Firing The Man

Behind every successful e-commerce business lies a crucial truth that most founders miss: profit matters more than revenue. Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective, knows this firsthand. After transitioning from professional baseball with the New York Yankees to the world of e-commerce, he discovered that building sustainable online businesses requires a fundamentally different approach than what most marketers preach.The harsh reality? The median eight-figure e-commerce business operates on razor-thin 6.5% profit margins. This creates a brutal catch-22: growing businesses need capital for inventory, but their margins often don't generate enough cash to fund that growth. As Taylor explains, this is why so many entrepreneurs find themselves with impressive revenue figures but empty bank accounts.What separates thriving e-commerce brands from struggling ones? Taylor identifies three key leverage points that the most successful companies exploit: organic audience reach that reduces customer acquisition costs, exceptional lifetime customer value that justifies higher initial marketing spend, or supply chain advantages that enable nimble inventory management. Without at least one of these advantages, businesses inevitably face commoditization as competition drives margins toward zero.Taylor's "four-quarter accounting" framework offers a practical solution for e-commerce operators. By dividing the P&L into cost of delivery, customer acquisition, operating expenses, and profit—and aiming for roughly 25% in each category—founders can quickly identify and address imbalances. Most importantly, he advocates tracking contribution margin (gross margin minus ad spend) as the north star metric for evaluating marketing performance.Whether you're struggling with cash flow despite growing sales, wondering why your marketing efforts aren't translating to actual profit, or simply looking to build a more sustainable e-commerce operation, Taylor's insights challenge conventional wisdom and provide a roadmap for building businesses that don't just generate impressive revenue but actually put money in your pocket. Isn't that the whole point?How to connect with Taylor?Website: https://commonthreadco.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.comTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@commonthreadcoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjtbFqsqVORPBJMein0zLWQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/commonthreadco/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/common-thread-collective/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorholiday/?hl=enTwitter: https://x.com/taylorholiday?lang=enReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

What if everything you know about SEO is becoming obsolete? Dale Bertrand, founder of Fire and Spark, brings a refreshingly technical yet human-centered perspective to digital growth strategy—a perspective forged through his journey from building government supercomputers to revolutionizing how businesses approach organic traffic."Rankings and traffic that don't convert are worthless," Dale asserts, challenging the vanity metrics that have dominated digital marketing for years. His "SEO for Revenue" methodology cuts through the clutter, focusing on customer acquisition rather than keyword rankings. This approach has yielded remarkable results, including helping GrabCAD achieve 30x growth in organic traffic that ultimately led to a successful acquisition.As artificial intelligence reshapes search, Dale identifies three critical shifts: the tools marketers use, the algorithms powering results, and how customers seek information. This trifecta demands new strategies where content must be "semantically dense" and "snackable" for AI training. The counterintuitive outcome? Less traffic but more revenue—a concept many marketers struggle to embrace.Perhaps most surprising is Dale's deceptively simple advice for understanding customer behavior: just ask them. "We've gotten used to hiding behind analytics," he notes, advocating instead for direct conversations that yield insights no dashboard can provide. This human connection extends to his recommendations for product selection, where he encourages entrepreneurs to find the sweet spot between passion for a customer community, viable sales channels, and healthy unit economics.For those building online businesses in 2023 and beyond, Dale offers a roadmap for navigating the transition from traditional SEO to what he calls "Generative Engine Optimization" (GEO). Early adopters who master these dynamics stand to benefit significantly, just as early SEO practitioners did years ago.Connect with Dale at fireandspark.com or reach him directly at dale@fireandspark.com to learn how your business can thrive in the age of AI-powered search.Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazonDylan Jahraus transformed from corporate e-commerce strategist to Etsy powerhouse, landing her shop in the top 0.1% worldwide and hitting $1 million in sales in just a few years. Now coaching over 4,500 Etsy sellers across 30+ countries, Dylan returns to share her expertise on the platform that changed her life.This conversation dives deep into what makes Etsy different from Amazon and Shopify - from customer expectations to policy control. Dylan reveals that Etsy customers aren't expecting free returns and sellers maintain complete control over their policies, creating a fundamentally different selling environment. She shares how the platform's built-in trust eliminates the friction often associated with independent Shopify stores that might initially appear less trustworthy.Perhaps most valuable is Dylan's contrarian take on Etsy ads. While many sellers pour money into advertising, Dylan built her million-dollar business primarily through organic growth. "I'm very passionate about exhausting your organic potential first," she explains, noting that in her experience, paid ads have only proven worthwhile for less than 20 people she's worked with. Instead, she recommends free marketing channels like Pinterest, which for one student generated over 1.1 million monthly impressions without spending a dime on ads.The episode covers practical strategies for international expansion, personalization best practices, and the free shipping debate. Dylan suggests a hybrid shipping model where you might charge a nominal amount when shipping costs are higher while building the remainder into the product price. She also shares her testing methodology to determine what works best for your specific shop.Whether you're considering Etsy as a new sales channel or looking to optimize your existing shop, this episode provides actionable insights from someone who's mastered the platform. Book a free call with Dylan to chat about your Etsy shop and see if her coaching program might be the right fit for your business goals.How to connect with Dylan?Website: https://dylanjahraus.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/etsy-seller-success-tips-for-starting-growing-and/id1647518076YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeO8Gmc2B-3G2fgcFnRR4XwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dylanjahrausofficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanjahraus/Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazonThe screen time battle just got a revolutionary upgrade. Meet Britta Buchholz, the visionary entrepreneur who's flipping the script on how kids interact with technology through her groundbreaking app, Kidoo.After watching her young children memorize complex passcodes to access their iPads while homework sat untouched, Britta had her lightbulb moment. What if those same devices that captivated children's attention could become powerful educational tools? What if kids had to answer educational questions to unlock their entertainment apps?Drawing from her extensive experience running the Boomerang Group, a philanthropic consulting firm serving high-profile clients like Steve Aoki and Cesar Millan, Britta took the entrepreneurial leap. Despite having no background in tech development, she followed her instincts and pursued her vision with unwavering determination."I didn't even tell my husband for a few months later that I had started this company with this guy, that I had never met with this whimsical idea, that I had to invent an app which I had no clue about the technology industry," Britta shares with refreshing candor. Her journey wasn't without challenges – from facing critical feedback from early testers to navigating the technical complexities of app development and finding the courage to release a minimum viable product rather than waiting for perfection.The result? A transformative tool that parents everywhere have been waiting for. Kidoo seamlessly integrates learning into screen time by requiring children to complete educational challenges before accessing entertainment apps. Unlike traditional educational apps that require parental navigation, Kidoo makes learning the gateway to entertainment, leveraging children's natural motivation to use devices.Whether you're a parent struggling with screen time battles, an entrepreneur considering taking the leap, or simply fascinated by innovative solutions to modern challenges, this conversation offers valuable insights into both the practical aspects of startup development and the mindset required to bring transformative ideas to life. The future of family technology might just look brighter thanks to visionaries like Britta who dare to question the status quo.How to connect with Britta?Website: https://keydo.io/ Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazonThe difference between struggling to get responses and filling your calendar with qualified leads often comes down to one thing: how you structure your offer. Perrin Monker, Principal at RevAscension.io, reveals the counterintuitive psychology that drives successful cold outreach campaigns.Most entrepreneurs make a critical mistake when reaching out to prospects - they position themselves at the center of their messaging. "This is what I do and why I'm great" rarely moves the needle. What actually works is flipping the script to center everything around your prospect's desired business outcomes. As Perrin explains, "We want to be humble when we come up with go-to-market strategies...look at the competition, see what other sharks are in the water."Beyond crafting compelling offers, this episode dives deep into the technical aspects of cold email that most marketers get wrong. We debunk common myths (like the value of tracking open rates) and reveal why sending fewer emails from more accounts dramatically improves deliverability. You'll discover why asking for a prospect's time is fundamentally flawed compared to generating interest - a resource that, unlike time, is infinite and can be created through strategic messaging.Whether you're trying to reach e-commerce businesses, SaaS clients, or any B2B audience, Perrin shares the frameworks that have filled calendars for businesses across industries. From prospect list building techniques to the surprising truth about CTAs that actually work, this conversation will transform how you approach outreach.Ready to stop guessing what works in cold email? Visit RevAscension.io to see how data-driven frameworks can create predictable lead generation for your business. Your next client is just one strategic message away.How to connect with Perrin?Website: https://revascension.io/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrinmoncur/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@perrmoncurReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazonWhat if the path to e-commerce success was simpler than most "gurus" make it out to be? In this eye-opening conversation with Jim Cockrum—pioneer in online entrepreneurship and founder of the Proven Amazon Course—we discover why most people are looking at Amazon selling all wrong.Forget what you've heard about market saturation. With less than 20% of all retail happening online, we're still in the pioneer stage of e-commerce. The blue ocean is expanding daily, and Jim reveals his "low-low-high" approach that's helped thousands build sustainable businesses with minimal risk and investment.The real opportunity? Finding "underserved shelf space" in Amazon's massive warehouse network. Jim explains why focusing on everyday products that shoppers need quickly—rather than chasing the lowest price—creates a powerful advantage even for beginners. Through fascinating examples (like how one seller outperformed 200 competitors while charging the highest price), you'll understand why speed and convenience often trump price for today's consumers.Jim dismantles common myths about Amazon selling, clarifying how the platform's increasingly consistent policies make it easier than ever to stay in good standing. He provides practical guidance on sourcing products properly, understanding the economics of profitable reselling, and avoiding the costly mistakes that trip up new sellers.Perhaps most surprisingly, Jim shares his unconventional belief that relationships—not tactics or strategies—are the true predictor of entrepreneurial success. By the end of our conversation, you'll see why Jim's approach has stood the test of time while countless "get rich quick" schemes have faded away.Whether you're just starting your online business journey or looking to diversify your existing e-commerce operation, this conversation offers a refreshingly straightforward path to building freedom and financial stability in the digital age.How to connect with Jim?Website: https://jimcockrumcoaching.com/Podcast: https://silentjim.com/podcast-home/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimcockrum/Facebook Group: SilentJim Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcockrumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimcockrum/?hl=enSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2K55JmPu9WBAqmOtIaQAkfReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ever wondered what separates wildly successful Amazon brands from those barely breaking even? Noah Wickman, VP of Sales and Marketing at My Amazon Guy, pulls back the curtain on the strategies driving $1.2 billion in annual revenue across 400+ brands.Noah's journey from eBay reseller to e-commerce leader offers a fascinating backdrop to his practical insights. While many sellers feel discouraged by Amazon's increasing fees and competition, Noah brings a refreshingly optimistic perspective: "There are millionaires made on Amazon every single day." The difference? A willingness to invest in testing new approaches rather than operating from fear.The conversation dives deep into advertising strategy, revealing that My Amazon Guy allocates approximately 89% of ad spend to Sponsored Products across their client base—challenging conventional wisdom about ad distribution. Noah also shares a startling finding: about 20% of most sellers' ad budgets are completely wasted, with zero sales resulting from those expenditures. His practical advice for auditing campaigns and identifying these inefficiencies could save listeners thousands.Perhaps most valuable is Noah's framework for sustainable growth. He outlines the four unchanging pillars of Amazon success: catalog management, design, PPC, and SEO—with the latter being the consistent needle-mover for 90% of brands. "The more keywords you have, the more search volume you get. It's essentially just widening that funnel," he explains. Even brands doing $23+ million annually continue to optimize SEO monthly.For those struggling with profitability, Noah offers an unexpected suggestion: test price increases. "You can usually raise prices about 15-20% before your conversion really takes a hit," he notes, provided your listing already ranks well. This single insight could transform margins for many sellers.Ready to accelerate your Amazon business with strategies from someone who's seen what works across hundreds of brands? This episode delivers actionable tactics you can implement immediately. Subscribe now and join us as we continue to unlock the secrets of e-commerce success!How to connect with Noah:Website: https://www.myamazonguy.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/myamazonguyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-amazon-guy/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Twitter: https://x.com/myamazonguyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/myamazonguyReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Jeremy Shapiro returns to the Firing the Man podcast with game-changing insights on scaling businesses beyond the hustle phase. With decades of experience helping established entrepreneurs break through growth plateaus, Jeremy unpacks the mental shifts and practical strategies required to build sustainable growth without burnout.We dive deep into the concept of moving from "reactive chaos" to strategic growth. Too many business owners spend their days firefighting – constantly bailing water without patching the hole in the ship. Jeremy shares a powerful framework for carving out dedicated time to work ON your business, not just IN it, and explains how this simple shift transforms business performance.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Jeremy reveals his process-driven approach to scaling. He challenges the common misconception that systems are ever "done" and emphasizes creating a culture where team members own and evolve processes rather than having procedures imposed from above. For listeners struggling with "SOPs that die in Google Drive," Jeremy offers practical advice for keeping systems alive and relevant.Perhaps most valuable is Jeremy's counterintuitive approach to pricing. Through a simple mathematical example, he demonstrates how modest price increases can potentially double profits, even accounting for customer attrition. This perspective-shifting insight reveals how fear-based pricing strategies leave substantial money on the table for many entrepreneurs.For those feeling stuck at business plateaus, Jeremy offers hope through practical strategies that have helped thousands break through ceilings. He explains how growth typically follows S-curves rather than continuous hockey sticks, and how being open to new channels, products, or strategies that weren't right for your previous growth phase can catalyze your next expansion.Whether you're running an e-commerce business, service-based company, or any entrepreneurial venture trying to scale beyond six or seven figures, this conversation delivers immediately applicable wisdom. Grab Jeremy's new book "Your Business Growth Playbook" and start implementing these proven strategies to escape reactive chaos and build a business that grows on your terms.How to connect with Jeremy?Website: https://YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayareamastermind/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyshapiro/Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Transitioning from employee to entrepreneur is challenging for anyone, but military veterans face unique hurdles despite possessing extraordinary skills for business ownership. In this eye-opening conversation, Zach Miller reveals how his company is changing the game for veterans seeking financial independence.Growing up as the child of two Marines shaped Zach's disciplined approach to life, carrying him through careers in sports, music, advertising, and eventually high-powered digital sales roles where he helped orchestrate multiple company exits worth hundreds of millions. When COVID hit, his innovative digital platform saved $105 million in collegiate sports sponsorships, cementing his reputation as someone who thrives under pressure and creates solutions where others see only problems.What's truly fascinating is how Zach connects his personal journey to his mission at Patriot Growth Capital. Rather than leaving veterans to start businesses from scratch, PGC acquires established, profitable companies and creates a structured pathway for veterans to learn, operate, and ultimately own these businesses. Their "Practical MBA" approach pays veterans a six-figure salary while teaching them every aspect of running a successful operation over a five-year period.The statistics Zach shares are striking: only 5% of America's 6.2 million small businesses are veteran-owned, yet these companies employ over 7 million Americans. By increasing veteran business ownership, PGC isn't just changing individual lives—they're potentially creating an economic engine that benefits communities nationwide.Whether you're a business owner considering your exit strategy, an investor looking for purpose alongside profits, or someone fascinated by innovative business models that create multiple winners, this conversation offers valuable insights into how entrepreneurship can be structured to maximize success while serving those who've served our country. Ready to learn how business acquisition might be the smarter path to entrepreneurial success?How to connect with Zack?Website: https://patriotgrowthcapital.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriotgrowth/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacksmiller/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriotgrowth/Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show