Digital Transformation with the VP of Growth at Bounteous
Hosts & Guests
Jeff Kahler
Kelly Sundberg
Abbey Karel
Share Episode
About This Episode
How can a company use today’s digital world to their advantage? Luckily for Jeff and Kelly, they have just the expert to ask: Abbey Karel from Bounteous! In their chat with Abbey, they talk digital strategies, automation, AI and more. Plus, just how long until the tucked in sweater goes out of fashion? Listen to find out!
About Abbey: As VP of Growth at Bounteous, Abbey Karel helps Consumer Brands drive digital transformation and create meaningful customer experiences that maximize growth and ROI. By aligning business goals with digital innovation, she enables brands to unlock new opportunities through strategic partnerships and co-innovation while optimizing spend.
With a background in global client leadership, digital strategy, and in-store innovation, Abbey has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands to elevate customer engagement and drive measurable business impact. Prior to Bounteous, she led high-impact client relationships at Ogilvy, earning recognition as a Top-25 Global Client Leader, and played a key role in pioneering native apps and in-store digital experiences for Kohl’s and JCPenney.
Abbey is also a frequent speaker and thought leader, sharing insights on digital transformation, customer experience, and data-driven growth at industry events.
Recent Episodes
Episode 0142 | A Walk Down Memory Lane – and Moving Forward
RTO is turning 20! Jeff and Kelly go through the history books to remember some of RTO’s biggest moments.
Episode 0141 | Every Storage Tank is Different: Interview with Ben Thomas from UST Training
On this episode, Jeff and Kelly talk to Ben Thomas from UST Training to find out just what’s going on with underground storage tanks.
Episode 0139 | Finding the Missing 33%: A Conversation with Breeze Savage
Do you know who the ‘Missing 33%’ are? In this episode, Kelly finds out in a conversation with a committee co-chair within C-Store Women and RTO’s own Client Success Manager, Breeze Savage.
Episode 0138 | Looking Back and Looking Ahead – 2024 Recap and 2025 Predictions
Jeff and Kelly step into the CoC studio for one final podcast in 2024.
Episode 0137 | An Interview with Mason Cowan from BandyWorks
On the latest Culture of Convenience episode, Jeff and Kelly talk with Mason Cowan, Chief Customer Officer at BandyWorks Solutions.
Episode 0136 | Foodservice is Blowing Up: Interview with Dallas from High’s
Dallas Wells, VP of Food Services and Training at High’s of Baltimore, was in the studio with Jeff to talk about running a successful food service in his stores.
Episode 0135 | 2024 NACS Show: Interview with Jeff Lenard
The NACS Show is vast – how can you properly take advantage of it? Look no further than this episode for answers, as Jeff Lenard breaks down how to make the most of the NACS Show.
Episode 0134 | What’s Food Got To Do With It? Interview with PFMA
On this episode, PFMA President Alex Baloga brings insights on the Medical Nutrition Act, how “zero food waste” really works, and where retail’s headed in the next 5 years.
Episode 0133 | Aboveground Fuel Storage for Convenience
Using aboveground tanks for fuel storage is a polarizing topic, but for guests Ethan Henderson and Cameron Hogan from Major Oil, it’s what they do best.
Episode 0132 | Operational Excellence: Anticipate the Situation
In Episode 132, Jeff Kahler sits down with Eric Bolduc from Holmes Murphy Insurance to discuss keeping your store safe and saving money in the long run.
Episode 0131 | RaceTrac: Protecting Assets, Protecting People
With over 550 stores, RaceTrac is leading the charge with learning strategies and asset protection. Jeff Kahler sits down with RaceTrac’s team to discuss how the large chain operators overcome obstacles and maintain strong safety culture.
Episode 0130 | Coupons in Convenience
With digital coupons entering the scene things are about to change- even in convenience stores. What impact will this have on the industry? Producer Kelly sits down with the Coupon Bureau’s Brett Watson to get to the info.
Episode 0129 | Turning Leaders into Shift Leaders: Interview with Bob Duprey (from Restaurant Playbooks)
Bob Duprey is no stranger to creating consistent training systems. In this interview, Jeff Kahler explores how shift leaders can really elevate restaurant service, especially in quick service restaurants (QSRs)!
Episode 0128 | Comebacks Don’t Happen Overnight: Interview with Stephanie Stuckey
Besides bringing her family business out of the red, Stephanie Stuckey has built a team and marketed her brand, all while completely re-inventing herself in a matter of a couple years. Hear her secrets and strategies in this episode!
Episode 0127 | Create the Work Culture You Want: Interview With Steve Seymour
Recruiting and Retaining advice abounds in our interview with Steve Seymour, author of 100 Ideas to Improve the Workplace.
Episode 0126 | AI in Convenience: An Interview with Susan Sly
On this week’s podcast we talk to Susan Sly, CEO of The Pause Technologies and Top Women in AI Finalist, to get her take on AI.
Episode 0125 | Season 11 Recap: Taking Questions
This week Jeff Kahler is tackling the burning questions our listeners sent in during Season 11.
Episode 0124 | An Interview with Frank Beard
In this info-packed episode, Jeff Kahler speaks with Frank about his cstore diet, EV charging stations, autonomous check-out, and measuring success.
Episode 0123 | An Interview with Lonnie McQuirter
In this episode, Lonnie McQuirter, breaks down what separates him from big competition and provides a sneak peek at what advice he’ll be giving suppliers at the NACS Show!
Episode 0122 | An Interview with Lisa Dell Alba
In this episode of the Culture of Convenience, Jeff Kahler interviews Lisa Dell Alba, President and CEO of Square One Markets!
Episode 0121 | Top 10 Reasons to See Us at NACS
In this episode, Jeff Kahler shares the top ten reasons—plus a few extras—why you should stop by and visit RTO at NACS booth B3749!
Episode 0120 | Do Not Stay at Mediocre
In this week’s episode, Jeff Kahler explains how the concept of “Gears to Your Career” can be used to energize and inspire people in the workplace by providing their very own career path.
Episode 0119 | Displaced by AI
In this episode, Jeff Kahler discusses the top 10 jobs he believes could be displaced by AI, along with options on how to either embrace it, or work around it.
Episode 0118 | Scars We Think Others Can See
In this episode, Jeff Kahler speaks candidly about his insecurities and offers advice on how you can overcome your own insecurities to make an impact on the job.
Episode 0117 | Strength Follower: Dedication
This week, we’re spotlighting Angel Bui, RTO’s UX/UI designer! Listen as she shares how dedication has helped her through life as well as how her parents, Vietnamese immigrants, inspired her to be successful in not only in programming, but everything she does.
Episode 0116 | Hearing But Not Listening: The HUBS Origin Story
Jeff Kahler had a vision for building great data reporting features into his software platform, but he wasn’t listening to his customers and didn’t know what they needed. In this episode, find out what can be accomplished when you stop doing and start listening.
Episode 0115 | Getting Into the Nitty Gritty: Season 10 Recap
Going broke, becoming servants to AI, and rage cleaning are all topics that YOU, our listeners, wanted to discuss. Don’t miss this episode, where Jeff Kahler shares his wisdom and wit on these situations and more!
Episode 0114 | Strength Follower: Curiosity
Curiosity requires you to seek out answers beyond yourself. Sandy Williams-Brown’s curiosity sets her ahead when it comes to social media and content marketing at RTO.
Episode 0113 | Strength Follower: Adaptability
In this episode, Flavia Chiquita, Senior Content Supervisor at MotionGlass Studios, discusses her career path and how that brought her to where she is now.
Episode 0112 | Strength Follower: Grit
In Episode 112, Video Specialist Steve Witmer discusses how grit shaped his life and career.
Episode 0111 | Strength Follower: Trend Spotting
In this episode Producer Kelly sits down with Ready Training Online’s Web Designer, Justin Watson, to discuss noticing trends.
Episode 0110 | WTF: Where’s the Future?
In this episode, Jeff Kahler discusses AI, human employees, technology, and how to up your game for the future so your organization stays relevant.
Episode 0109 | WTF (Where’s the Friction?!?): Rust Out – It’s Not Burn Out!
In this week’s episode, Jeff Kahler discusses the symptoms of rust out, and what you can do about it, because after rust out comes drop out!
Episode 0108 | WTF (Where’s the Friction?!?): Toxic Workplaces
In this week’s episode, Jeff Kahler and Producer Kelly take an in-depth look at toxic workplaces.
Episode 0107 | WTF (Where’s the Friction?!?): Work Ethic and Integrity
In this week’s episode, Jeff Kahler asks his friend, mentor, and coach, Steve Goble, to discuss how find stellar candidates- and better yet, how to be one.
Episode 0106 | Sidekick Launch: Here To Help
This week, Mike Singer, Lori Breece, and Jennifer King join Jeff and Producer Kelly to talk about sidekicks of all kinds.
Episode 0105 | Too Happy at Work?! Season 9 Recap!
It’s already time for our season 9 recap and our listeners have sent in some of their most interesting work situations.
Episode 0104 | Power Employees: What It Takes To Move Up the Ranks!
This week Producer Kelly puts Tom Hart, RTO’s Director of Business Development and convenience industry whiz kid, into the hot seat.
Episode 0103 | App Chat: Using Cell Phones at Work, for Work!
In this episode, Jeff Kahler discusses everything that had to be taken into account while developing the trainingGrid® app.
Episode 0102 | Bitcoin Fraud: Yes This IS a Thing!
In this week’s episode, Jeff Kahler shares how a call from a client made him rethink how to protect you and your team from Bitcoin scams.
Listen Now!
Culture of Convenience™ episodes are available on all of your favorite platforms.
Stay connected to get the latest podcast alerts and never miss an episode.