
In the Mind of a Distributor
No one teaches you how to run a distribution business. There’s no playbook for navigating shifting markets, growing sales, or making the right bets on technology. The best distributors figure it out by talking to the right people and learning from experience.
That’s what In the Mind of a Distributor is all about. Each month, Benj Cohen—founder of Proton, the CRM built for distributors—sits down with industry leaders, from owners to operators to sales pros, to break down what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry is headed.
If all goes well, listeners will leave each episode a little sharper, a little more informed, and a step ahead of the competition.
Podcasting since 2025 • 5 episodes
In the Mind of a Distributor
Latest Episodes
Navigating private equity partnerships | Larry Stoddard
In this episode, Benj talks with Larry Stoddard, a distribution industry veteran who's led companies through massive growth phases at Ferguson, Bradco, and RelaDyne. Larry pulls back the curtain on what private equity partnerships a...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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34:07

Building a value‑added services strategy that works | Matt Cohen
In this episode, Benj talks with Matt Cohen, President of Replenex, about joining his family business and leading a shift towards a model built around offerings that truly matter to customers and the business. In the first half, Matt shares wha...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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23:49

Building a growth engine through M&A | Jeff McLendon
In this episode, Benj talks with Jeff McLendon, CEO and President of Specialty Building Products, about how he scaled the company from $500 million to $4 billion by pairing intentional acquisitions with disciplined organic growth. He unpacks ho...
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Episode 3
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29:29

Selling to enterprise customers | Joyce Lansdale
In this episode, Joyce Lansdale—Vallen's VP of Enterprise Business Development and Chairman of the Industrial Supply Association Board—shares her deep insights on selling to enterprise customers. With over 30 years in distribution, ...
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Episode 2
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33:31

Building a billion dollar distribution business | Chuck Cohen
In this episode, Benj talks with Chuck Cohen, Managing Director of Benco Dental, about what it really takes to build and sustain a growing distribution business over the long haul.Chuck shares the story of growing Benco from $85 million ...
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Episode 1
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28:50
