Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders ICR

In business, you have to want to win. But in addition to that, simple, honest values go an incredibly long way. Today's guest leads a company that is powered by that philosophy.
On this episode we get to sit down with Tom Nolan, CEO of the jewelry and accessories brand, Kendra Scott. Tom leads the billion dollar business by balancing day-to-day functions and strategy with the integration of the brand's core pillars of family, fashion and philanthropy into every consumer touch-point. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Tom oversees the brand's substantial omnichannel growth, global expansion and evolving retail model.
Tom has more than two decades of experience in brand building, management and results-driven strategic planning from a diverse range of companies, including Ralph Lauren, Conde Nast, and his own entrepreneurial endeavor, Prospect Brands. We had a great conversation about the company's humble beginnings and how far they've come.
Highlights: • The origin story of the company (3:57) • Tom's background and career trajectory (5:02) • The appeal of the Kendra Scott story and her as a leader (9:32) • Tom outlines the company's brand values (11:43) • Why Tom made the decision to join the company/the importance of philanthropy (15:36) • The various tipping points in the company's growth (17:51) • The importance of their relationship with Berkshire (20:28) • Tom discusses Kendra Scott's creative approach to marketing (21:28) • The Kendra Scott Foundation (23:50) • The men's line (24:40) • Tom talks about his leadership philosophy and the closeness with his team members (26:35) • The company's vision for the next 5 to 10 years (28:07)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteTom Nolan on LinkedInKendra Scott WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

As the world embraces cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and deregulated finance, there's a massive transformation on the horizon. But if you're going to invest in these innovations, you need to be incredibly diligent and have a deep understanding of the tech. Today's guest has both.
We're sitting down with Pete Najarian, who is the Managing Partner of RW3 Ventures. RW3 is a digital asset venture firm built in partnership with The Raptor Group. The Raptor Group is a multi-sector venture firm with significant investments across fintech, sports and gaming, healthcare, and digital assets.
Pete has significant dedicated digital asset experience, having previously served in senior leadership roles for two leading digital asset operating businesses: Zappo, which was ultimately acquired by Coinbase in 2019, and BitGo, the leader in digital asset security, custody, and liquidity. They provide the operational backbone for more than 1, 500 institutional clients and over 50 companies. They also process 20 percent of all the global Bitcoin transactions by value.
Prior to that, Pete spent 20 years plus building and leading the global emerging markets businesses for some of the world's largest banks, UBS and RBS in particular.
Highlights:
Pete's experience in finance, discovering cryptocurrency, and founding RW3 (4:10)Pete's approach to investing at RW3 (7:24)Bitcoin, and Pete's outlook on when to invest in crypto (8:18)Analyzing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies' place in the market (9:53)Pete breaks down the opportunities opened up by blockchain innovation (11:30)The use and value of cryptocurrency technology in the world economy (13:35) How Pete makes decisions on blockchain investments (16:03)How RW3 assists clients (18:47)Pete breaks down the relationship between traditional finance and cryptocurrency (21:06)Pete's predictions on the future of blockchain technology and finance field (24:11)Understanding decentralized finance (25:03)Government involvement in cryptocurrency (26:38)Some of Pete's current investments at RW3 (30:00)Qualifications for an investment at RW3 (33:10)Links:
Pete Najarian on LinkedIn
RW3 Ventures on LinkedIn
RW3 Ventures Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

When it comes to climbing the ladder in any industry, being willing to try new things and seize opportunities is your fastest track to growth. Our guest today has built her impressive career and carved out her place in the industry by doing just that. 
Today we're sitting down with Morgan Brennan, who Co-anchors CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime, which broadcasts live from CNBC's global headquarters in Inglewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Previously, she was co-anchor of the 10 a.m. hour on CNBC's Squawk on the Street. and Co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Alley.
Morgan joined the network in December 2013, as a general assignment reporter and continues to cover a variety of sectors including manufacturing, defense, and space among others. She's also the host of the CNBC podcast, Manifest Space. 
Prior to joining CNBC, Morgan was a staff writer and reporter for Forbes Media where she reported for Forbes Magazine, Forbes Life magazine, and Forbes. com. She began her career at Forbes in 2009, holding several positions, including anchor reporter and producer for the Forbes video network, covering a wide variety of business and finance topics. Morgan has interviewed billionaires, and heads of state, thought leaders, and chief executives of multi-billion dollar corporations. Her profile story on Equity Group Investments' Chairman, Sam Zell was one of five magazine covers featured on the 2013 Forbes 400 issue. She's also a board member of the nonprofit, City Year New York. 
Morgan graduated summa cum laude from New York University, majoring in Social Science with a double concentration in Anthropology and Media Studies.
Highlights:
Morgan describes her journey from entertainment to journalism (4:09)Morgan's first on-air role (8:49)How the service industry prepared Morgan for her media roles (10:36)Morgan walks us through her trajectory at CNBC (12:08)How Morgan got comfortable with live broadcasting (13:20)The biggest challenges in TV and fast-paced media industries (14:32) Morgan's favorite part of her work (16:52)Morgan talks about her podcast 'Manifest Space' (17:47)Morgan's all-time favorite interview (20:00)How Morgan learned to conduct interviews and her personal approach to them (20:53)How CEOs and business owners should approach media and interviews (21:55)Morgan explains how she balances and manages her work schedule with home life (26:58)Links:
Morgan Brennan on LinkedIn
CNBC on LinkedIn
CNBC Website
Manifest Space with Morgan Brennan
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Introducing a new product into the extremely competitive snack market is not for the faint of heart. To succeed, you need more than a unique product; you need energy, creativity, and a bold approach. Today’s guest has all that in spades. 
We're sitting down with Jake Karls, who is the first to admit that he's a different kind of business leader, unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of b******t. Jake is the Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the good-for-you chocolate brand that turned a kitchen table dream into a global household name.
Mid-Day Squares is leading the disruption of an extremely competitive vertical with a winning team, innovative marketing and a fearless spirit. Jake is recognized as a rising star in the business world, was a finalist for Ian Wise Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 List for food and beverage, and has featured as a regular contributor to media outlets across North America.
Jake has also nicknamed the ICR conference The House of Capital, and we love him for that. He’s officially a “FOICR” which stands for Friend of ICR.
Highlights:
Jake discusses his path into the business sector (3:57)Jake and Tom talk about their favorite Shark Tank Shark (6:51)Jake talks about failure, finding work purpose, and skill sets (7:35)Finding your niche in a competitive market, and Mid-Day Squares' social media approach to branding, and (9:57)Building a brand with emotional connection, and modernized marketing (12:10)Mid-Day Squares' conception and the idea behind the product (14:15) Jake and the team's experience with manufacturing and building their own facility (16:12)Best-selling products (19:02)Mid-Day Squares' retail connections and their proudest deal (19:45)Refrigerated snacking, and how Mid-Day Squares target their audiences (21:00)How the team balances retail and direct channels (22:55)Goal and mission of Mid-Day Squares (24:00)Jake explains the complexity and challenges in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) industry (25:21)Jake gets honest about building your own business (26:35)Ideas for near-future product extensions at Mid-Day Squares (27:57)How much capital Mid-Day has raised for growth and development (29:13)Links:
Jake Karls on LinkedIn
Mid-Day Squares on LinkedIn
Mid-Day Squares Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Big healthcare challenges demand cutting-edge healthcare products. Today's guest is building strategic partnerships to get ahead of disease and fuel the growth of their company. 
Today we're sitting down with Chris Hall, CEO and President of Personalis, which trades under the symbol PSNL. In his role, Chris drives the vision and strategy for the company, including commercializing its diagnostic product offerings. He brings over 20 years of experience in general management and product development within the diagnostics industry, most recently as CEO of Naring Health. 
Previously he served as President, COO, and Chief Commercial Officer of Veracyte Inc, where he led the company's commercial entry into endocrinology and pulmonology and scaled its operational groups. Chris also served as an SVP and Chief Business Officer at Berkeley HeartLab, part of Celera Corporation, where he helped new product launches, and restructured operations to improve profitability and streamline delivery of services.
Chris holds a BA in political science from DePauw University and an MBA from Harvard.
Highlights:
Chris describes Personalis and their work (3:45)Personalis' MRD test and how it works (6:25)Chris walks us through Personalis' tech evolution (8:23)Personalis' current partnerships and collaborations (10:24)More about the internal team at Personalis (14:31)Chris discusses Personalis' recent Medicare coverage announcement (16:09) The current macro environment's effect on business (18:09)2023 highlights at Personalis (19:54)Near-future growth and development goals for Personalis (22:25)Leadership and company culture at Personalis (24:22)Product development and long-term objectives (26:19)Links:
Chris Hall on LinkedIn
Personalis on LinkedIn
Personalis Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

There are some extraordinary opportunities for companies with the vision and commitment to get behind the energy transition, and today's guest works with one of them.
We're sitting down with David Bandele, who has served as the CFO of Hexagon Composites since 2014. The company is headquartered in Norway and trades under the symbol H E X . O L. Their business is focused on carbon-negative, zero-emission energy solutions supported by world-class manufacturing and digitization.
Before joining Hexagon, David held several senior positions in the field of finance and controlling with the Acre Group of Companies, GE Healthcare, and Amersham PLC. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sheffield and is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. 
Highlights:
Introduction to Hexagon Composites and their background (3:24)Hexagon's target audience and reach (4:24)David describes his road to Hexagon (4:51)David breaks down the similarities and differences between natural gas, and renewable gas (6:03)Hexagon's growth and quick expansion (8:02)Hexagon's total addressable market and sustainability benefits (11:43) David walks us through Hexagon Agility's mobile pipeline (15:34)Mobile pipeline demand (17:17)David takes us through the roll out of Hexagon Digital Wave and developments in other Hexagon verticals (18:11)Hexagon's recent partnership with Compass Natural Gas (19:45)The projects of Hexagon Purus (20:45)Hexagon Ragasco and their current market outlook (22:26)David gives his outlook on the current environmental and sustainability efforts in business across North America (24:20)How Hexagon is continuing to innovate and win over shareholders for the long term (25:59)David gives us his predictions and goals for Hexagon's near future (28:42)Links:
David Bandele on LinkedIn
Hexagon Composites on LinkedIn
Hexagon Composites Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.