Ecomm Breakthrough

Mitch Russo is the CEO of MindfulGuidance. In 1985, he founded TimeSlips Corp, a software company he started from his garage. After exiting the company, he became independently wealthy at 42. From there, Mitch began BusinessBreakthroughs with Tony Robbins and the late Chet Holmes, where he was the President and CEO. Mitch is a two-time Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year nominee and author. His best-sellers include Power Tribes: How Certification Can Explode Your Business and The Invisible Organization: How Ingenious CEOs Are Creating Thriving, Virtual Companies. In this episode… To grow an online business, e-commerce entrepreneurs need to focus on three foolproof methods: increasing customer numbers, increasing the value of transactions, and increasing the frequency of transactions.  Most e-commerce sellers pursue traditional advertising in the hope that it will raise brand awareness. But serial entrepreneur Mitch Russo advocates free advertising using PR methods such as podcast features, press releases, and news articles. However, don’t expect instant results — it could take 30 or more appearances to experience sales conversions. Growing a fanbase helps immensely with boosting transaction frequencies. Mitch recommends creating effective communications and content using platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to build a loyal following. LinkedIn and email campaigns are also effective channels to reach your target audience. In this episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast with Josh Hadley, Mitch Russo, CEO of MindfulGuidance, talks about building profitable and scalable companies. Mitch shares strategies for increasing customer count and the value of transactions, leveraging free advertising to boost sales, and techniques for growing the frequency of purchases. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Mitch Russo on LinkedIn Mitch Russo ClientFolio.io Profit Stacking Secrets free downloads  Power Tribes: How Certification Can Explode Your Business by Mitch Russo The Invisible Organization: How Ingenious CEOs Are Creating Thriving, Virtual Companies by Mitch Russo Profit Stacking Secrets: Explode Your Profits by Stacking Small Ideas With Simple Actions by Mitch Russo Special Mention(s): Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Roland Frasier on LinkedIn Kevin King The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Your Most Important Number: Increase Collaboration, Achieve Your Strategy, and Execute to Win by Lee Benson ChatGPT Notion Related Episode(s): “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm BreakthroughPodcast “Seven Acquisition Strategies to Scale to Eight Figures and Beyond” with Roland Frasier on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast

Carlos Alvarez is the Founder and CMO at Wizards of Ecom, a Miami-based global e-commerce academy educating entrepreneurs on how to leverage Amazon for financial freedom. Carlos is a 15-plus-year veteran in the Amazon space who has scaled his brands into a nine-figure entity. Additionally, he is the Founder and CEO of Blue Bird Media & Marketing Solutions, a digital marketing agency specializing in product sourcing, brand building, Amazon vendor management, PPC, and lead generation. Carlos also hosts the world's largest free-to-attend Amazon Meetup group where participants discuss e-commerce, self-publishing, advertising, and selling on Amazon. In this episode… Scaling a business to seven figures and above requires a strategic roadmap that includes designing a vision, diversifying and expanding, and extending market reach. Boosting market coverage can also involve community building. Why is community essential to brand growth?  Carlos Alvarez, an entrepreneur and experienced marketer, asserts that he will only launch a product if there is a demand for it. Many Amazon sellers use pay-per-click advertising to raise brand awareness. Unfortunately, PPC prices have increased by over 30% since 2021 and will continue to rise. Carlos explains that having a devoted community of customers who trust you as a vendor can lead to customer advocacy, word-of-mouth recommendations, and positive reviews. Building a community can be as simple as creating social media accounts. However, Carlos advocates for in-person groups like Meetup. Face-to-face interactions allow for open conversations, brainstorming, and real-time surveys and opinions. On today’s eComm Breakthrough Podcast, Josh Hadley interviews Carlos Alvarez, Founder and CMO at Wizards of Ecom, about strategies for building a community and brand. Carlos shares his passion for building community, explains his strategies for managing a portfolio of businesses, and discusses his business ventures. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Carlos Alvarez on LinkedIn Text Carlos Alvarez: 305-902-1283 Wizards of Ecom Wizards of Ecom Podcast Wizards of Ecom app Online Seller Cruise Salsa Kings Special Mention(s): Kevin King Howard Thai on LinkedIn Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Chris Ducker on LinkedIn Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want From Your Business by Mark C. Winters The Founder’s Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup by Noam Wasserman Slicing Pie Handbook: Perfectly Fair Equity Splits for Bootstrapped Startups by Mike Moyer Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim Headspace Jeffrey Cohen on LinkedIn Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-Myth Author Michael Gerber” on the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast “Mastermind Level Strategies From a Former Top 50 Amazon Seller With Howard Thai” on the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast

Michael Maher is the Owner and Visionary of Cartology, a simple-solutions platform providing full-management services for Amazon brands including catalog optimization, advertising, and international expansion. Before Cartology, Michael was the President of Matters of the Cart, a multi-channel enterprise that eventually evolved into Cartology. Additionally, Michael hosts The Longer Game podcast, where he discusses the future of retail. In this episode… Amazon entrepreneurs' success stories can inspire many people to start their own e-commerce store. However, it’s crucial to understand the challenges that online sellers face. What are some strategies that e-business owners can implement to avoid certain obstacles? Customer reviews can make or break a business. For Amazon seller Michael Maher, he quickly learned not to take the reviews personally. Instead, he leveraged the feedback as opportunities to improve his products. During these pivotal moments, it’s wise to meet with manufacturers to discuss how they can rectify issues. Michael also advises avoiding attachments to products, as attaining growth and scalability on Amazon heavily depends on new inventory. If a product performs poorly, don’t hesitate to discontinue the ASIN.  In this episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast, Josh Hadley chats with Michael Maher, Owner of Cartology, about strategies to implement to scale a business. Michael shares the lessons he learned as a novice Amazon seller, how to leverage customer feedback, and how temporary setbacks inspired him to share his knowledge. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Michael Maher on LinkedIn | Instagram Email Michael Maher: michael@thinkcartologyy.com Cartology The Longer Game Special Mention(s): Nathan Hirsch on LinkedIn Kevin King Howard Thai on LinkedIn Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman My Utmost for His Highest: Quality Paperback Edition by Oswald Chambers Gap Selling: Getting the Customer to Yes: How Problem-Centric Selling Increases Sales by Changing Everything You Know About Relationships, Overcoming Objections, Closing and Price by Keenan Nutshell Zapier Make Brett Bohannon on LinkedIn Amazon With Brett Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” “Mastermind Level Strategies From a Former Top 50 Amazon Seller With Howard Thai” “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-Myth Author Michael Gerber”

Leo Sgovio is the Founder and CEO of Convomat, an influencer and affiliate marketing platform for Amazon sellers. He’s an entrepreneur passionate about digital marketing and technology and has over 15 years in the e-commerce industry. Leo started his career as an SEO and pay-per-click advertising specialist, working with tech solutions like Google and Adobe. In 2015, he launched his private label brand on Amazon, bringing his knowledge of the enterprise e-commerce space to the Amazon community. As a result, Leo is a sought-after thought leader on the subject and speaks at various Amazon conferences worldwide. In this episode… The A9 algorithm uses various components, such as product titles, descriptions, and keywords, to rank products on Amazon. How can you customize A9 to improve your organic rankings? Leo Sgovio, an affiliate marketing expert and influencer, advises that when creating relevant product listings, it’s best to start with product targeting campaigns. This Amazon advertising campaign focuses on specific products you wish to sell and increases visibility and sales. In terms of keywords, Leo recommends inserting them into the images to help stand out from the competition. Amazon will crawl the text, ranking your products higher. Leo also suggests using search query performance to gather relevant information from the data it produces. Learn more about the A9 algorithm in this episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast, where Josh Hadley interviews Leo Sgovio, Founder and CEO of Convomat. Leo discusses how A9 helps improve organic rankings, finding hidden keywords on Amazon, and leveraging sales with influencer campaigns. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Leo Sgovio on LinkedIn | Facebook Convomat Special Mention(s): Kevin King Steven Pope on LinkedIn Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Billion Dollar Seller Summit Unified Patents Dimitri Vorona on LinkedIn Jungle Ace Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! By Robert T. Kiyosaki Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century by Napoleon Hill The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan Be Focused – Focus Timer Ezra Firestone on LinkedIn Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” “Four Critical Pillars for Amazon Listing Optimization” “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber”

Andy Hooper is the CEO of Global E-commerce Experts, a company helping brands globally expand through its three core elements: compliance, logistics, and online distribution. Andy is also an investor at GEE Capital, a firm that acquires e-commerce service providers to support the growth and expansion of Global E-commerce Experts. As an accomplished e-commerce specialist, he’s been expanding brands into new markets for over 15 years. At Global E-commerce Experts, he leads a team of professionals in the UK and EU. Andy built his career upon his successful experience growing an organization's profits through B2B and e-procurement. In this episode… Expanding an e-commerce brand globally can bring several benefits, including increased sales, business diversification, and building a global brand and reputation. However, the challenge is knowing when the time is right to launch internationally. Before testing the global markets, consider the maturity of your business, the demand for your products in other countries, and the costs of expanding internationally. Though the rewards of becoming a global brand can be significant, it also takes careful planning and a commitment to adapting to new cultures and markets. Once you’ve weighed all of the risks, entrepreneur and global e-commerce expert Andy Hooper offers a three-step international expansion formula: Ensure US-based sales consistently cross $5 million, obtain a mentor or guide who’s an expert in global expansion, and avoid analysis paralysis — seize the opportunity by taking the plunge. Join Josh Hadley for this episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast, where he welcomes Andy Hooper, CEO of Global E-commerce Experts, to discuss capitalizing on multibillion-dollar UK and EU e-commerce markets. Andy explains VAT compliance, his step-by-step guide to expanding globally, and adapting products for international markets. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Andy Hooper on LinkedIn Global E-commerce Experts Download the 6-Step Guide Special Mention(s): Kevin King Steven Pope on LinkedIn Roland Frasier on LinkedIn Dotcom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online With Sales Funnels by Russell Brunson Expert Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Converting Your Online Visitors Into Lifelong Customers by Russell Brunson Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels With Your Dream Customers by Russell Brunson Trello Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” “Four Critical Pillars for Amazon Listing Optimization” “Seven Acquisition Strategies to Scale to Eight Figures and Beyond”

Andrew Gilliland is the President of Action Holdings, an e-commerce asset management company. Andrew is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder of iSpyPens, a pioneering discreet tech solution that protects life, property, and peace of mind. He is a Florida native and graduate of the University of Tampa, where he earned his BS in information technology. David Hunt of Action Holdings leads several platforms, including vendor onboarding, budget allocation, and acquisitions. Beyond his entrepreneurial duties at Action Holdings, David is also a product designer at PeopleReady, an industrial staffing agency specializing in on-demand labor and skilled workers. David graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia, earning his BFA in visual arts and new media with a concentration in graphic design. In this episode… Being a business owner has its advantages, such as being your own boss, impacting the world, and the potential of high earnings. However, entrepreneurship has many trials and tribulations. Hiring personnel who meet all the necessary requirements is a common challenge for many businesses. Business leaders Andrew Gilliland and David Hunt share that successful employees fit the company culture, are excited about their job responsibilities, and work efficiently. One strategy to ensure you’re hiring A-players is to conduct employee reviews every three to four months. Create an evaluation document with three metrics: effectiveness and performance, KPIs, and team culture. As business owners, time is valuable, so leadership should be comfortable delegating responsibilities. Conduct time studies to analyze which tasks require more attention, then draft standard operating procedures for those items. This may also indicate that it’s time to hire specialized roles. In this episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast, Josh Hadley welcomes Andrew Gilliland and David Hunt of Action Holdings for a special strategy audit. Andrew and David share their takeaways, including the importance of employee performance reviews, how to measure employee success and progress, and how to create processes to manage time. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Andrew Gilliland on LinkedIn David Hunt on LinkedIn Action Holdings Special Mention(s): Kevin King Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Ryan Deiss on LinkedIn The Heart of Business: Leadership Principles for the Next Era of Capitalism by Hubert Joly Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Miro Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” “Why You Need to Experience a Mindset Shift When It Comes to Hiring Leaders With Ryan Deiss”

Jeff Campbell is the Co-founder and President of aiCommerce, a platform using a combination of artificial and human intelligence to help scale through marketplace expansion and e-commerce channel distribution. At aiCommerce, Jeff’s focuses include strategic vision, client services, product development, and revenue growth. He’s worked with a bevy of renowned brands such as Mercedes, Lowes, Apple, Disney, and FedEx, active across search, social, SEO, and programmatic media platforms. Before founding aiCommerce, Jeff was the Co-founder of Resolution Media, Omnicom’s performance marketing arm and a top-three global partner of Google and Facebook. In this episode… You’re likely familiar with the saying, "Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is king." Many Amazon sellers focus on building seven-, eight-, and nine-figure businesses, but the real focus should be on profits and cash flow. However, there is a blueprint for maximizing scaling. Jeff Campbell, a top-rated marketing expert and e-commerce consultant, asserts that Amazon entrepreneurs must expand their marketplace to increase brand growth. While e-commerce channels such as Amazon B2B, Walmart, and Target provide a strategic roadmap, Jeff recommends researching the market to ensure viable verticals. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding your business's financial performance in order to achieve profit gains. To this end, he formulated a framework that includes market intelligence, profitability analysis, content optimization, advertising, and holistic management and measurement. It’s essential to track your profits and perform monthly and quarterly reviews to measure data against your KPIs. Only after you have a good understanding of your profit margins should you consider expanding channels and distribution. In this episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast with Josh Hadley, Jeff Campbell, Co-founder and President of aiCommerce, talks about marketplace expansion and profitability metrics. Jeff explains why marketplace expansion is essential for brand growth, strategic marketplace roadmaps, and the five-step framework for understanding profitability metrics. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Jeff Campbell on LinkedIn Email Jeff Campbell: jeff@aicommerce.com aiCommerce Special Mention(s): Kevin King Howard Thai on LinkedIn Roland Frasier on LinkedIn Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz HubSpot DataHawk Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” “Mastermind Level Strategies From a Former Top 50 Amazon Seller With Howard Thai” “Seven Acquisition Strategies to Scale to Eight Figures and Beyond”

Vincenzo Toscano is the Founder and CEO of Ecomcy, a full-service Amazon consultant agency providing strategic support for sellers and vendors. He is also the CEO at Amzbassador, a live marketing software that identifies top Amazon influencers, manages relationships, and tracks results. As an expert in optimizing and scaling Amazon brands, Vincenzo and his team of specialists have consulted over a thousand global e-commerce brands. In this episode… It’s easy to measure your success to others as a business owner, but climbing the ladder to profitability isn’t a race. However, smart and strategic methods can guarantee you a spot in the exclusive eight-figure club. What actions should you take to earn next-level profits? Amazon consultant Vincenzo Toscano recommends a six-step framework to grow your business. However, he advises sellers to moderately introduce each phase, starting by implementing catalog expansion, product optimization, and external marketing. External marketing includes utilizing blogs, influencers, and brand ambassadors, which helps drive traffic to your website. Once you’ve launched and optimized new products by updating copy and keywords, sellers should focus on expanding internationally — focusing on the UK and Germany — and become proficient in PPC and manufacturing negotiations. In addition to having favorable relationships with your manufacturer, ensure the payment terms are advantageous to your profit’s bottom line. In this episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast with Josh Hadley, Vincenzo Toscano, Founder and CEO of Ecomcy, talks about mastermind business growth hacks. Vincenzo discusses brand expansion through new launches, leveraging influencers to promote brands, and hiring specialized experts for an efficient operation. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Vincenzo Toscano on LinkedIn Ecomcy Special Mention(s): Kevin King Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Roland Frasier on LinkedIn Afolabi Oyerokun on LinkedIn Snapalytics Referazon Profit First: Transform Your Business From a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz Monday Bradley Sutton on LinkedIn Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” “Seven Acquisition Strategies to Scale to Eight Figures and Beyond” “Hidden Supply Chain Hacks Guaranteed to Triple Your Ecommerce Profits With Afolabi Oyerokun”

Eric Kooymans is the Chief Marketing Officer at Harnessing Strengths, a full-service marketing firm specializing in e-commerce development. He has over 18 years of marketing experience, where he implements business and marketing plans and growth strategies to 2X to 10X companies, helping generate traffic, leads, and sales. Before lending his talents to Harnessing Strengths, Eric served as the Vice President of Marketing at WISP Industries, where he redesigned WISP.com into Shopify, grew the company to sell on over 25 marketplaces, and increased sales over 10X in 12 months using omnichannel marketing. Additionally, Eric’s portfolio boasts over 180 companies, including the American Cancer Society, AirTran Airways, and AARP. In this episode… Sellers prefer to sell their products on Amazon because it’s one of the most popular e-commerce channels. It also has a global customer base, provides fulfillment centers, and offers various advertising options. However, sellers can utilize several other omnichannels to diversify their marketing strategy and 10X their growth. For vendors who have grown comfortable with Amazon and may be hesitant to try different shopping platforms, Eric Kooymans, a veteran in the e-commerce industry, suggests starting with Google Shopping. It’s an easy setup, especially if you already use Shopify or WooCommerce. Google Shopping provides plugins allowing you to activate different platforms that populate multiple feeds. Eric also recommends Faire, an online wholesale marketplace. Faire helps sellers easily set up their online storefront, gives access to a large customer base, manages orders efficiently, and connects you with new customers. These are just a few strategies Eric expounds on in his 10-step action plan. Join Josh Hadley in today’s episode of the eComm Breakthrough Podcast as he interviews Eric Kooymans, Chief Marketing Officer at Harnessing Strengths, on how to build a brand with the 10X method. Eric shares his 10-step action plan that includes marketing funnel best practices, building a brand through influencer marketing, and setting up alternative shopping platforms. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIn eComm Breakthrough Consulting eComm Breakthrough Podcast Email Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.com Hadley Designs Hadley Designs on Amazon Eric Kooymans on LinkedIn | Facebook Harnessing Strengths 10 Steps Action Plan to Generate 10X Growth Special Mention(s): Kevin King Howard Thai on LinkedIn Roland Frasier on LinkedIn Expert Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Converting Your Online Visitors Into Lifelong Customers by Russell Brunson Sam Oh on LinkedIn Related Episode(s): “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” “Mastermind Level Strategies From a Former Top 50 Amazon Seller With Howard Thai” “Seven Acquisition Strategies to Scale to Eight Figures and Beyond”

In this episode, Mina Elias, Founder of Trivium Group and CEO of MMA Nutrition, discusses the connection between PPC and listing optimization. He recommends merging the two devices for maximum optimization and stresses the importance of communication between the teams. Other topics mentioned include image and price split testing, statistical analysis, and the impact of price on conversion rates. The guest also shares insights on asking for help, productivity tools, and a figure in the e-commerce space, Grant Cardone.