On this week’s episode of Startup to Storefront, we sit down with Iggy Rodriguez, whose career spans the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business.

From leading partnerships at the LA Dodgers and Therabody to helping scale VIP platforms like Velocity Black and Kapow, Iggy has spent years negotiating deals with teams, leagues, and luxury brands. Now, as Senior Director at OneTeam Partners, he helps brands tap into athlete name, image, and likeness across the NFLPA, MLBPA, MLSPA, and more.

On this episode you’ll learn:

• What it really takes to get on and stay on The Bachelor and Bachelorette

• How casting for reality TV works behind the scenes and what producers aren’t telling you

• The emotional cost of chasing fame and attention online

• Why your dating life changes after national TV

• How Iggy’s career path evolved from sports partnerships to licensing powerhouse

Plus, Iggy shares how he gives back — fostering dogs in LA and mentoring Special Olympics athletes.

We’re sitting down with Daniel Bennett, a Los Angeles based digital creator and Head of Creative at his own media agency. Daniel has led social strategy for some of the biggest names in entertainment and gaming, including Grammy-winning artists like Diplo and Dillon Francis, as well as global brands like Call of Duty. But what really sets Daniel apart is his ability to blend storytelling and strategy in a way that resonates deeply with today’s audiences.

While he’s made his mark behind the scenes of major campaigns, Daniel has also built a personal brand that’s taken off. His relatable content about the chaos of your twenties — from the awkwardness of dating to the ups and downs of friendship — has struck a nerve, earning him over 200,000 followers in just 60 days. His growth has been rooted in one key principle: consistency.

In this episode, we dive into what it means to build a sustainable creative career in the ever-evolving digital landscape. We explore how the role of a social media manager has become as vital as a lawyer or a CFO, how Daniel transitioned from agency work to building a brand of his own, and what it takes to stay ahead in the creator economy.

On this week’s episode you’ll learn:

• How consistency became Daniel’s secret weapon for growth

• What it actually takes to hit 200K followers in 60 days

• Why creators and brands alike need to rethink how they view social media roles

• How Daniel took lessons from agency life and applied them to his consulting work

• What’s coming next in the future of content creation and why storytelling still wins

From the Track to the Tumbler: How Off Hours Is Redefining Bourbon for the Modern Drinker This week on Startup to Storefront, we’re diving into the story behind Off Hours Bourbon, the brand that’s rewriting the bourbon playbook. No smoky rooms, no old school gatekeeping, just a fresh take on a timeless spirit. Founded by Jake Ireland, Off Hours blends California cool with Midwest roots, creating a whiskey that’s approachable, design forward, and made for today’s consumer. With national retail expansion, a growing following, and standout partnerships including their new collaboration with La Colombe, Off Hours is setting a new standard in spirits. We break down the brand’s rise, their mixology competition for bartenders across the country, and the strategy behind appealing to a new wave of bourbon drinkers.

On this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Gen Z is shifting the alcohol industry and how legacy brands are struggling to keep up

How Off Hours and La Colombe are teaming up for a nationwide bartender competition

What it takes to build a bourbon brand that actually resonates with a younger audience

Why Off Hours leans into downtime, personal moments, and a more modern take on whiskey culture

What makes high proof bourbon and rye different and how to taste them

How Whole Foods style thinking is shaping female focused bourbon strategies