The Jon Schultz Podcast: The Myth of Overnight Success
Jon Schultz
82 episodes
2 months ago
The Jon Schultz Podcast unpacks the lessons from industry leaders who refused to quit. Success is a tightrope. Everyone who’s reached the top of their game has wobbled on the way up. Those losses propelled them to the bigger and better places they are today. In a curious way, it’s the upsets that lay the foundation for winning. Our guests dig into their stories; we talk about the challenges they’ve overcome, what they learned, and how they kept ongoing.
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The Jon Schultz Podcast unpacks the lessons from industry leaders who refused to quit. Success is a tightrope. Everyone who’s reached the top of their game has wobbled on the way up. Those losses propelled them to the bigger and better places they are today. In a curious way, it’s the upsets that lay the foundation for winning. Our guests dig into their stories; we talk about the challenges they’ve overcome, what they learned, and how they kept ongoing.
Acai, Authenticity, and Ambition: Robert Giuliani’s Playa Bowls Journey
The Jon Schultz Podcast: The Myth of Overnight Success
39 minutes
1 year ago
Acai, Authenticity, and Ambition: Robert Giuliani’s Playa Bowls Journey
In this episode, I sit down with Rob Giuliani, the visionary co-founder behind Playa Bowls. Rob's story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, revealing how a small idea sparked on the Jersey Shore evolved into a nationwide brand with over 280 locations. We explore the foundational values Rob brought from his military background—like precision and perseverance—and how these have been key to Playa Bowls' growth. Rob opens up about the early days of Playa Bowls, sharing how he and his co-founder Abby Taylor turned a humble cart into a cult favorite despite the challenges and doubts from those around them. He talks about the critical decisions that shaped the company's trajectory, including the strategic move to franchise and the importance of building a robust, culture-driven team. Rob’s emphasis on staying authentic in a rapidly changing industry makes this conversation genuinely insightful. He discusses the delicate balance between innovation and sticking to what you know best and how Playa Bowls has managed to keep its identity intact while scaling. Rob also reflects on the invaluable lessons he's learned from mentors and the importance of knowing when to ask for help—a trait he believes is often overlooked in the entrepreneurial world. This is more than just a business story—it's about perseverance, creativity, and staying true to your vision, no matter the obstacles. Join us for an inspiring conversation highlighting the grind behind what some might call "overnight success."
00:00 - Introduction 02:09 - Building a Brand 07:15 - Guerrilla Marketing and Early Challenges 10:53 - The Power of Culture 2:59 - Overcoming Doubts and Building a Strong Brand 19:52 - Scaling the Business and Injecting Corporization 20:21 - Maintaining Innovation and Consistency 25:46 - Unbelievable Challenges of Franchising 28:15 - Staying Innovative in the Fast-Casual Industry 30:19 - The Role of Healthy Eating in the Industry 33:30 - Challenges of Scaling and Creating Upward Mobility 36:04 - The Impact of Social Media and the Importance of Authenticity 38:02 - Reflecting on Risks and Influential People
Rob On Socials: IG @rgewls @ playabowls FB: https://www.facebook.com/PlayaBowls/ X: @playabowls LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-giuliani
Jon on Socials: IG: @streetschultz FB: Jon Schultz X: @JonSchultz_Onyx LinkedIn: jonschultz1 www.jonschultz.com
The Jon Schultz Podcast: The Myth of Overnight Success
The Jon Schultz Podcast unpacks the lessons from industry leaders who refused to quit. Success is a tightrope. Everyone who’s reached the top of their game has wobbled on the way up. Those losses propelled them to the bigger and better places they are today. In a curious way, it’s the upsets that lay the foundation for winning. Our guests dig into their stories; we talk about the challenges they’ve overcome, what they learned, and how they kept ongoing.
