 Common workplace challenges for neurodivergent employees 13:36 The hidden trauma of workplace misunderstanding 16:03 Debunking autism spectrum misconceptions 18:29 The "spiky profile" of neurodivergent strengths 20:49 Why "high functioning" labels are harmful 23:05 Masking behaviors and their emotional toll 25:29 Sensory overwhelm in traditional office environments 27:48 The connection between neurodiversity and PTSD 30:04 Addressing the "superpower" narrative around ADHD 32:20 Essential workplace accommodations for success 34:41 Creating effective documentation systems 36:58 Building sensory-safe work environments 39:13 Communication strategies that work for everyone 44:03 Front-loading information to reduce anxiety 46:27 What neurodiverse employees really want 48:51 Common mistakes to avoid with neurodivergent staff 51:10 Building naturally inclusive company culture 53:31 Organic growth of neurodiverse teams 55:54 Final advice for creating inclusive workplaces 58:13 Shawn's current projects and contact information Follow Shawn Follow Shawn Johnston: Website: refoundry.io LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shawn-johnston-w Email: shawn@refoundry.io About Shawn's Company Shawn runs a 14-year-old agency and is the founder of Refoundry, a low-code, seamless site builder for WordPress that helps agencies deliver digital projects faster and more efficiently. Refoundry is currently doing a pre-seed raise and showing strong early traction in the market. • Specializes in systems and process optimization for agencies • Built around neurodiversity-friendly practices from the ground up • Approximately one-third of the team is neurodivergent • Focus on clear documentation, flexible scheduling, and sensory accommodations • Proven track record of creating inclusive cultures that drive business growth For more information about Refoundry's SaaS platform, visit refoundry.io About How Do I? The How Do I? Podcast gives you 60 minutes with industry experts who teach their expertise to eCommerce founders and business operators. Each episode centers on a single "How do I...?" question, providing actionable tactics you can implement immediately. Host: Matt Putra, Founder &amp; CEO of

5. 

   16 Sept 2025

   How do I get real-time financials for my ecommerce business? w/Rafi Ganz

   Episode Overview In this deep-dive episode, Rafi Ganz, UK chartered accountant and Head of Partnerships at Finaloop, reveals how ecommerce businesses can eliminate financial blind spots and gain complete visibility into their operations. After leading global tax at a multi-billion dollar IT security firm and serving as director at PwC, Rafi now helps entrepreneurs transform their accounting from outdated monthly reports to real-time financial intelligence. If you're tired of making business decisions with stale data and want to join the brands seeing 25%+ EBITDA growth year-over-year, this conversation is essential listening. Rafi Explains Why ecommerce accounting is 20x more complex than traditional businesses and how this complexity creates opportunity The specific integrations and automations that deliver tax-ready financials updated multiple times per day How real-time financial visibility helps brands reduce OpEx margins by 5 percentage points on average The critical difference between proxy dashboards and actual reconciled financials for decision-making Why brands using real-time accounting see 25%+ year-over-year EBITDA improvements consistently The exact setup process to go from sign-up to live financials in under 48 hours Timestamps 00:01 – Opening discussion on ecommerce margin vulnerabilities 02:02 – Why accountants make unlikely tech innovators 04:13 – The failed AI experiments at Big Four firms 06:29 – From 80-person finance teams to streamlined solutions 08:48 – Why ecommerce accounting breeds unique complexity 11:10 – The clearing account nightmare most brands face 13:29 – Razor-thin margins demand real-time financial agility 15:46 – What "real-time" actually means in practice 18:06 – Automated loan document processing demonstration 20:13 – Democratizing financial literacy for founders 20:55 – Live system demonstration begins 23:16 – Three-way reconciliation for payment processors 25:41 – Automated transaction spreading and amortization 26:39 – KPI dashboard and SKU-level profitability analysis 28:59 – Industry benchmarking with real-time data 31:21 – Real-time inventory and COGS calculations 33:25 – FIFO inventory management and landed costs 35:47 – Mission control for financial data gaps 38:10 – Five-minute integration setup walkthrough 40:22 – Bank and payment processor connections 42:42 – Onboarding timeline and balance sheet setup 45:11 – Monthly maintenance time requirements 47:37 – The discipline effect of daily financial visibility 49:59 – Proven results across three-year cohort studies 52:18 – TikTok integration and future developments Follow Rafi Follow Rafi Ganz Website:finaloop.com (https://www.finaloop.com) Email: rafi.ganz@finaloop.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rafi-ganz-a23b1a5b (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafi-ganz-a23b1a5b/) About Rafi's Company Finaloop revolutionizes ecommerce financial management by combining AI-driven automation with expert accounting teams to deliver real-time, tax-ready financials. Unlike traditional accounting software that requires manual data entry and monthly reconciliation, Finaloop provides native integrations with...

6. 

   10 Sept 2025

   How Do I Make Money from My Thank You Page? w/ Ankita Verma

   Episode Overview This episode features Ankita Verma, CEO and co-founder of Pier39.ai, a revolutionary AI-powered platform that helps eCommerce brands monetize their thank you pages. With her background as Head of Product at Amazon AI and AWS, plus an MBA from Wharton, Ankita reveals exactly how to transform your post-checkout experience from a dead-end into a profit center. She breaks down how brands can earn up to $1 per order while rewarding customers with personalized offers, creating a win-win scenario that drives repeat purchases and customer loyalty. Ankita Explains Why less than 5% of retailers currently monetize their thank you pages effectively - The exact AI-powered system that personalizes offers to maximize customer engagement - How to earn $0.45-$1.00 per order through strategic post-checkout monetization - The 40-20-40 revenue split model that benefits brands, customers, and advertisers - Why 55-60% of customers return within 60 days using this approach - The 5-minute installation process that works with both Shopify and custom platforms Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to thank you page monetization 02:18 Ankita's background at Amazon AI and AWS 04:39 Live demo of Pier39.ai widget functionality 07:03 Revenue earning potential per order explanation 09:22 Installation process and Shopify App Store 11:43 Brand safety controls and offer selection 14:10 AI personalization engine and customer targeting 16:34 Advertiser onboarding and Pixel app setup 18:44 Additional placement options beyond thank you pages Follow Ankita Verma: Website: pier39.ai (http://pier39.ai) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ankita-pier39ai (http://linkedin.com/in/ankita-pier39ai) About Ankita's Company Pier39.ai revolutionizes post-checkout monetization by turning thank you pages into revenue-generating growth engines. The platform uses AI-powered personalization to display relevant sponsored offers from over 150+ partner brands, helping eCommerce stores earn additional revenue while rewarding customers with valuable discounts. Pier39 (https://www.pier39.ai/)Pier39.ai Blog (https://blog.pier39.ai/posts/top-strategies-for-post-purchase-monetization) The company launched in October 2023 and has already demonstrated significant results, with brands earning up to $100,000 in additional revenue per 100,000 orders. Customers receive an average of $22 in store credit per offer conversion, with 55-60% returning to shop again within 60 days. Top Strategies for Post-Purchase Monetization | Pier39.ai Blog | Pier39.ai Blog (https://blog.pier39.ai/posts/top-strategies-for-post-purchase-monetization) Special Offer: Pier39.ai offers a completely free setup process that takes just 5 minutes to implement. The platform operates on a revenue-sharing model where brands keep 40% of advertising revenue, Pier39.ai takes 40%, and 20% is allocated to customer rewards. (https://www.pier39.ai/)Pier39.ai (http://pier39.ai) About How Do I? The How Do I? Podcast gives you 60 minutes with industry experts who teach their expertise to eCommerce founders and business operators. Each episode centers on a single "How do I...?" question, providing actionable tactics you can implement immediately. Host: Matt Putra, Founder &amp; CEO of Eightx Our Sponsors **Eightx** helps eCommerce, CPG, and SaaS companies scale profitably with expert CFO services and financial architecture. Founded by Matt Putra,...

7. 

   22 Jul 2025

   How do I clean up a shitty cofounder relationship? w/ Ryan Vaughan

   Episode Overview This episode tackles one of the most critical challenges in startup leadership: repairing damaged co-founder relationships. Ryan Vaughn, executive coach and founder of Inside Out Leadership, brings his experience as a 3x serial entrepreneur and coach to over 100 founders worth $10+ billion in equity value. Having navigated co-founder tensions in each of his three companies, Ryan shares his proven "Clearing Conversation Framework" - a simple but challenging 3-step process that eliminates relational debt and restores open communication between business partners. Ryan Explains What relational "cruft" is and why it inevitably builds up between co-founders over time How withholding small grievances creates communication debt that destroys business performance The "speaking inarguably" technique to present facts without triggering defensiveness Why taking 100% responsibility is the key to unlocking change and preventing blame cycles How to identify your role in creating dysfunction using the "adjunct professor" exercise The complete 3-step Clearing Conversation Framework for rebuilding co-founder trust Timestamps 00:53 - Introduction and audio setup discussion 01:46 - Hampton community background and revenue criteria 03:09 - Co-founder relationship challenges overview 05:51 - Matt's podcast evolution and format 07:14 - Ryan's multi-faceted co-founder experience 08:22 - Defining relational "cruft" and communication debt 10:02 - Marriage comparison and inevitable relationship buildup 12:00 - Three-step clearing conversation framework introduction 13:18 - Step 1: Observing what's true 15:36 - Speaking inarguably technique explained 16:10 - Emotional literacy for leaders discussion 17:33 - Step 2A: Taking 100% responsibility 20:19 - The adjunct professor thought experiment 21:08 - Ego resistance to taking responsibility 23:38 - Step 2B: Acknowledging impact on others 25:23 - Step 3: Making commitments for change 25:53 - Why no apology is required 28:33 - Framework frequency and maintenance 30:07 - Implementation success rates and outcomes 31:34 - Inside Out Leadership introduction and contact Follow Ryan Vaughn: Website: leadinsideout.io LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryanhvaughn (http://linkedin.com/in/ryanhvaughn) About Ryan's Company Inside Out Leadership is a boutique executive coaching firm staffed entirely by post-exit founders who have transitioned into coaching. Founded by Ryan Vaughn after scaling and exiting VNN (a media company), the firm specializes in helping founders transform their companies into their masterpieces while stepping fully into their lives. Ryan's unique background includes founding and serving as CEO of three companies over 15 years, with experience raising venture capital, scaling operations, and navigating complex co-founder dynamics. The firm focuses on the personal growth process of startup leadership, working with founders at all scales on both individual development and organizational transformation. About How Do I? The How Do I? Podcast gives you 60 minutes with industry experts who teach their expertise to eCommerce founders and business operators. Each episode centers on a single "How do I...?" question, providing actionable tactics you can implement immediately. Host: Matt Putra, Founder &amp; CEO of Eightx Our Sponsors Eightx helps eCommerce, CPG, and SaaS companies scale profitably with expert CFO services and financial architecture. Founded by Matt Putra, Eightx specializes in cash flow optimization, financial planning, and strategic growth guidance for businesses between $5-80MM in annual revenue or venture-backed...

8. 

   16 Jul 2025

   How do I know what insurance I need? w/ Jeff Brewer

   Episode Overview Jeff Brewer, CEO of Cornerstone Insurance and a US Coast Guard veteran, breaks down everything you need to know about business insurance for eCommerce companies. With over 25 years of experience and licensed in all 50 states, Jeff explains how to select the right coverage, choose reliable agents, and avoid costly mistakes that could bankrupt your business. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic liability to cyber insurance, helping entrepreneurs protect their companies without overpaying for unnecessary coverage. Jeff Explains Why business insurance is like a compass - how it pools risk and protects against unintended consequences that could destroy your company The 5 essential types of commercial insurance - errors &amp; omissions, cyber liability, employment practices, general liability, and property coverage How to choose between captive vs. independent agents - and why shopping with 3-5 different agents can save you thousands The critical factors that affect insurance pricing - including industry type, revenue size, claims history, and coverage limits When to make a claim vs. paying out of pocket - strategic decisions that impact your future premiums and risk profile Red flags to avoid when selecting insurance partners - how to verify agent credentials and spot inadequate coverage Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and Jeff's Coast Guard background 02:20 - What is insurance and how it works 04:44 - Common insurance terms business owners need to know 07:00 - The bad stuff: events, losses, and claims 09:17 - Types of insurance explained 11:41 - Errors and omissions insurance deep dive 16:12 - Data and cyber liability coverage 21:19 - Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) 23:39 - Directors and officers insurance (D&amp;O) 25:29 - General liability and property insurance 28:21 - Workers compensation requirements 30:08 - What affects insurance pricing 32:29 - Compliance triggers and requirements 34:52 - How to choose the right insurance partner 42:29 - Captive vs. independent agents explained 46:59 - Tips for avoiding under-insurance 51:38 - Annual policy reviews and relationship building 53:32 - Cornerstone Insurance services overview 56:12 - Contact information and next steps Follow Jeff Follow Jeff Brewer Website: coveredbycornerstone.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffreyabrewer About Jeff's Company Cornerstone Insurance (operating as Integrity First Insurance) is a premier provider of commercial insurance solutions specializing in financial services, fintech, and regulated industries. Founded over 25 years ago, the company serves thousands of clients nationwide with expertise in complex compliance requirements and risk management. Jeff's team offers full market access across 14 different carriers, providing transparent pricing and coverage comparisons to help businesses make informed decisions. For podcast listeners, they offer dedicated agent support through Donna Talbot at D.Talbot@coveredbycornerstone.com or 888-846-4192. Services include: Errors &amp; omissions insurance for professional services Cyber liability coverage for data protection Employment practices liability insurance Directors and officers insurance General liability and property coverage Workers compensation insurance Transparent pricing across multiple carriers About How Do I? The How Do I? Podcast gives you

9. 

   10 Jul 2025

   How Do I Know If An Agency Is Good Or Not? w/ Natalie Kaminsky

   Episode Overview This episode tackles one of the most critical decisions eCommerce founders face: how to identify and select a quality agency partner. Natalie Kaminsky, CEO and co-founder of JetRockets, brings 15 years of software development agency experience to break down her proven framework for evaluating agencies. With JetRockets maintaining an impressive 99% project completion rate and serving clients from startups to enterprises like eBay, Natalie shares the insider knowledge that separates exceptional agencies from costly mistakes. Her multicultural background spanning Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and the US provides unique perspective on building successful agency partnerships that drive real business results. Natalie Explains Why agencies that say "yes" to everything are massive red flags - and what they should ask instead The business-first approach - how quality agencies focus on your goals before technical features Transparent communication standards - including team access and project involvement requirements Smart budgeting strategies - why being honest about budget leads to better solutions Reference checking tactics - the specific questions that reveal how agencies handle problems Partnership vs vendor mentality - what separates great agencies from order-takers Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:26 Do They Ask The Right Questions? 04:30 Focus On Business Goals, Not Features 06:28 Pushing Back On Bad Ideas 08:27 Handling Unqualified Client Requests 10:19 Real Example: Wellness Platform Redesign 11:57 Partnership Over Vendor Relationship 13:45 Transparent Communication Requirements 15:44 What Happens When Clients Go Missing 17:49 Meeting Your Development Team 19:56 Client Selection Process 21:48 Relevant Case Studies Matter 23:35 Industry Experience Requirements 25:32 B2B vs B2C Experience 27:41 No Over-Promising Policy 29:58 Budget Transparency Importance 31:59 Pricing Red Flags 33:26 Reference Checking Strategy 35:16 The Ultimate Reference Test 37:24 How Agencies Handle Problems 39:25 Building Long-Term Partnerships Follow Natalie Follow Natalie Kaminsky Website: jetrockets.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kaminskynat About Natalie's Company JetRockets is a full-service software development agency specializing in Ruby on Rails, React, and AI/ML solutions for eCommerce, healthcare, fintech, and enterprise clients. Founded in 2011, the company has grown to 75+ professionals with offices in New York and Georgia, maintaining a 99% project completion rate. JetRockets operates with a unique partnership approach, focusing on long-term client relationships rather than high-volume transactions. The agency offers comprehensive services including project planning, UX/UI design, development, testing, and maintenance, with hourly rates starting at $80. Their client roster includes major brands like eBay, and they specialize in helping startups and enterprises build custom web and mobile applications that drive business growth. About How Do I? The How Do I? Podcast gives you 60 minutes with industry experts who teach their expertise to eCommerce founders and business operators. Each episode centers on a single "How do I...?" question, providing actionable tactics you can implement immediately. Host: Matt Putra, Founder &amp; CEO of Eightx Our Sponsors Eightx helps eCommerce, CPG, and SaaS companies scale profitably with expert CFO services and financial architecture. Founded by Matt Putra, Eightx specializes in cash flow optimization, financial planning, and strategic growth guidance for businesses between $5-80MM in annual revenue or venture-backed companies. Their team of experienced CFOs provides the knowledge and proven...

10. 

    30 Jun 2025

    How Do I Track Real-Time Profits for My eCom Business?

    Matt Putra, Eightx CEO, details how eCommerce businesses can track daily profits using Google Sheets and API automation for smarter, faster scaling decisions in this interview.

11. 

    25 Jun 2025

    How Do I Know When to Fire Somebody and How Do I Do It? w/ Dave Sifry

    Veteran software entrepreneur Dave Sifry shares his framework for leaders to know when to fire someone, handle the conversation compassionately, and maintain business effectiveness in this interview.

12. 

    6 Dec 2024

    Conquering Complexity: Lusome Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

    Matt Putra interviews Lara Smith, CEO of Lusome Sleepwear, on conquering complexity and achieving sustainable growth through cost control, data-driven decision-making, and customer understanding.

13. 

    15 Nov 2024

    Conquering Complexity: WildBird Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

    WildBird co-founder Nate Gunn shares insights on evolving financial management, cash flow management, and effective supplier negotiations for sustainable business growth.

14. 

    1 Nov 2024

    Conquering Complexity: JIBE Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

    Steve Krueger, CEO of JIBE, shares insights on navigating financial complexities, embracing long-term thinking, and building a business around personal values for sustainable growth.

15. 

    18 Oct 2024

    Conquering Complexity: Get Fresh Ventures Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

    In this episode of 'Conquering Complexity, Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth', Matt Putra interviews Diraj Goel, founder of Get Fresh Ventures. They discuss the evolution of financial management, the importance of insights and data in business, and how to assess company growth and sales funnels. Diraj shares his experiences and strategies for navigating business challenges and achieving hyper growth for startups. Diraj's key takeaways are: Finance is often perceived as boring, but it is crucial for growth. Inertia in business processes can hinder progress. Understanding insights and data is essential for effective decision-making. Assessing a company's growth involves looking at cash flow and margins. Sales funnel analysis is key to understanding business performance. Cost savings can be achieved by re-engineering top-of-funnel activities. Predicting sales outcomes requires a deep understanding of the sales process. Root cause analysis helps identify flaws in business predictions. ROI for investment should be calculated at each stage of the funnel. Effective financial management is vital for startup success. Connect with Ian Diraj Goel on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diraj/). Connect with Matt Putra (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattputra/) Email me at matt@eightx.com (mailto:matt@eightx.com) to set up a conversation to discuss how you can break free from the cycle of reactive decision-making and regain control over your financial complexity, anticipate challenges, and build the systems that will support your growth.

16. 

    11 Oct 2024

    Conquering Complexity: Brushee Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

    In this conversation, Matt Putra speaks with Ian Rollin Berry, CEO or Brushee about his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of financial management in business, and the importance of building effective systems for growth. Ian shares insights on data-driven decision-making, competing in a competitive market, and his personal experiences that shaped his passion for entrepreneurship. The discussion also touches on the challenges of e-commerce, consumer feedback, and the influences that inspire Ian in his business endeavors. Here are his key takeaways: Initial focus on vanity metrics hindered business growth. Weekly cash flow reviews improved financial clarity. Aligning financial systems with business goals is crucial. Data should inform decisions, not overwhelm them. Competing in established markets requires patience and strategy. Creating tangible products is a rewarding experience. Consumer feedback is vital but can be slow to implement. Simplicity in business leads to better outcomes. Connect with Ian Rollin Berry on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianrollinberry/). Connect with Matt Putra (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattputra/) Email me at matt@eightx.com (mailto:matt@eightx.com) to set up a conversation to discuss how you can break free from the cycle of reactive decision-making and regain control over your financial complexity, anticipate challenges, and build the systems that will support your growth.

17. 

    4 Oct 2024

    Conquering Complexity: Salty Face Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Growth

    Matt Putra interviews David Menzel, co-founder of Salty Face, discussing the evolution of financial management in his business, the challenges of state taxes, and the importance of understanding customer needs. David shares insights on managing growth, balancing brand strategy with financial operations, and navigating regulations in the skincare industry. He reflects on cash flow management lessons learned and expresses a desire for financial freedom while emphasizing the significance of staying true to brand values and customer desires. His key takeaways are: Financial management has evolved significantly since the start. State taxes present unique challenges for foreign companies. Growth can lead to information overload and operational complexity. Balancing brand strategy with financial management is crucial. Navigating regulations is essential for skincare product development. Understanding customer needs is key to brand success. Cash flow management is a continuous learning process. Desire for financial freedom while maintaining brand integrity. E-commerce allows for control over brand narrative. Staying focused on core values helps in business growth. Contact David Menzel at david@saltyface.ca (mailto:david@saltyface.ca) and connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-menzel-b96a7693/). Connect with Matt Putra (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattputra/) Email me at matt@eightx.com (mailto:matt@eightx.com) to set up a conversation to discuss how you can break free from the cycle of reactive decision-making and regain control over your financial complexity, anticipate challenges, and build the systems that will support your growth.

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