Raising the Bar with Alli and Michael

Executive coaching is at the forefront of business culture today. From founders in the startup stage to senior executives at multinational corporations, more people in leadership positions are seeking out "coaches" to help them take their performance to a new level, and Adrian Koehler has been involved at every stage of the business ladder. Adrian coaches executives and entrepreneurs in the art and science of personal engagement for themselves, their teams, and clients. He joins Alli and Michael to break down all the questions swirling around his industry, when to hire an executive coach, and his circuitous journey from healthcare professional to executive coach and everything in between. Learn more at takenewground.com and follow Adrian on LinkedIn and Instagram. And don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS. If you enjoyed this episode please don't hesitate to subscribe and rate us!     Get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage AND a digital scale without any long-term commitme

Though it's been decades since Gabby Reece first started out as a pro-beach volleyball star and Nike's first female spokesperson, the 6' 3” powerhouse hasn't slowed down. As a wife, mother, author, business entrepreneur, and fitness professional, Gabby is taking her influence to new heights with a podcast called "The Gabby Reece Show," all about life's biggest questions and obstacles. Gabby meets up with Alli and Michael to talk about life as a teenage model, what it was like during the era when her Nike shoe outsold the Air Jordan, as well as raising kids and building businesses with her pro-surfer husband Laird Hamilton. Keep up with her at @gabbyreece. And don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Produced by Dear Media. 

In 2012, two years after its first store opened, Drybar announced that it had closed $16 million in financing with private equity firm Castanea Partners. Since then, Drybar has raised more than $50 million in venture capital to date. And just last month, Drybar sold its product line for $255 million in cash to Helen of Troy, a consumer group with a portfolio that includes OXO, Braun, and Hot Tools. It's been a long journey, and there's no one better to discuss the ups and downs of Drybar's money story than Steve Berg, Castanea's managing partner. Steve catches up with Michael and Alli to discuss the early days of raising money at Drybar, finding new investments and working with beauty companies, and his new firm called Stride Partners. Plus, he answers the most common money questions Alli's gets from entrepreneurs in her DMs. Learn more @castaneapartners. And don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Produced by Dear Media. 

Sali Christeson spent a decade in the Bay Area's fin-tech scene where she struggled to find clothes that were bold, practical, and professional. In 2016 she founded Argent, a workwear company for women focused on function and style. As CEO, Sali has one goal in mind—to tackle the workwear-joy gap. Today, Argent has raised $4 million in seed money and gained fans from Hollywood to Capitol Hill. Pieces feature functional elements like reversible suits, media and stylus pockets for everything from credit cards to lip gloss, microfiber pocket bags (for cleaning glasses and iPhones), and even belt clips for ID badges. Sali sat down with Alli to talk about gender inequality in the workplace, revving up marketing and partnerships in 2020, and the pros and cons of the DTC business model. Learn more @argent and @salichristeson. And don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Produced by Dear Media. 

It's been 10 months since Squeeze opened their books to usher in the next generation of affordable massage studios and begin #TheFeelGoodRevolution. But it all hasn't been oohs and aahs. Co-founder and CEO Brittany Driscoll rejoins the podcast to break down the real struggles (and rewards) of starting a business from the ground up and making sure it flourishes. Alli and Brittany sit down to swap personal stories about how their lives have changed since opening Squeeze, life lessons learned along the way, and what's in store for 2020 and beyond. Keep up at @britdrisc and @squeeze. And don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Produced by Dear Media.

Kelly Leveque is the woman who Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, and Busy Phillips turn to when they need help balancing blood sugar and demanding schedules. Kelly unveils to Alli and Michael the inner workings of her consulting business and how she went from mapping genomes for oncologists to staking her claim as one of Hollywood's most sought-after nutrition experts. Plus, she shares her secret wellness and diet tips, including the ones she uses as Alli's health coach.

Founded in 2012 by painter Chelsea Neman Nassib, Tappan is a slick, modern platform for emerging artists to display and sell their work online. Since its launch in 2012, Tappan has successfully democratized the art scene for a digital generation, fostering the careers of emerging artists by giving them an online platform to sell their work, tell their story and reach collectors worldwide. Chelsea caught up with Michael and Alli to talk about how she went from student to Millennial founder, setting out to create a platform to connect collectors to emerging artists around the globe, and the breaking down barriers within the insular art world. Keep up at @tappancollective and @chelsea_nn_. And don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling absolutely free - no credit card required - by going to acuityscheduling.com/bar !  Go to Stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in BAR to get a special

After a successful career in the infomercial industry, founder and CEO Steve Schulze turned his attention to the nascent juicing trend and opened the first Nekter Juice Bar in 2010. Today, the all-natural juice and smoothie franchise boasts more than 150 locations in 15 states and has grown in revenue to over $40 million. Steve sat down with Alli and Michael to explain how a fresh product and franchise model have helped it expand, tech innovation and partnerships at Nekter, and running a business with your ex-spouse. Keep up at @nekterjuicebar and @steve_schulze_official. Don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Use coupon code " " for $10 off your first box at www.fabfitfun.com   Produced by Dear Media.

Moms all over the world have the Caden sisters to thank for normalizing post-pregnancy shapewear. It all started in 2008 when Lori Caden's sisters were sick of hearing complaints about the new mom's post-baby belly. So Lori, Jodi, and Kari developed the first doctor-recommended, postpartum compression wrap, the Belly Bandit. Thanks to its list of die-hard celeb fans like the Kardashian sisters, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Alba and more, Belly Bandit products now include C-Section Recovery Undies, Belly Wraps, and Mother Tucker Leggings and are sold in over 1,000 retailers and 86 countries. The Caden sisters joined Michael and Alli to talk about Belly Bandit's 10 years in the maternity industry, helping women feel their best before, during and after pregnancy, and the power of women-focused, solutions-based business. Learn more at @bellybandit and bellybandit.com. Don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Use coupon code " " for $10 off your first box at www.

Emily Schuman has built a thriving lifestyle company on the coattails of Cupcakes and Cashmere, a website she created just 10 years ago. As an OG fashion blogger, she walks Alli and Michael through her career's trajectory, from making the tough decision between staying at AOL or diving headfirst into her burgeoning blog (spoiler alert: she took the risk) to eventually licensing products and launching an e-commerce platform. She maps out the do's and don'ts of building a personal brand and how to lean on social media, properly.    Check out more of Emily at: @emilyschuman @shopcupcakesandcashmere cupcakesandcashmere.com

Entrepreneur Rich Finck could sell ice to an Eskimo, literally. That's because his company Kentucky Straight Ice specializes in handcrafted, stunningly clear, luxury beverage-ice. A family-owned company based in Louisville, KY since 2015, Kentucky Straight Ice is designed to enhance the "on the rocks" experience for Bourbon, Scotch, Whiskey, and the entire premium spirits class. Rich visited Alli and Michael to talk all things Kentucky bourbon and how he came up with his crystal-clear business idea, the science behind Kentucky Straight Ice's trademark freezing and melting process, and why companies are spending boatloads on ice cubes. Learn more at @kystraightice and kentuckystraightice.com. Don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   NetSuite is offering you valuable insights with a FREE guide – “Seven Key Strategies to Grow your Profits” at NetSuite.com/bar    Get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling absolutely free - no credit card required - by going to acuitys

Supergoop! founder Holly Thaggard is the queen of sunscreen. She never intended to build a $40-million company sold in Sephora, Nordstrom, and Bluemercury until a close friend of hers was diagnosed with skin cancer. In 2007, she launched her brand with the goal of creating an SPF that everyone would want to wear every single day. With sunscreen is at the forefront of Supergoop!, Holly's mission is to prevent skin cancer and premature aging with her products. She met up with Michael and Alli to talk about her first career as a professional harpist, challenges she faced creating an FDA-regulated product, and disrupting the sunscreen industry. Keep up with Holly @hollythaggard and @supergoop. Don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Go to mejuri.com/rtb for free shipping on orders over $100! Use coupon code "BAR" for $10 off your first box at www.fabfitfun.com! Produced by Dear Media.  

The Giving Keys are repurposed key necklaces stamped with inspirational words like FEARLESS, HOPE, STRENGTH, and COURAGE. When the wearer of the key encounters someone else who needs the message—they are encouraged to give it away and share their “pay-it-forward” story. Seen on celebrities like Taylor Swift and Nina Dobrev, the Giving Keys is not your average accessories brand in Los Angeles. That's because founder Caitlin Crosby started the company to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make and assemble their products. Caitlin met up with Alli and Michael to talk about ending homelessness through employment, why "STRENGTH" is their all-time best-selling word, and when she knew it was time to turn her side gig into a full-blown social movement. To get involved, reach out to caitlin@thegivingkeys.com and keep up at thegivingkeys.com and @thegivingkeys. Don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling absolutely free -

Sugar Paper, Los Angeles's premier goods shop and custom letterpress stationery company, was born in 2003 when college pals Chelsea Shukov and Jamie Grobecker started designing custom letterpress cards after graduation as a hobby. Now, Sugar Paper is carried in 1,500+ shops around the world and has storefronts in Brentwood, Newport Beach, and Marin. With a commitment to bespoke, local, and hand-made pieces, the Sugar Paper brand has won over celebrities from Reese Witherspoon to Zac Efron and earned them partnerships with brands like Target, J. Crew, and Goop. Chelsea and Jamie stopped by to tell Alli and Michael why handwritten notes are still thriving in the digital age, how their business is like a marriage, and what's next for the ever-growing stationery company. Keep up with Chelsea and Jamie at @sugarpaperla and sugarpaper.com, and don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Go to Mejuri.com/rtb, you’ll get free shipping on orders over one hundred dolla

Engagement ring company the Clear Cut has sold millions of dollars in diamonds over Instagram's direct messages since launching in 2018. By creating tailor-made jewelry and demystifying the buying process for a new generation, they've disrupted an industry and paved the way to become the next Tiffany & Co. Co-founders Olivia Olivia Landau and Kyle Simon, who met as students at the Gemology Institute of America (aka GIA) and married this year, have grown their business 100% quarter-over-quarter since quitting their day jobs to take on the Clear Cut fulltime. Olivia, a fourth-generation jeweler, and Kyle, a fair-trade diamond mining alum, joined Alli and Michael to talk about how their booming business, the power of organic growth and engagement on Instagram, and redefining a luxury market. Keep up with them @theclearcut and theclearcut.co, and don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us! Free shipping on orders over $100 at mejuri.com/rtb ! Produced by Dear Media.

Maya Brenner’s eponymous jewelry line first caught the public’s attention more than 20 years ago, while the jeweler was still creating pieces out of her studio apartment and working full-time as a social worker. Specializing in fine, 14K gold jewelry, Maya Brenner Designs boasts a slew of celebrity admirers, including Meghan Markle who first revealed her relationship with Prince Harry thanks to Maya's Asymmetrical Letter Necklace's "MH" initials. The LA-based jeweler caught up with Michael and Alli to talk about the brand's many successful collaborations, moving to Los Angeles and starting from scratch, and the transformative power of a necklace. Keep up with Maya at mayabrenner.com and @mayabrenner, and don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Ignite your curiosity and discover SPARKED in select Ulta Beauty stores! Explore the virtual world of SPARKED on ulta.com/sparked   Produced by Dear Media. 

Five years ago, Nick Molnar had a theory that recession-scarred Millennials would prefer to spend their own money and spread their purchases across a series of payments rather than use a loan or credit card. His Australian company Afterpay—which operates similarly to a layaway system where consumers buy a product and pay it off in four installments—has since spread to the U.S. and is now worth billions. The 29-year-old co-founder global chief revenue officer visited Alli and Michael to talk about his start as the number-one seller of jewelry in Australia on eBay, why Afterpay has resonated with debt-ridden, credit-averse young consumers, and how he's tackling international growth and scale. Keep up with Nick at @afterpayusa and @molnarnick, and don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!

Talia Goldstein officially started her matchmaking company Three Day Rule in 2010, but she’s been setting people up since she was in high school. Today, Three Day Rule employs 50 matchmakers who arrange dates in 10 major cities in the U.S. These matchmakers combine tech with human intuition, meeting with each of their clients and potential matches in person and using facial-recognition software to help improve the search. Founder Talia joined Raising The Bar to share how she went from office matchmaker to CEO, raising money for a startup while pregnant, and how she's found matches for hundreds of clients, including top executives, entrepreneurs, and celebrities. Learn more at threedayrule.com and @threedayrule. And don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!   Ignite your curiosity and discover SPARKED in select Ulta Stores.  ᐧ

For years, Cassie Hughes and Gabrey Means were rivals in the cutthroat world of corporate publicity campaigns, trying to outdo each other with store launches, press events, and stunts, all before experiential marketing was barely a standard marketing practice. The competition ended one day over a bottle of wine, as Cassie and Gabrey realized they could build the agency they longed for but never found. Since starting Grow in 2001, Gabrey and Cassie have built Grow from a two-person consultancy into an award-winning agency that counts Google, Target, Sephora, Levi’s, Nike, and more as clients. The two marketing whizzes sat down with Michael and Alli to talk about what makes their strategies unique, how to execute an experiential event, and why brands are engaging in the culture more than ever before. Learn more at grow-marketing.com, and don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us! ᐧ

As a lifelong amateur baker, Laurel Gallucci had to remove gluten, dairy, and refined sugar from her diet when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's. She had to re-learn how to eat, and applied this newfound knowledge to her love of baking. Eventually, Laurel teamed up with her partner Claire Thomas to create Sweet Laurel Bakery, an Instagram and marketing phenomenon that has lead to two cookbooks and brick-and-mortar bakeshop in the Palisades Village. Tune in to hear Laurel discuss the origins of Sweet Laurel (hint: branding came before business) and how her business is presently scaling to cater to its rapidly growing, niche fan base. Keep up with Laurel at @sweetlaurelbakery, and don't forget to follow @alliwebb for #BTS of Raising The Bar and subscribe and rate us!