Life After Exit: Identity and Depression

Kevin King signs off with Helium 10 Co-founder Guillermo Puyol as they revisit the origins, wild early days, big lessons, and legacy behind one of e-commerce’s biggest success stories.

For the final time as host of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin King sits down with someone who helped change the course of his career and the Amazon seller world at large. In this emotional closing episode, Kevin welcomes Guillermo Puyol, the brilliant, behind-the-scenes architect who helped transform a small side project into one of the most influential software companies in e-commerce, co-founder of Helium 10.

Kevin and Gui go deep into the real origin story of Helium 10, from Manny discovering Amazon selling through Gui’s retail arbitrage side hustle, to the creation of early Helium 10 tools like Scribbles and Frankenstein, to the unexpected momentum that led to hockey-stick growth… and ultimately, a life-changing exit.

Along the way, they share never-before-told stories:

• Recording podcasts from closets and garages
• Manny Coats nearly being “kidnapped” (not really)
• Why the AM/PM Podcast existed before Helium 10
• The infamous April Fools episode that caused chaos
• The first Illuminati mastermind and the rise of Helium 10 Elite
• The emotional whiplash after selling a company
• And why both of them are now back in the startup trenches with AI

This episode is part history, part entrepreneurship masterclass, and part heartfelt goodbye as Kevin concludes his 3.5-year run as host, marking 180+ episodes.

Whether you’re an OG listener who remembers the early AM/PM days or someone new to the brand, this conversation gives you a rare, unfiltered look inside the building of a billion-dollar ecosystem and the people who made it happen.

🏁 Final Notes From Kevin

As I close out this chapter of the AM/PM Podcast and my 9.5-year journey with Helium 10, I want to thank every listener, guest, and team member who made this ride unforgettable. From the early days of tin-can microphones to global events and hundreds of episodes, this community has been the heartbeat behind everything we've built.

If you’d like to stay connected, continue learning, and go deeper into the world of high-level e-commerce, here are links to stay in touch with me.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-king-amazon/
https://www.youtube.com/@marketingmisfitspodcast
https://join.billiondollarsellers.club/bdss-club/
https://www.billiondollarsellers.com/

In episode 476 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Guillermo discuss:

• 01:47 – How AM/PM Launched Kevin’s Entire Amazon Career
• 04:46 – Why Guillermo Puyol Is the Perfect Final Guest
• 10:20 – The True Origin Story: Flappy Bird, Financial Struggles, & a Chance Connection
• 14:20 – Building the AM/PM Podcast to Build an Audience
• 18:40 – The Moment Helium 10 Scribbles Was Born (Because Manny Tanked His Sales)
• 21:35 – Naming Helium 10 the Night Before an Event
• 26:00 – The Rise of the Illuminati Mastermind to Helium 10 Elite
• 30:15 – The War Room Event That Changed Everything
• 38:25 – Fireball Bottles, Screwball Whiskey & Conference Traditions
• 41:05 – Watching Helium 10 Become a Global Giant
• 46:10 – Life After the Exit: Identity, Depression, & Reinvention
• 56:10 – The Founders Return: Manny & Guillermo Launching Kreator.ai
• 01:03:00 – Advice to Entrepreneurs in 2025
• 01:10:45 – Kevin Shares His Own Next Chapter
• 01:13:15 – A Final Farewell & Gratitude