serial entrepreneurs

Your business’s reputation is vital to its long-term success. And Thomas Smale is an expert in growing a brand from an idea to a multi-million dollar company. 

Thomas, founder and CEO of FE International, is a serial business entrepreneur and M&A expert. 

He’s found that reputation is what makes businesses sink or swim. So what can you do to bring your business to peak performance? 

In this episode, Thomas shares his tips for building the right reputation, such as the importance of analyzing every transaction, how to build the right workplace culture, and why it’s important to do the right thing.

Show Topics

• Build a good reputation
• Strive for perfection
• Pick the right clients
• Do your due diligence 
• Invest back into your industry 
• Don’t depend on trends
• Be intentional with workplace culture
• Let people go
• Do the right thing
• Focus on one goal

Show Links 

• Check out FE International
• Follow Thomas Smale on LinkedIn or Twitter

Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Sean Blanda (Crossbeam), Ilona Abramova (AppSumo), and many more.

Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:

020: Spark Creativity and Generate Memorable Content with Ryan Law (Animalz)

041: Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)

045: Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)

009: The Long Game Podcast: Building Communities, Teams and Companies through Marketing with Sabel Harris

019: Peak Performing, High-Earning Freelance Writing with Michael Keenan (Co-Founder at Peak Freelance)

028: Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)

Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:

015: Should You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?

017: How Do Growth and Content Overlap?

027: Is Organic Traffic the Best Traffic?

Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:

Twitter: @beomniscient

Linkedin: Be Omniscient

Listen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

Usman Sheikh is the Managing Director of  High Output Ventures, a seed-stage fund and startup studio investing in exceptional domains experts who are building the remote  first companies of tomorrow. Usman is a  serial entrepreneur, having built, operated,  and sold companies over the last 15 years.

The conversation centers around:

• Adjusting your mindset and skillset as serial entrepreneur for investing and operating/building, and what this means for VC-VB models
• Defining your personal drive and measure of success as serial entrepreneur
• Finding the right CEOs
• Building a remote culture and remote practices
• Differences in talent in Europe and Asia, and what qualities to look for
• Creating a flywheel of concept validation for ventures, and the importance of discipline and quick iteration
• The qualities one needs to have to be a startup CEO

Episode 117

David and I have been selling on Walmart in the last 12 months. In this episode, we will share the lessons that we have learned so far and how you can apply them to your own e-commerce business. Some of the topics that we will also discuss are the benefits of selling on Walmart and the criteria to become a top-rated seller on this platform. 

[00:01 - 06:31] Opening Segment

• Why David and I are selling on Walmart
• Where does Walmart rank among Fortune 500 companies?

[06:32 - 17:45] Signing Up on Walmart

• Walmart is not as big as Amazon in terms of marketplace
  • But here’s what you need to know
• How to set up your listings after setting up your Walmart account
• What you need to know about the Walmart Fulfillment Services

[17:46 - 22:22] What to Know About 3PL and PPC on Walmart

• Can you use a third-party logistics provider on Walmart?
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• We share our experience on pay-per-clicks at Walmart

[22:23 - 32:30] How to be a Top-Rated Seller on Walmart

• Here’s how Walmart is utilizing feedback to improve user experience
• How to get Walmart’s Pro Seller Badge 
• Listen to our final thoughts regarding our current experience with Walmart

[32:31 - 34:32] Closing Segment 

• Connect with us! 
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“[You] can launch more products on Amazon or you can take your existing catalog and go to Walmart...really sit down and think about that and make a business case.” -  Ken Wilson

“There’s a different type of customer on Walmart. You may find that you have a product that doesn’t sell great on Amazon but because of this customer avatar of your typical Walmart customer, maybe you’ll get better volume there.” -  David Schomer

Resources mentioned:

• Launch on Walmart by downloading this FREE document from us
• Helium10
• Deliverr
• Amazon Vine

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Episode 116

Why should you consider self-manufacturing your products?

In this episode, we will answer that question and discuss why we decided to source products here in the United States. The expectation from e-commerce gurus is that they will tell you to go to Alibaba and source your products from China. However, we discovered in our case study that sourcing in the United States has its own advantages too, some of which are even better than sourcing overseas.

We also talk about the benefits of self-manufacturing. We found out a few interesting positive impacts that both new and experienced e-commerce owners should consider. Unlike other people who only promise the “good,” we want to be honest with our Firing the Man Nation. That is why we will discuss the downsides of self-manufacturing too. 

[00:01 - 07:27] Opening Segment

• We give you a sneak peek into our topic for today
• The advantages of sourcing products from the US
  • The 3 words you can stamp on products to raise conversion rates

[07:28 - 13:55] Making the Business Profitable

• What e-commerce business owners should know about tariffs
• This is the number that we really care about

[13:56 - 26:20] Our Journey to Self-Manufacturing

• Why we decide to self manufacture FBA products
• We share our process in choosing the product to self manufacture
• The 2 types of people when it comes to self-manufacturing

[26:21 - 36:35] Impacts of Self-Manufacturing

• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• We talk about the impacts of self-manufacturing on our business so far
  • How to capitalize on the Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) method
• How we generated additional profit margins from our businesses

[36:36 - 50:48] The Pros and Cons of Self-Manufacturing

• The downsides of self-manufacturing that we have experienced
• How satisfying it is to manufacture your own products
• If you want to self manufacture too, these are the things to consider

[50:49 - 53:22] Closing Segment 

• We share our key takeaways from our current experience on self-manufacturing
• Connect with us!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“If you’re self-manufacturing, quality control is on your lap. That’s well within your control.” -  Ken Wilson

“The ability to make something is incredibly satisfying and it creates value.” -  David Schomer

Resources mentioned:

• DOWNLOAD our case study on firingtheman.com/usa
• Book: Who Not How
• Thomasnet.com
• MFG
• Maker’s Row
• Made in America

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Episode 112

Seneca Hampton is an experienced e-commerce seller that has successfully grown and scaled his health and fitness brand into an absolute goliath on Amazon. David met Seneca a few weeks ago – and what was scheduled to be a 30-minute call turned into a 2-hour deep dive on all things digital marketing, developing a team, and strategies to crush it on Amazon.

Listen to Seneca to know how to grow from zero to 1 million dollars in just 3 years!

[00:01 - 10:42] Opening Segment

• Seneca Hampton talks about his motivations for selling on Amazon
• Here’s an important lesson that he learned from his previous employer
• Seneca walks down memory lane to share his first few years as an Amazon seller

[10:43 - 26:40] An Interesting Way to Start an E-Commerce Business

• How he convinced his loved ones to support him in his e-commerce journey
• Seneca gives his take about the right time to leave your day job
  • The first time he heard “passive income,” this is what he did
• Here’s the reason Seneca did not automate his business early on
  • He also deliberately did not put any system in place

[26:41 - 37:14] The “3X Rule” Before Leaving a Day Job

• Business is problem-solving according to Seneca
  • Here’s why
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• What aspiring entrepreneurs should know about the “3X  Rule”

[37:15 - 49:30] 5 Hours A Month Working in a Business

• Where stress and anxiety come from and how to solve them
• Seneca introduces the “Hyper Leverage Principle”
• How it helps him work for 5 hours monthly

[49:31 - 52:47] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Seneca in the Fire Round!
• Connect with Seneca!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“You’re always learning because knowledge is something people can’t take away from you.” - Seneca Hampton

“[Learning is] a must. It’s not an option. No matter what you do…you should be an expert in a subject and you can learn it through doing it.” - Seneca Hampton

Resources mentioned:

• Books
  • Rich Dad's CASHFLOW Quadrant
  • Rich Dad Poor Dad

Email shampton@gmail.com or seneca@arkadhq.com to connect with Seneca. 

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Episode 111

On today’s show, we are joined by Nathan Hirsch. Nathan is an expert in remote hiring and eCommerce. He built and exited FreeeUp.com, a marketplace that connects businesses with pre-vetted virtual assistants, freelancers, and agencies in eCommerce. Nathan's most recent project is Ecombalance where his team focuses on eCommerce businesses selling on Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Etsy, and other marketplaces master their bookkeeping. 

Tune in now to learn to grow your business by using your financial statements the right way!

[00:01 - 05:56] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Nathan Hirsch
• The story behind building FreeUp

[05:57 - 15:38] Building His Own Service-based Company

• Nathan talks about how this “rebellious act” led him to entrepreneurship
• We have an interesting exchange about vegetarian diets
• The customer pain point that pushed Nathan to get out of Amazon

[15:39 - 21:04] Building Trust With Potential Buyers of Your Company

• Newbie entrepreneurs should learn this thing about outsourcing
• How to build trust with buyers if you want to sell your company
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400

[21:05 - 30:24] How to Look at Financial Statements

• The right time to hire bookkeeping services
• The right way to use financial statements according to Nathan
• Nathan gives a sneak peek at the services that EcomBalance offers

[30:25 - 36:05] The Future of Bookkeeping

• Nathan shares his outlook for the bookkeeping industry
• Are there any interesting trends in the e-commerce space right now?
• Is EcomBalance a good investment?

[36:06 - 41:41] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Nathan in the Fire Round!
• Connect with Nathan! 
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“One of the ways you build trust with someone buying your company is you understand your numbers and the numbers that you're telling them on those initial phone calls match up with the numbers that are actually on the documents.” - Nathan Hirsch

“You can't make business decisions just by looking at what's in your bank account and cash coming in. You have to actually see income statements, balance sheets, cash flows.” - Nathan Hirsch

Resources mentioned:

• Thrasio
• Chelsea Cohen
• SoStocked
• Book: Tools of Titans

Email nathan@ecombalance.com to connect with Nathan or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Check out EcomBalance to master bookkeeping for your e-commerce business!

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Episode 110

Josh Dittrich is a visionary entrepreneur, seller, investor, advisor, husband, and father of five. Most recently, he built and sold two e-commerce businesses for 8 figures and was recently featured in a Business Insider article about how he did it. This has inspired him to write the book "Aggregator Navigator: The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing the Exit of Your Amazon Brand" to demystify the process of selling to an aggregator. 

He is also the founder of BrandedSeller.com, helping Amazon Sellers strategize and maximize their exit. His team also provides stunning low-cost video and listing content. 

Listen to this episode to exit your Amazon business like an 8-figure entrepreneur!

[00:01 - 06:30] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Josh Dittrich
  • His humble beginnings and journey to e-commerce
• The reason he decided to go full-time as an entrepreneur

[06:31 - 16:38] Eight-Figure Exit

• Josh talks about his primary fear when he left the corporate world
• The steps he took to grow a business that became an 8-figure exit
• The hardest part in starting an e-commerce business

[16:39 - 21:37] Product Development

• Josh reveals the business model that his team followed
• Why you should know your market share
• The reality about launching a new product

[21:38 - 30:35] Unique Value Proposition

• The importance of the Unique Value Proposition
• The right time to sell an ecommerce business
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400

[30:36 - 43:15] Deal Structures

• Things to consider when hiring a broker
• Here is a lesson about structuring a deal you don’t want to miss
• Characteristics of a good buyer according to Josh

[43:16 - 49:42] Max Dollars for Your Business

• Josh gives a sneak peek of book!
• He talks about his main motivation for writing the book
• Are you a good fit with Josh’s company and its services?
  • Find out here

[49:43 - 52:45] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Josh in the Fire Round!
• Connect with Josh! 
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“Once you figure out a system and a process that work, you have to double down on that.” - Josh Dittrich

“Rather than growing for the sake of growing, continue to focus on growing profitably.” - Josh Dittrich

Resources mentioned:

• Amway
• eBay
• Jungle Scout
• Alibaba
• Book: Good to Great

Email pr@brandedseller.com or josh@brandedseller.com to connect with Josh or follow him on LinkedIn. Check out their website to know more about their services. 

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Episode 109

In this episode, we talk about our experience in owning a warehouse for our ecommerce business and why you should consider building or buying one too. For instance, it offers benefits relating to Amazon FBM (Fulfilled By Merchant). If you think however that owning a warehouse is not fit for your business at the moment, you can explore a few alternatives like subleasing a big warehouse, using third-party logistics, and buying a rental property. 

Listen to this episode and grow your ecommerce business with local warehouses!

[00:01 - 04:38] Opening Segment

• We introduce our topic for this episode
• How the pandemic affected Amazon warehouses

[04:39 - 12:59] Using a Third-party Logistics

• We share our experience about using Third-party Logistics (3PL)
• How David found a warehouse for his inventory
• What ecommerce owners should realize about new racking and shelving

[13:00 - 20:11] Why Own a Warehouse for your Ecommerce Business

• We talk about the benefits of owning a warehouse
  • What does it mean to turn over an inventory?
• Ecommerce owners should know this fact about Amazon FBM
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400

[20:12 - 31:11] The Costs of Managing a Warehouse

• Why set up your shipping templates for 1-2 days
• Warehouses are not free and have associated costs
  • Here’s what to do
• The forgotten part of the house that can help an ecommerce business

[31:12 - 36:07] Alternatives for Warehouses

• We weigh in between 3PLs and warehouses
• You can explore subleasing warehouse spaces
• Real estate is another option for ecommerce owners

[36:08 - 37:49] Closing Segment 

• Connect with us!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“New racking and shelving versus shelving that’s 40 years old essentially does the same thing. They hold cases as long as it’s structurally sound.” - David Schomer

“One way to [fire the man] is to pivot and be flexible and keep moving forward. Always move forward and adapt.” - Ken Wilson

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Episode 107

Eli “The Travel Guy” Facenda is a travel-loving entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. Eli has visited 35 different countries over the last 3 year while growing two businesses and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs experience more freedom through leveraging credit. In 2021 alone, Eli has been a full-time nomad and has flown on nearly 50 flights for free, many of which have been first class. He has additionally gotten 40+ nights in hotels for free...equating to over $40,000 In free travel this year alone.

Listen to Eli and be a travelling entrepreneur as well!

[00:01 - 05:07] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Eli Facenda
• He shares his very first venture with entrepreneurship

[05:08 - 10:58] The Reality About Entrepreneurship

• How Eli saw freedom and opportunity in entrepreneurship
• The reality about pursuing entrepreneurship according to Eli
• Sports and military lessons we can apply to entrepreneurship

[10:59 - 20:46] How Business Credit Works

• How to leverage your business credit according to Eli
• Business owners are underutilizing business credits
  • Here’s how to address this problem
• Eli weighs in between personal and business credits

[20:47 - 29:23] Using Your Credit Points Better

• The many different ways to use your credit points
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• Eli shares some practical tips to systematize your spending

[29:24 - 35:58] The Best Credit Card For Entrepreneurs

• These are the cards that you can try now as suggested by Eli
• Choose the right card for you with these tips
• Benefits that entrepreneurs should look for in a card

[35:59 - 44:02] Cheap PPC in the Ecommerce Industry

• How Freedom Travel Systems supports entrepreneurs
• We talk about PPC in the ecommerce industry
• Know more about Eli in the Fire Round!

[44:03 - 46:30] Closing Segment 

• Connect with Eli!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“To be able to endure that much failure…‘keep playing’ is a big part of what we all have to go through as business owners.” - Eli Facenda

“I have a vision, I’ll take the action. I’ll figure out the details later, which can be a good thing and a bad thing.” - Eli Facenda

Resources mentioned

• Books
  • Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
  • Clarity: Clear Mind, Better Performance, Bigger Results
  • The E-Myth Revisited

Email eli@freedomtravelsystems.com to connect with Eli or follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram. Visit Freedom Travel Systems to leverage your credit and create a life of freedom!

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Episode 106

Dennis Kelly is the Chief Executive Officer of Postalytics, a fast-growing software company that automates direct mail marketing, measures the results and connects it to CRM/Marketing Automation. Dennis specializes in technology, product development, sales, marketing, finance and HR. In this episode, he will give us a sneak peek into how he’s grown his business and offer us some tips to be successful in the ecommerce industry. 

Learn from Dennis how to get more reviews and customers for your business!

[00:01 - 04:31] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Dennis Kelly
• How Postalytics turned into a fast-growing company

[04:32 - 14:44] The Best Time Be An Entrepreneur

• Dennis talks about his fears when he decided to pursue entrepreneurship
  • Here’s how he overcame all of them
• Why Dennis thinks that entrepreneurs should start young
  • Some sacrifices will also be made
• What aspiring entrepreneurs should realize about fears

[14:45 - 24:16] Why Dennis Invested in a Declining Business

• Dennis tells us this story about selling a company
• The importance of digital calendars according to Dennis
• He explains how direct mail was the predecessor of ecommerce

[24:17 - 34:17] Generating Leads From Postalytics

• How entrepreneurs can leverage Postalytics for lead generation
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• Here’s a sneak peek on the backend of Postalytics

[34:18 - 47:42] How to Generate More Sales 

• How to get customers to bite your upsell and cross-sell offers
• Increase your conversion rates by following these tips from Dennis
• Product launches can also benefit from direct mails and here’s how
• How much should you allocate for direct mail? 

[47:43 - 51:41] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Dennis in the Fire Round
• Connect with Dennis!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“As a startup person, I think you always have fears and you have to become comfortable with them. They’re a part of you. They’re not something you can just ignore.” - Dennis Kelly

“You have to have a feeling that you can succeed no matter what as long as you work hard enough.” - Dennis Kelly

Resources mentioned

• Book: A Soldier of the Great War

Email dennis@postalytics.com to connect with Dennis or follow him on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Check out Postalytics to grow your ecommerce business with direct mail!

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Episode 104

Jessica Totillo Coster is an eCommerce & Email Marketing Strategist for scrappy entrepreneurs. After 20+ years in retail, owning her own multi 6-figure brick & mortar boutique, and 3 years as the ONLY employee of a 7-figure eCommerce store, now she’s sharing everything she learned the hard way so you don’t have to. In this episode, she will specifically focus on the power of emails and why you should plan for a good email campaign regardless if it is the holiday season or not. 

Learn from Jessica the top email campaigns you can launch for your ecommerce business!

[00:01 - 05:06] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Jessica Totillo Coster
• Why she’s in love with ecommerce

[05:07 - 11:07] Starting a Business

• How she built Ecommerce Badassery by accident
• Not everyone knows what you know
  • Here’s how to start a business
• Jessica’s fears in starting a business and how she overcame them

[11:08 - 21:50] Making More Money for Your Business

• The 3 ways to make more money on your business
• The difference between cross-sell and upsell
• How to stay consistent with your email calendar

[21:51 - 31:19] Encouraging Customers to Buy Again

• How to think of content ideas to send to customers
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• How to get people to buy again without incentives

[31:20 - 41:52] Using Email Automations

• Why Klaviyo is perfect for ecommerce businesses
• The email automations to increase revenue
• How to become an ecommerce badass like Jessica

[41:53 - 47:44] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Jessica in the Fire Round
• Connect with Jessica!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“[Entrepreneurship] is not a one and done. You have a few tries first before you land on the thing that really works.” - Jessica Totillo Coster

“The biggest thing for me about being an entrepreneur is being able to own all of my own success and failures.” - Jessica Totillo Coster

Resources mentioned

• SELLY
• Book: Launch (Updated & Expanded Edition)

Email jessica.totillo@gmail.com to connect with Jessica or follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Check out eCommerce Badassery to grow your ecommerce business with email marketing!

DOWNLOAD these guides that helped Jessica run a 7-figure eCommerce business!

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Episode 103

Chloe Thomas is a best-selling author, international speaker, and host of both the award-winning eCommerce MasterPlan Podcast and the brand new Keep Optimising Podcast. Chloë is one of the Top 30 eCommerce Influencers 2021 (Scurri) and her podcasts are regularly included in lists of the top eCommerce & marketing podcasts in the world. Her specialty is solving eCommerce marketing problems from tiny tactics to huge strategies.

Learn from Chloe how to utilize Facebook and Google ads while surviving the Cookie Apocalypse!

[00:01 - 06:56] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Chloe Thomas 
• Why she got rid of her agency and turned to ecommerce

[06:57 - 16:54] Modern Ways to Connect With Customers

• Chloe is excited about these things in ecommerce
• The unique and creative ways to connect with customers 
• A great ecommerce website has these qualities according to Chloe

[16:55 - 22:41] Tips to Start on Shopify Successfully

• Start successfully on Shopify with these tips from Chloe!
• Here’s why you should collect the emails of your customers
• The difference between organic and paid advertising

[22:42 - 27:25] Facebook Ads vs. Google Ads

• If advertising is not your strength, this is what you should do
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• Facebook or Google ads: Which should you choose?

[27:26 - 37:24] How to Survive the Cookie Apocalypse

• Chloe talks about the Cookie Apocalypse and how to survive it
• She shares her realizations about working in an agency
• The reasons she started her award-winning podcast

[37:25 - 45:09] Quality Podcast That Generates Money

• How to produce a quality podcast when you’re just starting out
• Monetize your podcast by niching down
  • Here’s how
• Know more about Chloe in the Fire Round!

[45:10 - 47:18] Closing Segment 

• Connect with Chloe!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“Facebook and Google both get 90, 99% of their income from advertising. They’re heavily incentivized to find a way to make this work for you.” - Chloe Thomas 

“...being an entrepreneur, a business owner, it gives you lots of freedom, but if you want to exit, it’s incredibly hard.” - Chloe Thomas 

Resources mentioned

• Podcasts
  • Entrepreneurs on Fire
  • The Joe Rogan Experience
• Book: Quiet

Get in touch with Chloe by emailing chloe@ecommercemasterplan.com or following her on LinkedIn and Twitter. Check out eCommerce MasterPlan to grow your ecommerce business!

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Episode 102

Today, we continue our talk with Travis Chambers, a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister and founder of Chamber.Media. Travis will talk about advertising and how powerful it is in growing ecommerce businesses. Drawing from his own experience, he will share some practical steps to understand Facebook ads better and leverage their power to improve ROI. 

Listen now and learn how to convert prospects into buyers with Facebook ads!

[00:01 - 06:21] Opening Segment

• We continue our talk with Travis Chambers of Chamber Media!
• Why Travis is the Henry Ford of video production

[06:22 - 14:51] The Answer to Latest Privacy Updates

• One of the most cost-effective infrastructure in advertising
• The latest privacy updates have effects on ecommerce
  • Travis shares his insights
• Why significant resources are keys to start a business today

[14:52 - 24:39] 7 Facebook Ads that Convert

• The ad types that can help you make more money
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• Triple your revenue with these tips from Travis
  • What’s sustainable and what’s not?
  • What can we learn from Warren Buffet?

[24:40 - 30:09] Why Contact Chamber Media Now

• Travis talks about the services of Chamber Media
• How Travis can say that a brand is “weak”
• The secrets to build a powerhouse in the advertising industry

[30:10 - 33:22] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Travis in the FIre Round
• Connect with Travis!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“The only businesses that I’ve seen that become really institutional, big brands...it’s because they figured out advertising.” - Travis Chambers

“The most successful founders are never inventors; they are always marketers, in my opinion.” - Travis Chambers

Resources mentioned

• UnicornCopy.AI
• GEICO
• Book: Man's Search for Meaning

Get in touch with Travis by emailing tc@chamber.media or following him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Check out Chamber Media to create social video ads that drive full-funnel sales and brand growth. 

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Episode 101

Our special guest for today is the Henry Ford of video ads, Travis Chambers. Travis is a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister and founder of Chamber.Media, a growth and video agency with 100 employees that has tripled the revenue of 6 multi-million dollar DTC companies, driven $600M in tracked revenue, managed $100M in ad spend, makes 3,000+ videos a month for ads on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

Travis has been a keynote speaker at Google Growth Summit, VidCon, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and has been featured in Inc, Entrepreneur, AdWeek, HuffPo, among others. Travis led distribution and content strategy for "YouTube's #1 Ad of the Decade," Kobe vs. Messi with 140 million views and took Old Navy from 2M to 8M Facebook likes while at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, working with brands like Kraft, VitaminWater, Amazon and others.

Tune in now and learn from Travis how to create viral videos!

[00:01 - 06:09] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Travis Chambers
• Travis talks about his journey to ecommerce

[06:10 - 14:00] Creating Viral Videos

• The new way to reach the masses according to Travis
• Travis reveals how to create a viral video online
• He talks about his experience running an MMA business

[14:01 - 28:01] The 3 Ways to Live Life

• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• Travis shares his experience working 70 hours weekly for the man
• He talks about the 3 ways to live your life
  • Entrepreneurship is just one!
• When to leave your current job

[28:02 - 33:14] Closing Segment 

• Here’s a rarely talked about topic related to entrepreneurship
• Connect with Travis!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“At 12, I realized advertising was the blend of the pragmatic and the creative in the arts.” - Travis Chambers

“If you’re gonna be an employee and you’re gonna work for a wage, then don’t give your whole effort and soul to the organization. Live your life outside of your job.” - Travis Chambers

Resources mentioned

• Books
  • The 4-Hour Workweek
  • The $100 Startup

Email tc@chamber.media to reach out to Travis or check out his LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

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Episode 100

Welcome to Episode 100 of Firing the Man! In this special episode, we look back into the reasons we started this podcast, the lessons we learned from our guests, and most importantly, our long and inspiring journey to firing the man. 

Tune in now to this special episode!

[00:01 - 06:41] Opening Segment

• Why we started this podcast

[06:42 - 13:46] Our Journey to Episode 100

• Our experiences the moment we fired the man
• Are you a newbie entrepreneur?

[13:47 - 18:16] Exiting a Business

• A career-defining book on entrepreneurship
• Lessons from ecommerce legend, Carlos Alvarez
• How to turn $25,000 into a 9-figure exit

[18:17 - 23:15] Expanding a Business

• How to expand your Amazon business
• What to learn about sourcing and logistics 
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400

[23:16 - 32:10] High-Quality Podcasting

• How to write words that sell
• Producing high-quality podcast episodes
• Don’t miss this episode where we got drunk!

[32:11 - 42:21] Giving Value

• Giving value to the Firing the Man Nation
• A life-changing book by Hal Elrod
• What our guests say in the Fire Round

[42:22 - 46:12] Closing Segment 

• Connect with us!
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“As we hit roadblocks and struggles and feel like we’re constantly putting out fires, it’s nice to know that this is the norm. Business is hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it.” - David Schomer 

“It’s a very lonely world being an entrepreneur and you need a support system and you need other people that are doing what you're doing in this space.” - Ken Wilson

Resources mentioned

• 4: How to Be More Efficient & Productive with Your Time
• 19: Carlos Alvarez on Overcoming Obstacles in Your E-Commerce Business
• 41: Selling Internationally on Amazon with Expert – Kevin Sanderson
• 45: Buy then Build with Author Walker Diebe
• 62: Francois Jaffres from Noviland – Get Your Physical Product Sourcing Blackbelt
• 65: Navigating Walmart’s E-Commerce Platform with Experienced Seller Miro Posavec
• 79: The EXITpreneur’s Playbook – Author Joe Valley
• 81: Navigating Expensive Freight & Supply Chain Disruptions with Francois Jaffres
• 91: How to Scale from $0 to $80 million on Amazon with Adam Feinberg from Web Deals Direct
• Buy Then Build
• Subtle Words That Sell
• The EXITPreneur's Playbook
• The Miracle Morning

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Episode 99

Chase Clymer is the Co-founder at Electric Eye, where he and his team create Shopify-powered sales machines from strategic design, development, and marketing decisions. He is also the host of Honest Ecommerce, a weekly podcast where they provide online store owners with honest, actionable advice to increase their sales and grow their business. 

Tune in now and learn from Chase the best Shopify apps and ecommerce KPIs!

[00:01 - 05:46] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Chase Clymer
• Chase’s journey from punk rock bands to ecommerce

[05:47 - 15:15] The Hardest Part of Ecommerce

• Why he started the podcast, Honest Ecommerce
• The hardest part of ecommerce according to Chase
• The challenge posed by the latest iOS update

[15:16 - 23:56] How to Boost Website Traffic

• Here are pro tips from Chase to drive traffic to your website
• Chase shares some interesting thoughts about influencer marketing
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400

[23:57 - 33:46] Content Creation is Key

• The power of investing in brand building
• Chase talks about tactical strategies you can apply now
• He  breaks down the Brand Scaling Framework
  • The KPIs you should prioritize 

[33:47 - 45:35] Why Niche Down 

• The Shopify updates you can leverage for your business
• Why installing many apps into your store is not advisable
• How to transition from freelancer to founder
  • Why you should niche down

[45:36 - 49:52] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Chase in the Fire Round!
• Connect with Chase
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“The hardest part, and this is something that no agency, consultancy, magician, nobody can help you with, is finding product-market fit. That is a founder’s job.” - Chase Clymer

“Failure is inevitable and you’re going to fail when you get started. Just move past it” - Chase Clymer

Resources mentioned

• Shopify
• Klaviyo
• Freelance to Founder
• Books
  • Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
  • Built to Sell
  • Get Rich in the Deep End
  • Brandon Sanderson books

Email chase@electriceye.io to connect with Chase or follow him on LinkedIn. Check out Electric Eye Agency to boost your Shopify sales!

Are you an ecommerce business owner? Listen to Honest Ecommerce to learn from the experts and grow and scale your business. 

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Episode 98

Phil Strazzulla is an entrepreneur and the founder of SelectSoftware Reviews, a website dedicated to helping HR and Recruiting teams to find and buy the right software through in-depth, expert advice. Phil started his career working in venture capital before getting his MBA from Harvard Business School. He joins us in this episode to share some tips and strategies to be more productive and avoid burnout in a remote setting. 

Tune in now and learn from a rockstar entrepreneur!

[00:01 - 06:31] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Phil Strazzulla
• Phil tells us why he built SelectSoftware Reviews

[06:32 - 12:02] How to Build Your Entrepreneurial Mindset

• Phil shares the story on how he built his entrepreneurial mindset
• How to overcome the fears of firing the man
• Why you might still feel unfulfilled even with a good job

[12:03 - 22:02] Training Yourself to be Productive

• The ups and downs of entrepreneurship
• Alternative paths to starting a business
• How to train yourself to be productive

[22:03 - 29:08] The Connection Between Boredom and Productivity

• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400
• How to avoid burnout in a remote setup
  • Why being bored boost productivity
• Phil gives some tips to manage your emails

[29:09 - 34:53] Focus and Deep Work in Business

• The insecurity among entrepreneurs according to Phil
• The power of focus that you should realize now
• Is SelectSoftware Reviews applicable for your business?
  • Phil explains their services

[34:54 - 44:09] The Right Human Resources Software For You

• Phil shares an interesting observation about human resources
• What to look for in a software about human resources
• Know more about Phil in the Fire Round!

[44:10 - 46:13] Closing Segment 

• Connect with Phil
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“It’s really important for you to take breaks for you to work really intensely and basically be bored.” - Phil Strazzulla

“Focus has become one of the core skills of successful people today.” - Phil Strazzulla

Resources mentioned

• McKinsey & Company
• Tim Ferriss
• FocusMe™
• Books
  • Deep Work
  • How to Win Friends & Influence People

Email pstrazzulla@gmail.com to connect with Phil or follow him on LinkedIn and his personal blog. Check SelectSoftware Reviews out to find the best HR and recruiting software vendors!

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Traditional business advice tells us to niche down and focus on one thing, which can feel suffocating and restricting for those of us who are multi-passionate. Is it possible to run multiple successful businesses? What if they are for totally different audiences and in completely separate industries?

In this interview, Danielle teaches us how she went from making $520 in her first year as an entrepreneur to now running three profitable and sustainable businesses at the same time.

We talk about how to choose which business to focus on and when and how to monetize them smartly. Danielle gives her advice for how to separate your businesses strategically and some of the key mindset shifts she’s made that have helped her succeed. We also talk about how to set reasonable financial goals as a multi-passionate and how that looks different than when you have a single business.

Danielle’s Website 

“Watch Me” Podcast

Danielle on Instagram

Download Danielle’s Free Monetize Your Multipassions Workbook

Connect with Lindsay on Instagram

Reach out to Ashlynn on Instagram

Episode 97

Chris Shipferling is a Managing Partner at Global Wired Advisors, a leading Digital Investment Bank focused on optimizing the business sale process. The approach of the Global Wired Advisors combines decades of merger and acquisition experience with online and e-commerce expertise to increase the transactional value of your greatest asset. In this episode, Chris will help us navigate the exciting but intricate puzzle of selling FBA businesses to aggregators.

Listen to Chris and learn from an ecommerce superstar!

[00:01 - 06:43] Opening Segment

• Let’s get to know Chris Shipferling
  • He shares his journey to ecommerce
• How he learned Amazon’s Seller Central

[06:44 - 16:56] What Aggregators Do in Ecommerce

• Chris talks about the moment when he finally fired the man
• What does an aggregator do?
• It’s a good time to be a seller now
  • Chris explains

[16:57 - 26:02] Impacts of COVID-19 to Ecommerce

• Impacts of COVID-19 to the ecommerce industry
  • The positive impact of COVID-19 to ecommerce
• This is what will happen if you have the wrong intermediary
• Want some Amazon refunds? Check out Getida
  • Promo code: FTM400

[26:03 - 36:48] The Ins and Outs of Earnouts

• Chris talks about “portfolio softness”
• What to do when you are approached by an aggregator
• The protections you can build for an earnout

[36:49 - 45:55] Aggregators vs. Private Equity

• The difference of the aggregator model to private equity
• Chris tells us why you should talk to an intermediary
• Here’s the main reason you should professionalize your business now

[45:56 - 49:17] Closing Segment 

• Know more about Chris in the Fire Round!
• Connect with Chris
  • Links below
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“It’s actually much scarier when you look back at it and way higher risk when you can’t control your own destiny.” - Chris Shipferling

“We wanna talk to sellers and help them get educated on what it’s like to really take their business seriously to a good process.” - Chris Shipferling

Resources mentioned

• Wayfair
• Evenflo
• Amazon’s Seller Central
• Kevin King
• Thrasio
• Walmart
• Book: Good to Great

Email chris@globalwiredadvisors.com to connect with Chris or follow him on LinkedIn. Visit Global Wired Advisors to optimize your business sale process.

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