Starting Small

Forbes Functions: Cameron Forbes

In this episode, I'm joined by Cameron Forbes of Forbes Functions, a full-service event planning agency known for creating stylish, story-driven events for top brands, creators, and private clientsCameron launched Forbes Functions during the pandemic as a creative side hustle while working in finance. Now 26, she’s become one of the most in-demand event producers in the luxury space, known for designing modern, editorial-style experiences. In the past year alone, her company has seen a 250% YOY revenue increase, with 40–50 events annually and multiple six-figure projects on the calendar for 2025. 

Cameron’s eye for strategy extends to social, where Forbes Functions has grown 173.7% across Instagram and TikTok thanks to behind-the-scenes storytelling and a founder-led POV. With a 30% repeat client rate and a presence in NYC, the Hamptons, and Florida, Cameron is the go-to for clients who want events that are both personal and photogenic. She also leads an all-women under-30 team, fostering a mentorship-first culture.

Make sure to check out Forbes Functions: https://www.forbesfunctions.com/

 

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REBEL: Emily Hosie

Emily Hosie spent over a decade inside some of the biggest names in off-price retail—Saks Off 5th, Holt Renfrew, and TJX—before launching REBEL, the first curated marketplace for open-box baby and home goods. After a year of being turned away by brands unwilling to admit the waste, REBEL secured major partners—and then a defining moment came. Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY filed for bankruptcy, and REBEL was tapped to process the returns. Overnight, volume surged and the tech had to scale fast. Today, REBEL processes 70,000 SKUs a week and operates a 300,000 sq. ft. facility in North Carolina. They’ve saved over 25 million pounds of product from landfill—all while becoming a go-to platform for Gen Z and millennial consumers looking for trusted brands at up to 50% off.

Make sure to check out REBEL: https://fromrebel.com

 

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Halfday Iced Tea: Mike Lombardo

Mike Lombardo didn’t come from food and bev. He was a college student, Army National Guard soldier, and drummer chasing big ideas. But when his high school swim teammate Kayvon began managing ulcerative colitis by mixing prebiotic tea, everything changed. The two co-founders started bottling it out of a brewery in New Jersey—selling to one Whole Foods, cold-brewing by hand, and making just $18K in their first year.

Then COVID hit, and they scrapped everything. In 2021, they relaunched as Halfday: a better-for-you iced tea with 3–5g of sugar, 8g of prebiotic fiber, and branding that reimagined the Arizona and Snapple classics they grew up on. They pitched their first retail account from a hospital bed, filled their first PO with 60,000 cans in six weeks, and packed boxes themselves to make it happen. One press article brought in $10K in DTC sales overnight.

Now, Halfday is stocked nationwide, building a brand that stands out in one of the most competitive categories in CPG.

Make sure to check out Halfday: https://drinkhalfday.com/

 

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Heraclea: Berk Bahceci

Berk Bahceci left a career in antitrust law in Washington, D.C., to build something deeply personal. Born in Turkey and raised around olive groves, Berk saw a massive blind spot in the U.S. market: despite being one of the top producers in the world, Turkish olive oil had no brand recognition on American shelves. So, he built one from scratch. In this episode, Berk shares how he vertically integrated Heraclea—from grove to bottle—and became the world’s first Fair Trade certified olive oil company. We talk sourcing, scaling without a single customer, and why flavored oils like garlic and lemon are flying off shelves.

Make sure to check out Heraclea: https://heraclea.co

 

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Aceable: Blake Garrett

From a nearly $50k debt to a multi-million dollar company, Blake Garrett, founder of Aceable, didn’t follow the usual path. In this episode, Blake shares how his background in accounting and ERP consulting led him to create Aceable, a company that’s reshaping how we learn essential skills like driving and real estate licensing.

What began with a simple idea—gamifying education—has grown into a must-have tool for millions across the U.S.

Make sure to check out Aceable: https://www.aceable.com/

 

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Curious elixirs: JW Wiseman

In this episode of Starting Small, we’re joined by JW Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, a booze-free craft cocktail company that’s changing the way people think about non-alcoholic drinks. JW started Curious Elixirs in 2015 while running a marketing agency, driven by a personal desire for complex cocktails without the hangover. He talks about how his fascination with cocktails and his experience in hospitality led him to create a line of drinks infused with adaptogens and designed to provide the same bold, adventurous flavors as traditional cocktails. From bootstrapping the brand to achieving over $47 million in revenue, JW shares the journey of building a product in the growing sober-curious market and the challenges of growing without outside investors.

Make sure to check out Curious Elixirs: https://curiouselixirs.com

 

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Staff: Charlie Weisman

In this episode of Starting Small, we’re joined by Charlie Weisman, founder of Staff, a brand that's redefining the most overlooked items in our homes. Staff started with a plunger—yes, a plunger—designed to be bold, colorful, and functional, a far cry from the bland utility items most of us keep hidden away. Charlie takes us back to the initial spark of inspiration during the pandemic, when he looked at his bathroom plunger and thought, "Why can’t everyday essentials be fun and playful?" Charlie shares his process of bringing this vision to life, from early sketches and prototypes to finding the right manufacturers. He walks through the challenges of launching a product in a highly competitive market with no VC backing, using organic press and social buzz to build momentum.

Make sure to check out Staff: https://meetyourstaff.co

 

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Thank you to this episodes mid-break sponsor, Galastellar. Looking to elevate your space with lighting that makes a statement? GalaStellar offers a curated collection of luxury indoor lighting—from elegant chandeliers to sleek pendant lamps and modern wall fixtures. Their designs are perfect for transforming your home or venue into something extraordinary. I've personally used their pendant bar light as a statement piece and have been impressed with their quality and service. If you're in the market for lighting that blends style with sophistication, check out GalaStellar.com.

 

Elix: Lulu Ge

In this episode of Starting Small, we chat with Lulu Ge, founder of Elix, a wellness brand that’s changing how women approach health. Lulu’s journey starts in China, moves through a tough transition to California, and ends up with her launching a company focused on personalized herbal care. After years of dealing with stress, hormonal issues, and a traditional corporate grind, Lulu turned to Chinese medicine to heal herself—and from that, Elix was born. She shares how she built the brand from the ground up, sourcing organic herbs, conducting clinical studies, and navigating the chaos of launching in 2020. This is more than just about products; it’s about offering a new way to take care of your body by balancing the mind, body, and spirit. Lulu talks about the highs and lows of building a business, why holistic healing needs more attention, and how she’s on a mission to change the way we look at women’s health.

Make sure to check out Elix: https://elixhealing.com

 

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Thank you to this episode’s mid-break sponsor, Billy Print. I’ve been using their custom canopy tents, table covers, and feather flags for our events, and they’ve truly made a huge difference. If you're planning an event or need any branded materials—whether it’s a tent setup, table display, or eye-catching signage—Billy Print is my go-to. Their quality is excellent, turnaround time is fast, and they make sure every detail is spot on. For anything you need printed to help your brand stand out at your next event, definitely check them out at BillyPrint.com.

G2A.com :Bartosz Skwarczek

In this episode I'm joined by Bartosz Skwarczek of G2A. He started G2A in 2010 with a small team and a big idea—create the world’s largest digital marketplace for gaming products. What began in a small room in Poland with just six people has grown into a platform serving over 25 million customers in 180 countries. Today, G2A is the largest marketplace for digital goods, from games to software and gift cards.

Bartosz shares how he made bold moves, from navigating tough early days in the steel industry to betting on the digital gaming market when it was still in its infancy. He talks about the risk of shifting from a store model to a marketplace in 2014—something that most people thought was impossible. But Bartosz and his team believed in their vision, and it paid off.

Now, 15 years later, G2A has become an industry leader, and Bartosz is still looking ahead—focusing on AI, building stronger partnerships with influencers, and expanding into new markets.

Make sure to check out G2A: https://www.g2a.com/

 

Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX

 

Register for Starting Small Summit 2025: https://betheluniversity.edu/event/starting-small-summit-2025/

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Birdy Grey: Grace Lee Chen

In this episode I'm joined by Grace Lee Chan of Birdy Grey, the direct-to-consumer bridal brand that’s shaking up the wedding industry. Grace Lee Chen, co-founder of the brand, shares how she and her best friend Monica Ashauer launched Birdy Grey in 2017, turning a simple idea into a company that hit $80 million in revenue in just a few years. With no outside funding, they bootstrapped the business from the ground up, facing the challenges of a competitive market and the disruption of COVID. Grace walks us through the evolution of the brand, from their early days of fulfilling orders from her living room floor to now expanding into suits and growing rapidly.

Make sure to check out Birdy Grey: https://www.birdygrey.com/

 

Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX

 

Register for Starting Small Summit 2025: https://betheluniversity.edu/event/starting-small-summit-2025/

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