Turning Pro Podcast

The founders. The pioneers. The dreamers. The pros. The Turning Pro Podcast is a weekly show hosted by Ben Sharf and Adrian Alfieri, filmed in New York City. It features top founders, entrepreneurs, and creators sharing real-time lessons on personal and business growth. #podcast #entrepreneur #career #advice #protips

Jordan Weitz, Co-Founder at Keychain, is our guest this week in episode 20 of season 2 of the pod. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dehxTHPT

Jordan Weitz, co-founder of Keychain, transformed his personal passion for consumer goods into a cutting-edge marketplace that bridges the gap between brands and manufacturers.

Jordan Weitz, co-founder of Keychain, transformed his personal passion for consumer goods into a cutting-edge marketplace that bridges the gap between brands and manufacturers. Today, Keychain offers an innovative platform that simplifies finding the right manufacturing partners, saving brands valuable time and resources. In this week’s episode, we discussed how he turned his fascination with consumer products into a marketplace connecting brands to manufacturers seamlessly. We also dive into: - Balancing Lifestyle with Startup Life - Struggling with Insomnia and Sleep Tips - Building a Team and Key Operational Strategies Season 2 of Turning Pro is delivered by ShipPlug and hosted by Ben Sharf and Adrian Alfieri. Full episode out now on all platforms: https://lnkd.in/dehxTHPT

Who would've thought having celiac would lead to this innovation? For this founder, it did. Jordan Weitz, co-founder of Keychain, fueled by his own experience with celiac disease became obsessed with the CPG space. Rightfully so, you have to be incredibly careful what you put in and on your body. And that means knowing which brands you can trust. But what no one does...is turn that into a successful business idea. Jordan identified a major gap in how brands find manufacturing partners during his obsession with the CPG space and turned it into an innovative platform that streamlines the connection between brands and manufacturers. Flash to creating Keychain, a marketplace designed to help brands find the best manufacturer for the product development needs. Working with brands like Dr. Pepper, Mars, Cadbury, Sonic, and thousands more, Jordan has built the world's largest CPG database with 1M+ products & 30K+ manufacturers. In this episode of Turning Pro Podcast, Jordan discusses how he used his expertise to build confidence and drive the company forward, his struggles with sleep, how he maintains balance, and how fitness has improved his quality of life. This season of the podcast is delivered to you by ShipPlug. They make shipping simpler and more cost-efficient. We breakdown… ➝ The celiac diagnoses that started it all ➝ How a cold DM started Keychain ➝ Jordan's journey of rapid growth and securing funding ➝ His battle with insomnia and sleep tips ➝ How how built his team ➝ Organic growth and SEO being major acquisition channels ➝ Getting comfortable with posting on social media And much more. Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eKnUkwdF

Building a business means taking control of your time, says Aaron Spivak in the latest episode. When you’re buried in emails and meetings, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals. Blocking out dedicated 'do-not-disturb' time each day could be a game-changer. Schedule uninterrupted time to work on what aligns with your vision. It’s a simple shift that makes all the difference. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dbJjZqdN

Here’s some fresh insight on scaling your vision and building a resilient team from Aaron Spivak: 1. Be the Visionary, Not the Operator: Step back from the day-to-day grind. Your focus? Setting a clear vision and empowering your team to execute it. Think delegation over micromanagement—let your people take the reins so you can steer the ship. 2. Right Person, Right Seat: It’s not just skill that counts; it’s energy and fit. Placing team members where they naturally excel and align with your mission? That’s where the magic happens. When someone’s “glowing” in the right role, the whole team feels it. 3. Purpose Alignment: Hiring isn’t just about filling a role. Look for those who see a piece of themselves in your mission. When personal goals align with company goals, that’s where passion and commitment thrive. Ultimately, prioritize culture and alignment alongside skills. With the right people in the right seats, you can scale sustainably without getting buried in every detail. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dbJjZqdN

The latest ep of the pod with Aaron Spivak is one of my favorites from this season. 🎧 Aaron, co-founder of Hush, sat down with Ben Sharf and me to talk about everything - from family and his entrepreneurial secrets to success to the moment that would end up steering his life in a whole new direction. When Hush's monthly revenue plummeted from $100,000 to almost nothing, Aaron and his co-founder were nearly ready to move on. Instead, they decided to call over 2,000 customers directly to find out what went wrong. Turns out, people loved the blankets, but there was one big issue: they were too hot to use year-round. That lightbulb moment sparked the idea for a cooling weighted blanket, something the market didn’t even have yet. With little cash to make it happen, Aaron and his team turned to Kickstarter, hoping for the best. And they got it. Raising $1.5 million in just 30 days, breaking records along the way. That one decision turned things around, and now Hush is a $50 million company. In this interview, we also reflect on: - Knowing the end game: Aaron’s approach to setting clear, detailed goals - Making success happen: It’s all in the details - Delegating like a pro: Finding the right people for the right roles - Mastering your cash flow: Know it inside and out Some key takeaways: Listen to Your Customers: Aaron didn’t just guess at the problem when faced with a steep drop in sales - he called his customers. Their feedback helped him realize the product's flaw and inspired the cooling weighted blanket, which became a game changer for Hush. Hush’s cooling blanket wasn’t just an improvement; it was a new category in the market. Aaron proved that innovation, even under financial pressure, can lead to massive success if you’re willing to take risks. Persistence is More Important than Perfection: Aaron’s journey showed that building a business often involves setbacks and failures. But by persisting through challenges and refining the product, Hush was able to rebound and thrive. Momentum is Everything: Aaron stressed the importance of keeping energy high within the company. Whether it’s within your team or with your customers, momentum is contagious, and once it’s lost, it’s difficult to regain. Listen to the full episode here: YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eXM2GzsN Apple: https://lnkd.in/eHFUNf3s Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eF3x-j7m Big thanks to ShipPlug for joining us this season.

In the latest episode, Aaron Spivak shares the power of intentional manifestation. He talks about how vividly imagining the things he wanted - whether a car, a house, or even selling his business - helped him understand how he’d actually feel once he had them. By getting really specific and tuning into the emotions behind his desires, he could figure out if those things would genuinely make him happy. His big takeaway? Your thoughts and goals shape your reality, so it’s crucial to be intentional about what you focus on and make sure it truly aligns with what brings you joy and fulfillment. https://lnkd.in/dbJjZqdN

When faced with a steep drop in sales, Aaron Spivak didn’t just guess at the problem - he called his customers. Their feedback helped him realize the product's flaw and inspired the cooling weighted blanket, which became a game changer for Hush. ❄ Hush’s cooling blanket wasn’t just an improvement, it was a new category in the market. Aaron proved that innovation, even under financial pressure, can lead to massive success if you’re willing to take risks. https://lnkd.in/dbJjZqdN