Brad Wayland is the Managing Director and M&A Advisor at Quiet Light, a brokerage firm that helps online business owners execute successful exits. As a thriving entrepreneur, he has almost 20 years of experience marketing and operating online businesses. Starting in 2003, Brad helped create an online custom t-shirt company that became a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Later, he started building other e-commerce businesses and investing in existing companies. Over the last 10 years, Brad has constructed, purchased, or sold more than 30 web properties. In this episode… Are you looking to sell your business? What do you need to know to maximize the value of your business during the exit process?  Seasoned entrepreneur Brad Wayland knows selling a business is a daunting and complex task that involves a lot of preparation, strategy, and negotiation. To increase the value of your business, it is crucial to have a clear and realistic plan that takes into account market trends, competition, financials, risks, and opportunities. This plan should include a thorough assessment of the business's strengths and weaknesses, a clear value proposition, a realistic timeline and budget, and a careful selection of potential buyers based on their compatibility, financial capacity, and strategic fit. All the moving parts can be overwhelming, so Brad recommends hiring an M&A advisor or agency with the expertise, network, and experience to guide you from valuation and marketing to negotiation and closing. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Brad Wayland, Managing Director and M&A Advisor at Quiet Light, to discuss strategies for a successful business exit. Brad explains the right time to sell a business, the importance of having an advisor to guide you through the process, and how to prepare a business for a smooth and lucrative exit. 

Behdad Jamshidi is the Marketing Broker and Founder of CJAM Marketing, which provides access to digital marketing partners that are ideal for your brand's current and future goals. His unique background in marketing, engineering, consulting, leadership, sales, and strategy makes him the perfect intermediary for connecting business owners with vetted marketing teams that fit their objectives. Behdad's work has been featured in several publications, including MarketWatch, Bloomberg, National Post, and the Financial Post. In this episode… Are you frustrated with the marketing agencies you’ve worked with because of the lackluster results they deliver? Where can you turn to connect with an agency that meets your needs so you can end your search and focus on running the business?  Marketing is the backbone of any successful business, and finding the right marketing agency is essential to drive growth. But let's face it — finding the perfect marketing partner can be a daunting task. You may waste a lot of time and money looking for a marketing partner that ultimately doesn't meet your expectations. However, Behdad Jamshidi recommends hiring a marketing broker to take the guesswork out of finding an agency that meets your needs. His business can match you with qualified and vetted marketing partners that will take your business to the next level. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Behdad Jamshidi, Marketing Broker and Founder of CJAM Marketing, to discuss how businesses can source a marketing partner that delivers results. Behdad talks about his marketing background, the scope of services CJAM Marketing offers, its business model for matching brands with marketing agencies, and its vetting process.

Nick Bartlett is the Co-founder and the Director of Marketing and Sales at CBIP Logistics. Using its global network of partners, CBIP provides supply chain strategies and logistics services to create an easier and more adaptable way for any sized business to streamline the process. With a central office in Hong Kong, CBIP has expanded its network from the Asia Pacific region to North America to the UK to secure the most optimized and efficient logistics and fulfillment options available. Nick has over 12 years of experience in logistics, e-commerce, marketing, supply chain management, and the traditional retail space across multiple regions. At CBIP, Nick closely monitors new markets and believes successful business operations come through value-based relationships. Before CBIP Logistics, he was the Owner and Head of Sales at InXpress and served as a Sales and Marketing Management Consultant for Royal Dutch Shell.  In this episode… Running a successful e-commerce brand requires more than a good product and an attractive website — you must be able to handle the logistics process efficiently. In the wake of rising e-commerce and global manufacturing, logistics has become a complicated industry with supply chains spread across multiple regions and countries. Is your business equipped to source logistics partners at a moment's notice? From managing inventory to shipping products and handling returns, logistics can be challenging for e-commerce entrepreneurs. Fortunately, there is a solution that can help streamline your logistics operations while complying with global regulations so you can take your business to the next level. Nick Bartlett recommends hiring a fourth-party logistics service provider to help you navigate this complex landscape, including dealing with unexpected shipping delays, managing your inventory more efficiently, and handling returns and customer service issues. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Nick Bartlett, Co-founder and the Director of Marketing and Sales at CBIP Logistics, to discuss logistics solutions for your business. Nick talks about logistic options, CBIP’s business model and success stories, its 4PL approach, and how it solves the logistics challenges entrepreneurs face. 

Andriy Rudnyk is the Founder of Good Subscription Agency, a brand that assists entrepreneurs in building world-class subscription-based businesses. As a Shopify CRO expert who likes to experiment with the design of DTC stores and email marketing, he helps brands create and grow recurring revenue. Andriy is also a digital marketing and e-commerce mentor at North Forge Technology Exchange and holds a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship and small business management from the Asper School of Business.   In this episode… Do you want your business to have a steady stream of revenue, predictable cash flow, and cultivate solid customer relationships? Building a subscription-based business could be the solution, but do you have what it takes to thrive using this model?  Subscription-based businesses are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. However, there’s an art for attracting, converting, and retaining subscribers. According to Andriy Rudnyk, building and growing a successful subscription-based business requires unique skills and expertise. He recommends hiring an agency that specializes in this area to help you develop a winning strategy, optimize your marketing and retention efforts, and reduce the churn rate to achieve sustainable long-term growth. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Andriy Rudnyk, Founder of Good Subscription Agency, to discuss how entrepreneurs can flourish through a subscription-based business model. Andriy talks about the value of hiring an agency, customer retention and churn rate reduction tips, and how to maximize subscription income over the holiday season.

Barbara Turley is the Founder and CEO of The Virtual Hub, a firm providing fully managed, trained, and dedicated virtual assistants to business owners and operators to help them scale. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she spent 15 years in the corporate world as an account manager and an equity trader for various brands. Additionally, Barbara is a speaker, podcast host, and operational efficiency enthusiast who passionately helps businesses remove bottlenecks and scale.  In this episode… As a business grows, the workload increases — and managing it alone can be overwhelming. Where can you get the much-needed support you want to help you keep up with the demands of running your business, avoid burnout, and ensure that your business continues to thrive?  Barbara Turley believes VAs are an essential resource for business owners looking to scale. They help manage your workload and free up your time so you can focus on growing your brand. However, not all VAs are created equally. Hiring an expert VA who specializes in providing valuable insights and suggestions for improving your systems and processes is crucial to help you streamline your workflow and increase efficiency. So why wait? Start exploring the benefits of working with a VA today! In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Barbara Turley, Founder and CEO of The Virtual Hub, to discuss her journey running a VA company. Barbara talks about the genesis of The Virtual Hub and what it does, its virtual assistant culture-building and onboarding strategy, and the three-step operational efficiency blueprint for a scalable business. She also explains how she helps entrepreneurs with operational frameworks, systems, and processes.

Kevin and Laurie Lane are the Co-founders of Create A Castle, a sand and snow castle-building toy line that captured the attention of the sharks on Shark Tank. Kevin (an avid sculptor) and Laurie wanted to create a more efficient and less time-consuming method for constructing imaginative sand creations. Now, families can use their molds to enjoy a fun and frustration-free way of building elaborate castles, towers, and whatever else they can dream of in the sand or snow. Create A Castle's toys have garnered awards in indoor and outdoor categories, including the prestigious 2020 Outdoor Toy of the Year accolade. They have made a name for themselves in the toy space, selling in stores worldwide, and have generated double-digit sales increases year-over-year, even during the pandemic, with sales of $3 million in 2022. Kevin and Laurie also hold numerous patents on their products in the US, Australia, Canada, and China. In this episode… Creating sand and snow castles is an entertaining way for families to bond, but it can sometimes be time-consuming and frustrating. When you embark on the quest to create your awe-inspiring castles, is there a better way to get to the finale? After seeing a dad and his son struggling to build a sand castle using traditional methods, avid sculptor Kelvin Lane felt compelled to create an innovative and revolutionary castle-building approach. Together with his wife, Laurie, they developed a split mold technology to assist people in creating impressive sand and snow sculptures in minutes. Despite the many obstacles they faced in the crowded toy product category, they scaled the business and realized substantial success.  In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Kevin and Laurie Lane, the Co-founders of Create A Castle, to discuss how families can easily and happily build sand and snow castles quickly. They share the genesis story of Create A Castle, their product line, marketing strategies, the Shark Tank experience, and entrepreneurial advice. 

Garrett Peters, former Walmart and Sam's Club brand manager, shares his journey from the corporate world to building a company that focuses on journaling. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship and stresses the importance of sustainable growth. The episode also highlights the purpose and creation of his brand's meaningful journals and the benefits of using journals for mental health and goal achievement.

Paul Rafelson is a Partner at Rafelson Law, a firm that understands the unique needs of e-commerce entrepreneurs. They bring the expertise that helps companies expand and protect their assets from the challenges they face. With 15-plus years of experience in complex tax, litigation, and M&A matters, he is a trusted resource, frequently quoted in the press about Amazon and e-commerce intricacies.  Before private practice, Paul worked in-house at some of the world's largest companies, including Microsoft, Walmart, and General Electric. In addition, he is the Founder of SellerBasics, the Chairman of the Online Merchants Guild, and a professor at Pace University School of Law in New York. In this episode… Being an e-commerce entrepreneur and selling on Amazon has its fair share of difficulties. With millions of others to compete with, it can be arduous, not to mention having to prepare to navigate the legal implications you face when you're an Amazon seller. How can you expand and grow an e-commerce business while protecting your legal rights? In addition to concentrating and creating a thriving brand, the legal challenges you run into as an Amazon seller can be overwhelming. If you lack the knowledge to handle the legalities, including account suspensions, intellectual property disputes, antitrust laws, or sales tax issues, it's vital to recruit an advisor. Paul Rafelson recommends hiring a law firm that can provide solid advice to businesses in the e-commerce space. With the expertise you need on board, you'll be ready to manage the legal complications, ensure the success of your business, and prepare for your eventual exit. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Paul Rafelson, Partner at Rafelson Law, to discuss navigating e-commerce law. Paul explains how Rafelson Law helps e-commerce entrepreneurs, the challenges Amazon sellers face, the SellerBasics program, preparing an Amazon business for sale, dealing with sales tax issues, and how the Online Merchants Guild community supports e-commerce entrepreneurs. 

Sebastian Herz is the Co-founder of Zignify Global Product Sourcing, an agency that provides streamlined sourcing solutions for businesses. He is an Amazon seller who also helps people boost their sales on Amazon and in retail. Additionally, Sebastian is a serial entrepreneur who founded MännerSache.rocks and MakakaOnTheRun Anti-Spy Products. In this episode… Sourcing quality products at an acceptable price is vital to running a successful business. So, how can you streamline your company’s sourcing to thrive in a competitive marketplace?  According to Sebastian Herz, product sourcing entails many things, including researching appropriate manufacturers to build quality products, production costs, negotiations, and finding the best price for your products. It is a daunting task for most entrepreneurs, but partnering with a sourcing agency makes all the difference. By leveraging a vast international network of suppliers, a sourcing agency gains access to a broader range of quality products at a reduced price point than you’d have access to on your own. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Sebastian Herz, Co-founder of Zignify Global Product Sourcing, to discuss his journey of building and running a sourcing agency. Sebastian explains how Zignify helps entrepreneurs with sourcing, negotiating with international manufacturers, how they help entrepreneurs who only have a product idea, and maintaining quality control.

Nikita Vakhrushev is the Founder, CEO, and CMO of ASPEKT, an agency that helps e-commerce brands increase their monthly revenue by 30% with performance-driven email and SMS marketing. He has helped brands achieve their e-commerce goals through Facebook ads, email marketing, website design, branding, and influencer marketing. Before ASPEKT, Nikita was the Founder and CEO of RPMmedia.com, where he helped businesses in all industries increase their profit through digital marketing strategies like social media, SEO, and Google Ads. In this episode… As an e-commerce brand, are you looking to take your marketing to the next level? How can you do it through email and SMS marketing?  Nikita Vakhrushev says that email and SMS marketing are two of the most productive ways to reach potential customers. Both methods have proven successful in getting people to engage with brands, but most e-commerce brands don't know how to leverage them. Creating a schedule from your customer list is essential. Automating emails and SMS messages to reach out at the right time without overwhelming them is an excellent way to maximize your reach and customer engagement. To boost effectiveness, it’s best to recruit an expert. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Nikita Vakhrushev, Founder and CEO of ASPEKT, to discuss how to thrive through email and SMS marketing. Nikita talks about ASPEKT’s ideal client profile, how it helps its clients with their email marketing strategies, how to maximize SMS marketing, and the process of working with ASPEKT.