Johnny Persón is the Founder of Aug11, a lifestyle and apparel brand built on a foundation of resilience. Self-taught in e-commerce, marketing, and product design, he built Aug11 from the ground up. Johnny began his career in crypto and blockchain before owning and managing multiple companies.

When creativity meets commerce, what separates a fleeting brand from one that endures? From viral moments to saturated markets, entrepreneurs must balance authenticity and attention. How can a founder cut through the noise without losing the soul of their brand?

Fashion and e-commerce trailblazer Johnny Persón explains that true success comes from consistency, discipline, and taste. He emphasizes building systems that turn creativity into sustainability, like treating every design or campaign as a repeatable process and investing in platforms that deliver measurable results. Johnny advises entrepreneurs to keep showing up, stay adaptable, and let clarity come through action, not motivation.

In today’s episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Johnny Persón, Founder of Aug11, about how personal growth fuels creative entrepreneurship. Johnny explains why consistency of effort beats talent, the importance of taste in brand building, and the power of authentic marketing to scale without losing meaning.

Alan (Al) Doan is the Co-founder of Missouri Star Quilt Company, which offers a selection of precut and quilt fabrics. After building and shutting down a consumer finance app, he partnered with his sister and mother to transform a small quilting operation into a thriving e-commerce and brick-and-mortar business. Al is also the Chairman of the Board at Creativity, Inc., a creative commerce holding company that includes quilt, yarn, and art companies, and is an investor and mentor in small-town revitalization and creative ventures.

Many brands are rethinking how they grow, shifting focus from online ads to building genuine, real-world connections. As consumer behavior evolves, companies must create experiences that deepen loyalty and community rather than chasing short-term clicks. How can businesses design strategies that balance digital reach with tangible impact?

Known for turning creative ideas into thriving ecosystems, town-builder Al Doan maintains that content, community, and experiences can transform a company's reach and impact. He recommends focusing on storytelling that makes customers feel seen and creating immersive environments where they connect with your brand beyond transactions. By blending emotion, authenticity, and experimentation, growth can arise from meaning rather than just metrics.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Al Doan, Co-founder of Missouri Star Quilt Company, to discuss how building a brand-driven town transformed an industry. Al talks about using storytelling and community as growth engines, scaling leadership through emotional intelligence, and why hands-on experiences outperform digital noise.

Dr. Giancarlo Licata is the Founder and Director of Vital Brain Health, a Los Angeles–based center specializing in evidence-based neurofeedback and applied neuroscience. Having supported thousands of clients with chronic pain, migraines, and post‒concussion challenges, he specializes in EEG, qEEG, and functional neurology. Dr. Licata also speaks about anxiety, autism, sleep, and ADHD on national health and wellness podcasts.

Many business leaders work hard to improve performance through enhanced tools, systems, and habits, yet still face burnout, poor focus, and mental fatigue. Despite their efforts, their ability to make clear decisions or stay consistent often declines as pressure increases. How does brain function impact decision-making and performance?

According to neurofeedback and brain mapping expert Dr. Giancarlo Licata, professionals can improve mental performance by targeting brain activity. He recommends starting with a brain map to identify which regions are overworked or underperforming, then using neurofeedback to retrain those areas through short, focused sessions. Dr. Licata also emphasizes daily practices that protect and strengthen brain function — such as consistent sleep, focused breathing, limiting overstimulation from technology, and recognizing when anxiety is reducing focus. By addressing brain performance, leaders can make clearer decisions, sustain attention longer, and reduce stress without relying solely on external systems or tools.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris talks with Dr. Giancarlo Licata, Founder and Director of Vital Brain Health, about how brain mapping and neurofeedback improve performance. Dr. Licata explains how brain scans uncover hidden issues behind focus problems, how personalized training rewires neural pathways for lasting results, and how modern habits and AI tools can strengthen or weaken brain function.

Francesco Gatti is the Co-founder and CEO of Opensend, a data company for e-commerce brands that converts anonymous visitors into leads. The company works with brands, including TrueClassic, OatsOvernight, Benchmade, AlexaderWang, and Rhone. With over a decade of digital marketing experience, Francesco held roles at companies, including VOLTN, Burrata House, Herb, and Grata.

Most brands invest heavily in driving website traffic, yet the majority of visitors stay invisible and never convert. How can companies uncover these hidden audiences and turn them into engaged customers without invading their privacy?

According to identity resolution and data-driven marketing expert Francesco Gatti, brands can recognize high-intent visitors and nurture them into buyers by analyzing on-site behavior — like reading product details or checking contact pages — to gauge purchase readiness. He recommends filling ad platforms with rich, accurate data to improve look-alike audiences and cut acquisition costs. By combining quality data with careful personalization, companies can elevate ROI while respecting consumer trust.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Opensend Co-founder and CEO Francesco Gatti about turning anonymous traffic into known, marketable relationships. Francesco explains how high-intent signals reveal purchase readiness, why rich data strengthens Meta ad performance, and how AI-driven cohort analysis powers personalized ad creative.

Akash Nigam is the Founder and CEO of Genies, Inc., an avatar-technology company building personalized 3D avatars and digital identities for consumers, creators, and brands. Under his leadership, Genies has established partnerships with celebrities and major brands, including Unity, Warner Music Group, Justin Bieber, Cardi B., and Shawn Mendes. Akash is also the Founder of Humans, an AI-native venture studio.

As online interactions evolve, brands must build connections with their customers. Traditional tools like email campaigns or social media posts fall short in creating meaningful relationships. How can companies create a more personal, two-way experience that feels less like marketing and more like a genuine conversation?

According to interactive digital experience designer Akash Nigam, AI avatars can become the next user interface of the internet. Brands can create emotionally intelligent AI companions that gather user insights and build authentic relationships through natural conversations, games, and shared experiences. By leveraging AI to capture personality traits for personalized experiences and designing guardrails that prevent emotional dependency on chatbots, companies can turn followers into engaged users.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris speaks with Akash Nigam, Founder and CEO of Genies, Inc., about how AI avatars are reshaping brand relationships. Akash explains why avatars will replace mobile apps as the primary interface, how Unity's integration with Genies brings these companions into games, and the ethical concerns of emotional dependence on AI.

Jim Moorhead is the Founder and CEO of STAND BRAVE, a consulting and coaching firm that helps organizations build empowering cultures. As a former assistant US attorney, investment banker, and law firm partner, he has advised Fortune 500 companies in crises and high-stakes settings. Jim is also the author of The Instant Survivor: Right Ways to Respond When Things Go Wrong. His STAND BRAVE™ framework guides leaders and teams to take calculated risks and respond boldly when faced with adversity.

Bravery is often celebrated in hindsight, yet in the moment, it can feel anything but heroic. With organizations facing rapid change and constant pressure, how can leaders and teams act boldly during uncertainty and high stakes? What does it take to build a culture that consistently chooses courage over comfort?

Crisis management and brave leadership authority, Jim Moorhead argues that bravery is not a rare trait but a muscle to be trained. He advises making bravery a shared team value and starting small by openly identifying problems or asking for help before scaling to bigger risks. Leaders can create structures that reward innovation and use clear company values to decide when to walk away from revenue drivers that aren't the right fit. These habits enable agility and resilience during chaotic times.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Jim Moorhead, Founder and CEO of STAND BRAVE, to talk about building a culture of courageous leadership. Jim explains why innovation slowdowns are often bravery problems, how his STAND BRAVE™ framework turns single acts of courage into sustained brave leadership, and why taking even one small step can spark a cycle of bold action.

Alan Gregerman is the President and Chief Innovation Officer at VENTURE WORKS Inc, a consulting firm that helps organizations create innovative strategies, products, and services. He is a keynote speaker, award-winning author, and business consultant who helps companies and organizations unlock their teams' genius zones. For over 25 years, Alan has designed and delivered high-impact keynotes for organizations, including Google, Marriott, Verizon, Mercedes-Benz, Kaiser-Permanente, Citibank, and Lockheed Martin.

With the speed of innovation, businesses often fall into the trap of relying on what they already know. While past expertise can bring incremental improvements, it rarely sparks the kind of breakthroughs that transform industries. How can companies avoid getting stuck in the comfort of their knowledge and uncover fresh ideas to stay relevant?

Innovation expert Alan Gregerman encourages brands to embrace enlightened ignorance, a mindset that values curiosity, humility, and openness to the unknown. Outsiders often disrupt industries because they see problems without being blinded by past experiences. Alan also emphasizes the importance of balancing iteration with innovation, continually raising the bar for customer expectations, and finding creative ways to differentiate in increasingly competitive markets. He pushes leaders to reevaluate their expertise and adopt a mindset of constant learning.

In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris chats with Alan Gregerman, President and Chief Innovation Officer at VENTURE WORKS Inc, about how enlightened ignorance can catalyze innovation. Alan discusses why outsiders often spark breakthroughs, how businesses can balance iteration with bold innovation, and why raising customer expectations is crucial to long-term growth.

DeDe Halfhill is the Founder and Principal Consultant at TAIOH Partners, a leadership consulting firm. As a retired US Air Force Colonel, keynote speaker, and advisor, she has over 25 years of leadership experience, including advising the Commander General in Iraq and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. DeDe has developed the Master the Unseen™ framework — the hidden and emotional dynamics shaping alignment, trust, and momentum in teams.

Leaders often believe that data, KPIs, and dashboards tell the whole story of their organization. Yet, beneath the numbers are unspoken emotions and hidden dynamics that drive or derail performance. When leaders avoid difficult conversations or overlook the emotional undercurrents within their teams, they risk making costly mistakes and missing opportunities. How can leaders confront these invisible forces and lead more effectively?

Retired Air Force Colonel and leadership advisor DeDe Halfhill emphasizes the importance of curiosity, reframing negativity, and making team members feel seen and heard. Leaders can engage in coaching techniques to uncover the fear behind resistance, promote accountability, and recognize when their strengths and ideas can become liabilities. By addressing emotions directly and building trust outside of crisis moments, leaders can foster resilience and connection and boost performance.

In today's episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, DeDe Halfhill, Founder and Principal Consultant at TAIOH Partners, joins William Harris to discuss uncovering the leadership blind spots that can derail performance. DeDe talks about reframing dissent as care, the identity crisis leaders often face after major transitions, and the importance of acknowledging humanity in the workplace.