From Homeless to Whole Foods: The Story Behind WhyBars
In this episode of The DTC Insider, Brian Roisentul sits down Jay Keeney, founder of WhyBars, a superfood snack brand built on ancient nutrition and unstoppable persistence. From sleeping in his car to landing on the shelves of Whole Foods and Kroger, Jay’s story is one of grit, creativity, and relentless optimism. We discussed:The origin story of WhyBars and its roots in ancient nutritionJay’s journey from culinary school and the Army to entrepreneurshipEarly experiments selling homemade bars door-to-doorHow local farmers markets helped build awareness and demandThe transition from kitchen production to large-scale retail distributionBuilding relationships with stores like Kroger, Whole Foods, and Fresh ThymeThe importance of public speaking and storytelling for foundersPersonal growth: overcoming homelessness, trauma, and reclaiming his identityThe difference between building a brand to sell vs. a forever businessStaying positive and resilient in the face of personal and business challengesThis episode is brought to you by BSR.BSR helps e-commerce brands that want to scale their business to the next level through paid ads & email marketing.To learn more about BSR, visit their website or book a call here.
--------
40:30
--------
40:30
How Jope Is Changing the Game for Pet Health and Mobility
In this episode of The DTC Insider, Brian Roisentul sits down with Dr. Christine Colamonico, co-founder of Jope (Joy of Pets). Jope is a science-backed pet supplement brand created by two veterinarians on a mission to improve animal health. We discussed:The origin story of Jope and how her dog inspired the brandTransitioning from veterinary practice to entrepreneurshipBuilding a science-backed product in an unregulated supplement marketGrowing a DTC pet brand through Meta ads and customer loyaltyChallenges of scaling in a changing e-commerce landscapeWhy customer experience and education are at the core of Jope's retention strategyThe pros and cons of launching with one hero productExpanding from dogs to cats: product diversification and strategic timingThe power of calling customers and building genuine relationshipsLessons on patience, resilience, and staying authentic as a first-time founderThis episode is brought to you by BSR.BSR helps e-commerce brands that want to scale their business to the next level through paid ads & email marketing.To learn more about BSR, visit their website or book a call here.
--------
45:26
--------
45:26
How to Unlock Growth by Finding Empty Buckets
In this episode of The DTC Insider, Brian Roisentul breaks down a simple but powerful way to find your next growth opportunities, by identifying your empty buckets. Instead of chasing the next Meta or Google Ads playbook, he explains how to zoom out and look at your business through a strategic lensWe discusssed:Why 7–8 figure brands hit plateaus and struggle to scaleThe Kodak story and what it teaches about perspectiveThe “four-quadrant” ad matrix: polished vs. lo-fi, image vs. videoHow to identify creative gaps in your ad accountThinking beyond tactics: the importance of zooming outRethinking “customer acquisition” as more than Meta adsBuilding layered growth systems with clear goals and actionsExpanding buckets: acquisition, customers, subscribers, affiliatesSpotting empty buckets to uncover new growth opportunitiesHow strategic structure compounds into recurring growthThis episode is brought to you by BSR.BSR helps e-commerce brands that want to scale their business to the next level through paid ads & email marketing.To learn more about BSR, visit their website or book a call here.
--------
14:39
--------
14:39
How to Build a Business That Fits Your Life
In this episode of The DTC Insider, Brian Roisentul shares a personal reflection sparked by an interview with a former Disney executive, one that challenged the traditional idea of “being the best”.We discusssed:Lessons from a former Disney executive on vision and successThe difference between being “the best” and being “the happiest”Why your vision doesn’t always have to involve being #1Defining success by your own metrics—not others’The trade-offs of building a massive companyFinding peace in building something sustainableWhy it’s okay to say “I’m fine where I am”How expectations shape our perception of successThe freedom of aligning your business with your lifestyleBuilding your version of success without guilt or comparisonThis episode is brought to you by BSR.BSR helps e-commerce brands that want to scale their business to the next level through paid ads & email marketing.To learn more about BSR, visit their website or book a call here.
--------
7:35
--------
7:35
What 20+ Years and 5 Ventures Teach About Resilience
In this episode of The DTC Insider, Brian Roisentul sits down with Clay Banks, co-founder of Glorilight. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:Clay’s entrepreneurial journey through five venturesThe founding story of GloryLite and its fast launchLessons learned from HavenLock and complex manufacturingKey takeaways from Shark Tank and going viralHow to turn failures into lessons for the next ventureCustomer acquisition then vs. now: iOS14, Meta ads, tariffsThe importance of community and brand as a competitive moatCounterfeit competitors and the fight to protect IPBalancing CAC with LTV and the importance of retentionResiliency, uncertainty, and advice for entrepreneurs in 2025This episode is brought to you by BSR.BSR helps e-commerce brands that want to scale their business to the next level through paid ads & email marketing.To learn more about BSR, visit their website or book a call here.
Welcome to The DTC Insider podcast hosted by entrepreneur, digital marketer, and co-founder of BSR Digital, Brian Roisentul. On this podcast, you will find the best practices for building a successful DTC brand.
Ireland