Drinks and Deals – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, recorded live at MIGS, Assad sits down with Rabia Dincer, Partnerships Manager at CrazyGames, to unpack what authentic business development looks like when you strip away the pitch deck polish. Rabia shares her unconventional journey into BD, the early challenges of being the only woman in a male-dominated company, and how learning to advocate for herself reshaped both her confidence and her approach to partnerships.

The conversation dives into Rabia’s operating philosophy: keep messages short, make them personal, avoid ego-driven outreach, and “sell the way you would want to be sold to.” She breaks down how listening, empathy, and curiosity consistently outperform clever scripts. Assad and Rabia also explore the emotional realities of BD — burnout, travel fatigue, and protecting your energy — along with practical insights on understanding your ICP, spotting real prospect needs, and crafting outreach that resonates.

If you work in partnerships, sales, or business development, this episode gives you a grounded, human look at how top performers build trust, stay curious, and create opportunities through genuine connection.

business development
partnerships
CrazyGames
sales outreach
empathy in sales
gaming industry BD
women in tech
MIGS
client relationships
curiosity-driven selling

Where to Connect with Rabia Dincer

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdincer/
• Website: https://www.crazygames.com/

Contact Info for Assad

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assad-quraishi/
• Websites: QS Consulting & XP Gaming

Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

Music Credit

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad sits down with Ethan Cossio — Level Designer, Biz Dev professional, and international bridge-builder between East Asian and Western markets. Ethan shares how a single trip to GDC set him on a path to connecting with creators, studios, and business leaders across China, Korea, and Japan.

This conversation dives into the real nuances of international BD: cultural expectations, etiquette differences, relationship-building in Asia, and how authenticity can make or break a deal. Ethan also explores the importance of networking aggressively before traveling, respecting cultural norms (like Japan’s business card etiquette), and understanding the long-game relationship mindset common in East Asia.

Whether you’re entering a new market, trying to collaborate with partners overseas, or simply want to learn how to navigate cross-cultural business with confidence, this episode delivers practical, real-world insight from someone living it.

Where to Connect with Ethan Cossio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethancossio/
Website: https://alkemilabz.com/

Contact Info for AssadLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assadquraishi/
Websites:
QS Consulting: https://qsconsulting.info
Music CreditMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

international business
cross-cultural BD
East Asia partnerships
Japan business etiquette
Korea business culture
China networking
global BD strategy
relationship building
business development podcast
Drinks and Deals

Nathan Turner of Earnest Investing and host of the Diversified Mortgage Expo shares how he rebounded from the 2008 crash, turned networking into a repeatable system, and built confidence through simple, practical habits. Learn why setting goals like “20 business cards” can change a career, how to push past imposter syndrome, and why switching seats at conferences can 10x your network. This episode offers relatable lessons for SDRs, BDRs, AEs, and entrepreneurs on building confidence, solving problems, and growing your sales career.

Where to Connect with Nathan Turner:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-turner-a9a1b510/

• Website: https://earnestinvesting.com/

Contact Info for Assad:

Music Credit:

• Music by⁠ ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠⁠ from⁠ ⁠Pixabay⁠⁠

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, host Assad Quraishi sits down with Zach Acito, Business Development Manager at Keywords Studios, to discuss how one of the largest service providers in gaming is shifting focus from AAA dominance to supporting indie and AA studios. Zach shares insights on overcoming the “too big to work with us” stigma, the ROI of in-person networking for smaller teams, and how to sell with startup agility inside a global organization. He also highlights a practical career framework and book recommendation for anyone looking to level up in sales and business development in the games industry.

• LinkedIn: Zach Acito on LinkedIn

• Company Website: Keywords Studios

• LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn

• Websites: QS Consulting

Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad sits down with Alex, Head of Sales at Snapser, a backend platform that helps game studios and app developers launch faster without sacrificing customization.

Alex shares how he’s built high-performing sales pipelines for startups and global tech brands—often with limited budget, small teams, and tight timelines. You’ll hear strategies for controlling what you can control, ruthlessly prioritizing high-impact actions, and identifying bad deals before they drain your resources.

They also dive into the realities of competing in the gaming industry, protecting your company’s mission, and building a personal brand that opens doors for the long term.

Whether you’re in business development, SaaS sales, or the gaming space, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can apply today.

Contact Info for Assad:LinkedIn: ⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠

Website: ⁠QS Consulting⁠ & ⁠XP Gaming⁠

Music by ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

business development, sales strategy, SaaS sales, gaming industry, pipeline building, startup sales, sales prioritization, B2B sales, qualifying leads, sales tips, Snapser, backend platform, SaaS startups, sales leadership

Breaking into sales is tough—standing out is tougher. In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Clio SDR coach and leader Matt Baston shares how to rise above the noise in both hiring and sales. We cover why job hunting is just like prospecting, the mindset that separates top performers, and how to turn ambition into results. Matt also explains why “getting messy” beats waiting for perfect prep, how to approach career moves strategically, and why culture add matters more than culture fit. Whether you’re an SDR, BDR, or career switcher, this conversation is packed with practical tips to help you land the role and excel once you have it.

Where to Connect with Matt Baston

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-baston/

• LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn

• Website: QS Consulting & XP Gaming

• Music Credit: Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

Where to Connect with Ora Xu:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ora-xu/

Website: https://www.envarstudio.com/

From fine art studios in New York and China to leading business development in the gaming industry, Ora Xu’s career journey proves that sales success isn’t just about numbers — it’s about strategy, relationships, and trust.

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, we dive into:

• How to overcome imposter syndrome in sales and advocate for yourself

• Why business development is more than cold calls — and how strategy drives results

• Building trust with clients by believing in your company’s work

• Lessons for B2B sales in unpredictable markets

• How creative careers can shape stronger sales skills

Whether you’re in business development, B2B sales, partnerships, or exploring a career change, you’ll learn how to combine strategy and authenticity to win trust and close deals.

Pour yourself a drink, pull up a chair, and get inspired.

Contact Info for Assad:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠QS Consulting⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠XP Gaming⁠⁠

Music by⁠ ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠⁠ from⁠ ⁠Pixabay⁠⁠

In this solo episode, Assad dives into the ups and downs of staying motivated—whether it’s training for a 5K, hitting sales targets, or just trying to stay consistent.

He unpacks three popular frameworks for goal setting (SMART goals, OKRs, and KPIs), shares a personal story about fitness and discipline, and explores how different motivation styles impact our success at work.

If you’ve ever wondered why some goals stick and others fall flat, this one’s for you.

Contact Info for Assad:

LinkedIn: ⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠

Website: ⁠QS Consulting⁠ & ⁠XP Gaming⁠

Music by ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

In this refreshingly candid episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad sits down with flight attendant, business owner, and event host Jocelyn Cattley to talk about the art of human connection in a world dominated by screens and social anxiety. From breaking the ice at industry events to overcoming impostor syndrome and awkward vibes, Jocelyn shares real, actionable insights on how to own your space—whether you're new in the room or stuck in your head.

They discuss:

• How to approach strangers at networking events (even when you're introverted)

• Why leading with curiosity and value always wins

• How to read social cues and redirect awkward interactions

• The power of knowing yourself—and your city

• Why it's not that deep (and that’s a good thing)

If you've ever hesitated to say hi, felt out of place, or just want to get better at navigating industry events, this episode is for you.

Where to Connect with Jocelyn Cattley:

Email: hello@jumpseattherapy.shop

IG: instagram.com/JocelynCattley

Website: jumpseattherapy.shop

Contact Info for Assad:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠QS Consulting⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠XP Gaming⁠⁠

Music by⁠ ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠⁠ from⁠ ⁠Pixabay⁠

No guest? No problem. In this solo episode, host Assad Quraishi takes a walk in the park and turns the mic on himself to get real about the unspoken truths of business development.

From early career setbacks and sales missteps to personal growth and finding his “why,” Assad reflects on the emotional rollercoaster that comes with building partnerships. He opens up about losing deals, imposter syndrome, learning on the fly, and how trust is really built in BD—not just with clients, but within yourself.

Whether you're new to sales or just need a dose of honest insight, this raw, reflective episode will leave you with practical takeaways and maybe even a few laughs.