B2B Breakthrough Podcast

Special Episode - Rah Mahtani on Wizards of Ecom: Navigating CoCreate 2024

B2B Breakthrough Podcast

Show Notes

Inside this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, we are sharing our Head of Marketing, Rah Mahtani's, interview on Carlos Alvarez' Wizards of ECOM podcast about the upcoming Alibaba Co-Create conference. They explore the conference’s unique value, catering to both established eCommerce sellers and newcomers, with a focus on actionable growth strategies. Rah highlights the VIP ticket's exclusive perks, such as hotel stays and networking opportunities. They also discuss panels dedicated to female entrepreneurs and a special pitch event offering grants. Rah and Carlos express their enthusiasm for the conference, encouraging listeners to take advantage of early bird pricing and special discounts.Snag your tickets for Co-Create for up to 20% off with the code ALIPODCAST: https://cocreate.alibaba.com/Don’t miss this inspirational conversation.Join them as they discuss:Introduction and Overview of Alibaba Co-Create ConferenceRah's Role at Alibaba and the Company's MissionTarget Audience of Alibaba Co-Create ConferenceValue of the VIP Ticket and Discount CodeLayout of the Conference and Networking OpportunitiesTopics Covered at the ConferenceFocus on Female Business OwnersAccessibility of Alibaba.com and Executive Presence at the ConferenceInspiring Success Stories and Ticket OptionsRah Mahtani is a marketing leader with a proven track record in steering innovative branding campaigns. In his career, he's hung a car on the side of the Los Angeles convention center, rallied across the country with over 3,000 people, participated in winning a Guinness World Record, and, on separate occasions, worked with Snoop Dog (at his house) and Martha Stewart (in her studio). Today he is the Head of Marketing for North America at Alibaba.com, where he is at the forefront of shaping the strategic direction working to elevate Alibaba.com's presence in the U.S. market.Before joining Alibaba.com, Rah served as the U.S. MINI Marketing Communications Lead at BMW, where he played a pivotal role as the digital, creative, and paid media lead in the market for 5 years. Ahead of his time with BMW, Rah held digital marketing and social media leadership positions with leading food service and auto brands, including Jack in the Box and Volvo, in North America. Rah Mahtani is a graduate of Syracuse University, holding a bachelor's degree in industrial design. His multidisciplinary background has provided him with a unique blend of creativity and analytical thinking, which he leverages to drive marketing success.As a thought leader in the marketing industry, Rah’s insights on branding, creative narratives, and effective marketing strategies are valuable for anyone seeking to gain a competitive edge in their own strategies.In This Episode:[00:15] Introducing Rah Mahtani of Alibaba[02:30] Rah’s background and how he has come to where he is.[04:00] Why Co-Create?[06:05] Target audience.[08:00] What to look forward to in the event.[12:40] Early bird ticket[14:30] VIP only.[24:00] Networking.Book References:Where the sidewalk ends by Shel Silversteinhttps://www.amazon.com/Where-Sidewalk-Ends-Shel-Silverstein-ebook/dp/B07WG8LRBTLinks and References:Wizards of Amazon: https://www.wizardsofecom.com/Wizards of Amazon Courses: www.wizardsofecom.com/academyWizar...

More from B2B Breakthrough Podcast

Jan 30, 2026

What if 40% of your shipping damage happens before your container even leaves port—and you've been focused on the wrong stage entirely?Here's something most entrepreneurs don't realize: The majority of logistics disasters don't actually start at customs—they start much earlier with packaging decisions you make before your product ever leaves the factory. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Iron from Forest Leopard Logistics (https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/forest-leopard-logistics.html), a comprehensive cross-border trade partner, about the most common and costly cross-border logistics mistakes and how to avoid them. Learn how packaging decisions impact damage rates, why standard shipping insurance rarely covers what you think it does, and how end-to-end visibility can reduce inventory costs by 20%. Whether you're shipping your first container or managing complex international supply chains, this conversation delivers game-changing strategies for protecting your products and your profits.Main Episode: (00:00) The Hidden Source of Logistics Disasters: Packaging Mistakes (01:36) Strategic Packaging Decisions & The 20% Cost Savings (03:07) Where Damage Actually Occurs: The 40-30-20 Breakdown (05:34) The Insurance Myth & Why Documentation Matters (08:03) End-to-End Visibility & Four Actionable Steps Special Offer: Use code PODFL10 for 10% off first shipment from Forest Leopard

Jan 14, 2026

How do you maintain founder momentum without sacrificing your mental health, physical fitness, and operational clarity as you scale?Don't let the new year pressure derail your momentum. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Kareem Raslan (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kareem-raslan-d2c), co-founder of BrainGain (https://braingain.fit), about how product founders can enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and operational strength. Learn how stripping away FOMO, conducting ruthless SKU audits, and focusing on unit economics can transform profitability. Whether you're battling burnout or chasing every opportunity, Kareem shares the exact framework BrainGain used to turn a 0% margin product into a 15% contributor—and why mental and physical health are just as critical as spreadsheets. Kareem Raslan is the co-founder of BrainGain, a direct-to-consumer home gym equipment company operating across the UK and Europe via Shopify and Amazon. What started as two friends selling dumbbells from their parents' garages during the pandemic has scaled to over 100,000 customers across 30 countries. With a background in restructuring and finance, Kareem brings a data-driven approach to e-commerce, focusing on unit economics, operational discipline, and sustainable growth. Beyond building BrainGain, Kareem now mentors emerging brands on scaling smartly and staying profitable in competitive markets. Tune in to learn:

Dec 23, 2025

Why do successful entrepreneurs negotiate payment terms even when they have millions in the bank—and what does it reveal about building lasting supplier partnerships?Negotiating with suppliers isn't about winning—it's about creating partnerships where both sides thrive. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Lyden Smithers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyden-smithers/?originalSubdomain=au), President and Co-Founder of Titan Network (https://discover.titannetwork.com/) and founder of China Magic (https://www.chinamagictrip.com), about transforming supplier relationships from transactions into strategic partnerships. Learn how asking the right questions, building face-to-face relationships, and focusing on cash flow can unlock better payment terms, pricing, and long-term growth. Whether you're sourcing your first product or scaling to seven figures, Lyden shares practical strategies for negotiating like a pro and building supplier relationships that weather any challenge. Lyden Smithers is the President and Co-Founder of Titan Network, overseeing over $150 million in annual sales on Amazon. With deep expertise in global sourcing, manufacturing partnerships, and production optimization, Lyden has helped countless entrepreneurs streamline their supply chains and negotiate game-changing terms with suppliers. As founder of China Magic, he leads sourcing trips to Canton Fair twice yearly, teaching 50-100 students how to find reliable suppliers, negotiate better payment terms, pricing, and MOQs, and build lasting factory relationships. An international speaker for SellerCon, Helium10, and Global Sources, Lyden is known for his six-step process for securing extended payment terms and his philosophy of turning negotiations into partnerships. Tune in to learn:

Dec 9, 2025

What do Shark Tank investors, Marvel superheroes, and World Cup champions all agree is the secret to entrepreneurial success?The best moments don't happen in boardrooms—they happen on stages where entrepreneurs, champions, and innovators share the unfiltered truth about building businesses in turbulent times. In this special episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo takes you inside CoCreate 2025, Alibaba.com's premier global trade event held in London and Las Vegas, featuring an extraordinary lineup of voices from Shark Tank, the Dragon's Den, the Marvel Universe, the Olympics, and the World Cup. This isn't your typical interview episode—it's a curated collection of the most powerful insights from the stages at CoCreate 2025, where 25,000 entrepreneurs gathered to rewrite the playbook on resilience, execution, and breakthrough success. Featured Speakers:

Nov 19, 2025

What if you could turn your biggest parenting frustration into a six-figure business in just 90 days—using nothing more than a turkey carving knife and memory foam?From 2am desperation to 90-day product launch—parenting pain points have a way of turning into breakthrough businesses. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Brittany Harvey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-harvey/), co-founder of Vonu (https://vonubaby.com), about transforming a sleepless night into the Burplee Lounger, a patented memory foam solution that's helping thousands of parents tackle gas, reflux, and tummy time challenges. Learn how Brittany went from carving memory foam with a turkey knife to scaling a thriving baby product business while navigating the realities of patents, 3PLs, and building a brand that solves real problems. Whether you're a sleep-deprived parent or an aspiring product developer, this conversation delivers honest insights about manufacturing hurdles, supplier relationships, and the power of solving problems you actually experience. Tune in to learn:

See all episodes →