Jason Anderson is the COO of Andzen, a global customer journey and AI-powered CRM agency. In his role, he oversees operational execution and helps drive the agency's growth and client success across email, SMS, and loyalty programs. Jason has over a decade of experience in the e-commerce lifecycle and CRM marketing.

Scaling an e-commerce business can feel like combining tactics without experiencing momentum. Brands add more channels, push more messages, and chase efficiency metrics, yet retention stalls and growth plateaus. What separates brands that break through from those that remain stuck?

According to e-commerce retention expert and CRM strategist Jason Anderson, the difference lies in designing intentional customer journeys. He emphasizes valuing your work, attracting ideal customers — not just the least expensive ones — and building systems that drive repeat purchases. Additionally, brands should segment customers by intent and engagement, integrate their tech stacks to uncover meaningful data, and use loyalty programs to reward behavior.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Jason Anderson, COO of Andzen, to discuss how intentional customer journeys fuel e-commerce growth. Jason shares lessons from Andzen's near-failure, smarter segmentation and reengagement strategies, and how loyalty programs can increase lifetime value without eroding margins.

Felicia Shakiba is the Founder and CEO of CPO Playbook, a leadership and human capital advisory firm serving private equity and venture-backed companies. As an industrial-organizational psychologist and certified Korn Ferry coach, she has over two decades of experience driving people strategy across Fortune 500 and high-growth companies. Felicia is also an Advisory Council Member for Harvard Business Review, hosts the CPO PLAYBOOK podcast, and developed PIA360™, the first tool that quantifies leadership and culture across a portfolio.

Many founders assume that strong financial performance is enough to ensure long-term success. Yet after an acquisition, organizations often encounter misalignment, slowed decision-making, and cultural friction that undermine results. Why do businesses with solid strategies struggle when leadership dynamics are tested?

Leadership and organizational effectiveness expert Felicia Shakiba argues that these challenges stem from leadership behaviors rather than flawed economics. She advises aligning mission and vision across the company, building trust-based communication, and replacing intuition with data-driven insights. Leaders should surface issues early, reinforce accountability, and build decision agility so teams can adapt without losing focus.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris talks with Felicia Shakiba, Founder and CEO of CPO Playbook, about leadership risk and value creation in private equity-backed companies. She shares common concerns investors have after deals close, how ownership mindset and decision agility drive performance, and the key questions founders should address before entering the boardroom.

Lindsey Johnson is the Co-founder and CEO of Weezie Towels, a modern luxury bath brand. As CEO, she leads the company's product development, customer experience, and brand vision. Lindsey began her career in finance, working for firms including Morgan Stanley and BlackRock before co-founding Weezie to address a gap in the towel market.

Building a consumer brand today takes more than a clever idea; it demands clarity, discipline, and the willingness to swim against the current. Many founders chase rapid scale, but intentional growth often wins in the long run. How can you build an enduring business while staying true to your values?

According to entrepreneur Lindsey Johnson, the answer lies in obsessing over product quality and listening closely to customers. She emphasizes validating a legitimate market gap before building your business, developing deep operational expertise, and growing sustainably rather than chasing flashy milestones. Lindsey highlights practices like rigorous customer surveys, disciplined spending, and systems that keep teams aligned on vision and accountability.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Lindsey Johnson, Co-founder and CEO of Weezie Towels, about intentional brand-building. Lindsey discusses shifting from finance to consumer goods, how she navigated early operational chaos, and tips for developing a disciplined growth philosophy.

Filip Keuppens is the CEO of The Pickle Juice Company, a functional beverage company known for its specialty sports hydration beverage, Pickle Juice®. Under his leadership, he scaled the company from $250,000 in annual revenue to over $10 million, turning it into a global, science-backed brand. Before The Pickle Juice Company, Filip held sales roles at major firms, including 20th Century Fox, Warner Home Video, and Kraft Heinz.

Building a brand that stands out in a saturated market isn't just about clever marketing or bold claims; it's about proving your worth through tangible results. How can you create something so authentic that your customers become your loudest advocates?

According to consumer product growth and brand strategy veteran Filip Keuppens, building an authentic brand starts with truth, humility, and action. Instead of controlling the narrative, he advises leaders to let users experience the product and share honest feedback, even if it's negative. Additionally, showing up, listening, and leading by example is the foundation for lasting growth and team trust. Genuine credibility can't be bought; it's earned through consistency and transparency.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris welcomes Filip Keuppens, CEO of The Pickle Juice Company, to discuss building authentic brands through action and accountability. Filip shares how experiential marketing fuels sustainable growth, why staying humble helps scale culture, and what it means to lead with integrity.

Johnny Persón is the Founder of Aug11, a lifestyle and apparel brand built on a foundation of resilience. Self-taught in e-commerce, marketing, and product design, he built Aug11 from the ground up. Johnny began his career in crypto and blockchain before owning and managing multiple companies.

When creativity meets commerce, what separates a fleeting brand from one that endures? From viral moments to saturated markets, entrepreneurs must balance authenticity and attention. How can a founder cut through the noise without losing the soul of their brand?

Fashion and e-commerce trailblazer Johnny Persón explains that true success comes from consistency, discipline, and taste. He emphasizes building systems that turn creativity into sustainability, like treating every design or campaign as a repeatable process and investing in platforms that deliver measurable results. Johnny advises entrepreneurs to keep showing up, stay adaptable, and let clarity come through action, not motivation.

In today's episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Johnny Persón, Founder of Aug11, about how personal growth fuels creative entrepreneurship. Johnny explains why consistency of effort beats talent, the importance of taste in brand building, and the power of authentic marketing to scale without losing meaning.

Alan (Al) Doan is the Co-founder of Missouri Star Quilt Company, which offers a selection of precut and quilt fabrics. After building and shutting down a consumer finance app, he partnered with his sister and mother to transform a small quilting operation into a thriving e-commerce and brick-and-mortar business. Al is also the Chairman of the Board at Creativity, Inc., a creative commerce holding company that includes quilt, yarn, and art companies, and is an investor and mentor in small-town revitalization and creative ventures.

Many brands are rethinking how they grow, shifting focus from online ads to building genuine, real-world connections. As consumer behavior evolves, companies must create experiences that deepen loyalty and community rather than chasing short-term clicks. How can businesses design strategies that balance digital reach with tangible impact?

Known for turning creative ideas into thriving ecosystems, town-builder Al Doan maintains that content, community, and experiences can transform a company's reach and impact. He recommends focusing on storytelling that makes customers feel seen and creating immersive environments where they connect with your brand beyond transactions. By blending emotion, authenticity, and experimentation, growth can arise from meaning rather than just metrics.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Al Doan, Co-founder of Missouri Star Quilt Company, to discuss how building a brand-driven town transformed an industry. Al talks about using storytelling and community as growth engines, scaling leadership through emotional intelligence, and why hands-on experiences outperform digital noise.

Dr. Giancarlo Licata is the Founder and Director of Vital Brain Health, a Los Angeles–based center specializing in evidence-based neurofeedback and applied neuroscience. Having supported thousands of clients with chronic pain, migraines, and post‒concussion challenges, he specializes in EEG, qEEG, and functional neurology. Dr. Licata also speaks about anxiety, autism, sleep, and ADHD on national health and wellness podcasts.

Many business leaders work hard to improve performance through enhanced tools, systems, and habits, yet still face burnout, poor focus, and mental fatigue. Despite their efforts, their ability to make clear decisions or stay consistent often declines as pressure increases. How does brain function impact decision-making and performance?

According to neurofeedback and brain mapping expert Dr. Giancarlo Licata, professionals can improve mental performance by targeting brain activity. He recommends starting with a brain map to identify which regions are overworked or underperforming, then using neurofeedback to retrain those areas through short, focused sessions. Dr. Licata also emphasizes daily practices that protect and strengthen brain function — such as consistent sleep, focused breathing, limiting overstimulation from technology, and recognizing when anxiety is reducing focus. By addressing brain performance, leaders can make clearer decisions, sustain attention longer, and reduce stress without relying solely on external systems or tools.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris talks with Dr. Giancarlo Licata, Founder and Director of Vital Brain Health, about how brain mapping and neurofeedback improve performance. Dr. Licata explains how brain scans uncover hidden issues behind focus problems, how personalized training rewires neural pathways for lasting results, and how modern habits and AI tools can strengthen or weaken brain function.

Francesco Gatti is the Co-founder and CEO of Opensend, a data company for e-commerce brands that converts anonymous visitors into leads. The company works with brands, including TrueClassic, OatsOvernight, Benchmade, AlexaderWang, and Rhone. With over a decade of digital marketing experience, Francesco held roles at companies, including VOLTN, Burrata House, Herb, and Grata.

Most brands invest heavily in driving website traffic, yet the majority of visitors stay invisible and never convert. How can companies uncover these hidden audiences and turn them into engaged customers without invading their privacy?

According to identity resolution and data-driven marketing expert Francesco Gatti, brands can recognize high-intent visitors and nurture them into buyers by analyzing on-site behavior — like reading product details or checking contact pages — to gauge purchase readiness. He recommends filling ad platforms with rich, accurate data to improve look-alike audiences and cut acquisition costs. By combining quality data with careful personalization, companies can elevate ROI while respecting consumer trust.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Opensend Co-founder and CEO Francesco Gatti about turning anonymous traffic into known, marketable relationships. Francesco explains how high-intent signals reveal purchase readiness, why rich data strengthens Meta ad performance, and how AI-driven cohort analysis powers personalized ad creative.