The Casey Adams Show

Today on The Casey Adams Show, I sit down with Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, the #1 hearing aid company in the U.S. With over 5,000 employees across 29 countries, Starkey is leading the way in hearing innovation by integrating AI, sensors, and health and wellness technology into their products, transforming hearing aids into high-tech health devices. Brandon has spent 30 years in the hearing industry, working across multiple areas of the company before becoming CEO in 2020. His forward-thinking leadership and commitment to continuous innovation have helped Starkey maintain its reputation for groundbreaking products and expand its market dominance. Under his leadership, Starkey has set the standard for the best sound quality and advanced technology available. In this episode, we dive into the business of Starkey through Brandon’s journey—how he helped scale the company, drive strategic direction, and shape the future of hearing technology. We also discuss the importance of hearing health, the role of artificial intelligence in hearing aids, and what’s next for the industry. Brandon has also served as Chairman of the Board for the Hearing Industries Association, working with government leaders to expand hearing aid accessibility. He is a member of the George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Executive Advisory Council and was named ‘Executive of the Year’ in the 2023 Excellence in Customer Service Awards. Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadership, innovation, and how technology is shaping the future of hearing health. Learn more about Starkey [https://www.starkey.com/] Follow Brandon Sawalich on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brandonsawalich/] Follow Brandon Sawalich on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsawalich/]

In this episode, Casey Adams interviews Jesse Tinsley [https://x.com/JesseTinsley], founder of Employer.com [https://employer.com], to explore his journey in the recruiting industry and his expertise in mergers and acquisitions. They discuss Jesse’s strategic approach to high-profile deals, including TikTok’s U.S. bid [https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/23/everyone-wants-mrbeast-on-their-tiktok-bid-but-he-hasnt-committed-yet/] and the acquisition of Bench [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/employer-com-acquires-canadian-accounting-075158568.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABR9EjMCSc64P9D_dgnuhfZQ4FVPf-gYKHXDuKdshvrhhOC_ex-dBhnJc-Z46Z_jhqcssym-gJf0mSd_mc_o3_SBB3FA12KeWpSI3q0dC3SETA8MEmNgfBt4GaDjMdgIHRz04FciT2-Z72scQm-GNcVy4WyixOS9MljQHdcHDb6x], and dive into the power of premium domains, creative deal structuring, and the impact of AI on business. Jesse shares insights on building a founder-friendly reputation, the importance of speed in acquisitions, and his customer-centric philosophy. 00:00 Introduction to Jesse Tinsley and Employer.com 01:50 Jesse’s journey in recruiting and entrepreneurship 04:43 Inside the TikTok acquisition opportunity 10:11 Navigating political challenges in M&A 13:10 The transition to strategic acquisitions 16:33 Why domains matter in business success 22:57 Creative strategies for domain acquisitions 27:22 Bench acquisition: lessons and future plans 29:31 Speed as a competitive edge in acquisitions 32:24 How to operationalize successful acquisitions 34:18 Building relationships to drive inbound deals 37:07 Developing a strategic mindset for major acquisitions 40:37 Advice for founders on crafting M&A strategies 46:42 How AI is transforming business and acquisitions 50:17 Jesse’s vision for the future and staying customer-centric

In this episode of The Casey Adams Show, John Hecker, founder and CEO of Merch Bar, shares his journey from the music industry to building a technology company focused on merchandise. He discusses the challenges and successes of signing artists like Avril Lavigne, the impact of streaming on the music business, and the role of AI in music creation. He also delves into the importance of fan engagement, the crowdfunding campaign with Republic.com, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn more about Merch Bar: https://www.merchbar.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Merch Bar and John Hecker 02:29 John Hecker's Journey into the Music Business 04:52 The Story Behind Signing Avril Lavigne 10:59 Transitioning from Music to Technology 17:55 The Impact of AI on the Music Industry 21:19 Understanding Merch Bar and Merchagogo 24:20 Exploring Equity Crowdfunding with Republic 29:56 The Evolution of Music and Fan Engagement 37:31 Entrepreneurial Mindset and Personal Growth 42:31 Future Visions: Community and Engagement in Merchandising 46:23 Purpose and What Keeps Us Up at Night

In this episode of The Casey Adams Show, Mesh Gelman, Founder and CEO of Cumulus Coffee [https://cumuluscoffee.com/], takes us on the inspiring journey behind his revolutionary cold coffee machine. Mesh shares how he identified a gap in the market for high-quality cold coffee at home and developed a cutting-edge nitro cold brew experience. He opens up about his entrepreneurial background, a pivotal meeting with Starbucks legend Howard Schultz, and the role of storytelling in building a brand. Meche also delves into the challenges of fundraising, launching a new product, and fostering deep connections with customers. Join us for a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and the future of coffee. 🎉 Exclusive Offer: Use code "CASEY" [https://cumuluscoffee.com/] for $100 off your Cumulus Coffee machine! Shop now! [https://cumuluscoffee.com/] Chapters: * 00:00 Introduction to Cumulus Coffee and Its Vision * 02:59 From Concept to Launch: The Cumulus Coffee Journey * 06:03 The Nitro Cold Brew Experience: Innovation in Every Cup * 08:57 Meche Gelman’s Background and Entrepreneurial Beginnings * 12:03 Why Customer Connection is Key to Success * 15:04 Meeting Howard Schultz: Lessons from a Legend * 17:45 The Power of Storytelling in Business * 31:19 Captivating Consumers Through Experience * 35:17 Coffee and Emotional Connection: A Deeper Bond * 39:32 Crafted for Cold: Redefining the Coffee Experience * 43:12 Blending Art and Science with Cumulus Coffee * 48:17 Fundraising Challenges and Strategies * 51:53 Reflections on Year One and Exciting Future Plans Follow Mesh Gelman: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meshgelman/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meshgelman/]

In this conversation, Casey Adams interviews Dr. Jonathan Leary, the founder & CEO of Remedy Place [https://www.remedyplace.com/], a pioneering social wellness club. They discuss the unique concept of Remedy Place, which combines self-care with social experiences, and Jonathan's journey from medical school to entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the importance of a comprehensive business plan, the rise of ice baths and cold therapy, and the recent partnership with Kohler to create a signature ice bath product. They also explore fundraising strategies and the significance of experiential events in building the Remedy brand. In this conversation, Jonathan discusses the evolution of Remedy, emphasizing the importance of social experiences in health and wellness. The discussion underscores the need for awareness and education in health practices, encouraging listeners to take ownership of their well-being. 00:00 Introduction to Remedy Place 02:56 The Concept of a Social Wellness Club 05:58 The Journey to Creating Remedy Place 08:48 The Importance of a Comprehensive Business Plan 12:08 The Rise of Ice Baths and Cold Therapy 15:03 Partnership with Kohler and Product Launch 17:58 Fundraising and Business Growth Strategies 21:01 Experiential Events and Brand Activations 26:38 Experiential Venues and Social Health 29:15 Expansion in New York: The Need for More Space 30:53 Functional Medicine: Understanding Health Beyond the Surface 36:44 The Importance of Data in Health Management 40:27 Preventing Surgery: A Holistic Approach to Health 47:38 Daily and Weekly Remedies: A Personal Insight Learn more about Remedy Place: https://www.remedyplace.com/