Tired of guessing who to call and what to pitch? We sat down with Import Yeti co-founder James Brewer to show how trade data and simple, user-led features can turn a cold list into a clear action plan. From cradle-to-grave phone sprints to product leadership, James traces the journey that took Import Yeti from a rough internal tool to a daily driver for brokers, shippers, and buyers—including 16 Fortune 100s.

We dig into the updates that actually move the needle: container volume filters to target the right-sized accounts, service type to see who truly owns the warehouse leg, and HTS code scanning to navigate tariffs and sourcing pivots. James explains how those tools power better prospecting—think drayage plus transload plus redistribution—so you arrive with a sharper pitch and a path to stickiness across the full port-to-door chain. We also talk market realities: consolidation among big brokerages, specialized transport niches, and why the mode mix may tilt toward LCL and intermodal as costs and risk shift.

Cross-border gets a candid “teal” rating—momentum is real, but uneven by industry. Expect more poundage, more terminals, and more genuine fabrication in Mexico as nearshoring matures. On the tech side, AI shows up where it counts: Yeti AI turns prompts into precise searches, and bulk list enrichment cuts grunt work so humans can sell and serve. James rounds it out with practical career advice for new grads—ask for the opportunity, follow up, and build real community through industry clubs—plus a reminder that kaizen beats resolutions. Ten minutes in the right data can save you a hundred calls.

If this conversation helps you think sharper about lanes, logos, and timing, tap follow, share it with a teammate, and drop a review. Tell us: which filter would change your next prospecting call?