Ryan Vesler, founder of HOMAGE, joins Startup to Storefront to share the story behind one of the most beloved vintage-inspired sportswear brands in the game. From an accidental cease-and-desist email with Larry Bird that turned into HOMAGE’s first licensing deal, to partnerships with the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and exclusive collaborations with Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce, Ryan Reynolds, and Rob McElhenney - Ryan breaks down how HOMAGE built an emotional connection with fans and investors alike.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How Ryan turned his love for Ohio State into the legendary Archie Griffin T-shirt

• Why trading cards became a core inspiration for HOMAGE’s nostalgic aesthetic

• The inside story behind HOMAGE’s collaboration with Travis & Jason Kelce on New Heights

Follow along as Ryan shares how authenticity, emotion, and storytelling have helped HOMAGE become a cult favorite for sports fans everywhere.

Today’s guest is Jorge Perez, creator of the STFU Method, author, agent, producer, keynote speaker, and host of the Outliers TV podcast. With over 20 years of experience in entertainment and personal development, Jorge has spent his life helping people break toxic cycles and reclaim their power.

You’ve seen his work on Bravo, heard his voice on stage, and maybe even watched his award winning documentary on LA’s homelessness crisis, but his latest project goes even deeper. His new book, The Shut The Fu*k Up Method, is a no fluff, call you out while lifting you up guide to mastering your mindset.

Jorge wrote the book after seeing too many people stay stuck, even after attending every seminar and reading every self help book on the shelf. His message? You don’t need more advice, you need to shut the fu*k up... to the voice in your head that’s been lying to you.

In today’s episode, we dive into:

• What the STFU Method actually is and how it helps people get unstuck
• Why so many of us get trapped in the spiral of complaining
• How to identify your self sabotaging thoughts and silence them
• The mindset shifts that create real, lasting transformation

If you’ve been looking for a way to stop spinning your wheels, reclaim your focus, and finally move forward, this episode is the wake up call you didn’t know you needed.

It all started with a date.

For Gabriella Labi, food has always been a source of joy, but after years of battling gut issues, inflammation, and bloating, she was forced to rethink her relationship with indulgence. Still, as a true food lover, she wasn’t willing to give up dessert. She wanted something decadent and nourishing, something that satisfied without the sugar crash or guilt.

At the same time, Tonya Reznikovich was convinced that if dessert wasn’t rich and indulgent, it simply wasn’t worth it. When Tonya’s sharp business instincts met Gabi’s wellness-first mindset, Gato was born.

Their goal? To redefine indulgence, with nut-butter-stuffed, chocolate-drizzled dates that taste as good as they make you feel.

What started as a personal solution soon became something much bigger. From sharing treats with friends and family to setting up shop at LA farmers markets, Gato quickly built a loyal community that treated these confections as part of their self-care rituals. Those markets weren’t just sales channels, they were the heart of the brand, a place to test, connect, and grow. Fast-forward, and Gato is now available in retail stores across the country, riding a wave of momentum that doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

On this week’s episode of Startup to Storefront, Gabi and Tonya walk us through their journey of building a better-for-you dessert brand without compromising on flavor, texture, or emotional satisfaction.

You’ll learn:

• The Co-Man Milestone, how they navigated production roadblocks and found the right manufacturing partner

• The surprisingly personal story behind the name GATO

• What happened when Goop came calling, including the emotional tears that came with a major wellness partnership

This is a story of turning necessity into innovation, indulgence into wellness, and a date into a movement.