GrowthTales

In this episode of GrowthTales, host Mike Pinkus sits down with Jon Nastor, seasoned entrepreneur, long-time podcaster, and co-founder of Digital Commerce Partners (DCP). Jon shares the origin story behind Hack the Entrepreneur, the podcast he launched a decade ago that grew to more than 30,000 listeners per episode and surpassed 500 episodes. He reveals how the show not only became a thriving business but also opened doors to transformative relationships, including the partnership that eventually led to the creation of Digital Commerce Partners. Jon dives into his shift from podcasting to building a content-focused SEO agency for DTC e-commerce brands, offering valuable insights into organic growth, the interplay between paid and organic traffic, and why many established companies sit on SEO gold mines without realizing it. He also unpacks the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, LLM search, Google's dominance, and how businesses can think about SEO and content strategy in an era of constant digital shifts. Packed with entrepreneurial lessons, practical clarity, and a forward-thinking perspective, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone growing a digital business or navigating today's search-driven world.

In this episode, we dive into a compelling conversation with Dominic Piscopo, the founder of Big 4 Transparency. From launching a weekend Reddit experiment to building the largest crowdsourced salary database for accounting professionals, Dominic's journey is a masterclass in grit, trust, and entrepreneurial resilience. He shares the ups and downs of transforming a side project into a sustainable business, all while redefining compensation transparency in the accounting industry. Join us as we explore Dominic's mission to empower accounting professionals, the challenges of selling into trust-based industries, and the power of staying in the game long enough to find product-market fit.

In this episode of GrowthTales, host Mike Pinkus sits down with Jennifer Commins, the passionate founder of Pluck Tea. Jennifer shares how she turned a frustrating tea experience at a restaurant into a thriving business, starting with just $5,000 and a credit card. From blending teas at her kitchen table to landing restaurant partnerships, launching a DTC store, and weathering the storm of COVID-19, Jennifer takes us through the ups and downs of growing a Canadian tea brand. She also dives into the importance of Canadian ingredients, the challenges of getting on grocery shelves, and how her team is building a unique and sustainable product right here in Toronto. If you're an entrepreneur or just someone who loves a good origin story, you'll love this heartfelt and insightful episode.

In this episode of Growth Tales, we sit down with Hailey Dawood, second-generation owner of The Idea Hunter, to explore the incredible evolution of her career—from joining the family business to redefining it with intention, clarity, and heart. Hailey opens up about what it really takes to succeed in the high-pressure world of corporate events, how she rebuilt her team culture post-pandemic, and why emotional resilience and systems go hand in hand. You'll hear how she learned to trust herself, lead with high standards (without burning out), and find calm in the chaos of event planning—all while scaling a business that thrives on creativity, integrity, and connection.

In this episode, Jamie McDonald and Jamie Shulman, co-founders and seasoned entrepreneurs, share invaluable insights from their two-decade journey in the business world. They discuss the importance of building a great employee culture, focusing on team growth, and prioritizing a strong, customer-centered approach. Join us as they share how they've cultivated thriving companies by creating meaningful connections, both within their teams and with their customers. Learn how a strong organizational culture and a genuine commitment to people can set the foundation for lasting success.