Firing The Man

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/myamazonguy 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/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

What if the secret to entrepreneurial success isn't working harder, but aligning your life differently? In this eye-opening conversation with Rebecca Elizabeth Whitman – award-winning coach, bestselling author, and host of the Balanced, Beautiful and Abundant podcast – we explore how high-achieving entrepreneurs can escape burnout without sacrificing their ambition.Rebecca shares her remarkable journey from Princeton graduate to direct sales professional, actress, and multi-faceted entrepreneur. Her philosophy of maintaining 3-5 income streams proved invaluable during the pandemic, allowing her to thrive when her primary revenue source disappeared overnight. This practical approach to financial resilience resonates with anyone seeking greater stability in uncertain times.The heart of our discussion centers on Rebecca's transformative "Seven Pillars of Abundance" framework. Rather than positioning financial success as the primary goal, she reveals how spirituality, physical health, emotional wellbeing, romantic relationships, and social connections create the foundation from which financial abundance naturally flows. This counterintuitive approach challenges conventional entrepreneurial wisdom that often prioritizes hustle above all else.For those caught in negative thought patterns, Rebecca offers her powerful "Four A's of Transformation": awareness, acceptance, action, and affirmation. This methodology provides a practical roadmap for shifting from victim mode to victor mindset – illustrated through her own recent experience with a challenging real estate deal. Her refreshing take on time management likens productive work to HIIT training, with intense focus periods followed by intentional recovery.Perhaps most compelling is Rebecca's client transformation story, where an executive assistant set boundaries with her billionaire boss and unexpectedly catapulted her career to new heights. This narrative powerfully demonstrates how creating balance actually enhances performance rather than diminishing it.Ready to transform your relationship with success? Discover Rebecca's free Abundance Journal and 777 Challenge that have helped countless entrepreneurs create alignment in their lives and businesses. Connect with her on Instagram @RebeccaEWhitman to continue your journey toward balanced, beautiful abundance.How to connect with Rebecca?Website: https://www.rebeccaelizabethwhitman.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKOWVJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5Und0VTNpYm5UNDJkZ2dpAR6dRLIszxhmxVbt2Y1QPD9sn1pL63zu4CdKW8_EuBYeoAYbWINKfrkj2_6EAw_aem_xAvrlHvVknkywdBjOHodNgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3PaOeXvkhIHue2hreB22VwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaewhitman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.whitmanPillar.io - https://pillar.io/rebeccaewhitman?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafi24x20CQBee3-u37W-ZbtLucwNXo2SzpKwMirmNDzi_wlNcwLg8XQFfHIsw_aem_tQQRuU4_OljDpxJmePfPGw Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

What differentiates successful entrepreneurs from those who struggle or fail? According to Daryl Urbanski, it comes down to eight critical success factors he's identified after interviewing more than 600 high-performing business owners.Daryl's own path reads like a masterclass in entrepreneurial evolution. From humble beginnings shoveling Canadian driveways, he transformed into a business growth specialist who helped NeuroGym generate $1.6 million in just six months (which expanded to $7.5 million within three years). His approach has always been evidence-based - investing over $50,000 in research to identify the patterns that consistently produce results.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Daryl breaks down the difference between simply "doing the work" and actually "running a business." Many entrepreneurs fail to recognize that delivering a service is only one component of running a successful operation. As he explains: "When you go to McDonald's, they never say the drive-thru's closed because Sally's got a cold." This illuminates why some technically skilled professionals struggle to scale beyond their own capacity.Perhaps most valuable is Daryl's strategic blueprint for building a six-figure business in just 90 days. Rather than focusing on low-ticket, high-volume offerings, he advocates identifying high-value solutions you can genuinely deliver, proving the concept through pre-sales, and maximizing face-to-face interactions with potential clients. "It's easier to make income selling $10,000 items than $10 items," he notes, reminding us that the effort to make a sale often remains similar regardless of price point.The episode culminates with profound insight into what truly sets successful entrepreneurs apart - their relationship with time. Daryl maintains strict discipline around time management, scheduling his day in 30-minute blocks and eliminating distractions that most people consider normal. His recitation of Arnold Bennett's poem on the finite nature of our daily 24 hours serves as both inspiration and warning: "We shall never have any more time. We have, and we have always had, all the time there is."Ready to transform your business through automation and strategic growth? Connect with Daryl at bestbusinesscoach.ca or search for "The Best Business Podcast" wherever you listen.How to connect with Daryl?Website: https://members.bestbusinesscoach.ca/podcasts-homepage/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-business-podcast-with-daryl-urbanski/id953821164 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DarylUrbanski Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/darylurbanski Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillsforsuccess/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/DarylUrbanskiFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealDarylUrbanski/ Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

What if the very success you've worked so hard to achieve is now preventing your business from reaching the next level? This fascinating conversation with Scott Ritzheimer, founder of Scale Architects, reveals the hidden barriers that stop entrepreneurs from scaling successfully.Scott unpacks a revolutionary framework of seven distinct growth stages that every business passes through. What makes these transitions so challenging is their invisibility—no one warns you when you've moved from one stage to the next, leaving many founders implementing yesterday's solutions for today's problems. As Scott explains, "Whatever's creating success or not creating success right now is dependent on the stage you're in right now."The conversation dives deep into leadership dynamics, with Scott challenging conventional wisdom about what makes someone an effective leader. Rather than focusing solely on visionaries with big ideas, Scott introduces three other essential leadership styles: operators who execute relentlessly, processors who create systems, and synergists who harmonize the team. Knowing which type of leader your business needs at each growth stage can mean the difference between breakthrough and burnout.Perhaps most valuable is Scott's candid sharing of his own entrepreneurial journey, including the painful "whitewater stage" where his company's success began creating more problems than profits. By restructuring his leadership team, reimagining the organization chart, and implementing the right operating systems, Scott's company tripled their bottom line in just 13 months.Whether you're struggling with scaling challenges now or preparing for future growth, this episode offers a clear roadmap for breaking through each ceiling you'll encounter. Listen now to discover how to stop being the bottleneck in your own business and scale with confidence.How connect with Scott?https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders - Free book and assessment.Website: https://www.scalearchitects.com/secrets/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secrets-of-the-high-demand-coach/id1637723680YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLj9yjac5P7UMFxoWuG8ZwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.ritzheimer.official/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottritzheimer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottritzheimer/Twitter: https://x.com/scottritzheimer Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

What if the biggest obstacles to your success aren't external challenges but the stories you tell yourself? In this revealing conversation with attorney, success architect, and podcast host Amber Fuhriman, we unpack the limiting beliefs that keep entrepreneurs trapped in cycles of frustration and self-doubt.Amber shatters the common myth that successful entrepreneurs have some secret knowledge or inherent advantage. "Nobody knows what they're doing," she explains. "We act with uncertainty, evaluate our decisions, figure out what worked, and figure out what didn't." This refreshing honesty cuts through the carefully curated social media personas of success, particularly what Amber calls the "Lambo, plane, and Rolex watch" images that trigger more skepticism than inspiration among seasoned entrepreneurs.The conversation takes a surprising turn when discussing high-stress environments. Rather than pushing harder, Amber advocates for intentionally slowing down—scheduling "breathe time" throughout the day and working in focused 45-60 minute blocks. This counterintuitive approach has transformed her productivity and mental clarity, especially after discovering the power of breathwork when traditional meditation failed her.We explore the fascinating connection between childhood experiences and entrepreneurial drive, with Amber explaining how our earliest programming shapes our definition of success. "Money equaled success, success equaled happiness," she shares about her own journey, "and that meant all the pain I felt in my life was going to disappear." The revelation came when success didn't deliver the promised emotional fulfillment, leading to anxiety attacks and a profound reexamination of her goals.Perhaps most valuable is Amber's advice for entrepreneurs feeling stuck: "The antidote to feeling stuck is taking a step, whether you think it's in the correct direction or not." She challenges listeners to examine whether they have data supporting their perceived plateau or if they're simply justifying inaction, noting that "the distance between deciding and action will decide who makes the most money."Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to break through to your next level of success, this conversation provides the mindset tools to recognize and overcome the internal barriers holding you back. Connect with Amber at successdevelopmentsolutions.com or amber@amberfurman.com to continue your journey toward authentic success.How to connect with Amber?Email: Amber@amberfuhriman.com Website: https://fuhrimanlaw.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/break-your-bullsh-t-box/id1475272089YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amberfuhriman668Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2320358498239185Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberraefuhriman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuhrimanlaw/Twitter: https://x.com/FuhrimanLaw Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ever feel like you're pouring endless effort into your e-commerce store with minimal results? You might be focusing on the wrong things entirely.Scott Austin, owner of Jade Puma and host of the Shopify Solutions podcast, delivers a wake-up call for entrepreneurs stuck in the trap of website obsession. With decades of experience working with businesses from startups to industry giants, Scott cuts through the noise with a refreshingly honest take: "Your website is not your business. Your business is your customer acquisition strategy."The hard truth is that entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. While countless YouTube videos promise "start your Shopify store in 3 minutes," Scott reveals why success actually takes years of consistent effort and strategic pivoting. He shares why immigrant entrepreneurs often succeed, how the "four-hour work week" concept has been rendered obsolete, and why understanding your customers' decision-making process is the secret to conversion rate optimization.Scott explains why Shopify has widened its lead as the undisputed platform for brands under $10 million, offering practical advice for leveraging its capabilities. He outlines a three-pronged approach to customer acquisition that works for new stores: start with SEO from day one, implement Google Shopping ads, and develop a remarketing strategy to stay top-of-mind.Most importantly, Scott challenges store owners to stop treating their websites as product catalogs and instead transform them into decision-making engines that guide customers to the perfect purchase. This shift in mindset—from simply displaying products to solving customer problems—separates thriving e-commerce businesses from those that struggle to gain traction.Whether you're just starting your e-commerce journey or feeling stuck after years in business, Scott's practical insights will help you focus on what truly matters: doing the right work, not just working hard. Ready to transform your approach to e-commerce? This episode is your roadmap to sustainable growth.How to connect with Scott?Website: https://jadepuma.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadepumaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JadePumaAgencyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadepumaagency/Twitter: https://x.com/jade_puma Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Ever wonder why your business shows profits on paper but your bank account tells a different story? Rocky Lalvani, the Profit Answer Man, joins us to shatter conventional accounting wisdom with a simple yet revolutionary approach: take your profit first.Most entrepreneurs follow the traditional formula of sales minus expenses equals profit, making your financial reward an afterthought—whatever happens to be left over. Rocky flips this equation, teaching that successful businesses approach it as sales minus profit equals expenses. This fundamental shift ensures you get paid first, forcing your business to operate within its means.Through riveting breakdowns of real-world scenarios, Rocky illuminates why even businesses with strong sales often struggle financially. From e-commerce sellers battling slim margins after marketplace fees to service businesses failing to account for their own time, the root problem usually traces back to incomplete math from the beginning. "If you didn't do the math on your business when you started," Rocky explains, "how did you know it would be profitable?"The conversation takes a fascinating turn examining the cash conversion cycle—how long it takes for a dollar invested to return with profit. For many e-commerce businesses, this cycle stretches beyond 160 days as products move from manufacturing to customer delivery to payment processing. This extended timeline creates a dangerous trap where growth actually threatens survival, as each new sale demands more cash before previous investments return.Rocky's airplane analogy perfectly encapsulates the entrepreneur's journey: "Running a business is like flying an airplane—you need to know your destination, have enough fuel to get there, and constantly course-correct along the way." Many businesses crash because they build an aircraft designed to carry more than it can handle, without enough runway to take off or fuel to reach their destination.Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or working to scale an existing business, this episode provides the financial clarity needed to build a company that serves your life rather than consuming it. Visit ProfitComesFirst.com to access free resources that will help you implement these principles right away.How to connect with Rocky?Website: https://profitcomesfirst.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profit-answer-man-implementing-the-profit-first-system/id1508245322YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswermanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfitComesFirstLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocky-lalvani/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profit_answer_man/ Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show