CEOAFTERDARK

Hosted by George Kapernaros

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Oct 2025

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About the show

Ever wonder what drives a CEO when nobody's watching? Every Thursday, tune into the CEOAFTERDARK podcast to hear a raw conversation with a hyper-successful business owner. Your host, George Kapernaros, is the CEO of YOCTO, a leading e-commerce CRM agency. Now, he's focused on getting to know these leaders as real people. We're talking about the ups and downs they don't usually share. You'll hear about their personal challenges, their big wins, and everything in between. It's not just about their successes, but also the tough times and what keeps them going. This podcast is perfect for anyone curious about what it takes to run a successful online business. Whether you're dreaming of starting your own company, already running one, or just love a good success story, these chats are for you. So, grab your headphones and join us on CEOAFTERDARK. It's where the real stories of e-commerce leaders come to light – the stuff they only talk about after hours.

Listen to episodes

41 recent

October 12, 2025Episode 4130 min

The Future of Drinking: How Collider Is Reinventing Beer Without Alcohol (ft. Henry Cooke)

In this episode, George Kapernaros sits down with Henry Cooke, founder of Collider — the mood-boosting, non-alcoholic beer infused with functional mushrooms and adaptogens. Collider isn’t just another “healthy alternative” — it’s a science-backed beer experience designed to make you feel good without hangovers, empty calories, or compromise. Henry shares his journey from co-founding his premium sparkling wine brand to launching Collider — a brand that’s already hit 7-figure revenue in under a year. 💡 What you’ll learn: Why non-alcoholic drinks are the next big wellness trend How adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Lion’s Mane affect your mood The brand strategy behind Collider’s standout design How to build a startup with real intentionality What’s next for Collider (including expansion into the US 🍺)

September 22, 2025Episode 4028 min

From Billionaires to Seaweed: How Sachi Singh Is Building a Seaweed-Powered Wellness Revolution

In this episode, George Kapernaros sits down with Sachi Singh, founder of Rootless, to unpack her fascinating journey — from working with billionaires in philanthropy to launching a seaweed-powered brand that’s redefining women’s health. You’ll learn how Sachi discovered seaweed as a powerful systems-level climate solution, why Rootless focuses on perimenopause & menopause, and how her community-driven crowdfunding approach attracted 65% first-time female investors. 🔑 Key Topics: Why seaweed may be the most underutilized superfood for women’s health How Rootless achieved 70%+ repeat purchase rates Lessons from launching (and reworking) a wellness app The future of regenerative supply chains & hormonal wellness How naivety can be a founder’s superpower If you’re a founder, health entrepreneur, or just curious about the intersection of climate, wellness, and consumer brands — you’ll love this conversation.

September 9, 2025Episode 3936 min

Holistic Email Marketing Explained: Strategy, AI & Customer-Centric Growth | Kath Pay

In this episode of the CEOAFTERDARK Podcast, George Kapernaros sits down with Kath Pay — one of the earliest pioneers of email marketing. With 27+ years of experience, Kath shares how she went from running a web design company in Australia to launching one of the first email marketing platforms, and why she still believes email is stronger than ever. Kath explains what “holistic email marketing” really means, how to align strategy with business goals, and how to handle the constant pressure for revenue targets. We also explore her new Holistic Email Academy and discuss how AI is reshaping — but not replacing — the role of marketers. If you’re in retention, CRM, or just curious about the future of email marketing, this episode is packed with timeless lessons and fresh insights.

August 29, 2025Episode 3825 min

Why Case Studies Are Your Agency’s #1 Growth Tool (Don’t Make This Mistake) Retention Clarity Gap #4

Most agencies undervalue case studies — and we were guilty of the same mistake. In this episode, George Kapernaros and Mo break down why case studies are your trust currency, how they directly impact your sales cycle, and why every single client engagement should lead to a documented success story. You’ll learn: Why not publishing case studies is “the most insane mistake” an agency can make How case studies lower the effort needed to close new clients The simple before & after framework that makes case studies persuasive How to structure contracts so you can actually publish your work Why you should create multiple case studies per client, not just one What to do if you’re starting out and don’t have results yet Whether you’re an agency owner, freelancer, or consultant — this episode will show you how to leverage your wins into future growth.

August 27, 2025Episode 3737 min

The Subscription Growth Playbook: Acquisition, Retention & Community Building | Matthew Holman

In this episode of The CEOAFTERDARK, I sit down with Matthew Holman – the founder of Subscription Prescription, to unpack what it really takes to build, scale, and retain a profitable subscription business. We dive deep into: -How to choose the right subscription tech stack (without bias) -Why acquisition is the real driver of retention – and how to fix yours -Proven onboarding flows that cut churn in half -The art of testing subscription offers for maximum LTV -Building engaged communities that power your brand long-term Whether you’re running E-Commerce, SaaS, or subscription boxes, this conversation is loaded with actionable strategies you can implement today. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Subscription Wizardry 03:02 Navigating Subscription Technologies 05:58 The Importance of Acquisition in Subscriptions 09:00 Retention Strategies and Subscriber Engagement 11:59 Auditing Subscription Businesses 15:08 Testing Offers and Optimizing Retention 18:01 Building a Community Around Subscriptions 26:46 Future Aspirations in Subscription Consulting

July 13, 2025Episode 3635 min

Retention Clarity Gap #3 | The Future of Retention Marketing: Why Most Agencies Will Fail by 2025

Most retention agencies are stuck in 2020—still thinking retention means “send more emails.” In this episode of the Retention Clarity Gap podcast, Mo and George Kapernaros (Founder of Yocto) break down why this thinking is dead. They unpack: – Why production is no longer a moat (thanks to AI & platforms like Klaviyo) – The collapse of “service market fit” for average agencies – Why the real future of retention lies in strategic decision-making, not email volume – How Yocto is scaling by hiring problem-solvers, not button-pushers – What “Strategy Activation” means and why it’s replacing outdated audits – The new model for high-retention, high-impact client relationships If you're an eCom founder, marketer, or agency owner—this is your wake-up call. 🔥 Don’t forget to like, comment, and leave a review if this hit home. 🔔 Subscribe for more sharp takes on the future of retention. ▶ LinkedIn: https:/https://www.linkedin.com/company/george-kapernaros/

July 8, 2025Episode 3536 min

How Blake Imperl Built a Personal Brand & Scaled D2C SaaS Through Community & Content

In this episode of CEOAFTERDARK, George Kapernaros sits down with Blake Imperl – Head of Marketing at Digio and a true D2C SaaS insider. From his early days at Attentive and Wonderment to now driving growth at Digio, Blake has mastered the art of blending tactical marketing, authentic community-building, and personal brand development. We dive deep into: How to build a powerful content-driven go-to-market engine The underrated power of personal branding in B2B SaaS Building communities before product-market fit How Digio helps 2,000+ DTC brands turn zero- and first-party data into real personalization Why most SaaS brands fail at content – and how to fix it How to plug into the ecosystem fast as a new brand This episode is packed with practical advice, real-world frameworks, and a candid look into how Blake's personal brand opened career doors – and built massive company equity along the way.

June 15, 2025Episode 3444 min

Retention Clarity Gap #2 | Selling Retention Up the Chain: From Data to Decisions

In this episode, Mo & George dive deep into one of the biggest challenges in retention marketing: how to communicate your impact to leadership, justify budget, and drive decisions with data. If you've ever struggled to "sell" retention internally, this one's a must-listen. 🔍 Key Takeaways: Revenue ≠ Impact. Speak the language of profit & margin. Know who you're pitching to: finance, founders, creatives all think differently. Frame your work around solving business problems, not showing reports. The retention industry is changing fast. Stay sharp or get replaced by AI. 💼 We're hiring: Want to join Yocto? DM George on LinkedIn with what sets you apart. The bar is high, the opportunity even higher. Book a Strategy Call with YOCTO: https://calendly.com/george-kapernaros/socratic-interview ▶ LinkedIn: https:/https://www.linkedin.com/company/george-kapernaros/

May 24, 2025Episode 3333 min

Retention Clarity Gap #1 | Subscription Brands: Reduce Churn Without Discounts

In this deep dive conversation, Mo sits down with George Kapernaros to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in eCommerce: retention. But instead of just talking about email flows or post-purchase tips, George flips the script—arguing that retention starts at acquisition. 👉 Why your offer is the biggest retention lever 👉 How to make customers feel the value—not just see it 👉 Why habit formation matters more than your welcome flow 👉 Smart post-purchase tactics (that don’t rely on discounts) 👉 The real reason most brands lose customers (and how to fix it) From building emotional brand connections to turning zero-party data into real personalization, George shares practical frameworks and examples from brands he's worked with—including how to stay top-of-mind without spamming. This is a must-watch for DTC founders, email marketers, and anyone obsessed with LTV, CAC, and retention math that actually makes sense. Book a Strategy Call with YOCTO: https://calendly.com/george-kapernaros/socratic-interview ▶ LinkedIn: https:/https://www.linkedin.com/company/george-kapernaros/

May 20, 2025Episode 3242 min

How to Build a Media-Driven Brand in 2025! CEOAFTERDARK with John Roman

In this episode of CEOAFTERDARK, host George Kapernaros sits down with John Roman, the mastermind behind BattlBox, the outdoor subscription brand that became a media machine. John shares how he: Scaled BattlBox into a DTC powerhouse Sold it (at peak market conditions) Built a Netflix show around the brand Created a content engine where 60% of revenue comes from organic From leveraging YouTube reviews in 2015 before influencer seeding was even a term, to scaling a full-time creator team and managing post-exit pitfalls—John breaks down what it really takes to build community, turn creators into cashflow, and why content is the real moat in DTC today. Whether you’re a brand founder, marketer, or creator—this episode is a masterclass in strategic content and brand building.