In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine Bertsch speaks with Sabir Semerkant, founder of Growth by Sabir and a leading voice in e-commerce strategy. Sabir shares his unlikely path from childhood coder to e-commerce consultant, unpacking how data, consumer psychology, and a relentless focus on optimization drive sustainable business growth.

He dives into the importance of foundational business principles, the impact of AI on marketing and consumer behavior, and why passion and adaptability are critical for modern entrepreneurs. Sabir also introduces his Rapid2X framework—a strategic model designed to help e-commerce businesses accelerate growth by focusing on eight core dimensions.

Don't miss an episode of Turning Point! Subscribe, follow, and like for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Connect with Sabir at linkedin.com/in/sabirsemerkant

Learn more about Growth by Sabir at growthbysabir.com

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dv0ArqumIkQ

Turning Point is produced by:

Dryrun: Forecasting Software for the CFO that Models Everything from Cash Flow to Complex Scenarios

dryrun.com

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From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

dryrun.com

In this episode, Blaine Bertsch sits down with entrepreneur Kirstin Carey to unpack her journey through marketing, public speaking, the restaurant industry, and the wellness space. From launching gluten-free restaurants to creating a wellness program focused on reversing autoimmune conditions, Kirsten shares the highs and lows of building businesses driven by both passion and purpose.

She discusses the emotional psychology behind sales, the value of hiring the right people, and the importance of intuition and adaptability in entrepreneurship. This conversation offers real-world lessons for anyone navigating growth, burnout, and the drive to build something meaningful.

Don't miss an episode of Turning Point! Subscribe, follow, and like for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Connect with Kirstin: linkedin.com/in/kirstincarey

Learn more about Evolve Sales Consulting at evolveminded.com

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0OKg45FdF1U

Turning Point is produced by:

Dryrun: Forecasting Software for the CFO that Models Everything from Cash Flow to Complex Scenarios

dryrun.com

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories #Dryrun

From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

dryrun.com

In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Eli Portnoy to explore his candid and compelling journey through multiple startups. From launching his first venture in college to leading companies like Sense360 and BackEngine, Eli shares hard-won lessons on the importance of timing, resilience, and the power of customer insight.

He opens up about the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, the challenge of burnout, and how learning to gather and act on customer feedback systematically became a turning point in his success. This conversation is a masterclass in navigating the highs and lows of startup life with humility, clarity, and grit.

Don't miss an episode of Turning Point! Subscribe, follow, and like for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about BackEngine at BackEngine.ai

Connect withEli at linkedin.com/in/eliportnoy

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M6H_52YOTDM

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories

From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

dryrun.com

In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Adam Nathan, CEO of Blaze, to explore the mindset, experiences, and strategies that have shaped his entrepreneurial path.

Adam shares lessons from his time at Apple and within government administration, revealing how a deep understanding of human needs and societal challenges has guided his approach to startups. He dives into the importance of structured business planning, rigorous market testing, and finding true product-market fit, not just chasing ideas.

Adam also introduces his company, Blaze, an AI-powered marketing platform designed to give small businesses a competitive edge. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the emotional highs and lows of building a company and emphasizes why solving meaningful problems is the heart of sustainable growth.

Don't miss an episode of Turning Point! Subscribe, follow, and like for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about Blaze at blaze.ai

Connect with Adam at linkedin.com/in/adampnathan

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Get Blaze CEO Adam Nathan's cheat codes to building and growing a $150M company in your inbox every week with Startup Tycoon. Powered by Adam's experience shipping product to millions, raising $46M, and hyperscaling to $7M+ in revenue in 15 months with only 25 people.

Subscribe at startuptycoon.com

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qrpvqSfSA6A

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories

From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

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In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine sits down with Ken McKenzie, founder and CEO of Fresh Victor premium mixers, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from co-founding Republic Tequila to revolutionizing the cocktail mixer market.

Ken shares insights on the evolution of the tequila industry, the role of personal relationships in business success, and the challenges of funding and scaling a new venture. The conversation explores the balance between convenience and quality in the beverage space, the importance of using fresh ingredients, and the growing demand for premium cocktail experiences. Ken’s story highlights the persistence, validation, and passion required to innovate in a competitive market.

Tune in to gain insight into maintaining personal growth, engaging in creative outlets, and building long-term success through collaboration, execution, and patience.

Don't miss an episode of Turning Point! Subscribe, follow, and like for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R3cRmYaBjEg

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about Fresh Victor at freshvictor.com

Connect with Ken at linkedin.com/in/ken-mackenzie-a6742646

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories

From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

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In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine interviews Borja Cuan, Co-Founder of Four15 Digital, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the foundational lessons that have shaped his career. From selling golf balls as a child to leading a successful digital marketing agency, Borja shares insights on mentorship, networking, and the operational strategies needed to build a thriving business.

He emphasizes the importance of identifying market gaps, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and cultivating strong business relationships. Blaine and Borja also explore the challenges of scaling a company, the balance between client expectations and employee well-being, and the role of company culture in sustaining long-term success.

Don't miss an episode of Turning Point! Subscribe, follow, and like for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KUHRBWC7fCo

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about Four15 Digital at four15digital.com

Connect with Borja at www.linkedin.com/in/borjacuan

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories

From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

dryrun.com

In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine chats with Robert Grazioli, the Managing Partner of Bread, a Brooklyn-based Digital Agency. They dive into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, highlighting the unique challenges and growth opportunities founders face—especially those transitioning from service-based businesses to product development. They explore key topics such as overcoming imposter syndrome, leveraging customer feedback, and the critical mindset shift needed to succeed in new ventures.

The conversation uncovers the often unexpected path entrepreneurs take, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes, balancing mental health, and fostering strong relationships. They discuss how venture capital can influence decision-making, the essential role of engineering in product development, and the value of persistence and conviction.

Tune in to gain insight into maintaining personal growth, engaging in creative outlets, and building long-term success through collaboration, execution, and patience.

Don't miss an episode of Turning Point! Subscribe, follow, and like for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dRJxsdOXOlE

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about Bread at madebybread.com

Connect with Robert at linkedin.com/in/robert-j-grazioli

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories

From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

dryrun.com

In this episode of Turning Point, Eric Hui, founder of Terracea, shares his journey from corporate life to creating a cold-weather outdoor apparel brand. He discusses identifying market gaps, the challenges of product development, and the importance of funding through platforms like Kickstarter.

Eric reflects on the resilience needed to overcome setbacks, the shift from wholesale to a direct-to-consumer model, and the impact of cash flow management and seasonality on business strategy. He emphasizes the power of branding, storytelling, and audience building in a competitive market, sharing valuable lessons on perseverance, adaptability, and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe, follow, and like "Turning Point" for actionable insights and lessons from those who have successfully navigated the complexities of building a business.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cX19hcnlU00

Listen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about Terracea and connect with Eric at Terrracea.com

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories

From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act.

dryrun.com