Tea with Rich. Getting Real.

Hosted by Thomas Obrey

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Latest episode

Dec 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Two friends and former agency executives getting real, and talking about life, leadership, and family with business leaders and eCommerce industry visionaries, delivering a rare and raw look at the realities of delivering with excellence. Whether in life, or the office.

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30 recent

December 31, 2025Episode 251 hr 10 min

Episode 25; Tea & Rich Shooting the Sh!t

This is our final cast of the year, with just Rich and I hanging out and shooting the sh!t on a bevy or topics like why he shaved his beard, ideas for our next few guests, the lack of competition in the commerce platform space, and things we continue to see and mentor for, that we wish we didn’t.For those that might not know us… the proper intro would be… In this engaging conversation, Thomas Obrey and Rich Lyons discuss personal transformations, the impact of masculinity on mental health, and the importance of self-care and personal growth. They reflect on their experiences with Movember (psst… Rich shaved his beard. See it here), fitness, and the challenges of navigating the business landscape. The discussion also delves into leadership, fear, and the significance of taking action without waiting for the perfect moment.Chapters00:00 - Rich Shaved His Beard and Personal Reflections 08:19 - Men's Health and Masculinity Discussions14:51 - Fitness Journey and Blood Work Insights18:08 - Intermittent Fasting and Nutrition Choices20:36 - Functional Health and Blood Testing21:13 - Functional Patterns in Movement32:05 - Commerce and Market Trends38:43 - Agency and Brand Dynamics43:11 - Reflections on post-COVID Commerce Stagnation 43:20 - The Role of Partners in Business44:55 - Parenting and Family Dynamics46:02 - Life Lessons from Children48:06 - Setting Strategic Goals for 202652:49 - Facing Fears and Embracing Growth56:42 - Leadership Insights for Aspiring Leaders01:06 - Encouragement for Action and Self-ExplorationPeace. -t...

November 26, 2025Episode 241 hr 6 min

Episode 24; Getting Real with Dave Barr of CQL

Well well. If this isn't an epic episode of Tea with Rich, featuring Dave Barr of CQL... this is the literal OG's of Commerce Agencies episode on all things old, new, and all of a sudden being the old guys. In this engaging chat, Thomas Obrey, Rich Lyons, and Dave Barr start with an epic shooting the sh!t session, and then move into a real discussion on the evolving landscape of e-commerce, the challenges and insights of being a first-time CEO, and the impact of AI on the industry. We reflect on our experiences, the transition of CQL (a former DWRE partner) towards Shopify Enterprise, and the importance of adapting to new technologies while maintaining a focus on client relationships. The discussion also touches on some key personal reflections, from each of us, and a potential future for the e-commerce sector.The ToC:00:00 - Introduction and Casual Banter04:46 - Transitioning to CEO: Insights and Challenges09:28 - CQL's Evolution Toward a Focus on Shopify14:29 - Navigating E-commerce Transformations19:14 - The Future of E-commerce and Brand Strategies23:44 - Post-COVID Business Mentality26:30 - Navigating Enterprise Complexity29:04 - Shifting to a Shopify-Focused Agency30:35 - Leadership Transition and Challenges32:42 - The Private Equity Influence on Business37:14 - Power in Partnerships, Strategic Acquisitions and Your Network40:40 - And All of a Sudden Your the Old Guy42:25 - AI and it's Influence in Agency's, Shopping and within Brands49:54 - Golfing, Personal Growth and Balancing Work and Leisure54:36 - Navigating my Sabbatical and Future Aspirations01:00 - Industry Insights: E-commerce and AI TrendsPeace. -t...

November 4, 2025Episode 231 hr 40 min

Episode 23; Getting Real with Michael Janiak of Pattern

In this engaging conversation, Thomas Obrey, Michael Janiak, and Rich Lyons discuss their experiences in the e-commerce and design industry, touching on collaboration, competition, and the evolution of design practices. They share insights on starting an agency, the impact of AI on design, and the importance of relationships in navigating challenges. The discussion highlights the changing landscape of e-commerce and the necessity of adapting to new technologies and concepts to address client needs.There is a ton of anecdotal story telling in here too - like the first time Mike and Tea met, in a nightclub, a true Digital Jesus moment. We also talk about Third and Grove snapping up Elva. Co-oppetition (?). And this idea of Experience Orchestration. Rich also goes into detail about his decision to sell Lyons, the process, and what was going through his head the entire time, pre-during-and-post Exit.Of course we talk Metallica, the first project Michael (Pattern) and Tea (PixelMEDIA) collaborated on. And how that collaboration put Metallica ahead of the content, commerce and LLM game. There’s dozens of stories in, on and around the serious topics. Too. This is def worth a full listen. -tChapters00:00 - Introduction and Personal Background02:56 - Collaboration with Competition within the Design Industry05:10 - Mike Reflects on his First Decade in the Agency Space 11:10 - Navigating the Early Days of Entrepreneurship14:32 - Building a Design-Driven Culture16:00 - Challenges of Bootstrapping a Business22:43 - Survivor Mentality in Business25:33 - Experience Design Opportunities in an AI World29:52 - Generative AI and Its Limitations from a ExD Perspective32:13 - AI as a the Ultimate Research Assistant and Pitch Partner37:23 - Navigating Industry Changes Post-COVID45:30 - Thoughts Around Entering the Third-era of eCommerce as a System48:20 - The Evolution of Product Pages and Everything being a Landing Page50:18 - The Idea of Real-time Experience and Intent Orchestration56:13 - The Race to LLMs - Content, Commerce, and Embracing Composable57:53 - Moving Toward Composable and Winning with Metallica01:01 - Hot Topic - Third and Grove Joins Forces with Elva01:04 - Do Acquisitions Creating Gaps or Opportunities in the Market01:07 - Rich Explains his Journey Through Growing, Selling, and Exiting 01:13 - The Struggles Behind Success That No One Talks About01:26 - Reflections on Life After a Successful Exit01:32 - Reflections on Success and LegacyPeace. -t...

October 9, 2025Episode 221 hr 3 min

Episode 22; Getting Real with Scott Stephens of Rate.com

Back from our Summer break, Rich hand I invite a close personal friend, Scott Stephens, to the Podcast. While currently an executive at Rate.com, his career spans a stint at the first SPAM agency (90’s), and as the former COO of Playboy (2000’s), leading their first foray into digital transformation.In this conversation, we are completely unprofessional for most of the episode, with fits of seriousness as we talk about his role at Rate, and their goal of becoming a beacon for financial and health education. Before that however, we discuss his injuries from Pickleball, including knowing himself out and putting his head through a wall to win a point.We also go deep into micro-dosing, our culinary adventures, sharing humorous anecdotes about a potential cooking challenge built around Penne Alla Vodka. They also explore the intersection of food and romance, recounting how cooking has played a significant role in their relationships. The discussion takes a turn towards the professional realm as they reflect on Scott's extensive career at Playboy and the impact of the digital revolution on the brand. The episode is filled with laughter, camaraderie, a shared passion for food, and a good deal of ribbing.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:13 Celebrating Rich's Book Launch05:16 Pickleball injuries06:58 The Infamous Tattoo Story 10:16 Micro-dosing and Mental Health13:04 Transitioning to Fintech at Rate.com16:00 Financial Literacy and Youth Education21:41 Understanding Financial Literacy and Cash Flow24:12 The Mortgage Market and Its Complexities25:52 Real Estate vs. Stock Market: A Long-Term Perspective29:41 The Emotional Value of Home Ownership31:10 Generational Wealth and Family Assets32:26 Creating Memories vs. Financial Investments35:26 Culinary Adventures and Personal Connections42:50 Tattoo Memories and Culinary Adventures45:13 Cooking Techniques and Personal Recipes47:45 Food and Romance: A Culinary Love Story51:27 The Playboy Experience: Insights and Anecdotes55:44 The Evolution of Online Content and Business StrategiesPeace. -t...

June 19, 2025Episode 211 hr 16 min

Episode 21; Getting Real with Marko Bon of Domaine

In this engaging conversation, Marko Bon shares his journey from the early days of e-commerce as a brand-side creative leader through to his transition to a leadership role in the agency world. He discusses the impact of fatherhood on his personal growth, the importance of information architecture in design, and the challenges of transitioning from brand side to agency life. The discussion also delves into the role of data in design, the evolution of his roles at Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Theory and all the spaces in-between, and the complexities of navigating being looked at as more than a designer. We then move into the founding of Tomorrow, a Shopify Agency, now known as Domaine, taking Private Equity, merging with their number one competitor, and the challenges that come with leadership in a diverse and rapidly growing practice. Chapters00:00 - Fatherhood Reflections: The Joys and Challenges05:07 - Home Renovation: Crafting a Mid-Century Masterpiece07:42 - Diving into Information Architecture: A Designer's Path10:22 - The Role of Data in Design: A Turning Point13:15 - Brand Side vs. Agency Side: Navigating the Landscape18:50 - The Evolution of Retail: Challenges and Opportunities25:01 - The Shift from Design to Leadership27:35 - Finding Creative Outlets Beyond Design28:59 - The Art of Storytelling in Presentations31:10 - The Importance of Team Dynamics34:11 - The Birth of the Tomorrow Agency36:18 - From Product Concept to Agency Model39:38 - Building a Successful Agency41:36 - Leveraging Brand Experience in Agency Work44:41 - Navigating the Private Equity Landscape57:34 - Navigating Strategic Partnerships01:00 - The Evolution of Leadership01:03 - Cultivating Company Culture in a Remote World01:04 - Transitioning from Expert to Manager01:11 - Generational Perspectives in LeadershipPeace. -t...

May 30, 2025Episode 201 hr 1 min

Episode 20; Getting Real with Kim Georgeton, The Road to Becoming a CEO.

In this week’s episode of Tea with Rich, we are joined by Kim Georgeton, the CEO of Cloudality, where she shares her extensive career journey from her early days at Amazon to her leadership role at Cloudality. A few fun facts here on Kim, I think…(a) Kim was Amazon employee number 270-something, ish. Shhhh. I’m writing from memory. The facts are within the cast.(b) Kim was brought in to Amazon to pilot their first 150 SKU’s of gifting ideas, or non-books as I like to say. You know, to see if people would buy something other than reading materials. I think we all know how that turned out.(c) Faced with a possible layoff of 30+ people that reported into her, in a prior leadership role, she successfully negotiated a role for herself AND THE ENTIRE TEAM, at a new company, despite having other offers that would of benefited her more personally.As a new CEO, I’ve had a front row seat to her exceptional thought process and leadership style. She’s definitely one to watch. Her style is both direct and collaborative, backed by an Advisory Group that is a who’s who of professional services success.Chapters00:00 - Personal Reflections on Family and Mother’s Day03:21 - Early Days of E-commerce and Amazon's Growth04:51 - Transitioning to Trade Global and Digital Marketing07:57 - Leadership Dynamics and Business Evolution11:17 - Career Transitions and Team Loyalty16:21 - Leadership and Team Protection19:31 - Navigating CEO Challenges28:51 - Mentorship and Personal Inspiration32:56 - Who Inspires You34:53 - Leadership Lessons and Realizations39:26 - The Emotional Burden of Leadership48:51 - Navigating Capital and Growth Strategies58:59 - Starting an Advisory Board Early in the ProcessPeace. -t...

May 5, 2025Episode 191 hr 36 min

Episode 19; Getting Real with Ethan Zohn, Winner of Survivor Africa

On this weeks episode of Tea with Rich we welcome Ethan Zohn to the Podcast. Ethan is the winner of Survivor Africa, founder of Grassroots Soccer, a 2-time Cancer survivor, and motivational speaker. We cover his personal and professional journey, including how we met, his role in public speaking, overcoming adversity, and key moments that forever changed his life. We of course share insights from Ethan's experience as a Survivor winner and repeat contestant, his work with Grassroots Soccer, the emotional aspects of public speaking, and the evolution of reality TV. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling and connection in both personal and professional contexts. Ethan discusses his journey leading up to and getting on Survivor, the importance of using fame for good, and the challenges faced during and after the show. We of course get personal, and share stories related to our travel adventures, the challenges of managing relationships and expectations, overcoming adversity and the lessons learned from difficult experiences. We end with a few questions from Ethan around how Rich and I handle the idea of competition and building long-lasting alliances. Chapters00:00 - Introductions03:00 - Friendship and Networking in the Industry06:02 - Survivor Experience and Public Speaking09:02 - Overcoming Adversity and Sharing Stories11:58 - Emotional Aspects of Public Speaking15:10 - The Evolution of Survivor17:55 - From Professional Soccer to Survivor Contestant25:07 - The Tryout Process for Survivor29:14 - Grassroots Soccer and Making a Difference35:08 - Health Challenges and Survivor's Impact39:14 - Future Reality Shows and Personal Reflections48:56 - Life Milestones, Family Connections and Safari Goals54:55 - Surprise Vacations and Planning56:49 - Food Obsessions and Weight Management01:01 - Overcoming Adversity and Life Lessons01:04 - Charity Events and Personal Connections01:13 - Competitive Spirit and Game Dynamics01:14 - The Impact of Cancer Research01:17 - Leadership Retreats and Team Building01:20 - Business and Survivor: Relationships Matter01:29 - Business and Survivor: Creating AlliancesPeace. -t...

April 21, 2025Episode 181 hr 15 min

Episode 18; Getting Real with Erik Huberman of Hawke Media

On this weeks drop of Tea with Rich we welcome Erik Huberman of Hawke Media to the Podcast, where we cover everything from personal updates to politics, origin stories, and the future of agencies. Erik and the Hawke team continue to execute on an impressive acquisition strategy, so we delve into the importance of maintaining a positive company culture, his vision for the future of the agency - emphasizing growth and innovation, and looking for and grooming future leaders.On the personal side Erik touches on the influences from his family that shaped his personal and professional growth, emphasizing the significance of mentorship and the lessons learned along the way, and his own journey of entrepreneurship prior to Hawke.Chapters:00:00 - Introductions, the Fallout from the LA Fires, and Catching Up03:13 - Health and Wellness Journey06:04 - Leadership and Business Growth09:01 - Navigating Political and Economic Challenges11:53 - Acquisition Strategy and Integration15:09 - Vision for the Future27:48 - Navigating Business Decisions and Market Changes31:44 - Balancing Family Life and Entrepreneurship37:10 - Raising Kids with Intentionality40:43 - Lessons from Parenting and Personal Growth48:01 - Influences from Family and Personal Development55:04 - Mentorship and Professional Growth56:53 - Building Relationships and Early Success58:46 - Starting Over: Lessons from the Past01:00 - Navigating the AI Landscape01:02 - The Future of Agencies and Innovation01:05 - Intent and Excellence in Business01:10 - The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs01:13 - Reflections on Selling a BusinessYou can find Erik on all the usual channels folks - LinkedIn, IG, the family of Hawke companies. He's one to watch.Peace. -t…

April 3, 2025Episode 171 hr 44 min

Episode 17; Getting Real with Brian Walker. Talking Commerce..

This weeks episode of Tea with Rich features Brian Walker, whom shares his extensive career in the commerce tech space, discussing current ventures, including his podcast 'Cocktails and Commerce'. Our dialog delves into the evolution of the commerce industry, the MACH Alliance, and the future trends in commerce and technology, including order orchestration (possibly) about to take center stage, and the continued rise of (actual) composable. We also chatted up the importance of a proper strategy and strong leadership in navigating the current wave of “what’s next in commerce”. Toward the back-half of this episode we discuss the importance of integrating customer experience, the role of AI, and the challenges of building effective partnerships. We or course, also, get into a dialogue that touches on personal experiences, including balancing career and family life, and providing a holistic view of the commerce industry, maybe, today.Chapters, ish...00:00 - Introduction and Shooting the Sh!t06:29 - Brian's Career Journey and Current Venture16:30 - Reflections on the Commerce Industry27:56 - Insights from Brian's Experiences37:58 - The Impact of COVID on Digital Investments45:28 - The Rise of Shopify and Market Dynamics49:34 - Future Trends in Commerce Technology59:26 - Debating Composability and Headless Commerce01:01 - The Shiny New Toy Syndrome01:04 - Navigating Composability in Commerce01:07 - The Evolution of Commerce Technology01:13 - The Integrated Commerce Experience01:15 - Balancing Career, Fatherhood and Emotional Growth01:25 - Lessons from our Grandparents01:28 - Advice for Tech Leaders on Partnerships01:40 - Building Successful PartnershipsPeace. -t...

March 21, 2025Episode 161 hr 18 min

Episode 16; Getting Real with Emily Heintz of Sechey.

In this weeks episode of Tea with Rich, we chat it up with Emily Heintz, founder of Sechey, a pioneer in the non-alcoholic movement.We discuss the evolution of the non-alcoholic beverage movement, our personal journeys with alcohol, and the importance of wellness.Moving on from there, we explore the challenges and successes of running a business in this emerging market, I learn some new words, and their significance, like adaptogens, and the impact on personal relationships with alcohol on health and socialization. This conversation highlights the importance of community, self-care, and the lessons learned in entrepreneurship.Chapters00:00 - Introductions02:05 - Secheys Growth and the Non-Alcoholic Movement04:26 - Understanding Functional Beverages06:41 - Rich's Relationship with Alcohol in his 20's09:54 - The Last Time Rich Drank16:28 - Teas Relationship with Alcohol24:07 - Looking for that Drinking Feel Without Drinking26:56 - Emily's Journey and the Birth of Sechey28:57 - The Impact of COVID on Alcohol Consumption31:56 - Challenges in the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market35:10 - The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beverages40:24 - The Evolution of Retail and E-Commerce41:30 - Emily Talks on How all Roads Lead to This Moment45:53 - Wellness and Health Trends in Beverage Choices49:54 - The Importance of Sleep and Its Connection to Alcohol55:50 - Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey01:00 - Emotional Rollercoaster of Business01:03 - Emily Asks "What got you through the early days of grinding?"01:15 - Reflections on Growth and Future AspirationsPeace. -t...