The Buy Box Experts Podcast: Recent Episodes
Joseph Hansen and James Thomson
The Buy Box Experts podcast is designed for a brand executive audience. Today, brand teams are repeatedly challenged by the unique pressures that the Amazon channel introduces. Join us to learn from investors, solution providers, large brands, and other key individuals who have evolved their channel management perspective to deal effectively with Amazon channel, turning this marketplace into a significant sales opportunity, properly aligned with other channels where the brands participate.
Darcy Meier is the Director for eCommerce Category and Customer Development at Newell Brands, the company behind trusted names like Graco, Baby Jogger, Sharpie, and Dymo. Darcy was also Senior Director for eCommerce at Vi-Jon, where she managed the company’s private label relationship with Amazon and developed their multi-year e-commerce business strategy. Throughout her career, she’s also worked at Amazon as a Vendor Manager and Walmart as a Buyer.
In this episode… As more buyers shop online, e-commerce has become an essential channel for brands to reach more customers and remain relevant in the digital age.
But, as top brands pivot and strengthen their hold in the e-commerce space, they find themselves facing tough challenges. Obstacles like steep competition and brand misuse by third-party sellers can stop new businesses before they even get started. On top of that, companies also struggle to make their business sustainable within the Amazon ecosystem.
On this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson and Darcy Meier, Newell Brands Director for eCommerce Category and Customer Development, run through some of the biggest challenges brands face on the Amazon platform. Darcy shares tips on how organizations can grow and protect their brand on Amazon. She also mentions ways companies can leverage online data to guide future innovations and help them strengthen their position in the e-commerce market.
Vivek Rastogi is the Director of Ecommerce at Colgate-Palmolive, the firm that sells household brands like Colgate, Speed Stick, Irish Spring, Softsoap, Tom's of Maine, and others. Vivek held numerous leadership roles over the past 15 years, spanning across different geographies and countries,.including being responsible for the Amazon Channel for more than three years. He holds an MBA from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research and a degree from St. Stephen's College.
Over the last several years, he has climbed up the ladder at Colgate-Palmolive. In 2014, he became the National Key Account Manager in India, and within a year became their Customer Development Manager in the UK. In 2016, he held the Head of the Customer Marketing/Retail Marketing position in India. A year and a half later, he earned the Associate Director for the Amazon at Colgate-Palmolive in the US position before taking on his current role.
In this episode… Amazon provides an open marketplace where anyone can create a listing and start selling their products without a lot of hassle. This is because Amazon has removed many barriers to entry commonly faced when starting a brick-and-mortar store, which has led to the entry of many private label brands and poses a threat to big national brands.
So what can these large brands do to protect themselves and stay competitive in this marketplace? Vivek Rastogi advises them to embrace this reality and not challenge it. In addition to promoting their brand's equity, such brands should adapt and improve their marketing strategies, supply chain management, and communication strategies to cater to changing market needs. They should go back to focusing on their brand's equity which can play a significant role in making the brand competitive.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast, Vivek Rastogi, the Director of Ecommerce at Colgate-Palmolive, joins James Thomson to talk about the strategies Colgate-Palmolive uses to stay competitive on and off Amazon. Vivek talks about the tools Amazon provides brands to help them monitor and protect their listings, the importance of brand equity, and the challenges brought about by Amazon's supply chain system. Stay tuned to hear all about it.
Claus Rosenberg is the Founder and CEO of multiple firms that simplify the journey for entrepreneurs building their businesses. He has built 12 companies, had over 1,000 employees, and raised over € 20 million (over $23 million) in funding. He has also worked as an advisor to several companies and was Madrid’s Chapter Director for Startup Grind.
In this episode… Being an entrepreneur or business owner does not mean that you have to know everything. There are many aspects involved in successfully running a business while paying attention to your health and family at the same time. Asking for help or guidance should never be seen as a sign of weakness but of strength and courage.
As an executive coach, Claus Rosenberg recommends finding someone who has been in your shoes to work with and guide you on your journey. His advice is to find an executive coach who connects with you. Through his coaching, Claus helps entrepreneurs realize there is strength in vulnerability and being authentic and open in their communication with employees.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast, James Thomson is joined by Claus Rosenberg, an Executive Coach and entrepreneur, to talk about Claus' role in coaching and guiding entrepreneurs. They discuss the various challenges entrepreneurs face, the benefits of working with a coach, tips for finding the right executive coach, and hiring and managing employees. Stay tuned.
Scott Letourneau is the CEO of Nevada Corporate Planners, a company that helps e-commerce sellers launch their US businesses and address issues with entity formations, sales tax compliance, banking, and more. Scott is also the CEO of Sales Tax System, a firm that works with startup e-commerce sellers and retailers worldwide to help them effectively register for sales tax in the US.
Matt Lovell is a Founding Partner of Well Insurance, a full-service e-commerce insurance agency. Well Insurance specializes in helping Amazon sellers stay compliant. Matt is also a Partner at Vaughn, Geiger & Associates, a firm that delivers quality insurance solutions to individuals in Kentucky. He has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University.
In this episode… Running any type of business involves some level of risk. This risk could be related to customers, suppliers, products, or the e-commerce marketplace. Additionally, different online sellers face different types of risks based on the products they sell.
So, what do Amazon sellers, both domestic and foreign, need to know about product liability requirements, purchasing insurance, and becoming Amazon compliant? According to Matt Lovell and Scott Letourneau, there are many factors that impact an e-commerce seller’s business risks — and they’re here to share their top tips for protecting your Amazon business today.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Scott Letourneau from Sales Tax System and Matt Lovell from Well Insurance to discuss the recent product liability requirements being enforced by Amazon. Together, they talk about the factors that affect the cost of product liability insurance coverage, what third-party sellers need to know about staying compliant on Amazon, and their advice for reducing your e-commerce business risks. Stay tuned.
Liz Adamson is the VP of Advertising at Buy Box Experts. She has been working in e-commerce for over a decade, including founding her firm, Egility, which merged a couple of years ago with Buy Box Experts. Liz specializes in helping brands develop marketing and advertising strategies for e-commerce growth. Over the years, she has worked with brands that leverage the Amazon channel by guiding their executives through all aspects of marketing beyond just PPC.
In this episode… There are many paid and unpaid techniques that brands can use to market themselves on the Amazon channel. Most brands use paid advertising techniques which often require significant monetary investments. These brands don’t know that they can leverage unpaid advertising techniques to increase awareness for their product listings, drive traffic, and convert leads into returning customers.
To do this, brands have to be very creative. They have to identify and understand their customers, target them in their marketing, and show them how they stand to benefit from purchasing the brand's products. Liz Adamson, an advertising expert, advises brands to make good use of social media, live video marketing, work with influencers, and optimize their product listings and storefronts. It is also essential to leverage their product packaging to create great customer experiences and increase engagement.
Liz Adamson, the VP of Advertising at Buy Box Experts, is James Thomson's guest in this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast, where they talk about building an Amazon brand through marketing beyond PPC. Liz shares her strategies for optimizing and creating high-quality Amazon product listings, building great storefronts, and discusses the different marketing methods Amazon provides brands to help them with advertising. Stay tuned.
Kelly Stojka is an Account Executive with TaxJar, a sales tax software company that helps businesses of all sizes automate and manage their sales tax lifecycle across multiple channels. TaxJar’s cloud-based platform simplifies sales tax compliance to remove barriers for growth for businesses. Prior to TaxJar, Kelly held Account Executive roles at a number of software and service firms, including Flock and Lokion. She holds a bachelor's degree in cognitive science from the University of California, Berkeley.
In this episode… The 2018 Wayfair Supreme Court ruling had a huge impact on the way sales tax was collected and filed in the US. This affected not only sellers with physical stores, but also e-commerce sellers who sell their products across state lines. So, what do these sellers need to know about sales tax compliance?
Unknown to many businesses, several states use information taken from Amazon to go after non-compliant e-commerce sellers. According to Kelly Stojka, this is why it’s crucial for sellers to keep good records of their returns. As a sales tax compliance expert, Kelly is here to share her advice to Amazon sellers looking to avoid the costs of non-compliance and better manage their sales tax lifecycle.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Kelly Stojka, an Account Executive with TaxJar, to discuss how the 2018 Wayfair ruling impacted sales tax compliance for e-commerce sellers. Kelly explains what Amazon sellers need to do to remain compliant, how to navigate compliance across different states, and the valuable services TaxJar provides for e-commerce entrepreneurs.
Yadin Shemmer is the Founder and CEO of Intrinsic, a company that acquires and accelerates digital-first health and wellness brands. Before that, Yadin served as the CEO and President of three pharmaceutical and health-related businesses, all of which had successful exits. Yadin holds an MBA from the London Business School and a BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
In this episode… Starting and successfully scaling an e-commerce brand in the health and wellness sector can be challenging. There are many regulatory and packaging requirements that brands have to meet before they can start selling to consumers, and this often creates barriers to entry on Amazon.
As an investor in private label health and wellness brands, Yadin Shemmer has some tried-and-true methods for finding, evaluating, and selecting brands with growth potential. And, once he’s acquired a brand, Yadin and his team work to improve the brand's content, pricing, and advertising strategies, all with the goal of expanding and scaling the business. So, what is Yadin’s advice to brand owners and investors hoping to succeed in the health and wellness space on Amazon?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Yadin Shemmer, the Founder and CEO of Intrinsic, about how Yadin's company evaluates and invests in health and wellness e-commerce brands. They discuss the common concerns brand owners have when selling on Amazon and share some practical strategies these sellers can use to make their businesses more attractive to investors. Stay tuned.
Jack Bijou is the Head of Growth at Riverbend Consulting, a consulting company that helps Amazon sellers with account reinstatements and protection, FBA reimbursements, and editorial reviews.
Prior to joining Riverbend Consulting, Jack was the Head of Sales at PRIMEXCHANGE and the Head of Growth at Project Retail. He studied Business Management and Marketing at the City University of New York’s Brooklyn College.
In this episode… As an Amazon seller, do you know how Amazon's editorial review program works? Is your e-commerce brand eligible to join the program, and if so, what are the benefits of having your products reviewed on the platform?
In his role at Riverbend Consulting, Jack Bijou has been working with e-commerce brands to help them drive traffic and increase conversions on Amazon through editorial review articles. He has seen the impact these articles have on generating sales and revenue for brands. Now he’s here to share how you can start taking advantage of this great marketing initiative today.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Jack Bijou, the Head of Growth at Riverbend Consulting, about Amazon's editorial review program. They discuss how the program works, talk about its requirements for brands, and explain how it benefits Amazon sellers. Stay tuned.
Sanjay Chandiram is the Co-founder and CEO of Kaliber Global, a premier brand collective and top 100 private label toy seller on Amazon. He also founded ProMark, a leading Amazon brand management agency, in 2018. Previously, Sanjay worked at companies including PwC, Kaiser Permanente, and Infosys BPM, where he gained diverse management consulting, process optimization, and project management experience. He holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
Chuck Gregorich is the Co-founder of Net Health Shops LLC and Net Pet Shops LLC, multi-channel home decor and pet product e-commerce companies that import from several countries and sell on over 20 marketplaces in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Before this, Chuck was the CEO of Lorman Education Services, a national leader of continuing education seminars in North America. He holds a degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Rick Fung is the CEO of MotoShield Pro, a company that offers revolutionary nano coating protection for your entire car, inside and out. For over six years, MotoShield Pro has been achieving its mission of bringing customers the most advanced formulations in ceramic coatings. As CEO, Rick is skilled in project management, strategic planning, sales, and more.
In this episode… Amazon FBA sellers that regularly source their inventory from overseas know the adverse effects that shipping delays and increased shipping costs can have on a business. They can lead to high unit costs, which may mean higher selling prices and, therefore, reduced sales.
These are the challenges most US-based e-commerce sellers have been facing since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. For over a year, there have been shortages and delays in getting containers — and even when available, the shipping charges have more than tripled.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by e-commerce sellers Sanjay Chandiram, Chuck Gregorich, and Rick Fung to discuss how shipping delays and increased shipping costs have impacted Amazon brands. The sellers talk about the changes they’ve made to reduce overall business costs, the lessons they’ve learned over the last year, and their thoughts on the future of the e-commerce market.
Yoni Kozminski is the Founder and CEO of Escala, a low-cost, boutique process improvement and digital transformation consultancy for Amazon and e-commerce businesses. Escala reinforces sellers' abilities to scale their businesses to multimillion-dollar status and beyond.
As a serial entrepreneur, Yoni is also the Founder and CEO of MultiplyMii, an offshore staffing solution for global Amazon and e-commerce businesses. He also hosts the Successful Scales podcast, where he speaks to business owners and early startup employees about their roads to success.
In this episode… Documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) is one of the best things an e-commerce brand can do to grow efficiently and scale. However, most Amazon-centric brand owners don't document their SOPs as they build their businesses. This ends up posing a great challenge later on when they hope to transfer knowledge to new hires or exit their brands.
With the increased demand for investments in FBA brands, it is becoming more and more important for brand owners to think about growing a business that is both scalable and sellable. That’s where Yoni Kozminski comes in. Yoni and his team at Escala help business owners analyze, build, and document their SOPs to effectively prepare for a future exit.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Yoni Kozminski, the Founder and CEO of Escala, about his best practices for documenting SOPs for e-commerce brands. Yoni explains how he helps business owners increase revenue, scale effectively, and prepare for a successful exit. He also shares the common mistakes businesses make when documenting SOPs. Stay tuned.
Carlos Alvarez is the Founder and CMO of Wizards of Ecom, an in-person and online e-commerce school that is taught by sellers for sellers. As an Amazon white hat marketer and consultant, Carlos also leads Wizards of Amazon, the world’s largest Meetup group for Amazon sellers. His goal is to help brands take advantage of selling on Amazon and encourage entrepreneurs to gain financial independence through e-commerce and digital marketing.
Carlos has over 20 years of e-commerce experience and has built his own Amazon brands into multimillion-dollar businesses. He is also the Founder and CEO of Blue Bird Marketing Solutions, a company that helps brand owners grow their brands both on and off of Amazon.
In this episode… Are you considering selling your private label brand on Amazon? Have you been wondering if now is the right time? If not now, when?
According to Amazon marketer and consultant Carlos Alvarez, it’s important to make your brand as attractive as possible when preparing for an exit. As he says, you have to leverage all the digital marketing tools and strategies available, including ranking for keywords and building an online community. Today, he’s here to discuss his decades of e-commerce expertise and share his sage advice for current Amazon sellers.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Carlos Alvarez, the Founder and CMO of Wizards of Ecom, joins James Thomson to share his tips for boosting your sales and successfully exiting your Amazon brand. Carlos talks about the important considerations that go into making your brand as attractive as possible, the biggest concerns he hears about from private label sellers, and his tips for determining when to sell your business. Stay tuned.
Andy Slamans is the Co-founder of Amazing Freedom, a program that helps people build businesses on Amazon and scale to $1 million per year in sales. Within Amazing Freedom, Andy also runs the mastermind group, Amazon Seller Tribe, where he teaches sellers how to grow private label brands of their own.
In addition to this, Andy is a multimillion-dollar brand creator who has successfully launched his own 7-figure brands on Amazon. His goal with Amazing Freedom is to empower other sellers to achieve the same financial freedom and success.
In this episode… To build a successful brand on Amazon, business owners must know how to maximize direct-to-consumer sales. This is what drives success for the top-performing businesses in the marketplace. Because of this, new private label brand owners should focus on creating unique selling points in order to compete with large, established brands — especially if they’re selling in niche categories.
While building his private label brand on Amazon, Andy Slamans grew his direct-to-consumer sales by ensuring that he never ran out of stock. This strategy helped him maintain his rank and continue to improve and scale his brand. He also focused on providing great customer service to stand out from the competition. So, what is Andy’s advice to new and current brand owners looking to achieve success on Amazon?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Andy Slamans, the Founder of Amazing Freedom and the Amazon Seller Tribe mastermind, joins James Thomson to talk about how to leverage direct-to-consumer sales on Amazon. Together, they discuss the importance of creating a unique selling point, how working with influencers has impacted Andy's business, and his advice for successfully selling your private label brand. Stay tuned.
Ian Sells is the Founder and CEO of Million Dollar Sellers (MDS), a network of entrepreneurs with specific e-commerce knowledge and verified annual revenue of over $1 million. With more than 400 members, MDS represents over $4 billion a year in sales, much of it through the Amazon Marketplace.
Ian is also the CMO of Elite Seller, an all-in-one Amazon seller software suite, and the CEO of RebateKey, a rebate and coupon site that helps savvy online shoppers save hundreds of dollars a month.
In this episode… What is one of the best decisions that entrepreneurs can make when building a business on Amazon? According to Ian Sells, it is to join a mastermind group that gives business owners a place to share their knowledge and ideas. Through such groups, entrepreneurs can learn what works — and what doesn't — when growing an Amazon business and preparing for a successful exit.
Many members of Ian's mastermind have successfully sold and exited their businesses. As he says, they have learned that brand owners can effectively negotiate with FBA aggregators about an offer. They have also learned that timing is critical when selling an e-commerce business. Now, Ian is here to discuss these valuable lessons and share his advice for current Amazon sellers looking to exit their businesses.
Ian Sells, the Founder and CEO of Million Dollar Sellers (MDS), joins James Thomson on this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to discuss the value of joining an Amazon seller mastermind group. Ian explains how members who have sold and exited their businesses can effectively help new entrepreneurs prepare for successful exits. He also talks about the benefits of creating and documenting standard operating procedures and negotiating with aggregators for better offers. Stay tuned.
Steve Simonson is a lifetime entrepreneur who has founded, purchased, and sold numerous companies over the past 30 years. Currently, he is the Founder of the Catalyst88 MasterMind and the Managing Director of SYMO Global, a consultation practice with a team of experienced marketing and operational executives. Steve also runs the Awesomers.com podcast and website for entrepreneurs.
In this episode… Within mastermind groups, it’s easy for the conversation to solely focus on the small stuff — the hacks and tactics that come from years of experience in entrepreneurship. Lifetime entrepreneur Steve Simonson, on the other hand, would rather focus on the big picture: how to build a substantial business.
With Steve’s Catalyst88 MasterMind, his mission is to help Amazon brand owners master the full process of running a business. He helps them perfect their strategies, improve their systems, and scale their brands to success. Now, with the recent interest in investing in private label brands, Steve also shares his expertise on creating an effective exit strategy. So, what is his advice for Amazon entrepreneurs looking to sell their brands?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by the Catalyst88 MasterMind Founder Steve Simonson to talk about his members’ thoughts on the recent changes in the FBA space. Steve discusses the rising interest in investing in private label brands, the top concerns among Amazon entrepreneurs, and his tips for crafting an effective exit strategy for your business. Stay tuned.
Norm Farrar, also known by his nickname, “The Beard Guy,” is the Co-founder of the Centurion League, a mastermind group for Amazon-centric private label sellers. He is an entrepreneur, speaker, and e-commerce expert who is passionate about helping business owners create a strong support network and achieve their highest potential.
Norm is also the host of the Lunch with Norm podcast, as well as the President of HONU Worldwide, the Co-founder of AMZ and Beyond, and the CEO of prReach.
In this episode… Investing in the right operating procedures and systems is very important if you’re hoping to sell your private label business down the road. This is because these factors make brands much more attractive to investors and FBA aggregators looking to invest in profitable businesses.
This is what Norm Farrar and the members of his Centurion League mastermind group have learned from their experiences selling and exiting businesses on Amazon. They have also learned the importance of staying on top of your competitors, diversifying your product lines, and identifying the right time to sell your business. Today, Norm is here to discuss these valuable takeaways and many more.
Norm Farrar, the Co-founder of the Centurion League, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to discuss the importance of investing in your operating procedures and systems when preparing for an exit. Together, they talk about the main concerns of current mastermind members, how to make your business more attractive to investors, and the best ways to build a successful brand on Amazon. Stay tuned.
Kevin King is the Founder of Billion Dollar Seller Summit, an event for large sellers leveraging the Amazon channel. He is also the Co-founder of Freedom Ticket, a training and mentoring program for Amazon private label sellers. In addition to this, Kevin runs Helium 10 Elite, a webinar and networking program for advanced sellers looking to scale their businesses quickly.
Kevin has been involved in e-commerce for over 25 years, and he first began selling on Amazon and eBay in 1999. Since then, he has developed, sourced, and sold hundreds of products on Amazon, generating millions of dollars in gross revenue.
In this episode… There are many key steps involved in starting and successfully growing an e-commerce brand on Amazon. These include putting the right systems and processes in place, hiring the right people and agencies to work with, and implementing the right financial structures.
However, with increased demand for private label FBA brands, it is also important for new brand owners to start their businesses with the mindset that they may want to sell a few years down the line. Because of this, brand owners should start preparing for an exit early. So, what do you need to know to effectively position your Amazon brand for a future sale?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Kevin King, the Founder of Billion Dollar Seller Summit and the Co-founder of Freedom Ticket, to discuss how FBA private label brand owners can prepare for an exit when starting their businesses. Kevin explains how his mastermind helps brands prepare for a future exit and shares the concerns his members have about selling their businesses. Stay tuned.
Brandon Young is the Head of the Inner Circle Mastermind for private label brands leveraging the Amazon channel. He also runs Seller Systems, a mastery training company for entrepreneurs, brand owners, and brand managers. At Seller Systems, Brandon and his team teach sellers how to research, start, and scale their Amazon e-commerce businesses.
Brandon began selling on Amazon in 2015, starting with arbitrage and reselling. Seeking a more scalable business model, he pivoted to wholesale and private label, and in June 2016, he launched his first private label products. Less than five years later, Brandon has scaled the business to multiple brands and eight figures in annual revenue.
In this episode… When it comes to shopping on Amazon, many customers don’t care very much about brand loyalty. Typically, they buy whichever products best meet their needs. For this reason, it’s important for private label brand owners to implement strategies that help them build loyalty and generate repeat customers.
With more FBA aggregators showing interest in private label businesses, sellers are starting to spend more time on their branding. As Brandon Young says, one of the best ways to create a brand that boosts customer loyalty is to focus on building relationships with customers after a purchase. So, what are Brandon’s strategies for effectively engaging with customers and generating brand loyalty for your private label business?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Brandon Young, the Founder of Seller Systems and Head of the Inner Circle Mastermind, to talk about preparing a business for sale and building brand loyalty on and off of Amazon. Brandon explains how to re-engage with customers after their first purchase, the importance of encouraging repeat sales, and why brand owners should know who they’re selling to. Stay tuned.
Melissa Simonson is an e-commerce expert and the General Manager of Empowery eCommerce Cooperative, a nonprofit that helps e-commerce entrepreneurs join forces with like-minded brand owners. Melissa has spoken at a number of events, including the Empowery Women’s Conference, the White Label Expo, and more. She is passionate about helping e-commerce entrepreneurs improve their businesses and achieve success.
In this episode… How can you scale your Amazon private label business from zero to $1 million in revenue? When is the right time to sell your profitable business? And, how can you determine the best exit strategy once you are ready to sell?
According to e-commerce expert Melissa Simonson, the recent interest in FBA private label businesses has provided an exciting opportunity for Amazon sellers — particularly those who didn’t expect to attract investors. However, it can be challenging for entrepreneurs to know the right steps to take when exiting their businesses. Luckily, Melissa’s here to share her tips for building your brand on Amazon and successfully preparing it for a sale.
Melissa Simonson, the General Manager of Empowery eCommerce Cooperative, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to discuss the common questions and concerns of current Amazon entrepreneurs. Melissa shares her advice for attracting investors, preparing your business for a sale, and determining the best exit strategy for your brand. She also shares how Empowery helps Amazon sellers improve their businesses and achieve success. Stay tuned.
Dr. Oliver Dlugosch is the Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Operations at Razor Group, a Berlin-based company that buys Amazon FBA merchants. Before this, Dr. Dlugosch worked as a Senior Consultant at McKinsey & Company and managed the marketing for Fortuna Düsseldorf, a German soccer club. He earned his Ph.D. in Economic Sciences from The University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg) and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Düsseldorf.
Brian Strini is the Senior Vice President of the North American branch of Razor Group. Prior to joining Razor Group, he worked in venture capital and private equity M&A roles at firms such as Anheuser-Busch, Goldman Sachs, and Quintana Capital Group. He holds a BBA from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from London Business School.
In this episode… Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been an enormous increase in e-commerce businesses across industries. This has led to a rise in competition for investors, and many firms have resorted to cold-calling brands in order to make a deal. However, this typically leaves brand owners feeling bombarded and overwhelmed with offers. So, what is the best outreach approach for aggregators looking to make a valuable investment?
According to Dr. Oliver Dlugosch and Brian Strini, it’s important for FBA aggregators to consider a brand owner’s needs and desires when contacting them about a sale. At their firm, Razor Group, the team avoids cold-calling and instead opts for other forms of outreach, such as email. This way, the brand owner has time to process the offer — and prepare for a profitable sale.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Dr. Oliver Dlugosch and Brian Strini from Razor Group to discuss the best ways to contact FBA brand owners about a sale. Together, they compare Razor Group’s process for investing in US brands versus European brands and explain their tried-and-true outreach approach. They also share their expert advice for current FBA investors. Stay tuned.
Mindy Fashaw is the Chief Operating Officer at Pacvue, an enterprise platform that helps brands, sellers, and agencies optimize their e-commerce advertising. Clients use Pacvue to programmatically manage their campaigns on Amazon, Walmart, and other marketplaces in order to lower costs, grow share of voice, and increase sales. Before joining Pacvue, Mindy held leadership roles at Amazon and Newell Brands.
Dave Vermeulen is the Director of DSP Advertising for Buy Box Experts. In 2001, Dave founded Seattle Ad Force, Inc., a full-service agency that supports mid-sized and large advertisers with their DSP advertising strategies. His specialties include DSP advertising, programmatic media buying and planning, mobile advertising, and more.
In this episode… In order for e-commerce sellers to grow and scale on Amazon, it’s essential that they effectively target potential customers and drive them to their product listings. While many sellers have used Amazon sponsored ads for this purpose, it may be time to start incorporating another strategy: Amazon DSP.
Amazon DSP enables brands to programmatically buy display ads on and off Amazon to reach a bigger audience and promote their products. Amazon DSP also helps brands and advertisers improve their organic rankings, remarket to customers, and collect valuable data. So, what do you need to know about Amazon DSP to start boosting your e-commerce business today?
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Mindy Fashaw and Dave Vermeulen to discuss what e-commerce sellers need to know about Amazon DSP. Mindy and Dave discuss the differences between Amazon DSP versus sponsored ads, the types of Amazon sellers that should use Amazon DSP, and the benefits of Pacvue's Amazon DSP software. Stay tuned.
Christian Salza is the Managing Director of Berlin Brands Group, a firm that creates, acquires, and grows brands globally. At Berlin Brands Group, Christian manages M&A responsibilities and drives global expansion. Before this, he held senior roles at multiple firms that built and sold brands online.
Christian has over 20 years of experience in corporate and start-up environments across Europe, the United States, and Asia. He is also a Board Member of Talentroad GmbH and a Member of YPO’s Berlin chapter.
In this episode… With the recent interest in FBA private label brands on Amazon, most aggregators and investors choose to focus solely on brands within this marketplace. However, buying Amazon-centric brands may be limiting your growth potential. So, how can you broaden your investments beyond Amazon?
As Christian Salza advises, aggregators should consider buying brands in other e-commerce marketplaces. By optimizing the unique demand of each marketplace, you can scale your business to global success — without the limitations of the Amazon platform. This is the secret behind Berlin Brands Group, a firm that has been successfully acquiring and building private label brands for over 15 years.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Christian Salza, the Managing Director of Berlin Brands Group, about the value of investing in FBA brands in different marketplaces. Christian shares his advice for buying brands outside of the Amazon marketplace and explains how his firm evaluates potential brands for sale. He also talks about Berlin Brands Group’s strategies for achieving long-term success. Stay tuned.
Sebastian Funke is the Co-founder and CEO of The Stryze Group, a Berlin-based firm that builds and acquires direct-to-consumer brands from outside entrepreneurs. The team at Stryze takes brands to the next level using deep domain expertise, manpower, and capital. Prior to founding Stryze, Sebastian launched and led several firms, including five companies in the e-commerce space.
In this episode… Many entrepreneurs start private label businesses on Amazon as a side hustle to make some extra cash. However, as they continue building their brand, they are faced with some difficult decisions: whether to hire employees, when to expand their product line, and, most importantly, how and if they should sell their businesses.
With more and more Amazon entrepreneurs choosing to exit their side hustles, it’s becoming increasingly important for brand owners to prepare for a future sale. According to Sebastian Funke, the best way to position your business for an exit is to develop a consistent product portfolio and invest in your branding. So, what are some of his tips for successfully selling your private label brand?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Sebastian Funke, the Co-founder and CEO of The Stryze Group, about how to build and sell a successful brand on Amazon. Together, they discuss the future of FBA investments, Sebastian’s tips for preparing a brand for sale, and what makes The Stryze Group different from other FBA investors. Stay tuned.
Gabi Bar is the Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Technology Commerce Management (TCM). TCM delivers the e-commerce aggregator industry's first predictive, AI-driven e-commerce performance optimization. Founded in 2016, TCM now operates e-commerce businesses on Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Walmart, WooCommerce, and more.
In this episode… With thousands of new FBA private label brands hitting the market each year, there has never been more data and information available to both sellers and investors. However, many aggregators don’t know how to leverage this data to accurately pinpoint and evaluate a profitable brand. So, how can you avoid getting lost in this influx of data on Amazon?
According to Gabi Bar, the key is to utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning. By leveraging this big data in the private label space, his company has successfully optimized the evaluation process and identified high-growth brands to invest in. Now, he’s here to share his data-driven process and expert strategies with you.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Gabi Bar, the Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Technology Commerce Management (TCM), about the value of big data when acquiring private label brands. Gabi explains how his firm leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to identify successful FBA private label brands to invest in. He also shares his tips for determining the right time to sell and effectively preparing for an exit. Stay tuned.
Sam Hörbye is the Co-founder of Olsam Group, a UK-based firm that buys and grows Amazon FBA brands. Olsam Group’s mission is to be the first point of contact for Amazon sellers looking to achieve an amazing exit and continue to profit as their brand grows.
Before this, Sam was the Team Lead Manager at Amazon, where he managed some of the UK's largest third-party sellers on Amazon's worldwide marketplaces. He also started, scaled, and sold his own category-leading Amazon FBA business, Beechmore Books.
In this episode… How do you know when it’s the right time to sell your Amazon private label business? What steps can you take to ensure that your brand will achieve the most profitable exit possible?
According to Sam Hörbye, there are a few key actions that every FBA private label brand owner should take before trying to sell their business. Most importantly, they should prepare their finances. As Sam says, Amazon sellers need to know what their profit margins are and what their businesses are worth, as these will play a huge role in valuing their brand. So, what other steps can you take to boost the value of your private label brand before a sale?
Sam Hörbye, the Co-founder of Olsam Group, joins James Thomson on this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about his process for investing in FBA private label brands on Amazon. Sam explains how he identifies and evaluates profitable businesses for sale, his best practices for partial exits, and the various ways he leverages his former Amazon experience at his current company. Stay tuned.
Nick Tuzenko is the Founder and Managing Director of Accel Club, a firm that acquires Amazon FBA businesses. With expertise in e-commerce, technology, and M&A, the team at Accel Club is disrupting the FBA industry and boosting brands to the next level.
Before founding Accel Club, Nick served as the Managing Director of Busfor, a company that streamlined the bus transportation industry by developing technological solutions to connect bus operators and carriers with travelers.
In this episode… For FBA private label brands looking to sell their businesses, it can be difficult to know where or when to start in order to achieve the most profitable exit. Because of this, many brands choose to wait six to 12 months to put their business on the market with the hope that the value of their brand will increase.
However, this may not be the best strategy for current sellers. According to Nick Tuzenko, there are some timely factors that these brands should consider first. As Nick says, these include the current high demand for FBA businesses, the uncertain economic future, and any possible shifts that could change the market. So, what is Nick’s advice to current private label brands who are thinking about making a sale?
Nick Tuzenko, the Founder and Managing Director of Accel Club, joins James Thomson on this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to explain why FBA private label brands should sell their businesses right now. Nick discusses how he evaluates brands looking to sell, the various ways his company helps brands with sourcing, and his predictions for the future of the FBA space. Stay tuned.
Stefan Haney is the CTO and Strategic Advisor for Foundry, a firm that specializes in buying and building incredible Amazon businesses. Before joining Foundry, Stefan was a 16-year veteran at Amazon, where he led several executive teams and contributed to the strategy and innovation behind the platform’s product shopping pages, checkout, navigation, and more.
With over two decades of experience in e-commerce, Stefan has a proven track record of launching new technology, delivering business results, and implementing mission-critical programs.
In this episode… As more FBA private label brand owners exit their businesses, the demand for aggregators continues to rise. This, in turn, increases demand for more entrepreneurs looking to build and sell FBA businesses on Amazon — creating a rapidly growing Amazon flywheel.
However, with the increase in private label brands on Amazon, it’s vital that aggregators effectively evaluate a business before purchase. For Stefan Haney, this means thoroughly analyzing their growth potential, conversions, and the general state of the Amazon marketplace. Stefan also considers how each new investment will fit into his growing portfolio. So, what is his advice to aggregators looking to build a successful acquisition strategy?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Stefan Haney, the CTO and Strategic Advisor for Foundry, to discuss his company's acquisition and portfolio management strategy. Together, they talk about how Stefan evaluates FBA brands before a purchase, what differentiates Foundry from other aggregators in the market, and the future of private label businesses on Amazon. Stay tuned.
Victor Elmann is the Vice President of Vendor Management at Circuit City, a consumer electronics retailer. In this role, Victor leads the team responsible for vendor relationship management, negotiations, product management, and customer experience.
Prior to joining Circuit City, Victor was the Director of e-Commerce at Omnicom and the Director of SMB Merchandising at Gogotech. With years of experience in merchandising, buying, and e-commerce, he is an expert at digital strategy and marketing.
In this episode… With the rapid growth of e-commerce, it’s becoming more and more important for sellers to have a presence across multiple channels. To do this successfully, they must understand their customers' buying behaviors and build consistent customer relationships in every marketplace.
However, for brand owners who are just starting out, it can be difficult to manage customer support across multiple e-commerce channels. That’s why Victor Elmann and his team at Circuit City represent these sellers on Amazon and other marketplaces. By giving them the support of an established retailer, Victor and his team help sellers provide a better customer experience and successfully grow their businesses.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Victor Elmann, the Vice President of Vendor Management at Circuit City, to talk about the benefits of working with an established retailer to maximize your direct-to-consumer sales. Victor talks about optimizing your brand on and off of Amazon, how to build successful sourcing partnerships, and the importance of creating a consistent customer experience across multiple channels. Stay tuned.
Chris McCabe is the Founder and CEO of ecommerceChris, a firm that specializes in helping Amazon sellers reinstate their accounts and save their businesses. Chris and his team are all former Amazonians with long histories of helping people on the marketplace. At ecommerceChris, they teach sellers how to think like Amazon, protect their accounts, and appeal listing restrictions and suspensions.
Prior to founding ecommerceChris, Chris was an Investigation Specialist at Amazon for several years. He has appeared on many podcasts and YouTube channels and his work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal.
In this episode… Due to fierce competition on the Amazon marketplace, some unscrupulous third-party sellers engage in bad practices to get their competitors suspended from the marketplace. Also known as brand abuse, these practices—such as black hat techniques, fake reviews, and listing abuse—can be detrimental to the success of your business.
Because of this, it is critical that third-party sellers learn how to protect themselves from such attacks. According to Amazon consultant Chris McCabe, while sellers may be able to handle some brand abuse issues themselves, there may be cases when they need to bring the problem to Amazon, engage a lawyer, or reach out to a consultant. That’s why he created his firm, ecommerceChris: to help Amazon sellers successfully protect and save their businesses.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Chris McCabe, the Founder and CEO of ecommerceChris, about his strategies for identifying and handling brand abuse on Amazon. They discuss the types of brand abuse you should be aware of, how to effectively resolve issues on your own, and Chris' tips for preventing future attacks. Stay tuned.
Yoni Mazor is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of GETIDA, a company that provides state-of-the-art reimbursement recovery solutions for FBA sellers. Utilizing GETIDA's unique auditing technology, Amazon sellers can have peace of mind that all their funds and inventories are properly accounted for and audited.
In addition to this, Yoni is a former Amazon seller and a Board Member for The Ecom Cooperative, a powerful network of top e-commerce experts and service providers.
In this episode… One of the most frustrating aspects of using FBA for your business is dealing with mistakes on the part of Amazon. There are a number of different mistakes that Amazon can make during fulfillment—including mishandled or lost inventory, incorrect shipping, or bad packaging. In these cases, third-party sellers can seek reimbursements from Amazon, but it’s not always as easy as it sounds.
Although Amazon's software is able to detect some mistakes and reimburse sellers automatically, a few tend to slip through the cracks. However, if sellers fail to reach out to Amazon about these discrepancies, they may end up losing their inventory and money. This is where GETIDA, a state-of-the-art reimbursement recovery solution, comes in. GETIDA helps Amazon sellers achieve maximum profitability by ensuring that all of their funds and inventory are properly accounted for.
Yoni Mazor, the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of GETIDA, joins James Thomson on this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share what third-party sellers need to know about FBA reimbursements. Yoni explains what inspired him to create his Amazon reimbursement solution, how his company differs from other players in the industry, and the common mistakes both sellers and Amazon make during fulfillment. Stay tuned.
Matt Snyder is the Senior Director of Amazon at Vari, a workspace innovation company and active office furniture manufacturer. Matt is also a consultant who specializes in helping Amazon sellers with Seller Fulfilled Prime setup, Amazon APIs, and omni-channel integrations.
Prior to joining Vari, Matt was the e-Commerce Account Executive at Woot.com, where he managed multi-channel daily deal promotions. He is also currently the Co-founder and President of Lovepacs, a nonprofit that provides meals to students who would otherwise go hungry during school holidays.
In this episode… Upon joining the Amazon marketplace, third-party sellers have the option to either fulfill their own orders or to use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). With FBA, your products are stored in an Amazon fulfillment center and shipped by the Amazon team. However, due to complications in 2020, FBA orders have experienced shipping delays, causing major problems for Amazon sellers.
Because of this, it may be time to consider another option: the Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) program. SFP was recently introduced into the Amazon marketplace, and it lets sellers fulfill their own orders to Prime customers. With this program, you have more control over your shipping logistics, meaning you don’t have to wait for Amazon to replenish inventory. So, what do you need to know in order to get started with SFP in 2021?
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Matt Snyder, the Senior Director of Amazon at Vari, to discuss the ins and outs of Amazon's Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) program. Matt explains why his company joined the program and how it has benefited the business on and off of Amazon. He also talks about the new SFP requirements, how he evaluates 3PL partners, and his advice for finding the right fulfillment software for your company. Stay tuned.
Sanjay Chandiram is the CEO and Co-founder of Kaliber Global, a premier brand collective and one of the top 50 private label sellers on Amazon. He is also the CEO of ProMark, an e-commerce brand management firm. Sanjay holds an MBA in Operations, Finance, and Systems from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. His specialties include brand management, e-commerce strategy consulting, importing, and more.
Chuck Gregorich is the Co-founder of Net Health Shops LLC and Net Pet Shops LLC, multi-channel home decor and pet product e-commerce companies that import from several countries and sell on over 20 marketplaces in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Before this, Chuck was the CEO of Lorman Education Services, a national leader of continuing education seminars in North America. He holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Jerry Kavesh is the CEO of Western Outlets and an Amazon seller of both branded and private label apparel and footwear. He is also the Founder and CEO of 3P Marketplace Solutions, a third-party marketplace retail company that helps apparel and footwear manufacturers achieve marketplace exposure and sales. Jerry has a BA in Finance & Marketing from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business.
In this episode… Over the last year, many e-commerce businesses in the US have experienced delays in products being shipped from Asia. This, in addition to an exponential increase in importation costs, has had a negative impact on their businesses, revenue, and brand reputation. So, what is causing these delays and high costs, and what can you do about it?
According to Amazon experts Sanjay Chandiram, Chuck Gregorich, and Jerry Kavesh, the delays at the ports can be traced back to an increase in demand for products, a shortage of containers, and delayed customs clearance. As they say, the effects of these shipping issues have been felt not just by sellers but also by retail stores, buyers, and customers. Luckily, they have some tried-and-true strategies for working around these disruptions and making the most out of the current shipping situation.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Amazon experts Sanjay Chandiram, Chuck Gregorich, and Jerry Kavesh to talk about the shipping delays and high importation costs of products coming out of Asia. They discuss what has caused these disruptions, how they have affected business operations on Amazon, and the strategies sellers can take to ensure that their products get shipped on time. Stay tuned.
John Merris is the President and CEO of Solo Stove, a company that specializes in ultra-efficient wood-burning camp stoves, fire pits, and grills. John and his team at Solo Stove design simple, ingenious outdoor products to help customers create good moments that become lasting memories.
Prior to Solo Stove, John worked at a number of product companies in senior financial, operational, and business development roles. He is an expert in sales, revenue acceleration, change management, and product development.
In this episode… One of the reasons many e-commerce brand owners refuse to join Amazon is to avoid hurting their brand. However, according to John Merris, there are some tried-and-true strategies for selling on the marketplace that will protect your brand both on and off of Amazon.
As John says, one of these methods is providing a great—and consistent—experience to both Amazon and non-Amazon customers. This means that important elements of your brand, such as pricing, messaging, and unboxing, should remain the same on every channel. By putting the customer experience first every time, you can successfully boost the credibility, revenue, and reach of your brand.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, John Merris, the President and CEO of Solo Stove, joins James Thomson to talk about the strategies brands can use to protect themselves when selling both on and off of Amazon. John explains how his brand positions itself on the Amazon marketplace, what he does to ensure consistent messaging across different channels, and his future plans for Solo Stove. Stay tuned.
Lesley Hensell is the Co-founder, Co-owner, and Partner of Riverbend Consulting, where she oversees the firm's client services team. Riverbend Consulting helps Amazon sellers with account and ASIN reinstatements and provides detailed consulting services for operations and fulfillment.
In her role at Riverbend Consulting, Lesley has personally helped hundreds of third-party sellers get their accounts and ASINs back up and running. She also leverages two decades of experience as a small business consultant to advise clients on profitability and operational performance. In addition to this, Lesley has run an Amazon 3P seller business for more than a decade.
In this episode… As an Amazon seller, one of the worst things that can happen to your business is your account being suspended due to product complaints or misconduct. A blocked or suspended account or listing will cause you to lose income, profit, and essential growth for your brand. So, in such cases, what can you do to get your account reinstated?
According to Lesley Hensell, Partner at Riverbend Consulting, there are three key areas that Amazon expects you to address when writing a plan of action to reinstate your account. These include determining the root cause of the issue, solving the problem, and preventing it from ever happening again. While some types of account problems can be handled by sellers themselves, others may require assistance from third-party companies, such as Riverbend Consulting.
Lesley Hensell, the Co-founder, Co-owner, and Partner of Riverbend Consulting, joins James Thomson on this week’s episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share her best practices for reinstating accounts and ASINs on Amazon. Lesley talks about some of the common causes of account suspensions, how to write an effective plan of action, and her recommendations for preventing future issues with seller performance. Stay tuned.
Jim Mann is a serial entrepreneur, brand creator, Amazon FBA expert, and creative digital marketer. Currently, he is the Director of Acquisitions at Thrasio, the largest acquirer of Amazon businesses and one of the top 25 sellers on Amazon. Before Thrasio, Jim was an FBA seller for six years, managing and running all aspects of a travel brand on Amazon across the US and Europe. He specializes in e-commerce, private equity, online retail, third-party sellers, and more.
In this episode… As the Amazon marketplace continues to grow, more and more entrepreneurs are joining the platform to start new businesses. While many of them can build very profitable businesses in a short period of time, these businesses may not have much brand recognition. So, when exactly does a business become a brand on the Amazon marketplace—and how does this impact its ability to sell?
According to Jim Mann, the Director of Acquisitions at Thrasio, an Amazon brand is a business that sells its product at a certain price, converts well, and receives good reviews from its customers. As he says, a good brand is extremely attractive to investors because it has a proven track record and a promising future trajectory. With this in mind, what is Jim’s advice to entrepreneurs looking to build and sell a successful Amazon brand?
Jim Mann, the Director of Acquisitions at Thrasio, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about his firm's process for investing in FBA private label brands. Jim explains the criteria he looks for in an Amazon brand, what differentiates a good FBA investor from a bad one, and how Thrasio stands out from other aggregators in the market. Stay tuned.
Sebastian Rymarz is the Co-founder and CEO of Heyday. Heyday partners with sellers to acquire, launch, and incubate successful brands on digital marketplaces like Amazon. Its mission is to help e-commerce entrepreneurs reach new heights by providing the capital, tools, and insights to accelerate their brands in the marketplace ecosystem.
Prior to starting Heyday, Sebastian worked as the Chief Business Officer for Fundbox, a financial services platform that specializes in providing revolving lines of credit to entrepreneurs.
In this episode… With the current growth of the FBA space and the increased number of private label brand owners looking to sell and exit, it can be difficult for a buyer to evaluate which businesses to acquire. So, how do you determine the current and future value of a brand? Which criteria are most important? And, how do you choose one brand over another?
According to Sebastian Rymarz, the best approach is to leverage the power of data science to assess a business' value and future potential. At his firm, Sebastian utilizes data to evaluate two essential pieces of criteria: defensibility and opportunity. With this data-driven approach, he can effectively decide which business to acquire based on the quality of its products, their differentiation in the marketplace, and more.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Sebastian Rymarz, the Co-founder and CEO of Heyday, about how his firm leverages data from Amazon to evaluate and acquire FBA private label brands. Sebastian talks about how he finds businesses for sale, the criteria he looks for in a brand, and Heyday's equity offer to sellers. Stay tuned.
Chris Shipferling is a Managing Partner at Global Wired Advisors, a digital investment bank focused on optimizing the business sale process. Prior to joining Global Wired Advisors, Chris spent 15 years in senior roles in sales, leadership, and digital marketing at various large consumer brands.
Jason Somerville is also a Managing Partner at Global Wired Advisors. He has almost 20 years of experience in investment banking and has executed capital market trades for Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. Jason uses these skills to buy and sell both traditional and digitally native businesses.
In this episode… Selling a business is not just about gathering papers and going to the market. If you want to achieve a successful and efficient exit, you’ll need to take a strategic approach to prepare your business and attract investors at the right time.
The team at Global Wired Advisors understand that private label founders have many different reasons and long-term goals for selling their businesses. That’s why they work closely with brand owners to create a strategic process that works for them. By helping with market forecasting and product roadmaps, they ensure that you sell your business at the best possible time—so you can achieve maximum results.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Chris Shipferling and Jason Somerville, Managing Partners at Global Wired Advisors, about how they help brand owners determine the best time to sell their businesses. Together, they discuss the importance of business forecasting, how to prepare your brand for the market, and when you should start engaging investors. Stay tuned.
Chris Bell is the CEO of Perch, a technology-enabled consumer products company that acquires and operates Amazon FBA businesses at scale. Chris and his team help winning consumer products and brands maximize their reach and value by creating an unparalleled customer advocacy.
Prior to Perch, Chris was the former Head of Custom Supply Chain at Wayfair where he designed, built, and ran Wayfair’s in-house supply chain solutions which allowed them to deliver exceptional customer experience at industry-leading cost.
In this episode… The landscape of FBA businesses is changing quickly, and what used to be a limited market has become a hotspot for investors. Smaller brands are looking for that much needed edge over the competition and FBA aggregators are always on the lookout for that brand that offers an award-winning product.
Chris Bell specializes in acquiring and growing these businesses to realize their untapped potential. He shares that while private label brands are a hot commodity these days, FBA aggregators and investors are still meticulous about which brands to acquire and invest in. It’s not enough for a consumer brand to be doing good now, it has to have potential for continued growth.
Join James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast as he interviews Perch CEO, Chris Bell, about private label business acquisition. Tune in as he discusses the common issues they face in the acquisition process, what makes a product worth investing in, how FBA investors can get value out of their portfolio brands, and what makes Perch different from other FBA aggregators.
Tony and Carol Meibock were the Co-founders of the private label beauty brand, TruRemedy Naturals. After growing the business for over three years on Amazon, they sold it to one of the big FBA aggregators in 2020.
Tony is currently consulting with other brand owners to support them in their journey to sell and exit their businesses.
In this episode… Being an e-commerce seller requires a lot of sacrifices, both personally and professionally, in order for the business to succeed. Many private label business owners on Amazon started their businesses to earn a living and because of their determination, they have grown them into valuable brands.
The rapid growth of profitable private label brands on Amazon has led to their increased demand by FBA aggregators in the last couple of years. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to increased growth of e-commerce businesses as more investors choose to invest in players within this industry.
Join James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast as he interviews Tony and Carol Meibock, Co-founders of TruRemedy Naturals, about their successful e-commerce business exit. Tune in as they share what made them decide to sell their business to FBA aggregator, Perch, and how they prepared for the sale. They also discuss the challenges they faced in the process, the people who were instrumental to the sale, and what they learned about themselves from selling their business.
Mark Daoust is the Founder, President, and CEO of Quiet Light, a brokerage and business advisory firm that helps online entrepreneurs achieve amazing exits. Since starting Quiet Light in 2007, Mark and his team of experienced advisors have worked with hundreds of brands that sell on Amazon.
Before Quiet Light, Mark founded the online publication Site-Reference.com and grew its subscriber base to 220,000 members. Currently, he is a well-known presenter and guest author, as well as the co-host of the Quiet Light Podcast.
In this episode… According to Mark Daoust, there are a number of factors that have fueled the increased interest in private label businesses on Amazon—from press coverage of companies like 101 Commerce and Thrasio, to the current COVID-19 pandemic. While brokerages such as Mark’s company, Quiet Light, have been helping FBA brand owners sell their businesses for some time, these recent events have skyrocketed them into the limelight.
So, what should private label sellers expect when working with a brokerage to sell their businesses? For starters, the broker will want to know the ins and outs of the business, including the defensibility of its revenue, the type of market it's in, and how prepared it is for a transition. As Mark says, he looks for details about each unique seller and brand in order to determine when it will be most valuable for them to sell their business.
Mark Daoust, the Founder, President, and CEO of Quiet Light, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to explain what private label brand owners can expect from working with a brokerage to sell their businesses. Mark talks about the advantages of working with a broker versus selling directly to an aggregator, why some sellers decide to postpone selling their brands, and what differentiates his brokerage from other players in the market. Stay tuned.
Andrew Savage is the Founder and CEO of Suma Brands, a next-generation commerce platform that develops marketplace brands into household names. Suma's purpose is to find, acquire, and help brands realize their potential, both in the Amazon jungle and beyond.
Andrew has 15 years of experience building successful retail businesses and developing web technology products. Prior to founding Suma Brands, he held advisory roles in retail companies and worked in management roles at Amazon and Target.com.
In this episode… Over the last couple of years, Amazon has been working to improve its marketplace to be more convenient for both sellers and buyers. This has led to an increase in the number of sellers joining the channel—which, in turn, has made it a more attractive space for investors. So, how can both FBA brands and buyers stand out from the growing competition on the Amazon marketplace?
When preparing to sell, most private label Amazon brands work on their financial records, customer reviews, and business operations to make their businesses more attractive to investors. However, according to Andrew Savage, these brands should actually spend more time focusing on their products in order to stand out. As he says, a brand’s long-term value and growth potential are often rooted in the products it sells—not just its presence on Amazon.
Andrew Savage, the Founder and CEO of Suma Brands, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about why FBA private label sellers should focus more on their products when looking to exit. Andrew discusses what he looks for when evaluating a business for sale, the importance of creating a product roadmap, and how Suma Brands approaches deal structure. Stay tuned.
Yael Cabilly is the Co-founder of Fortunet, a boutique investment banking firm that specializes in the sales of e-commerce businesses. As a leading e-commerce attorney, Yael also owns the law firm Cabilly & Co. She and her team represent thousands of Amazon sellers in all legal issues, including listing and account suspensions, intellectual property enforcement, e-commerce transactions, and IP registration.
Michal Baumwald Oron is the CEO and Co-founder of Fortunet. With over 23 years of experience as a lawyer and manager, Michal has held senior positions in international leading companies and brands such as VP Business Development and General Counsel. She has also led various projects in both the US and Israel, including M&As, joint ventures, and public offerings.
In this episode… How do private label sellers on Amazon go about selling their businesses? What resources and tools do they need in order to prepare their business for a sale? And, once they are ready to find a buyer, how do they choose between an FBA broker and an investment banking firm?
Selling a business requires a thorough analysis of its value, competitors, and the story that differentiates it from the rest—so sellers need an expert that is not only a great broker, but also an effective analyst and advisor. According to Yael Cabilly and Michal Baumwald Oron, this is where investment banking firms come in. E-commerce investment bankers, such as the ones at Fortunet, provide valuable services for private label sellers, including business analysis, price negotiation, and the facilitation of the sale. With this help, sellers can remain confident that their sale will be a success.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host James Thomson interviews Yael Cabilly and Michal Baumwald Oron, the Co-founders of Fortunet, about the valuable role of investment bankers in the sale of an FBA private label business. Yael and Michal talk about the increased popularity of FBA businesses and their advice to private label sellers on how to successfully make a sale. They also discuss their projections for the future of e-commerce amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned.
Alexander Avanth is the Co-founder and Chief Relations Officer of Alpha Rock Capital, a digital acquisition company. Alpha Rock Capital’s mission is to acquire FBA businesses and build a new generation of digital retail conglomerates. It provides an easy and fast exit opportunity for Amazon sellers in the $100,000 to $1 million acquisition space.
Alexander is a global entrepreneurial nomad running businesses in the Philippines, Denmark, and the US. In addition to his role at Alpha Rock Capital, he is also an angel investor with Digital Dividends and a Senior Executive Advisor at the PTC (Philippine Transmarine Carriers) Group.
In this episode… Thanks to their low barriers to entry and large opportunities for success, private label brands have been a popular option among digital entrepreneurs for years. These Amazon entrepreneurs have worked hard to grow and scale their FBA businesses—usually without the intention of exiting. However, increased interest from investors is changing all that, and many private label sellers are now considering a sale.
Although the Amazon marketplace is evolving, it is still important that FBA aggregators and brokers take the time to learn about the history of a private label business before buying it. These brands are the products of an entrepreneur’s blood, sweat, and tears over a long period of time. Because of this, Alexander Avanth believes in carrying out organic outreach, and he always makes a point to meet sellers where they are.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Alexander Avanth, the Co-founder and Chief Relations Officer at Alpha Rock Capital, to talk about the importance of meeting private label sellers where they are during the sales process. Alexander discusses the value of doing organic outreach, the future of investments in the Amazon space, and the role of FBA aggregators in driving growth for e-commerce businesses. Stay tuned.
Riccardo Bruni is the Co-founder of Heroes, a UK-based firm that acquires, operates, and scales FBA businesses. Riccardo and his brother Alessio founded the firm in 2020 after a series of successful entrepreneurial ventures. Heroes focuses on Amazon brands with outstanding customer reviews and a proven track record of leading bestseller lists in high-growth niches.
Before starting Heroes, Riccardo was the Co-founder of Many, a direct-to-consumer healthcare company. He also has years of experience in venture capital and investment banking.
In this episode… Over the last couple of years, many investors have started buying and scaling FBA private label brands. In light of this, entrepreneurs are entering the Amazon marketplace with the intent of eventually selling their businesses. However, not every seller or brand is prepared for a successful sale.
When acquiring private label businesses on Amazon, one of the main things Riccardo Bruni looks for is an established brand. As he says, a large product portfolio is less important than a cohesive brand that consumers love. That’s because a brand with great reviews has the potential to experience massive growth and become a category leader.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Riccardo Bruni, the Co-founder of Heroes, about what investors in the European market are looking for when buying FBA private label brands. Riccardo explains why he and his brother decided to start investing in Amazon brands, how Amazon founders differ from traditional entrepreneurs, and what makes his company different from other players in the market. Stay tuned.
Alex Kopco is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Forum Brands, a CPG operating company that buys Amazon FBA businesses and grows them into world-class consumer brands.
Prior to founding Forum Brands, Alex worked in vendor and product roles at Amazon for over five years. During this time, he co-founded Connect@Amazon, an internal organization of global employees designed to connect Amazonians through professional networking and social opportunities.
In this episode… What should FBA private label brands do to prepare their businesses for sale? According to Alex Kopco, if a business founder wants to achieve a smoother sale, they should be as open as possible with potential buyers. When vetting businesses to buy, he looks for sellers who allow him to get under the hood of a brand to see what he’s working with.
In order to move the selling process along, Alex recommends that sellers prepare all business reports, financial records, and information necessary to close the deal. They should also be proactive and open about notifying the buyer about potential issues that may arise in the course of the purchase—such as pending trademarks, a lack of stock, and any other issues that could affect business operations. This way, both the seller and the buyer can be confident in the sale.
Alex Kopco, the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Forum Brands, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about the best practices for FBA private label brands looking to sell their businesses. Alex discusses the importance of both parties being open and transparent during the selling process, why he uses brokers as a primary source of deals, and how his firm differentiates itself from other FBA investors on the market. Stay tuned.
Ryan Gnesin is the CEO of Elevate Brands (formerly Recom Brands), a firm that acquires, launches, and operates a portfolio of e-commerce brands centered around Amazon. Ryan has guided Elevate Brands through several smart acquisitions, leading the firm to the top 1% of Amazon sellers by size.
Ryan has built up two decades of experience in commodities trading, management, business development, and startups. Before founding Elevate Brands, he was the Director of Commodities Training at Glencore’s South East Asia branch.
In this episode… Without a doubt, FBA businesses are experiencing a boom in acquisitions and investments. But, what exactly is generating this recent interest in FBA private label businesses, and what does it mean for the future of the Amazon marketplace?
As the Founder and CEO of Elevate Brands, Ryan Gnesin has years of experience acquiring, launching, and operating Amazon businesses. According to Ryan, there are a number of contributing factors to the recent spike in FBA brand acquisitions, from updates on Amazon to the COVID-19 crisis. And, as he says, this spike is having a serious impact on the Amazon flywheel, causing an increase in sellers, customers, and aggregators. So, what is Ryan’s advice to FBA private label brands looking to sell their businesses this year?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Ryan Gnesin, the CEO of Elevate Brands (formerly Recom Brands), about the recent spike in acquisitions of FBA private label businesses. Ryan shares his criteria for finding businesses to invest in, his best practices for Amazon brands looking to sell, and his perspective on the future of the Amazon marketplace. Stay tuned.
Idan Barzilay is the Founder of Bnext, a private label brand of virtual reality headsets and toys for kids. After growing his business for over two years on Amazon, eBay, Sears.com, Walmart.com, and other channels, Idan sold it to an FBA aggregator in 2020.
In this episode… Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the e-commerce industry had been growing exponentially for a number of years. Now, thanks to even greater demand caused by the pandemic, the interest in FBA private label businesses is at an all-time high. More and more investors and aggregators are purchasing these Amazon brands for large returns—and it doesn’t look like this trend is going away anytime soon.
This was the case with Idan Barzilay, who successfully sold his e-commerce business, Bnext, in 2020. Although he didn’t start his business with the intention of selling it, he grabbed the opportunity when it presented itself—and made a big return by doing so. Now, Idan is using the lessons he learned from this exit to effectively build, grow, and scale his next business. So, what is his advice to Amazon entrepreneurs looking to prepare their businesses for a sale?
Idan Barzilay, the Founder of Bnext, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share his experience building and successfully exiting his FBA private label business. Idan explains how he prepared his business for sale, the professionals who helped him take it to market, and the unexpected discoveries he made during the process. Stay tuned.
Scott Deetz is the Founder and CEO of Northbound Group, a leading strategic finance, corporate development, and sell-side M&A advisory firm focused on Amazon and e-commerce businesses. Scott advises on strategic transactions such as improving cash flow through partner-supplier negotiations, debt financing, and minority equity investments.
Scott is also the Owner and CEO of Entrepreneurial Advantage, where he helps small and medium-sized businesses achieve higher growth rates through improved strategic and internet marketing. After selling his first business for eight figures, Scott has made it his passion to help other entrepreneurs get the right valuation for their companies.
In this episode… As the Founder and CEO of Northbound Group, Scott Deetz is an expert at helping FBA private label sellers get the right valuation for their businesses. He was inspired to follow this path after his educational experience selling his business. When Scott first tried to make a sale, his initial deal fell through. However, he saw this as an opportunity to improve his company’s value—and, with the help of a mentor, he ended up selling his business for more than three times the amount of the original offer.
So, what are Scott’s strategies for improving your valuation in order to make a greater exit? As he says, there are four main things buyers look for when valuing a business: a good profit percentage, a solid growth rate, risk diversification, and more earning sizes. These will determine how valuable a business is and whether or not the seller will get a good price when exiting.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Scott Deetz, the Founder and CEO of Northbound Group, about how to maximize the valuation of an FBA private label brand before an exit. Scott shares his advice to brand owners on how to prepare for a sale, the ins and outs of the different lanes of investors, and why you should always meet with an advisor before selling. Stay tuned.
Richard Jalichandra is an investment banker who specializes in selling and financing Amazon businesses, as well as a consultant for multiple institutional Amazon investors. Currently, Richard is the Global General Manager at Spiceworks Ziff Davis, a global marketplace for connecting technology buyers and sellers. He is also the General Partner & e-Commerce Advisor at Incline Capital Investments LLC.
Between 2017 and 2019, Richard was the Founder and CEO of 101 Commerce, a firm that publicly announced that it would acquire 101 FBA brands. While Richard and his team didn't end up acquiring a full 101 firms, he continues to advise Amazon investors and FBA sellers today.
In this episode… In recent months, there has been an increasing amount of interest in the sale and purchase of private label Amazon brands. Because of this, many sellers, both mid-sized and large, have been selling and exiting their Amazon businesses—and getting good returns from the sales.
However, as this market continues to grow and more investors get involved, some private label Amazon sellers are struggling to effectively prepare for an exit. Their books may not be in order, or they may lack optimal growth opportunities—which could adversely affect their sale and lead to low returns. So, how can FBA brands better evaluate their options to ensure that they make a successful exit?
Richard Jalichandra, an investment banker and expert in selling and financing Amazon businesses, joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share what he has learned from his years of experience acquiring FBA brands. Richard talks about how private label brands can prepare for a successful exit, what investors need to look out for when evaluating a business, and the essential steps to take after making a purchase. Stay tuned.
Michael Zagare is the Founder and CEO of PPC Entourage, a tool that efficiently optimizes and expands Amazon sponsored product campaigns to increase sales and profits. PPC Entourage helps sellers build profitable brands on Amazon by maximizing ad revenue, slashing ACoS, and improving profit margins.
Michael is also the Founder of the annual 12 Days of Nuggets charity event, which supports Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R) in ending human trafficking and slavery. He has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of all things Amazon and loves sharing that knowledge with other sellers to help them take steps toward personal and financial freedom.
In this episode… An advertising strategy is the approach and philosophy you take to advertise your brand on different platforms. To have an effective strategy, it’s important to know who your target market is and how to successfully convert them into customers. If you know exactly what resonates with your audience, you can create advertisements and brand messages that work every time.
So, what is the secret to creating an effective advertising strategy on Amazon? According to Michael Zagare, you should try to put yourself into the mind of your customer and design ads based around the customer journey. Once you’ve created these ads, you can more easily track the behavior of your target audience and collect data about your customers. This data will help you improve your product listings, increase your conversion rates, and reduce your future ad spend.
Michael Zagare, the Founder and CEO of PPC Entourage, joins Joe Hansen in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to share his advice on how to create an effective advertising strategy on Amazon. Michael explains how his company's tools help sellers increase sales, his process for capturing the customer lifetime value on Amazon, and what brands should do to improve their product listings today. Stay tuned.
Tyler Jefcoat is the Founder and CEO of Seller Accountant, an accounting firm that helps e-commerce sellers drive profitable results by taking their bookkeeping headaches away. At Seller Accountant, Tyler provides financial coaching for sellers totalling more than $100 million per year in e-commerce sales. In addition to this, he also leads the Sellers Roundtable, an exclusive mastermind group for seven- and eight-figure sellers.
Prior to starting Seller Accountant, Tyler co-founded and sold Care to Continue, a home health care company that grew to 100 employees in four years.
In this episode… With shifting consumer preferences brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid growth in the technology space, now is the perfect time to make your move to e-commerce. However, selling on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon comes with its own set of challenges—namely, how to handle your finances.
Amazon sellers have to make the right financial decisions to ensure that they have enough cash flow to generate maximum profitability, expand their market reach, and meet customer demands. Because of this, good accounting systems are essential for brand owners looking to enter, or even exit, the Amazon marketplace. So, what do you need to know about e-commerce accounting as an Amazon seller?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson is joined by Tyler Jefcoat, the Founder and CEO of Seller Accountant, to discuss why e-commerce brands should invest in proper accounting systems. Together, they talk about the best strategies for cash flow and SKU level management, how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted sellers without proper accounting records, and Tyler's advice to brands looking to join or exit the Amazon marketplace. Stay tuned.
Michelle Covey is the Vice President of Partnerships at GS1 US, a company that improves supply chain visibility and efficiency through GS1 Standards. GS1 US is also responsible for issuing Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and Universal Product Codes (UPCs) to brands. In her role at GS1 US, Michelle manages external partner relationships and programs designed to support efficient and accurate GS1 Standards implementation.
Prior to joining GS1 US, Michelle worked as a Project Manager for both GXS and Inovis, where she handled operational efficiency and strategy roadmap initiatives. Michelle has a proven track record in product analysis, market launch, leadership, and more in the services and software industries.
In this episode… Why are UPCs and GTINs so important for Amazon sellers? According to Michelle Covey of GS1 US, not only do these codes help brands ensure compliance with Amazon's ever-changing policies, but they also help customers accurately identify an online product’s information. Because of this, UPCs and GTINs are essential for providing a valuable customer experience on Amazon and other e-commerce platforms.
However, in order to reap their benefits, it is important that sellers obtain these codes from the right source. Buying a UPC or GTIN from eBay or other third-party sellers could result in stolen, recycled, or fraudulent codes. As Michelle says, the best way to avoid any negative impacts to your product listings is to seek help from GS1 US.
Michelle Covey, the Vice President of Partnerships at GS1 US, joins James Thomson in this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about the ins and outs of Universal Product Codes (UPCs) and Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) on Amazon. They discuss the benefits of obtaining these codes as a private label seller, how GS1 US works to remove hijacked UPC codes, and Michelle’s thoughts on the future of innovation and standardization on Amazon. Stay tuned.
Lindsay Hampson is the VP of Marketing at eBridge Connections, a company that delivers powerful, cloud-based accounting integration solutions that connect and automate vital business processes. With its universal integration-Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) and pre-built connectors, eBridge Connections helps brands seamlessly flow data between their ERP, CRM, and e-commerce shops.
Before joining eBridge Connections, Lindsay worked in marketing roles at IBM and SAP. Her specialties include product marketing, digital journey, campaign development, product launch, and more.
In this episode… Technology has forever changed the way we do business. With enormous technological advancements in the past couple of years, business owners can now market and sell their products more effectively online. And, thanks to the rise of e-commerce platforms like Amazon, more business owners are choosing to sell directly to consumers.
However, e-commerce businesses often face a big challenge when it comes to collecting data from Amazon and other platforms. Many are forced to manually enter customer data into Excel sheets, which can limit their ability to market effectively and can even lead to costly mistakes. To solve this problem, eBridge Connections developed a universal integration-Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) that e-commerce brands can use to pull data from different platforms—saving them time and money.
Lindsay Hampson, the VP of Marketing at eBridge Connections, joins host James Thomson in this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about the value of API integration for e-commerce brands. Lindsay explains how her company's integration solutions save brands time and money, the ins and outs of Amazon’s data flow, and the upcoming trends and technologies in the e-commerce industry. Stay tuned.
Rachel Johnson Greer is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cascadia Seller Solutions, a successful Amazon marketing agency. As an experienced and strategic Amazon consultant, Rachel has delivered unique and highly successful solutions for clients across multiple account launches and marketing content launches on the marketplace.
Prior to Cascadia, Rachel worked as a Program Manager for Amazon, where she was responsible for product safety, direct import compliance, and testing procedures. She has spoken at numerous conferences, including the Prosper Show, Retail Global, and Global Sources, and her work has been featured in The Seattle Times, The Verge, Bloomberg, and more.
In this episode… The Amazon marketplace is notorious for making frequent updates that affect its sellers and third-party brands—and it’s recent changes to product compliance are no different. Now, many sellers are required to provide a certificate of analysis issued by a third-party laboratory in order to certify that their products are safe for consumers. While this is the gold standard, it is an unusual practice for an industry that has previously relied on in-house accreditations.
According to Rachel Johnson Greer, the Founder and Managing Partner of Cascadia Seller Solutions, this update means that an entire industry will have to change in order to comply with Amazon. So, what is the best solution for handling these product compliance changes for your brand? As an experienced Amazon consultant, Rachel has some best practices and expert advice for staying compliant on Amazon while continuing to grow your brand to new heights.
In this week’s episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson sits down with Rachel Johnson Greer, the Founder and Managing Partner of Cascadia Seller Solutions, to talk about the steps third-party sellers can take to ensure compliance with Amazon's policies. Rachel shares how her company helps sellers grow on the marketplace, the key performance metrics that brands must pay attention to, and why you should start taking advantage of Amazon Live today. Stay tuned.
Scott Scharf is the Co-founder and Chief e-Commerce Geek at Catching Clouds, an accounting firm for e-commerce companies. Catching Clouds specializes in helping multi-channel e-commerce sellers grow their businesses by providing current, accurate, and actionable financial information.
With over 30 years of experience in IT, Scott has provided consulting and solutions to a variety of companies ranging from global organizations to small businesses. He is an expert in unified communications and collaboration, IT security, and cloud accounting technologies.
In this episode… For any type of business, there are many disadvantages to a lack of good accounting records. For example, while your business may be growing and making sales every month, you may struggle to receive credit if your finances are not in order.
This is especially true for e-commerce businesses. For a number of years, banks have been reluctant to offer lines of credit to e-commerce sellers. However, as the e-commerce sector continues to grow in 2021 and beyond, these practices are changing—as long as you have good and accurate financial records. So, what are some tried-and-true strategies for improving your e-commerce accounting in the new year?
Scott Scharf, the Co-founder of Catching Clouds, joins host James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about the importance of accurate accounting for e-commerce brands. Scott discusses FBA versus FBM orders from an accounting perspective, the need for proper e-commerce accounting systems, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has created new opportunities for Amazon business owners. Stay tuned.
Sajag Agarwal is the Founder and CEO of Movley and a former seven-figure Amazon seller. Movley is a Chicago-based company working to streamline and automate worldwide manufacturing and supply-chain through tech. With Movley, Sajag helps brands manufacturing in China build better products through on-the-ground quality control inspections.
In 2015, Sajag started his first e-commerce brand, which grew to over $2 million a year in less than two years. Plagued with quality control problems, he moved to China for six months, opened an office in Shenzhen, and spent his time on the factory floor. He watched as inspectors fraudulently passed his bad production orders, so he started doing his own inspections. Out of frustration in 2018, he then founded Movley to make manufacturing overseas easier and effective. Movley optimizes tech, data analytics, and a better process to do inspections efficiently.
In this episode… Product returns and bad online reviews often negatively impact an e-commerce brand's business. They also lead to loss of sales and may make other potential customers avoid buying from the brand. To minimize the potential for catastrophe, it’s essential for private label e-commerce sellers to adequately inspect and vet the products they receive from manufacturers before shipping them to their customers.
However, in cases where e-commerce sellers outsource their products from overseas markets like China, product inspections and quality control systems can pose a big challenge. The distance involved makes the ability to physically inspect the products not only difficult and cumbersome but expensive.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson sits down with Sajag Agarwal, the CEO and Founder of Movley, to talk about the strategies private label e-commerce sellers should use when performing product inspections and factory audits. They discuss the benefits of having quality control systems, how to conduct factory audits for Chinese manufacturers, and the common mistakes e-commerce sellers often make with product inspections.
Jason Boyce is the Founder and CEO of Avenue7Media, a 21st-century product marketing agency. Avenue7Media harnesses the power of Amazon, social media, and digital advertising to help companies launch products, boost sales, and build their brands.
Before founding Avenue7Media, Jason was the Co-founder and CEO of Dazadi.com and one of the original private label sellers on Amazon, having started as a third-party merchant in 2003. Earlier this year, he co-authored The Amazon Jungle, a survival guide about the challenges of being a seller on the Amazon marketplace.
In this episode… To be successful on Amazon, third-party sellers must find ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors. So, what are some tried-and-true strategies for standing out, boosting sales, and building a memorable brand?
According to Amazon expert Jason Boyce, the best way to differentiate your private label business on Amazon is to create and sell unique products that provide unmatched value to your current and potential customers. As he says, these products should be one-of-a-kind in order to attract customers who are willing to spend a premium price. With this expert tip—and more—third-party sellers on Amazon can successfully take their businesses to the next level in 2021.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, James Thomson interviews Jason Boyce, the Founder and CEO of Avenue7Media, about the strategies online brands can take to differentiate themselves on Amazon. They discuss the benefits of being a private label seller, strategies for improving Q4 shipping problems, and tips for boosting your Amazon sales in 2021. Stay tuned.
Paul Grey is the Founder of A2X, a fast-growing software service that automates accounting for e-commerce businesses that sell across multiple platforms. A2X posts a seller’s Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, and eBay sales and fees directly into QuickBooks or Xero in summaries that match the payments in their bank account.
In addition to his work at A2X, Paul is also the Founder of ExportX, an innovative export e-commerce company that represents 50 brands in North America, Europe, and Australia. He was also previously the Co-founder and CTO of Peace Software where he designed, built, and implemented customer information software products for gas, electricity, and water utilities.
In this episode… Are you confident about your e-commerce business financials? For most Amazon sellers, balance sheets and financial statements can be complex and hard to trust—and many business owners disregard their Amazon accounting for this reason. But according to Paul Grey, bad accounting can lead to serious issues down the line, and this includes problems ranging from tax compliance to difficulties in transferring your business.
Luckily, Paul has created the perfect solution for e-commerce sellers struggling with their accounting: A2X. As an automated accounting service, A2X posts a seller’s Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, or eBay sales and fees directly into Quickbooks or Xero. This way, business owners can trust their numbers and make better business decisions on every e-commerce platform.
Join James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast as he chats with Paul Grey, Founder of A2X, about the importance of accurate and effective accounting for e-commerce businesses. Paul shares the motivation behind his e-commerce accounting software and how it helps Amazon sellers vastly improve their financials. He also gives insights on effective accounting, specialized outsourcing, and why you should be selling on Amazon. Stay tuned.
David Glick is the Chief Technology Officer for FLEXE, a nationwide firm that helps brands expand their warehousing and fulfillment capabilities. Prior to FLEXE, David held senior leadership roles at Amazon for nearly 20 years, including Vice President of the Amazon Transportation and Fulfillment Technologies team.
David is also the President of Dave Glick Consulting, where he helps companies scale their organizations by improving productivity and quality in their development teams. Outside of the office, he is a Board Member of Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST).
In this episode… Product fulfillment is one of the most important processes to invest in when starting and growing your e-commerce brand. By improving delivery promises to customers and effectively managing your inventory, it can make a huge difference to the success of your online brand.
In addition to the built-in traffic of Amazon, one of the top benefits of using the e-commerce platform is that a brand can take advantage of FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). However, relying on Amazon's fulfillment centers is not enough to build and scale a successful e-commerce brand. This is where outside warehousing and fulfillment firms, such as FLEXE, come in handy.
David Glick, the Chief Technology Officer of FLEXE, joins James Thomson in this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to discuss how brands can build an effective warehousing and fulfillment network when growing their businesses. David shares what he learned from working at Amazon for 20 years, how FLEXE helps brands with their fulfillment needs, and the unmatched benefits of working with both Amazon FBA and other fulfillment companies. Stay tuned.
Michael Zagare is the Founder and CEO of PPC Entourage, a tool that efficiently optimizes and expands Amazon sponsored product campaigns to increase sales and profits. Michael is a serial entrepreneur and a recovering physical therapist, and he was the owner of GO Physical Therapy & Wellness before starting PPC Entourage in 2015.
Michael has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of all things Amazon and loves sharing that knowledge with other sellers to help them take steps towards personal and financial freedom. He is also the Founder of the annual 12 Days of Nuggets charity event, which supports Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R) in ending human trafficking and slavery.
In this episode… With rapid growth and increased competition in the e-commerce industry, it is crucial for Amazon sellers to stay up-to-date on the tips and strategies that will help them optimize their listings and grow their revenue. For these sellers, any golden nugget of e-commerce wisdom is appreciated—and, with this in mind, Michael Zagare created his 12 Days of Nuggets charity event.
When Michael Zagare learned about Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R) and the work the organization does with helping end child slavery and trafficking, he was eager to get involved. As an expert in the Amazon and e-commerce space, Michael wanted to find a way to combine his professional contacts with the cause—and thus, 12 Days of Nuggets was born. Starting this December 7, e-commerce sellers can access valuable golden nuggets by top experts in the industry by giving a donation that supports O.U.R. and its important mission.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Joe Hansen interviews Michael Zagare, the Founder and CEO of PPC Entourage, about the ins and outs of advertising on Amazon and his 12 Days of Nuggets charity event. They discuss advertising on Amazon versus Facebook, talk about how to get started as an Amazon seller, and share how Michael’s fundraiser is supporting the efforts of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). Stay tuned.
John Danes is the Co-founder and CEO of LeadJolt, an automated tool that sets qualified leads for real estate professionals. LeadJolt’s mission is to help clients close an extra three to five deals every month with consistency and reliability.
John started his first agency, 99MEDIA, in 2018, which served clients in the health and wellness, insurance, and financial services. After becoming a real estate assistant, he quickly realized that many agents were struggling to find clients. He set out to solve this problem for good—and thus, LeadJolt was born.
In this episode… While growing his first marketing agency, John Danes discovered a niche gap in the market: real estate agents who were struggling to find quality leads. In an effort to find a solution, John created LeadJolt, which now helps agents generate more leads and sales every month.
With the help of LeadJolt, real estate businesses and agents can avoid inefficient cold calling, create a consistent flow of leads, and achieve a predictable income. It involves a 3-step process: finding and vetting leads, taking them through an automated follow-up and nurturing process, and booking them appointments with an agent. So, what are John’s secrets for creating and scaling a business to success?
John Danes, the Co-founder and CEO of LeadJolt, joins host Eric Stopper in this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast. Together, they talk about John's automated tool for real estate agents, including how it works, its product development and vetting process, and it’s effective feedback loop. John also shares his tips for successfully generating leads for a B2B business. Stay tuned.
Dean Dutro is the Co-founder of Worth eCommerce, a company that helps e-commerce businesses of all sizes dramatically grow their revenue with email marketing. Worth eCommerce focuses on driving results and boosting ROI. It has worked with over 500 stores and built two of its own that have reached the 7-figure mark.
Dean is an e-commerce email marketing and Klaviyo expert. He is also the Founder of Email Growth Training and the host of the Relationship Commerce Podcast.
In this episode… An email list is an incredibly valuable asset for e-commerce sellers. Email marketing has proven results, as well as a low cost compared to other advertising methods. In addition to driving leads and boosting profits, a good email marketing campaign can also give you valuable insights into customer behavior and data.
According to Dean Dutro, the first step to creating an effective email marketing system is ensuring that you have at least four emails to send out to new subscribers. Once website visitors have signed up for your email list, these four emails will inform, engage, and, hopefully, convert them into loyal customers. So, how can you create email marketing campaigns that drive real, long-term results?
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host Eric Stopper is joined by Dean Dutro, the Co-founder of Worth eCommerce, to talk about the power of email marketing. They discuss optimizing emails for the customer lifecycle, increasing conversion and open rates, building a long-term email list for your e-commerce business, and more. Stay tuned.
Nick Stagge is the CEO of VidArmy, a video production company that makes professional grade content accessible to companies of all sizes. VidArmy’s mission is to make branded videos affordable and easy, and it produces videos for as low as $499.
Before joining VidArmy, Nick worked at GoPro, Skullcandy, and Zumiez. He is also the host of The Ordinary Podcast, as well as a Partner of Forbes Ignite and a Contributor to Utah Business.
In this episode… Without a doubt, the use of an engaging brand video goes a long way when marketing a product or service. In recent years, more companies and individuals have embraced the use of promotional videos—not just in mainstream channels like TV advertisements, but also through social media and e-commerce websites.
However, the cost of producing quality videos is often beyond the reach of many small and mid-sized companies. That’s because most video production agencies charge a small fortune to produce a single video, and these costs increase substantially when multiple videos are required. To solve this problem, Nick Stagge and his team at VidArmy have created a solution that makes it easier to produce quality videos at an affordable price.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host Eric Stopper interviews Nick Stagge, the CEO of VidArmy, about his company's video production process and innovative business model. Nick talks about VidArmy's low pricing compared to other companies, the importance of finding the “why” behind your business, and how to effectively handle mental health issues in the workplace. Stay tuned.
Shari Wynne Ressler is an accomplished entrepreneur & attorney dedicated to helping people and their companies achieve success. Over the last 20+ years, she has developed a family of companies including RWR Legal, a law firm that serves innovators and emerging companies. In early 2020, RWR Legal partnered with Michael Best, a large national legal and consulting enterprise with over 170 years of experience.
Shari also founded SKU, the first and leading Consumer Product Goods (CPG) Accelerator operating in Austin, NYC, Dallas, and Minneapolis. She is currently focused on Venture Best, a nationwide ecosystem to connect innovators, high-growth companies, and investors to what they need for success.
In this episode… Entrepreneurship is both an art and a science. In order to master it, business owners must seek out feedback from customers, suppliers, and investors, as well as guidance from their fellow entrepreneurs.
Because of this, finding the right partners and building an effective network is a crucial part of founding your business. That’s why Shari Wynne Ressler and her team at Venture Best have been working on creating an innovative ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs on their journey to high growth and success.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host Eric Stopper is joined by Shari Wynne Ressler, an accomplished entrepreneur and attorney, to talk about her company's ecosystem for entrepreneurship. She explains the driving goals behind Venture Best, her criteria for evaluating companies to work with, and how she helps entrepreneurs grow their business to new heights. Stay tuned.
Jack Bijou is the Sales Manager at Riverbend Consulting, a consulting company that specializes in Amazon account and ASIN reinstatements. Riverbend Consulting is a partner of Buy Box Experts.
Prior to joining Riverbend Consulting, Jack was the Head of Sales at PRIMEXCHANGE and the Associate Buyer at Orva. He studied Business Administration and Management at City University of New York-Brooklyn College.
In this episode… Competition on the Amazon marketplace is fierce. While advertisements help brands drive traffic to their listings and boost sales, more needs to be done to beat competitors and achieve top rankings. According to Jack Bijou of Riverbend Consulting, one of the best ways to do this is through Amazon's editorial recommendations.
As Jack explains, the Onsite Associates Program allows publishers to write articles recommending products to buyers. These editorial recommendations are published on search results pages for a category or product, making them an effective marketing strategy for Amazon sellers looking to stand out.
On this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host Eric Stopper is joined by Jack Bijou, the Sales Manager at Riverbend Consulting, to talk about how editorial recommendations work on the Amazon marketplace. Jack explains what his company looks for when choosing Amazon sellers to work with, how publishers get compensated for their recommendations, and the major benefits of achieving one of the top three recommendations for your product or category. Stay tuned.
Rushford Lee is the Partner and Owner of REDKOR Brands, a company that specializes in building brand campaigns that help founders realize their goals and achieve financial freedom. Over the last 24 years, Rushford and his team have launched over 500 regional and national brands.
With REDKOR Brands, Rushford uses a unique formula that combines scientific research with intelligent design to produce a brand that engages a customer’s emotions. His approach is data-driven and guaranteed to scale results.
In this episode… An effective branding strategy is critical to a company’s success. That’s because branding differentiates a company from its competitors and speaks to a specific customer base. So, what do you need to do to create a brand that takes your business to the next level?
According to Rushford Lee, there are several data-driven elements to keep in mind when building an effective brand, including colors, shapes, and logos. While these are necessary for communicating what your brand stands for, they are also essential for provoking emotion in your audience. As Rushford says, creating emotional connections with your customers is the best way to provide value, boost sales, and improve customer loyalty.
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, Eric Stopper interviews Rushford Lee, the Partner and Owner of REDKOR Brands, about how to use customer data and analytics to create an unforgettable brand. They discuss how to create emotional connections with your customers, Rushford's customized research process, and the importance of colors and shapes in branding. Stay tuned.
Royce Hackett is the Vice President of Ecommerce at BetterBody Foods, where he manages the omni-channel strategy for the brand's rapidly growing online business. Royce is also in charge of designing, launching, and analyzing survey research for the company.
Prior to joining BetterBody Foods, Royce was the Project Manager for the survey software company Qualtrics in the US and Australia. He has experience diving into the details of complicated issues with data to improve current processes. Royce is proficient in designing, building, launching, and reporting on consumer-based surveys.
In this episode… There are a number of components that entrepreneurs must look into before launching a food brand on Amazon. From the type of ingredients to use, to the manufacturing and production of the products, to the marketing and advertising of the listings, each element is extremely important to a business’ success.
Luckily, once you have taken your products to the market, you can start to receive critical feedback about these components from existing and potential customers. According to e-commerce expert Royce Hackett, consumer-based surveys are one of the best ways for a brand to learn more about its customers, increase its market share, and stand out from the competition. So, how can you start collecting consumer data that helps you boost your brand to success?
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, host James Thomson interviews Royce Hackett, the Vice President of Ecommerce at BetterBody Foods, about the importance of customer surveys when growing a food business online. Royce shares his strategies for building the e-commerce side of your business, scaling on Amazon, leveraging product reviews, and more. Stay tuned.
Brandon Young is an eight-figure Amazon seller and the Owner of Global Import US, Inc. He is also the Founder of Seller Systems, where he offers private label selling courses that teach entrepreneurs how to succeed on Amazon.
After starting his career at Morgan Stanley, Brandon quickly realized that his passion lied in entrepreneurship and strategic business management. Now, he is a leader in Amazon product marketing and an award-winning private label expert. Brandon holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from Nova Southeastern University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Kaplan University.
In this episode… Although the Amazon marketplace has grown tremendously over the last couple of years and many sellers have reaped the rewards, not everyone has been so successful. So, what has caused some entrepreneurs to fail while others succeed?
There are many factors that may hinder an Amazon seller’s success. According to Amazon private label expert Brandon Young, these can range from a lack of effort and consistency to a missing drive and desire to succeed. Additionally, many sellers don't know the best strategies for evaluating product categories, creating listings, and launching their products. Luckily, Brandon has some tips for skyrocketing the sales and success of your Amazon brand.
Brandon Young, the Founder of Seller Systems, joins Eric Stopper in this episode of Buy Box Experts to share his insights into how to build a strong and successful Amazon brand. Brandon talks about how he built his eight-figure Amazon business, the top coaching strategies for entrepreneurs, and what private label sellers can do to increase their revenue. Stay tuned.
Onn Manelson is the Co-founder and CEO of RevenueWize, a simplified PPC advertising software solution that predicts the optimal price and advertising combination to maximize product sales. RevenueWize is the number one Amazon PPC tool for reducing your Advertising Cost of Sale (ACoS).
As a seasoned executive with 20 years of international business experience, Onn has a long history of helping SaaS-based and enterprise retail companies hone their technical acumen while also closing deals.
In this episode… With more SaaS companies coming out with advertising software geared toward helping Amazon sellers boost their businesses, it can be confusing to pick the tool that will work best for you. While every tool in the market provides some benefit over the others, the best way to find the right one for your business is to first test it out.
When trying out a new software, it is advisable for sellers to consider their product categories, their expectations, and their stage of growth. By aligning your current level of sales with your individual business goals, you can find the solution that helps you maximize your marketing and boost your brand.
Onn Manelson, the Co-founder and CEO of RevenueWize, joins Eric Stopper in this episode of Buy Box Experts to talk about how sellers can improve their Amazon advertising strategies using automated software solutions. Onn shares insider details about his company's advertising tool and talks about the steps sellers need to take before utilizing an advertising software. Stay tuned.
Stephen Speer is the Founder and CEO of eCommerce Lending. His company has funded over $275 million in online business acquisition loans, making it the number one source for e-commerce business acquisition financing. eCommerce Lending is also the exclusive recommended lender for nearly all the top online business brokerage firms in the country.
Stephen has been featured on multiple interview platforms, including Show Me the Nuggets with Joe Troyer and Truth About Exits with Coran Woodmass, among others. He currently lives in Florida with his wife of 25 years and their four children.
In this episode… When looking to buy an online business, one of the best decisions a buyer can make is to hire a firm that understands the current market landscape. This lending team should know the ins and outs of selling on different platforms and be able to evaluate the overall health of the business.
The experts behind eCommerce Lending know very well what it takes to acquire an online business. With years of experience under their belts, they catch what most traditional lenders miss when evaluating such businesses—and, because of this expertise, they also offer invaluable advisory services to the buyer. So, what do you need to know before buying or selling an e-commerce business?
Stephen Speer, the Founder and CEO of eCommerce Lending, joins host Joe Hansen in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about how to evaluate an online business before an acquisition. Stephen shares his best practices for SBA financing, the benefits of getting pre-qualified before an acquisition, and why buyers should hire a due diligence firm to dig deep into the businesses they intend to buy. Stay tuned.
Michael Erickson Facchin is the Founder and CEO of Ad Badger, a bid optimization SaaS company based in Austin, Texas. Ad Badger’s mission is to make its tool so smart that bid optimization only takes sellers 20 minutes a month.
In order to share their expertise with the Ad Badger community, Michael and his team run a valuable YouTube channel where they discuss the intricacies and nuances of Amazon PPC. They also launched the first-ever Amazon advertising podcast, The PPC Den.
In this episode… The Amazon channel can be quite intimidating for new brands. It can take time for sellers to learn the ropes and become experts in promoting their products on the marketplace. So, how can you start taking your Amazon advertising to the next level sooner rather than later?
The team at Ad Badger believes that with the right support, brands can reduce their Amazon advertising workflows to just 20 minutes a week, thereby saving their resources and spending more time making smarter marketing decisions. With the use of its powerful PPC software tool, Ad Badger helps Amazon sellers optimize their product listings, boost their marketing strategies, and grow their businesses to new heights.
Michael Erickson Facchin, the Founder and CEO of Ad Badger, joins Eric Stopper in this episode of Buy Box Experts to discuss the ins and outs of Amazon PPC. Michael talks about his company’s bid optimization tool, how it helps Amazon sellers reduce their workflow, and how it compares to similar tools in the market. He also shares his best practices for optimizing your Amazon campaign structure. Stay tuned.
Derrin Hill is the Founder and CEO of RevRoad, a firm that provides venture services to accelerate entrepreneurs on the road to success. The team at RevRoad have a unique approach to helping business grow and succeed, and they offer a huge catalog of products for brands that work with them, who are affectionately referred to as “roadies.”
Derrin is an entrepreneur, a loving father and husband, and a dedicated volunteer. He specializes in building empowered individuals and teams, systems for growth, motivated communities, and strong companies.
In this episode… For most entrepreneurs, starting a business is very capital intensive. The cost of producing a new physical product or software and taking it to the market can be extremely prohibitive for these innovators. Luckily, there are a number of venture capital firms and incubators to give them a boost.
However, having a great idea for a product or software is not enough to land a deal with these companies. You must also have a dynamic team and strategy in place to propel you toward success. In order to evaluate a potential client, venture services firm RevRoad uses a model that they refer to as the five Hs: Head, Hands, Heart, Humor, and Humility. So, do you have what it takes to get started on the road to success?
Derrin Hill, the Founder and CEO of RevRoad, joins Eric Stopper in this episode of Buy Box Experts to talk about what the most innovative venture companies look for when evaluating entrepreneurs to work with. Derrin shares his firm's five Hs evaluation model, how his team helps brands grow, and the types of companies he’s most excited about right now. Stay tuned.
Brigham Dallas is the Manager of Dallas Media, an internet marketing agency geared toward helping small to medium sized businesses build an online presence and convert visitors into clients.
Brigham is also the President of Sugar Me Wax, a salon that offers multiple services in the waxing and skincare category. Over the past five years, Brigham has built Sugar Me Wax into a multimillion-dollar business format franchise. He also teaches a class on Facebook and Google AdWords as an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University.
In this episode… The Amazon and Facebook marketplaces are very popular among e-commerce sellers, and many brands sell their products on both platforms. Yet oftentimes, the branding and product information on each marketplace differs, and these sellers end up making more sales on one platform than the other. So how can you start leveraging sales on both Amazon and Facebook?
Brigham Dallas helps brands create winning advertising strategies that boost sales on both platforms with his internet marketing agency, Dallas Media. As a pay-per-click (PPC) expert, he advises sellers on the best ways to share their stories, boost their conversion rates, and grow their audiences online.
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, host Eric Stopper is joined by Brigham Dallas, the Manager of Dallas Media, to talk about how brands can create a flawless Facebook advertising strategy. They discuss marketing techniques on Amazon versus Facebook, tips for targeting a specific audience, and how to beat the average conversion rates for your industry. Stay tuned.
Greg Hoffman is the Founder and CEO of Apogee Agency, an award-winning affiliate marketing agency. With more than twenty years of experience in digital marketing, Greg has cultivated a reputation for integrity and an adherence to a rigorous set of standards that protect and nurture affiliates and merchants alike.
Before founding Apogee Agency, Greg served as leader of various agencies specializing in marketing and public relations. Affiliate Summit has selected Greg as a speaker nine times and his sessions have consistently ranked in the top ten by every standard: content, speaker, attendance, and audience growth.
In this episode… When working with new brands looking to get into affiliate marketing, Greg Hoffman starts by talking to them about expectations. Based on what he has seen over the years, he wants brands to understand that affiliate marketing is not a silver bullet. While it does bring in new customers, it may take time to substantially increase sales.
Because of this, Greg has a few tried and true strategies to quickly and successfully get a brand’s affiliate marketing program off the ground. First, brands need to know who their target audience is and what products are ideal for them. They also need to get their overall website, sales, and conversion rates affiliate ready. So, are you prepared to launch a profitable affiliate marketing program?
Greg Hoffman, the Founder and CEO of Apogee Agency, joins James Thomson in this week's episode of Buy Box Experts to talk about how he helps brands launch their affiliate marketing programs. Greg discusses the evolution of the affiliate marketing industry, the recent changes to Amazon's affiliate program, and the types of brands that are best suited for affiliate marketing. Stay tuned.
Joe Hansen is the Founder and CEO of Buy Box Experts, a digital performance marketing agency devoted to helping brands on Amazon. Leading and working with the executive and director-level teams, Joe successfully converges marketing and fulfillment strategies to deliver a fluid marketing, sales, onboarding, and management experience for clients. He is a serial entrepreneur who has built and sold half a dozen different brands and is also the Co-founder of the Prosper Show, the largest educational conference for Amazon sellers.
Greg Mercer is the Founder and CEO of Jungle Scout, a software tool that helps everyone from entrepreneurs to large brands win on Amazon. As a leader in the Amazon selling community, Greg originally built Jungle Scout as a Chrome extension to automate his process of finding products to sell on Amazon. Today, he leads a team of 125+ global employees who have built Jungle Scout into a robust suite of SaaS solutions.
In this episode… All e-commerce sellers who join the Amazon marketplace do so with the intention of driving traffic to their listings, making sales, and growing their brands. However, many sellers notice that after some time on the platform, their reports show declining sales and margins.
In order to reverse this situation and avoid any subsequent losses, it’s essential for these sellers to first identify the causes behind their declining margins. According to Amazon experts Joe Hansen and Greg Mercer, some common reasons include pricing, competition, and Amazon costs and commissions. So what are their tried and true tips for increasing margins and boosting profits?
In this webinar hosted by Buy Box Experts, James Thomson is joined by Joe Hansen from Buy Box Experts and Greg Mercer from Jungle Scout to talk about the common causes of declining margins on Amazon—and how to reverse them. They discuss the nuances of the Amazon flywheel, their best strategies for optimizing paid advertisements, and how to monitor your competition in order to stay at the top of your market. Stay tuned.
Andrew Schydlowsky is the Founder and CEO of TrackStreet, the leading platform for Internet brand protection, channel management, and optimization. A serial entrepreneur, Andrew has founded several other internet-related companies prior to TrackStreet, including Sticky Technology and Performance Unlimited. He has also served as the Chief Growth Officer for a chain of retail stores and the Project Coordinator at BIDE, an economic consulting firm in Washington, D.C.
In 2008, Andrew received the Pacific Coast Business Times 40 Under 40 Award.
In this episode… Some of the most common challenges that brands face when selling online include dealing with unauthorized sellers and price disparities across different e-commerce channels. Not only do these issues have a negative impact on a business' branding, but they also lead to inconsistencies in pricing and customer experience.
To help solve these challenges, Andrew Schydlowsky and his team at TrackStreet developed a system that helps sellers track unauthorized sellers, visualize price trends over time, and identify who is violating their policies. With this information, brands can create cleaner channels that customers love.
In today’s episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host James Thomson is joined by Andrew Schydlowsky, the Founder and CEO of TrackStreet, to talk about the common distribution challenges that brands face when selling online. Andrew shares workable strategies for creating stable and consistent branding, reducing price disparities, and building stronger customer relationships. Stay tuned.
Shakil Prasla is the Founder and Managing Partner of SZ Ventures, an investment firm that specializes in acquiring, managing and growing e-commerce companies. He has reviewed more than his fair share of pitches born on Amazon private label brands looking to exit. As an entrepreneur and investor, Shakil has over a dozen acquisitions across multiple e-commerce industries, including prescription eyewear, metal promotional products, fitness gear, fashion accessories, and more.
Shakil was born in Austin, Texas, and holds a BBA from University of Texas in Austin and an MBA from the Acton School of Business.
In this episode… When Shakil Prasla first started buying online businesses, he made a number of mistakes—at times he asked the wrong questions, or failed to do due diligence, or kept the original seller as a partner for only a short period of time. However, while growing his investment firm exponentially over the past seven years, Shakil has successfully learned the tricks of the trade.
According to Shakil, one of the top lessons he has learned is to keep the seller involved in the business for at least 90 days. As he says, the knowledge that the seller acquires over the duration of running a business is invaluable, and it cannot all be shared within a short period of time. With this advice, and so much more, Shakil wants to help other investors successfully buy and operate online businesses.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host James Thomson interviews Shakil Prasla, the Founder and Managing Partner of SZ Ventures, about his experience buying and growing online businesses. Shakil explains how he started his investment firm, what he has learned over the years, and his advice to investors looking to successfully acquire a business on Amazon. Stay tuned.
Vitalii Khyzhniak is the Chief Growth Officer at Profit Whales, a PPC automation tool that provides better data insights and saves you time while managing Amazon advertisements. At Profit Whales, Vitalii provides tailor-made marketing strategies and services for brands and enterprises, and also helps scale 7-figure and 8-figure Amazon sellers. He holds a master’s degree in Enterprise Economics from Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University.
In this episode… To build and grow a brand on Amazon or any other e-commerce platform, many sellers are forced to set aside both time and money for advertising. That’s because promoting and optimizing your products is crucial for generating leads and driving sales.
But what if you had a software or tool that could automate the various steps involved with the advertising process, saving you time, money, and stress? This is the idea behind Profit Whales, a software that helps e-commerce brands build and manage their ads with just one click.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, join Eric Stopper and Vitalii Khyzhniak, the Chief Growth Officer at Profit Whales, as they talk about how the Profit Whales software helps brands better manage their online advertising. Vitalii discusses the global mission behind the company, how the advertising software works, and why his team decided to invest in artificial intelligence. Stay tuned.
Will Martin-Gill is the General Manager and Chief Strategy Officer at Kenshoo. He is a technology executive with extensive experience in product, digital marketing, and strategy. Will also has a proven track record of building and growing technology platforms, entering new markets, and accelerating the growth of existing businesses.
Before joining Kenshoo, Will was the Global Lead of Search Engine Marketing and Digital Marketing Strategy and Planning at eBay. He holds an MBA from Harvard and is an e-commerce expert.
In this episode… As technology continues to evolve, more data analytics companies have been springing up to help e-commerce brands gain a competitive edge on platforms such as Amazon. For many sellers, this data is crucial to their business success, as it helps them make better decisions on how to advertise their products and where to invest their ad spend.
Over the past 14 years, Kenshoo has helped brands up their game in online marketplaces thanks to its unparalleled data insights. The future looks promising for the company as more businesses enter the e-commerce industry, and the team at Kenshoo continue to improve their advertising tools to meet the evolving needs of online sellers.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Will Martin-Gill, the General Manager and Chief Strategy Officer at Kenshoo, is interviewed by host Eric Stopper about the evolution of Kenshoo and its future in the data analytics industry. They discuss the elements that make up the best automation software, the importance of testing Amazon campaign styles, and Kenshoo's valuable advertising insights. Stay tuned.
Denise Zmuda is the Chief Strategy and Client Success Officer at Vorys eControl. With more than 20 years of experience in the U.S. and across the globe, Denise specializes in developing a wide range of channel management strategies. She leads the company's Root Cause Diagnostics and Corrective Action team, which is committed to helping brands with their channel compliance efforts, including stopping unauthorized sales at the source.
Denise also spends significant time quantifying the financial impact of uncontrolled online sales, counseling on the enhancement of channel management efforts, and helping organizations to evolve their distribution and related strategies.
In this episode… Although the Amazon channel continues to grow everyday, many brands are hesitant to join the marketplace. They see it as a small channel that does not bring in a significant amount of revenue, and therefore choose to ignore it.
However, for brands that decide to take advantage of Amazon's large marketplace and its popularity among online consumers, there is the challenge of disrupting their existing brick-and-mortar channels. This is largely due to the presence of many unauthorized resellers, as well as various channel governance issues. So what should brands do to control their branding, grow their businesses, and increase their revenue—on and off of the Amazon channel?
In this webinar hosted by Buy Box Experts, James Thomson is joined by Denise Zmuda, the Chief Strategy and Client Success Officer at Vorys eControl, to talk about how brands can control their online presence on the Amazon channel. They discuss the common disruptions brands face when deciding to join the marketplace, the framework they can use to create a proper Amazon channel strategy, and the best ways to regain control of their products from unauthorized resellers. Stay tuned.
Peter Phillips is the Sales Director of Ecommerce at Kenshoo, where he oversees the development and expansion of strategic e-commerce accounts that use Kenshoo to manage their Amazon campaigns. Peter has a background in e-commerce services, software business development, client management, campaign optimization, and more. Before Kenshoo, Peter was the Director of Business Development at Marketplace Ignition.
In this episode… Although Amazon Prime Day 2020 has not yet been announced, it is critical for brands to prepare in advance if they want to make the most out of the annual deal event. Most importantly, they need to start getting their inventory and budgeting in order to avoid missing out on the sales.
However, many sellers are concerned about an increase in Amazon advertising costs during this period, and therefore may choose not to get involved. Others may be reluctant to offer discounts on their products due to fears about loss in revenue. So what is the best way to prepare for Prime Day in order to maximize your profits without going over budget?
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, Eric Stopper is joined by Peter Phillips, the Sales Director of Ecommerce at Kenshoo, to talk about what brands on Amazon should be doing to prepare for this year’s Prime Day. Peter shares his advice on the metrics to consider when promoting products, the best ways to cultivate good relationships with vendor managers, and the benefits of Best Seller badges. Stay tuned.
Daniel Tejada is the Co-founder and Amazon Growth Wizard at Straight Up Growth, an Amazon advertising agency that he started earlier this year. Daniel has extensive experience in the digital marketing and Amazon space, having previously worked with companies such as Blue Wheel Media and Quiverr. He has spent over $10 million on Amazon advertising and has helped his clients reach over $100 million in sales.
Daniel holds a Bachelor's degree in Advertising and Multi-media Design from Pepperdine University. He has been featured in various advertising publications including Digiday and Amazon.
In this episode… With all the Amazon advertising software and tools currently in the market, Amazon sellers have a number of options to choose from when it comes to collecting data about their listings. These include Kenshoo, Jungle Scout, and Helium 10—and the list keeps growing.
However, with all of these options, it can be challenging for sellers to find the software or tool that meets their specific needs. There are external programs for everything from researching keyword data, to boosting conversion rates, to optimizing ad spend. So how can Amazon sellers find the right software for their businesses?
In this week's episode of Buy Box Experts, host Eric Stopper interviews Daniel Tejada, the Co-founder of Straight Up Growth, about finding the right software tools for your Amazon business. Daniel discusses the different advertising software currently available in the market, how the functionalities of each program differ, and the important metrics to look out for when building an Amazon marketing strategy. Stay tuned.
Julia Nelson is the Director of Ecomm Expert Services & Enablement at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. Julia earned her degree in Arts, Marketing from the Carson College of Business at Washington State University. Prior to joining Kenshoo, she was the Director of Enterprise Ecommerce Marketing at content26, LLC.
Peter Phillips is the Sales Director of Ecommerce at Kenshoo, where he oversees the development and expansion of strategic e-commerce accounts that use Kenshoo to manage their Amazon campaigns. Peter has a background in e-commerce services, software business development, client management, campaign optimization, and more. Before Kenshoo, Peter was the Director of Business Development at Marketplace Ignition.
In this episode… The growth of online marketplaces—especially Amazon—means that there is now more competition among brands to appear on the first page of search results. Achieving the top spot on that page is an added advantage, as this is the biggest driver when it comes to returns and general revenue.
However, for brands to get a coveted slot on the first page of Amazon, they must have a savvy advertising strategy. That’s where Kenshoo comes in. Kenshoo is designed to help brands create optimized listings by providing the in-depth insights they need on everything from Share of Voice data to the performance of different ad campaigns.
In this week's episode of Buy Box Experts, host Eric Stopper interviews Julia Nelson and Peter Phillips from Kenshoo about how to create Amazon ads that put brands at the top of search results. They discuss why businesses should advertise for their own brand names, which metrics to pay attention to when making advertising decisions, and how to optimize your listings for Amazon’s algorithm. Stay tuned.
Seth Spears is the Co-founder, CTO and Chief Marketing Strategist at Wellnesse, a personal care line of products crafted from the highest quality ingredients. Seth is also the Chief Marketing Officer at Wellness Mama, the top ranked health and wellness website for moms and families. After his wife started Wellness Mama as a blog in 2009, Seth has successfully grown the page to over 10 million monthly pageviews.
Seth also runs his own digital marketing consultancy called Spears Marketing, which specializes in generating new customers using online strategies. He holds a degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
In this episode… The rapid growth of online businesses—including successful blogs—over the last couple of years means that there is now more competition than ever in the e-commerce industry. Because of this, it is crucial for entrepreneurs to think outside of the box when it comes to marketing tactics in order to grow their audiences and boost their businesses.
According to online business owner Seth Spears, one of the best ways to do this is to build a strong personal brand that stands out from the competition. His advice? Find your unique selling point, learn how to be a good storyteller, and make time to connect with your target audience.
Seth Spears, the Co-founder, CTO, and Chief Marketing Strategist at Wellnesse, joins host Eric Stopper in this episode of Buy Box Experts to share his best strategies for building a powerful online brand. Seth talks about the ins and outs of running an online business with his wife, Katie, and shares his advice on how to balance quantity and quality in the blogging space. Stay tuned.
Bradley Sutton is the Director of Training & Chief Evangelist at Helium 10, an all-in-one software suite for Amazon sellers. Prior to joining Helium 10, Bradley was a consultant for Amazon sellers. He is an Amazon selling ninja, with expertise in listing optimization and product launches.
Bradley has launched over 400 products for different companies, and in 2020 alone he has launched four different six-figure products. He is also the host of the Serious Sellers Podcast, one of the world’s most downloaded podcasts for Amazon sellers.
In this episode… If you're a brand selling on the Amazon marketplace, you may sometimes notice a decline in your sales despite your consistent ad spend. This can be traced back to three different factors: the amount of traffic at the top of your sales funnel, the conversion rates of that traffic, and the pricing of your product.
In order to accurately diagnose what is causing the decline of your sales, you should look at a number of different metrics on your seller dashboard. By evaluating the performance of your paid advertisements, your keywords, and your competition, you can better pinpoint the problem areas behind this unexpected drop.
In this webinar by Buy Box Experts, host James Thomson talks to Bradley Sutton, the Director of Training & Chief Evangelist at Helium 10, about how to diagnose a drop in sales on Amazon. They share the metrics that brands should look at when this drop happens, the best strategies for tracking the performance of your competition, and the importance of securing your Amazon Prime eligibility. Stay tuned.
Kevin Weiss is the VP of Client Success for Ecommerce at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. The company has been an Amazon partner for the past 3 years and is also considered the number one Amazon Advertising solution.
Kevin is an executive leader with e-commerce expertise for enterprise, mid-market, SMB, and startup brands. Prior to joining Kenshoo, this Boston University graduate was the VP of Growth & Strategy at Amplio Digital.
In this episode… For brands selling on the Amazon marketplace, there are a number of metrics to stay aware of. That’s because the more data and insights you have, the better you can optimize your product listings, improve your advertising strategies, and increase your sales.
According to e-commerce expert Kevin Weiss, there are three different levels of data point metrics to pay attention to, depending on where you are in your business: basic, intermediate, and advanced. These metrics guide brands through their journey on Amazon, from joining the marketplace to growing and scaling their businesses.
Kevin Weiss, the VP of Client Success for Ecommerce at Kenshoo, joins Eric Stopper in this week's episode of Buy Box Experts to talk about retail data and advertising metrics on the Amazon platform. Kevin breaks down the most important metrics that brands need to look out for at each level of their selling journey, from review ratings to average cost per click. Stay tuned.
Megan Harbold is the VP of Global Strategic Consulting at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. Kenshoo is a leading Amazon partner and is considered the number one Amazon Advertising solution for e-commerce marketers.
Megan is an expert in e-commerce and Amazon advertising, digital marketing, and consumer and client relations. Prior to joining Kenshoo, Megan was the Vice President of Ecommerce at The Mars Agency. She holds an MBA in Marketing from the York College of Pennsylvania.
In this episode… When selling on Amazon, it’s important to stay aware of the platform’s various key advertising nuances. For instance, if you want to get a clear and accurate picture of the performance of your listings, you’ll have to look beyond what Amazon is reporting.
The best way to do this is with a third-party software, such as Kenshoo. Kenshoo helps brands navigate all of the important nuances within the platform so that they can achieve Amazon Advertising success. For example, Megan Harbold of Kenshoo explains that brands should take a customer-first approach when promoting listings, as Amazon is more centered on consumers than keywords.
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, Eric Stopper talks to Megan Harbold, the VP of Global Strategic Consulting at Kenshoo, about some of the key advertising nuances on the Amazon platform. They discuss how to create a strategy around Amazon's customer-focused approach, when brands should start thinking about automation, and how Kenshoo can help you take your Amazon Advertising to the next level. Stay tuned.
Gabriella Neske is the Senior Account Manager at Buy Box Experts, where she supports large brands on first-party and third-party Amazon marketplace issues. Prior to joining Buy Box Experts, Gabriella spent more than five years at Amazon as a vendor manager and buyer. She has also worked at Nordstrom Direct and Groupon.
Scott Ohsman is a Partner at Buy Box Experts, where he is involved with business development and people management. Before this, Scott was the owner and CEO of The Cairn Company and Frontier Group Inc. He has over 20 years of experience in retail and e-commerce and has helped dozens of brands with their Amazon 1P relationships.
In this episode… Many brands are thrilled to receive a call from one of Amazon's vendor managers inviting them to sign up as a first-party seller. While the Vendor Central program is a great place for brands to sell their products, it does come with its own unique set of challenges.
For instance, there are many costs and expenses incurred throughout the program, as well as an increased demand for marketing and advertising. Because of this, it’s imperative that brands know what they are getting themselves into before signing up.
In this week's episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, host James Thomson interviews Gabriella Neske and Scott Ohsman, both from Buy Box Experts, about some of the major challenges that brands face in the Amazon Vendor Central program. They discuss the common costs associated with being a first-party seller, the importance of increased advertising on the marketplace, and the best ways to avoid stockout problems as your popularity grows. Stay tuned.
Chris McCabe is a former Amazonian who helps Amazon sellers protect and save their businesses. His company, ecommerceChris, was the first company founded by a former Amazonian designed specifically to help suspended marketplace sellers. Chris teaches sellers how to think like Amazon, protect their accounts, and appeal listing restrictions and suspensions. He is also heavily versed in the world of counterfeits on Amazon’s marketplace.
Randy Hetrick is the founder and co-chairman of TRX, one of the world's leading brands in health and fitness. Prior to TRX, Randy spent 14 years as a Navy SEAL Officer, holding a variety of strategic and tactical leadership positions. His formal entrepreneurial career began in his garage, where he first created the prototype for his famous TRX Suspension Trainer. In addition to his current roles, Randy is also an investor and advisor to early stage businesses and a speaker to organizations around the world, including his alma maters of USC and Stanford.
Rich Goldstein is a US patent attorney who helps Amazon sellers develop strategies to protect their brands and grow their businesses around the topic of IP. Since founding his firm, Goldstein Patent Law, over 25 years ago, Rich has attained more than 2,000 patents for his clients. He is also the author of The ABA Consumer Guide to Obtaining a Patent and host of the Innovations and Breakthroughs Podcast.
In this episode… If you’re a brand selling on Amazon, you’ve probably had to deal with the tough and time-consuming litigation process that occurs because of intellectual property infringement. Many legitimate sellers have experienced a loss of sales and business due to fraudsters on the Amazon marketplace that violate patents and lodge false IP claims. So how can you better prevent and deal with these violations?
According to Amazon consultant Chris McCabe, Amazon seller Randy Hetrick, and patent attorney Rich Goldstein, there are many preventative measures brands can take to protect their listings on and off of Amazon. They believe that it’s never too early to be thinking about IP protection, especially if you are a growing business.
In this webinar by Buy Box Experts, host James Thomson talks with Chris McCabe, Randy Hetrick, and Rich Goldstein about their strategies for fighting back against counterfeit sellers on Amazon. They discuss the many ways brands are affected by patent violations, how IP plays a key role in protecting legitimate sellers, and the best ways to remove knock-offs from the Amazon marketplace. Stay tuned.
Nich Weinheimer is the General Manager of Ecommerce at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. Kenshoo has been an Amazon partner for the past three years and is now recognized as the number one Amazon Advertising solution for e-commerce marketers.
Nich is an Amazon Advertising expert and has almost ten years of experience in the e-commerce industry. Prior to joining Kenshoo, Nich was the Marketing Director at Buy Box Experts, where he led marketing and advertising on Amazon.
In this episode… For any brand looking to join the Amazon marketplace and expand their business, advertising is an inevitable investment. However, smaller brands may struggle to determine just how much they should spend on advertising in order to effectively compete with larger sellers.
So what should these smaller brands do to better reach their target audience? How much should they invest in their ad campaigns in terms of money and time? How can they best optimize their listings in order to make the most out of their budget and compete with other sellers? The team behind Kenshoo has the answers to all of these questions, and more.
In this week’s episode of Buy Box Experts, Nich Weinheimer, General Manager of Ecommerce at Kenshoo, joins host Eric Stopper to talk about how Amazon Advertising measures up for both small and large brands. Nich shares his advice on how much smaller brands should spend on their advertising campaigns, what techniques they should use to compete with larger sellers, and how they can create a social media strategy that drives traffic to their Amazon listings. Stay tuned.
Julia Nelson is the Director of Ecomm Expert Services & Enablement at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. Kenshoo is a leading Amazon partner and the number one Amazon Advertising solution for e-commerce marketers.
Julia earned her degree in Arts, Marketing from the Carson College of Business at Washington State University. Prior to joining Kenshoo, she was the Director of Enterprise Ecommerce Marketing at content26, LLC. Today, Julia is an expert in marketing and Amazon advertising.
In this episode… The Amazon Advertising UI has a number of limitations when it comes to optimizing listings and tracking the performance of ads. Despite having a wealth of data at its disposal, Amazon has not released the same tools and insights as other platforms, choosing instead to keep things close to the vest. This is where third-party advertising software, such as Kenshoo, comes in handy.
The Kenshoo platform provides a number of benefits and invaluable tools to help Amazon sellers and marketers maintain an effective advertising presence. With this software, you have access to greater historical data, smart bidding tools, performance metrics, and so much more.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast, Julia Nelson, the Director of Ecomm Expert Services & Enablement at Kenshoo, joins Eric Stopper to talk about the many ways Kenshoo adds value to the selling and marketing experience on Amazon. Stay tuned as Julia breaks down Kenshoo’s various advertising features, from dayparting optimization, to custom tagging, to cross-retailer support.
PJ Pereira is the co-founder and creative chairman of the innovative advertising agency, Pereira O'Dell. PJ is an advertising and entertainment pioneer who believes that agencies must provide return not only on the money brands are investing, but also the time consumers are spending with the work. His agency is credited with the creation of the first-ever social film, “The Inside Experience,” for Intel and Toshiba in 2011, which combined Hollywood talent content with social media participation.
PJ Pereira is a proud Brazilian-American and one of the world’s most influential and respected creatives. He is an Emmy winner, best-selling novelist, and double black belt in kung fu.
In this episode… On social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, it is common practice to see advertisements run as users watch videos. According to advertising expert PJ Pereira, these types of ads not only interrupt a consumer’s experience, but they also lack the lasting effects of truly successful ad campaigns.
On the other hand, many Amazon ads are almost invisible to users, and few shoppers ever actually notice them. So how can brands successfully create awareness for their products on this platform without being too invasive? Pj’s advice: get creative.
PJ Pereira, co-founder and creative chairman of Pereira O'Dell, joins Eric Stopper in this week's episode of Buy Box Experts to talk about how to successfully boost your ad campaigns with a bit of creativity. PJ shares his tactics for creating compelling advertising messages, raising awareness for a product without being invasive, and using cultural events to connect with consumers. Stay tuned.
Kevin Weiss is the VP of Client Success for Ecommerce at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. The company has been an Amazon partner for the past 3 years and is also considered the number one Amazon Advertising solution.
Kevin is an executive leader with e-commerce expertise for enterprise, mid-market, SMB, and startup brands. Prior to joining Kenshoo, this Boston University graduate was the VP of Growth & Strategy at Amplio Digital.
In this episode… Although the Amazon marketplace offers great opportunities for millions of sellers, its fierce competition makes it hard for brands to stand out and expand their businesses. For these brands, it is not enough to rely on organic searches alone. Paid advertising and expert strategy are crucial for attracting leads and converting them into customers.
However, there are many limitations to the advertising tools available on Amazon. In order to acquire customer data and outperform competitors, savvy sellers are finding ways to work around these limitations.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast, host Eric Stopper is joined by Kevin Weiss, VP of Client Success for Ecommerce at Kenshoo, to talk about how brands can hack Amazon advertising to increase conversion rates and boost sales. Kevin discusses the limitations of the Amazon marketplace, his top strategies for better positioning your listings, and how brands with small advertising budgets can beat the competition. Stay tuned.
Taylor Smits is the co-founder of MyFBAPrep, a national network of warehouses that empowers e-commerce sellers. MyFBAPrep uses its powerful technology platform to provide Amazon sellers, whether wholesale, private label, or online arbitrage, with next-level FBA prep services.
Taylor Smits graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Business Administration, Management, and Operations. In 2010, he started on his e-commerce path by selling sporting event and concert tickets online, and he has since added drop-shipping, private label, and wholesaling to his repertoire. Outside of the office, Taylor is a licensed pilot, a certified scuba diver, and an ordained minister.
In this episode… The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted a variety of businesses in the US, both positively and negatively. While many companies have experienced huge losses, those that either sell essential goods or have been able to adapt to the new normal have benefited from an increase in sales.
One market that has experienced mostly positive effects from the lockdown is e-commerce. Taylor Smits has been involved in e-commerce since 2010. He has witnessed Amazon's growth over the years and now uses his expertise to help other online sellers build their own stores and businesses.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Taylor Smits, the co-founder of MyFBAPrep, joins host Eric Stopper to talk about how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected the Amazon marketplace and its sellers. Taylor discusses his own experience growing an e-commerce business, the future of the US economy, and how new and burgeoning sellers can break into the e-commerce market. Stay tuned.
Kevin Weiss is the VP of Client Success for Ecommerce at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. The company has been an Amazon partner for the past 3 years and is also considered the number one Amazon Advertising solution.
Kevin is an executive leader with e-commerce expertise for enterprise, mid-market, SMB, and startup brands. Prior to joining Kenshoo, this Boston University graduate was the VP of Growth & Strategy at Amplio Digital.
In this episode… As Ecommerce brands grow their businesses on Amazon and other online marketplaces, it’s only a matter of time until they begin to wonder: Am I ready to expand to international markets? However, for many of these brands, confusions surrounding logistics, tracking, and international advertising hold them back from taking the leap.
Kenshoo is here to change all that. As a company that powers digital advertising for the world’s top brands & agencies, Kenshoo has made it easy for e-commerce sellers to expand to international markets.
In this week’s episode of Buy Box Experts, Kevin Weiss, the VP of Client Success for Ecommerce at Kenshoo, joins host Eric Stopper to shed some light on the best practices for selling internationally on Amazon. Kevin gives his expert advice on when to expand your business to international markets, how to create a budget depending on which market you are entering, and which advertising tools and products will be best for you. Stay tuned.
Hendrik Laubscher is the founder and CEO of Blue Cape Ventures, a boutique research and consulting firm specializing in global and cross-border e-commerce. He is a trusted adviser to technology investors and operating companies all over the world.
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Hendrik runs a very successful blog entitled Electric Thoughts in a Digital Era. Before this, he was a contributor for Forbes and the Marketplace Research Director & Lead Writer for Buy Box Experts.
In this episode… The growth of e-commerce marketplaces all over the world has created new and exciting opportunities for brands to grow and expand their businesses. This has led to what is referred to as global e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce. But what is the difference between these two terms, and how can you use them to start reaching new markets?
e-commerce expert Hendrik Laubscher is committed to helping brands, agencies, and investors make the most out of this new global market, without landing in some of the pitfalls that come with cross-border sales. He founded his boutique research company and e-commerce blog to keep his clients in the know about the latest news and trends in global and cross-border e-commerce.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Hendrik Laubscher, founder of Blue Cape Ventures, joins host James Thomson to give his advice for brands looking to sell in other countries. Hendrik discusses the difference between global and cross-border e-commerce, the steps brands should take before entering a foreign market, and whether or not you should build a physical presence in a different country. Stay tuned.
Sean Marder is the Director of Ecommerce Solutions at Kenshoo, a technology platform that helps brands plan, activate, and measure effective marketing across all of the most engaging digital channels. The company has been an Amazon partner for the past 3 years, working closely with the new Amazon attribution program.
Sean Marder has an extensive background in both digital marketing and search advertising campaigns. Prior to joining Kenshoo, he was the Director of Media & Analytics at Amplio Digital
In this episode… In the past, Amazon sellers have struggled to track data and metrics about the traffic being driven to their products from other platforms, such as Facebook and Google ads. With their new attribution tool, however, this is all about to change.
Amazon Attribution is an analytics and measurement console that helps brands track their advertising performance across multiple channels. Sean Marder and his team at Kenshoo have been working closely with Amazon to get this attribution tool to you.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Eric Stopper interviews Sean Marder, the Director of Ecommerce Solutions at Kenshoo, about the exciting new Amazon Attribution tool. Sean explains the benefits of using this tool, the type of data and insights it provides, and how it will work for you. Stay tuned.
Jonothan DiPeri is the founder & CEO of MyoStorm, a company that provides innovative solutions to pain management and muscular recovery. His team of engineers and professional athletes developed a unique flagship product called the Meteor, a heating massage therapy ball that is designed to crush pain.
Jonothan graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In late 2019, Jono and his MyoStorm business partners appeared on Shark Tank, where they closed a deal with Lori Greiner, the Queen of QVC.
In this episode… While doing a research project at Brigham Young University, Jonothan DiPeri and his friend and business partner Shaquille Walker came up with a groundbreaking idea that has caused a storm in the pain management product market. Their pain relieving massage ball, the Meteor, was funded through Kickstarter and before they knew it, they were invited to appear on Shark Tank.
Now, Jono is the founder and CEO of MyoStorm, a company dedicated to helping people feel better and live healthier. He has used his appearance on reality TV to launch his engineering career and continue his research in localized vibration and heat therapy technologies.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Eric Stopper interviews Jonothan DiPeri about his experience with the sharks on Shark Tank and how that impacted his young business. He explains the concept behind the company's core product, why they chose Kickstarter for their funding, and where he plans to go from here. Stay tuned.
Jon Tilley is an avid motorcyclist, Yogi, surfer, and the co-founder and CEO of ZonGuru, an all-in-one SaaS platform for Amazon sellers. ZonGuru uses data visualization and automation to help sellers find the best suppliers, niches, and keywords for their Amazon listings.
Jon has been selling on Amazon since 2014 and is a regular guest on webinars and podcasts in the Amazon and eBay space. He holds a Post Graduate Honors Degree in Marketing from the University of the Witwatersrand.
In this episode… With Amazon’s vast and extensive marketplace, it can be hard for new sellers to find the right category and niche to list their products. This, as well the competition coming from large and established Amazon sellers, is requiring smaller brands to be more strategic than ever when building their businesses.
Luckily, ZonGuru is here to help. This SaaS platform and Amazon tool gives smaller sellers the niches and data visualization they need to create million dollar businesses.
In this episode, Eric Stopper interviews Jon Tilley, the co-founder and CEO of ZonGuru, about the various ways his company helps Amazon sellers scale their businesses. Jon discusses how to track customer engagement, why you should find a niche within a niche, and how to choose products for long-term success. Stay tuned.
Jim Winn is the co-founder of Rpple Analytics, an Amazon specific influencer marketing tool that provides a dashboard to affiliates and influencers, who then work with brands to create and push content meant to drive Amazon sales.
Jim has a BA in Photojournalism from Western Kentucky University. He is an enthusiastic tinkerer, husband, and father, and also the founder of a seven figure business called Kentucky Home Brands.
In this episode… Although the Amazon marketplace has seen tremendous growth over the last couple of years, not every product search is done directly on this channel. A wide range of traffic is directed to Amazon from email blasts and referrals from other websites and blogs.
In an effort to leverage the traffic coming from these external publishers and influencers, Jim Winn co-founded Rpple Analytics, an Amazon specific influencer marketing tool. Rpple provides brands with a user-friendly platform for Amazon influencer discovery, management, and performance based ads, helping them grow their traffic to new heights.
Jim Winn joins Eric Stopper in this episode of Buy Box Experts to talk about why he created Rpple Analytics, how it works, and the best strategies for using it. He also discusses Amazon celebrity stores and monetizing Tik Tok. Stay tuned.
Damon Burton is an international search engine marketing expert and the founder and president of SEO National, a search engine marketing company that works with everyone from NBA teams to Inc 5000 and Shark Tank featured businesses. Damon also writes for Forbes and has been featured in publications like Entrepreneur Magazine, BuzzFeed, and Us Weekly.
Damon recently wrote a book on search engine optimization titled Outrank, which serves as a guide for those who want to dominate the Google search engine without paying for ads. In full disclosure, Damon has worked on multiple online properties owned by Buy Box Experts.
In this episode… For brands that haven’t yet invested in SEO, it may seem like the key to overnight success. However, search engine marketing experts, such as Damon Burton, know that it takes time to successfully build a trustworthy reputation and relationship with Google.
The Google algorithms are intended to send people to websites that provide quality content about their searches. Therefore, for brands to drive traffic to their websites, they need to create content that is helpful and user-friendly for their customers. The same applies when it comes to the Amazon marketplace.
In this episode, James Thomson interviews Damon Burton, founder and president of SEO National, about how to drive traffic to your Amazon pages and website with minimal paid Ads. Damon explains why social media has very little influence on SEO, how backlinks work, and why you should invest in long-term search engine marketing efforts. Stay tuned.
Adam Epstein is the Vice President of Growth at Perpetua, an advertising software company that seeks to give superpowers to brands that sell on Amazon. The team at Perpetua is built from machine learning engineers and software professionals that hail from some of the top tech companies from around the world, including Google and Microsoft. Perpetua has raised over $10 million to fund their efforts.
Prior to Perpetua, Adam was the General Manager for Paytm and Velocity Mobile Ltd. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University and a Juris Doctorate degree in Law from Queen's University.
In this episode… What does it take to win on Amazon?
According to Adam Epstein, winning on Amazon is increasingly becoming a game of tactics, with brands going to battle with their competitors on the online marketplace. Adam believes that brands have to arm themselves with the right software and the best advertising strategies in order to come out at the top of the game.
In this episode, Eric Stopper has an in-depth interview with Adam Epstein from Perpetua about leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for advertising on Amazon. Adam explains how his software helps brands win on Amazon. He also talks about the future of e-commerce advertising, the use of Perpetua to collect data, and how brands can best optimize their click-through rates on Amazon. Stay tuned.
Chris Yadon is the Executive Director of The Younique Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, funded through a combination of public donations and private donors, who holds offices in Lehi, Utah and in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Chris has previously held leadership positions in the startup tech and nonprofit industries and his expertise centers on heightening awareness to the epidemic of sexual abuse, as well as educating the public on best practices for prevention and the healing services available to survivors. He has been featured across several media platforms where he is often requested to contribute as an industry thought leader and expert.
In this episode… A few months ago, the Buy Box Experts team had the opportunity to visit The Younique Foundation in Lehi, Utah. The Younique Foundation is an organization that helps women and kids who have undergone childhood sexual abuse. They also help parents become more educated about such kinds of issues to protect their kids.
The Buy Box Experts team helped in making blankets which are used by the women in their retreats, and they were also told about the foundation's Defend Innocence project.
Eric Stopper invited Chris Yadon from The Younique Foundation to talk about their work in addressing sexual abuse issues among women and children. Chris shares grim statistics on sexual abuse in the US, how the foundation helps the victims, success stories from the women they have helped, and what parents and the broader community can do to prevent and address sexual abuse. Stay tuned.
Hasan Hasmani is the co-founder and CEO of Underdog Games. The company's flagship product is a game called Trekking the National Parks which takes about 60 minutes to play. The game is a perfect mix between board games and the outdoors, and has been the winner of several board game awards and boasts of over a thousand 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Hasan holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
In this episode… One of the toughest categories on Amazon to break into is the one for board games. A good number of people go in and drive sales through PPC, but Hasan Hasmani and his business partner chose to go a different route. They chose to focus on national parks as the niche for their board game and this has allowed their brand to grow organically on Amazon and get more than 1,000 reviews.
In addition to organic searches, Hasan and his business partners have learned the best Facebook Ads strategies through which they engage potential customers and drive sales for their board games.
On this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast, Hasan Hasmani gets interviewed by Eric Stopper about starting up his board game business and growing it on Amazon. He explains how he and his business partner, Charlie Bink, came up with the idea of a board game involving national parks, their marketing strategies, how they scaled the business on Amazon, and the next game up their sleeve. Stay tuned.
Gene Zelek is a Partner with Taft Stettinius and Hollister Law Firm. Right after graduating from Law, he practiced as a marketing lawyer at a big law firm prior to working as an in-house at Quaker Oats where he also became a brand manager. When he went back to practicing law, he focused on Marketing Law including antitrust, pricing and distribution, and brand protection. Since 1989, Gene has helped design, implement, and enforce more than 470 successful policies addressing minimum resale price, minimum advertised price, and their variants in diverse industries for both consumer and industrial products.
Gene is co-author of the seminal 2003 antitrust article Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Resale Price Policy: A Colgate How-To, as well as the 2020 Harvard Business Review article, Pricing Policies that Protect Your Brand: How to Prevent Unauthorized Discounting.
In this episode… There has been rapid growth in the use of online selling channels by brands over the last 20 years. While their views and management of online channels have evolved, there is still work to be done to ensure brand policies are followed across these channels. And these online channels offer greater transparency in pricing which poses benefits and disadvantages to brands and to an extent, to consumers as well.
In this episode, James Thomson interviews Gene Zelek of Taft Stettinius and Hollister Law firm about using pricing policies that solidifies channel management both online and offline. They talk about how pricing transparency brought about by online marketplaces has impacted brands, the various challenges brands face due to pricing discrepancies, and best practices for enforcing pricing policies. Stay tuned.
Justin Meats is the VP of Product at PriceSpider, a SaaS firm that offers manufacturers and brands the necessary reporting to attract their performance across multiple online marketplaces, including customer conversion and brand integrity. Justin has been building online brands and software products for more than 20 years, and has seen many changes in the way that brands address their businesses online.
Justin graduated summa cum laude from Quincy University with a Double Major in Computer Science and Broadcast Communication.
In this episode… Many companies have started to embrace online marketplaces and distribution channels over the years and a lot of them face one common challenge: getting accurate information of their product’s performance and branding online. These vital information can help them zero in on where to best sell their products and how to improve pricing and marketing strategies which is why having the capacity to get access to this data is crucial to their success in the ecommerce space.
Adequate and accurate information can increase a brand's ability to grow and scale. It can also help a brand better understand its customers' purchasing behavior and preferences which ultimately helps increase product conversion rates and drive more sales.
Justin Meats is an ecommerce & SaaS expert and he joins James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast to talk about the best practices for tracking products and branding online. Justin gives an insider look on how PriceSpider can help brands address their concerns in the ecommerce space, how to best avoid the common mistakes brands make in their distribution strategies, and he also shares top tips on product pricing and alignment of brand activities online and offline. Stay tuned.
Dale Majors is the Founder and CEO of Venture Anyway, a unique coaching program that he developed while working and consulting with business owners all over the United States. He is an accomplished entrepreneur, e-commerce guru, adventurer, and personal development influencer who has built an e-commerce company, Bikewagon, and grew it to $10 million in revenue before selling it in 2016.
Dale Majors has created and moderates a mastermind group course for entrepreneurs which helps them overcome the obstacles that block their success. He helps them own their businesses instead of the other way around.
In this episode… Entrepreneurship is a difficult journey, and founders are often met with different kinds of challenges every day. But with the right skills and mindset, and from learning from peers in the industry, it’s not impossible to see your venture become a success story. Dale Majors, CEO of Venture Way, knows this firsthand from his own experience as a business owner who grew and sold his company that was generating over $10 million in revenue.
Dale has since moved on to provide consulting services to other businesses in order to help them make their own ventures successful. He has created a mastermind group that provides an avenue for business owners to meet and learn from fellow entrepreneurs. He believes in having systems and processes in place to successfully run a profitable business.
In this week's episode of Buy Box Experts, Dale Majors joins Eric Stopper to talk about the importance of focusing more on processes in business to achieve great results. He also talks about the successes of his businesses, why entrepreneurs need to create free time for themselves everyday, his mastermind group course, and his coaching strategy. Stay tuned.
Amy Stellhorn is the Founder and CEO of Big Monocle, an award-inning, socially-minded creative and branding agency headquartered in Silicon Valley. She describes her team as a multi-platform problem solving team. She is a designer, a creator, a marketing expert and a friend.
Amy is also the co-founder of the Sego Awards™, Utah's first awards for female entrepreneurs, and an official member of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC).
In this episode… Your business' brand is not your logo or trademark. It is what customers feel towards you and your brand the moment they see your name. See, you are not in control of what your brand is; your customers are. But what you can do is shape your brand’s image in the eyes of your customers and make it more appealing to them.
But according to Amy Stellhorn, branding and even rebranding involves a number of steps to make sure that there’s a need for it and that it is suitable to what you need as a company, what your customers’ needs are, and how it compares to those of your competitors.
Join Eric Stopper in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast as he interviews Amy Stellhorn, a branding expert and founder of Big Monocle, about her thoughts on how companies should brand themselves in the digital age of Amazon. She will be talking about what branding means, the importance of first product impressions, how brands in saturated markets can stand out, and how to increase product conversion rates. Stay tuned.
Paul Jarrett is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bulu Group, the industry authority in creating private-label subscription box businesses for the world's largest retail brands. He has worked with brands like Disney, Discovery Channel, and GNC, as well as dozens of smaller brands that have used the service to expand distribution and create higher customer awareness.
Paul has more than 15 years of online experience doing everything from working at ad agencies, renting textbooks online, and building his own online brands. Recently, Bulu Group was featured on PBS as a startup program.
In this episode… Starting up a subscription box business comes with a lot of challenges ranging from finding the best model for your business to managing inventory, pricing, marketing, all the way up to supply and logistics. And probably the biggest cause for concern is how to find the right team to help manage your inventory.
However, brands don’t have to do everything by themselves because they can get outsourced help with fulfillment and inventory management that will not only save them time, and resources, it also helps them have the capacity to focus on other aspects needed to grow their business.
Join James Thomson in this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast as he interviews Paul Jarrett of Bulu Group about how brands can leverage the power of subscription boxes to become more relevant to consumers. Listen to their conversation about why customers love getting subscription boxes, the difference in the subscription box preferences of men and women, customer acquisition costs, and the best tips on how to manage your inventory. Stay tuned.
Ben Rohr is the CEO of Meluka Australia, an Australian health and wellness firm that grows and manufactures tea tree oil, honey, and probiotic concentrate. Prior to Meluka Australia, Ben has been an investment director, a strategic property consultant, and co-founder of a successful retail coffee and roasting chain in Australia. He also worked in New York at Mezco, a family investment company and DTZ in Australia (UGL Services).
Meluka Australia and Buy Box Experts work together on Meluka Australia's Amazon US channel.
In this episode… When the company that supplies Australia's tea tree honey decided to promote its products in the US market, one of the first distribution channels it went for was Amazon. Meluka Australia produces premium organic products and despite the perceptions Australians have about Amazon US, the company decided to give it a try.
However, Ben Rohr, the CEO of the company, soon realized that his team did not have the necessary skill set to effectively manage this new distribution platform. He sought advice from Buy Box Experts and now, their products have broken into the US market like wildfire.
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, James Thomson interviews Ben Rohr of Meluka Australia about what sets their tea tree honey apart from other products in the market, why they decided to enter the US market through Amazon, the challenges they faced in the process, and why he believes that if you want to establish on Amazon, you need someone like Buy Box Experts to help you navigate the process seamlessly. Stay tuned.
Jim Knight the Vice President of e-Commerce at Spangler Candy, the company that supplies America's favorite giveaway candy. For nearly 25 years, Jim has been with Spangler Candy leading marketing and ecommerce initiatives to sell bulk candy. The company's well-known brands include Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops, Spangler Candy Canes, Spangler Circus Peanuts, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts, and Canada Mints. Spangler Candy and Buy Box Experts work together on Strangler's Amazon channel.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Systems from Kettering University and an MBA from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business.
In this episode… Spangler Candy has been in the business of selling candy for many years and their decision to enter the Amazon marketplace was the logical next step in growing their company. Consumer behavior has evolved through the years and companies need to stay on top of the game in order to remain competitive and relevant -- and this includes embracing ecommerce.
Being in charge of ecommerce at Spangler Candy, Jim Knight has had his fair share of challenges. But he managed to push the envelope and drive sales for their company despite the initial hurdles; they now have a strong following in the ecommerce space and he says, there’s a thing or two you can learn from their experience.
Join James Thomson as he interviews Jim Knight of Spangler Candy in this week's episode of Buy Box Experts where they talk about the growth and evolution of Spangler Candy, how selling on Amazon has impacted the company’s business, how Jim ensures that the company maintains its branding and reputation in the candy industry, and what other businesses who are looking to join Amazon can learn from their experience. Stay tuned.
Liz Fickenscher is the Industry Liaison at eComEngine where she gets to interact with clients and thought leaders in the eCommerce world. She is an eCommerce specialist, a collector, writer, speaker, and a friend. She also hosts eComEngine webinars on YouTube, writes blog posts, and attends various industry events.
Liz holds a BA in English and MA in Literature from Virginia Commonwealth University.
In this episode… Amazon sellers are aware that good reviews for their product listings can potentially drive large volumes of sales. But for new sellers and those who have been in the market a while but have yet to make a single sale, getting reviews and that elusive five-star rating doesn't come easy. Some sellers end up soliciting reviews illegally just to gain traction on their channel, but should Amazon catch up with them, they risk having their accounts suspended and product listings taken down.
So what is the best way to get relevant reviews on Amazon the right way?
Liz Fickenscher is an eCommerce specialist and she is this episode’s featured guest on Buy Box Experts. Tune in as Eric Stopper interviews Liz about the best strategies Amazon sellers can use to get product reviews, how Amazon's Request a Review button works and why they open packages before sending them out. Also, discover the power of a single review and the best tips on how to retarget buyers after they've made a purchase. Stay tuned.
Joe Zalta is the Co-founder of Riverbend Consulting. He runs a team of consultants who work with many of the top 1000 Amazon sellers as well as smaller sellers to help them prevent and resolve account suspensions and get ahead of potential issues. Their team is made up of ex-Amazon seller performance managers and other people who have worked at Amazon and they work hand in hand with sellers to find solutions to Amazon’s ever changing policies.
Joe is an expert and has run successful businesses in multiple industries including e-commerce and wholesale/manufacturing. Prior to Riverbend Consulting, he was the President of Parish Kids and Parish Nation, and he was a National Sales Manager at Oved Apparel.
In this episode… When Amazon sends a notification to sellers that their listings have been taken down, most of them don't know where to start in the appeal process. This tends to be a high level issue and for the sellers that try to resolve the problem on their own, they’re hit with roadblocks that make them realize that they need professional help to fix the problem.
Joe Zalta's team at Riverbend Consulting comes into the picture the moment the notification is received. They help resolve account suspension issues and work with Amazon sellers to ensure that such issues are resolved as fast as possible and how they can avoid encountering these issues in the future.
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, Joe Zalta is interviewed by Eric Stopper about how the work Riverbend Consulting does for Amazon sellers. Tune in as he shares some of the best tips to avoid suspension issues, how to optimize product instructions and photos on Amazon, how to avoid variations abuse on the platform, and find out how to discover the next big thing to sell on Amazon for you to become the best entrepreneur you can be this 2020.
Bobby Figueroa is the Founder & CEO of Gradient.io, an intelligent insights platform for Amazon that helps brands understand and optimize their digital point of sale presence. Bobby has over 20 years of experience building technology for digital marketing and e-commerce platforms at Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo.
Prior to Gradient.io, Bobby led Amazon's Global Advertising Operations and Customer Success team, and he has also worked at P&G where he started his professional career as a brand manager. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Tecnologico de Monterrey and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Although there has been a steady growth in e-commerce over the last couple of years, sales attributed to e-commerce still represent less than 10% of total sales in the economy. This is mainly because many brands that have already grown their business offline look at e-commerce marketplaces as a very small portion of their business. Compare that with startup brands who have yet to develop their sales through traditional channels. Startups focus on ecommerce and they rake in 90% of their sales from online sales.
This difference in the approach and perspective on e-commerce and its scope highlights the need for companies, both established and startups, to bridge the gap between traditional sales and online marketplaces in order to maximize their reach and their business revenue.
Join James Thomson in this episode of Buy Box Experts as he interviews Bobby Figueroa of Gradient.io about the best practices for brands to utilize online advertising and data insights in order to grow their businesses. He also explains what 'point of purchase marketing' means and the impact of using paid search vs organic search; and find out what it’s like to be part of the early team that built the Amazon advertising platform. Stay tuned.
Eric Kooymans is the Founder of Harnessing Strengths, a website design and e-commerce marketing agency that helps brands to get online. He has over 15 years of experience in helping brands with e-commerce development, search engine optimization, paid search marketing, inbound marketing, influencer marketing, email marketing, and lead generation for B2C, B2B, and B2M industries.
Prior to founding Harnessing Strengths, Eric worked at various agencies and brands perfecting his perspective on what brands need to do to be successful online.
In this episode… When brands are in the market for agencies to help them establish an online presence, many of them opt for the first one who promises them a website. They fail to look at how that agency will promote their brand and how this agency can create traffic that will help their sales grow. And according to Eric Kooymans, finding the agency who will take the time to get to know your target clients and build a roadmap for you, is the key to making your business grow.
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, James Thompson interviews Eric Kooymans about what scalability and efficiency means for businesses going online, the most common mistakes brands make when selecting marketing agencies to work with, how brick and mortar brands can use their knowledge in offline selling online, and the five things brands need to do in order to effectively grow their business. Stay tuned.
Caitlin Strandberg is a Principal at Lerer Hippeau, an early stage venture capital firm in New York City that invests in consumer products and service brands, as well as in B2B Enterprise market companies. Prior to Lerer Hippeau, Caitlin worked for a number of early stage companies as well as other venture capital firms that invested in brands at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
In 2017, Caitlyn was included in the exclusive Forbes 30 Under 30 list for the venture capital industry. She is a graduate of Cornell University, where she majored in History, and she also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
In this episode… For early stage entrepreneurs, it is important for them to think carefully about the decisions they make when it comes to finding venture capital investors. They have to think about how much equity and control they're willing to hand over and whether their target market and projections are achievable; this also holds true once they start toying with the idea of joining Amazon. But the problem is, a majority of them have difficulty in evaluating these key areas in their business which is where companies like Lerer Hippeau come in -- to help them increase their success rate ten-fold.
Caitlin Strandberg of Lerer Hippeau is an expert in venture capital investing and she is interviewed by James Thomson from the Buy Box Experts team about how early stage brands should be thinking about opportunities to get investment while maintaining control of their company,the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when looking for investors, things to consider before joining the Amazon marketplace, Caitlin's criteria for selecting the right brands to invest in, and more. Stay tuned.
Blake Modersitzki is the Managing Partner at Pelion Venture Partners, a venture capital firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company has a very cool portfolio of tech companies including Cloudflare, Neighbor, Riverbed, and Owlet. Blake is a hardworking farm kid from Idaho who has been investing in early-stage tech startups since 1996. He joined Pelion in 2002 and has led investments in companies such as Redhat, Riverbed, Fusion.io, Integral Ad Science, DOMO, eCommerce, Soasta, and Metacloud.
Blake is an economist and a finance expert. He has a B.A. in Economics from Brigham Young University.
In this episode… Is your tech product disruptive enough to shake the tech industry? Many entrepreneurs go through the process of designing, creating, and innovating new products but not many make it to a pitch, few get it to actually launch, and those that actually break the market come are considered as gems: rare and utterly irresistible.
The key is to find a product niche that actually serves a purpose and finding a venture capital firm who not only sees your vision but has the desire to see it come to fruition. According to Blake Moderitzki of Pelion Venture Partners, the best way to entice a VC firm into an investment is by walking through the process, embracing the company’s story in the pitch, and making sure you have a product that can truly stand out in the crowd.
Join Eric Stopper as he interviews Blake Modersitzki on this episode of Buy Box Experts about the companies his firm has invested in and how innovators can create disruptive software products that can wow a VC firm. They will also be discussing how to use data in the creative process of your product, the Amazon ecosystem’s capacity to create disruptive products, and the value of being able to justify your pitch. Stay tuned.
Spencer Arntsen is an entrepreneur and the Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of BuyItLive, a social commerce platform that allows customers to buy directly from social media posts using only the comments section. He has an impressive background and was the Director of Product Strategy and Business Development at Craft.
Spencer is currently working on a new project called Shopathon, a platform that allows service providers like massage therapists and chiropractors to monetize their product recommendations for their clientele. He holds a degree in Sociology and an MBA in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University.
In this episode...
Many service providers would love to be able to recommend the best products to their clients because it adds value to the service providers’ businesses. Not only that, it also makes it easier for the clients to get what they need from a trusted source. An added bonus for the service provider is that referring products can generate extra income for their business, and for Spencer Arnsten, that’s a win-win no matter how you look at it and that’s why he created Shopathon.
Join Eric Stopper in this episode of The Buy Box Experts Podcast where he talks to Shopathon founder Spencer Arntsen about why he created this platform for service providers, what it does, why it’s beneficial for them, how it compares to Amazon’s affiliate partnership program, and how they can maximize the services that this platform provides. Stay tuned.
Elizabeth Grojean is the Founder and CEO of Baloo Living, a company that sells eco-friendly luxury weighted blankets. She started the company while living abroad in Bali and grew it to over six figures in under three months. She is an expert marketer and entrepreneur who has worked in some incredible businesses.
Prior to founding Baloo Living, Elizabeth was the Project Manager of the Scholastic Reading Club and General Manager of Egg in the Hole Productions. She holds a degree in Marketing from The University of Texas.
In this episode... Amazon is a great channel for e-commerce enthusiasts although some of them are not always immediately sure of what products to sell. They have a great desire to be entrepreneurs and set up an online store but have no idea where to start. In such cases, being innovative becomes crucial and one way is to recreate or add value to an existing product.
While vacationing in Bali, Elizabeth had a great business idea of selling weighted blankets. She flew to China to get stock & started selling on Amazon. Her marketing background helped her create stunning listings and she made over $20,000 in her first month. Thus Baloo Living was born.
Elizabeth Grojean runs a holistic wellness self-care company. She is interviewed by Eric Stopper about selling her flagship product, weighted blankets, her new products like the Sleep Stone Mask, her secret recipe for running a successful e-commerce business, and how she differentiates herself from her lower-priced competitors.
Adam Mirabella is the Founder of Mirabella Leadership Advisors. He is an 18-year music industry veteran, having led the digital revolution from inside formidable companies like Warner Music, Sony Music, Omnicom, and Nokia.
Adam is an experienced leader and certified executive coach and trainer. He specializes in helping executive leaders galvanize their teams into focused consumer-minded, winning organizations that build the fan-artists relationship and grow market share revenue and profit.
In this episode… Many large companies including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook use executive coaches to work with their top leaders to help build and improve their leadership skills. Similarly, startups and growing brands looking to grow their businesses have come to see the importance of zeroing in on the right people to hold leadership roles within their company if they want to move their business forward.
So how do you determine if it’s the right time to bring in an executive coach to help bring your team together? And how exactly can this executive coach help not just bring the team together but help determine which individuals are ready to take on that leadership role?
Join Eric Stopper as he interviews Adam Mirabella of Mirabella Leadership Advisors about business coaching, the characteristics of a winning leader, what “building a connective tissue” within the organization means, and how getting the right people promoted can mean greater heights reached for your business. Stay tuned.
Jon Cheney is the Founder and CEO of Seek, a customer experience company with a flagship product that does web-based augmented reality product visualization. It is a tool that allows customers to view their products in the natural environment around them through their smartphones.
In his early years, Jon ran his own DJ business, a kayaking school, and put in his time as a door-to-door salesman. He also served in several management positions over the past 12 years before starting Seek in 2016.
In this episode… Advancements in technology have brought about many changes in how brands manage and operate their online stores as well as how consumers shop online. Augmented reality allows consumers to see the products they intend to buy in their homes through their phones before they actually buy them. This means they can view and test out the product’s features to find out if it truly meets their expectations and needs.
Jon Cheney, Founder of Seek, says that retail stores that have embraced this technology have reported increased conversion rates and reduced their return rates. In addition, smaller retail stores are better placed for competition with the giant retailers who are yet to adapt augmented reality. It’s a game-changer in retail and the sooner people get on board, the better it will be for everyone.
Join Eric Stopper in this episode of the Buy Box Experts as he talks to Jon about the benefits of augmented reality in both online and retail stores, and what the future of retail will look like in the future as more businesses adapt to this technology. They also talk about how Seek makes 3D models, their plans to integrate with Amazon in 2020, and what it can do for education and the environment in the future. Stay tuned.
Scott Petersen is the Executive Director for The Rollins Center of Entrepreneurship and Technology at Brigham Young University (BYU). The center has been ranked in the top five for entrepreneurship by the Princeton Review for the past 10 years, and this past year, they ranked number 3.
The Rollins Center has helped hundreds of students launch products and scale innovative ventures. Although they have found success with dozens of huge software companies that have sold for billions of dollars, Scott and his team have helped brands like Fuse, Myostorm, Owlet, FiberFix and others, some of which have got to the point where they're selling thousands of units per week. Scott is also a published author, an award-winning mentor, and a friend.
In this episode… According to Scott Petersen, building a company requires an entrepreneur to look at so many factors in order to get to his desired end result which is to have an established brand in a rapidly growing market. You have to look at sales, marketing, branding, administration, finance, and a whole bunch of other things to make sure that things are going as planned. And the one thing that business owners should never miss doing is to highlight what sets their product apart from others.
Scott Petersen of The Rollins Center of Entrepreneurship and Technology at BYU says that for a business to thrive and survive, it actually needs to get to know its competition, its market, and the things that make customers tick. Because catching customer interest is one thing, keeping them hooked is quite another.
Join Eric Stopper in this episode of the Buy Box Experts as he talks to Scott about how to run a successful business both on and off of Amazon, the strategy he used to to make his company grow to over $35 million in less than five years, how he manages customer feedback on Amazon, and how he validates whether a new business or idea or product is good enough for launch. Stay tuned.
Jason Ryser is the Chief Revenue Officer of Revity, a digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, content marketing, video production, website optimization, email marketing, and so much more. The Revity team focuses first and foremost on social psychology and in understanding how customers behave and interact with products and services.
Jason is responsible for bringing new business into Revity. He graduated from the University of Phoenix with a degree in Business Management and Marketing.
In this episode… For any e-commerce business, understanding the psychology & behavior of customers is the key to keep your sales going up and to maintain brand relevance. But few businesses appreciate its value and those that do, don’t necessarily know how to do it right. And when you’re doing business in online marketplaces that are as volatile as Amazon, you need to be on your toes and be aware of every change that’s happening to maximize the opportunities that become available with each new update.
Join Eric Stopper of Buy Box Experts as he talks to this week’s guest, Jason Ryser of Revity about how to grow your brand both on and off Amazon and get some of the best tips on how to improve your digital footprint, how to optimize your SEO to reach your target audience, how to make the best kind of video for your Amazon registered brand, and how you can uncover customer behavior online.
BONUS: Tune in to find out how you can score your very own Alexa by answering the question that Eric has for the listeners of Buy Box Experts
Jordan Monroe is the Chief Innovation Officer at Owlet, a company that develops smart wearable and non-wearables for new and expecting parents. Their flagship product is a wearable baby sock that tracks blood oxygen levels using pulse oximetry.
Jordan started the Owlet company while still a student at Brigham Young University, and later on, he graduated from the TechStars Accelerator program. He's raised $48 million in venture funding and he and his team have won multiple awards across a whole host of programs like TechCrunch, CES, and many more.
In this episode… When Jordan Monroe and his co-founders set out to create Owlet, their intention was to help solve the problem of sleeplessness experienced by parents with newborn babies. They wanted to be able to give parents the reassurance that their babies are okay so that they can allow themselves to have a good night’s sleep. And their solution? Using technology to give parents updates on their babies even as they sleep.
Eric Stopper interviews Jordan on this episode of the Buy Box Experts podcast where Jordan shares how they were able to grow the company to $17 million in their first year, the benefits of using their flagship product called the Smart Sock, the plans they have for Owlet’s Dream Lab, and ow measuring gross domestic happiness can help propel a company forward.
Bryan Phelps is the Founder and CEO of Big Leap, a team of trusted marketing experts who specialize in SEO marketing, social media, reputation management, and marketing automation. He has made a deliberate effort to build his company's reputation as a transparent firm.
Bryan built his first web site when he was 12 years old and has been building and optimizing websites ever since. He is a family man and his current focus is on website SEO.
In this episode… Going toe to toe with Amazon when it comes to putting out ads is no easy business. They’ve got the machinery to work on keywords for related brands and a lot of the competition plays out through Google ads. So how can brands with less recall promote their products in the competitive world of online marketing? How can they come out on top of Amazon ads in Google search?
Bryan Phelps, the Founder of Big Leap, joins Eric Stopper, host of the Buy Box Experts Podcast, to talk about how to build a business on and off of Amazon. Bryan shares his top tops on optimizing a website for SEO marketing, the importance of having a focused niche, and how businesses can build their personality into their brand and come out on top when keywords are used to search for items related to their products. Stay tuned.
Warren Osborn is a serial entrepreneur, advisor, philanthropist, investor, and an expert in developing manufacturing and marketing consumer products. He has invested in over 65 companies including Stance, Omniture, Skull Candy, Workfront, Fusion-io, Jamba Juice, and more.
Warren is a recipient of the American Red Cross Family Award for aiding an injured parachutist trapped on a dangerous cliff. He is also one of the founding members of the Utah Angels, an investment team of experienced serial entrepreneurs.
In this episode… Starting and managing 11 successful businesses is not easy for most entrepreneurs. In fact, very few people can boast of such an accomplishment. However, for Warren Osborn, having the right strategies can push you to great heights and make you very successful. He uses a couple of winning principles that he shares with other entrepreneurs looking to grow their business.
Warren also strongly believes that entrepreneurs can learn a lot by allowing themselves to go through tons of failure. It teaches them great lessons and how to pivot themselves out of such situations the next time they happen. His biggest attributes for starting & successfully managing 11 businesses are speed, passion, and a great desire for solving people's problems.
In this episode of Buy Box Experts, Warren Osborn joins host Eric Stopper to share his great insights and advice for starting profitable businesses. He talks about how his inventions have seen him grow his businesses to millions of dollars, how he helped a company save $30 million, and how he is constantly looking for a cure for his Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. Stay tuned.
John Richards is a startup veteran, a venture capitalist, an educator, a Bitcoin enthusiast, and a pickleball champion. He has mentored hundreds of students and startup founders in his years as a professor at Brigham Young University (BYU) and his subsequent years investing and speaking.
John's main hustle, Startup Ignition, is a 13-week entrepreneurial bootcamp that is sure to take a business to the next level.
In this episode… Entrepreneurs go through a lot of steps in putting up their business. From product research, product development, product marketing, all the way up to its launch, entrepreneurs need to act fast and be on their toes for changes in the market that could affect their business. The pressure to get it right is incredible and having an expert advisor guide you in the process is definitely a big help.
John Richards from the Startup Ignition entrepreneurship bootcamp teaches founders and entrepreneurs basic entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to help them guarantee their startup success and to be able to manage the growth of their company more effectively.
In this episode of The Buy Box Experts Podcast, Eric Stopper talks to John about the various aspects of starting up a new venture. They dive deep into the topic tackling things such as John's philosophy for picking business partners, who the 3 key founders of a business are, the future of robotics, and what John’s company can do for you and your business. Stay tuned.
Lance Drollinger is the Vice President of Sales for Blacksmith International, a well-respected design, development, and manufacturing company based in Utah that focuses on consumer products. Before that, he worked for other successful companies including Sidewalk, ADP, and Progrexion.
Lance holds a Bachelor’s degree in International/Global Studies from the University of Utah. He is a proud husband, a father, an avid cycler, and an expert in consumer product development and manufacturing.
Product development is a challenging yet exhilarating experience. From designing and creating your first prototype to presenting it to a possible investor, it takes patience and sheer determination to get things off the ground. The market is hungry for new innovative products and if your product cannot satisfy market demand, then it’s back to the drawing board for you.
Lance Drollinger of Blacksmith International helps entrepreneurs in the design, prototyping, and marketing of new products. He has a wealth of information to share about this very important process after having worked with many brands, both national and international. He runs an international business with offices in USA, China, India, and Singapore.
In this episode, Eric Stopper, one of the hosts of the Buy Box Experts Podcast talks to Lance about the process of creating and marketing a product, dealing with government tariffs, how to deal with Chinese resellers, trade companies, and how to best address IP issues that involve them. Stay tuned.
Chris McCabe is an Amazon consultant with a prolific voice in the Amazon space. He runs his own consulting firm that focuses on helping sellers with a myriad of different issues. Chris & his team help with all things related to Amazon that can potentially break your business down such as the little notifications you get that your listings have been shut down, your store is in disarray, or that you're late on your shipment.
Chris has appeared on many podcasts and YouTube channels in the past as well as in the New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Business Insider.
In this episode… There are a good number of Amazon sellers who have been flagged for engaging in “black hat” tactics. Many of them do this to beat their competitors and improve their rankings despite these moves being unethical and detrimental to Amazon itself. Why? Because Amazon is customer-focused and works to ensure that customers get the best shopping experience and when things are manipulated by black hat tactics, the experience for their consumers won’t be as amazing as they would want it to be.
The question now is, how can a legitimate brand run its affairs in a black hat world on Amazon?
Chris McCabe, a former fraud investigator at Amazon, knows all too well what to watch out for and how to navigate the world of Amazon like the back of his hand. He joins Eric Stopper in this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast to help sellers learn how to run a legitimate business on Amazon without falling into the trappings of black hat strategies. Stay tuned.
Richard Baum is the Managing Partner at Consumer Growth Partners (CGP), a private equity firm that specializes in helping companies with high growth potential to sell or monetize their business. Richard is a Harvard Law School graduate and he studied Economics at the University of Michigan where he graduated magna cum laude.
Prior to Consumer Growth Partners (CGP), Richard spent over 15 years as one of Wall Street’s leading equity research analysts covering the specialty retailing sector at Credit Suisse First Boston, Goldman Sachs, and Sanford C. Bernstein.
In this episode… Are online marketplaces starting to replace brick and mortar stores? Retailers are moving into online marketplaces at lightning speed because of the extent of their reach but for Richard Baum, while they do offer convenience, products sold in physical stores still have an upper hand in key areas of the retail market such as product quality assurance and brand equity.
Richard Baum is the Managing Partner at Consumer Growth Partners and for him, selling on Amazon is a great idea but it isn’t the end-all and be-all for the companies who are looking to sell their products. He also says that while big brands should consider getting into partnership deals with Amazon to protect their brand credibility, small businesses should focus on establishing their brand in Amazon’s volatile retail environment.
Eric Stopper sits down with Richard on this week’s episode of The Buy Box Experts podcast where Richard talks about his perspective on the banning of adult product ads, what a non-Amazonable product is, why luxury items opt-out of Amazon, and what the future holds for the retail market in the next five years. Stay tuned.
Shannon Roddy is the Founder of the Marketplace Seller Courses Company, where online courses are designed to help Amazon sellers make the most of their Amazon selling experience.
He is an Amazon Consultant to brands looking to learn more about Amazon. He helps them set up, optimize, and launch their Amazon storefronts and products as well as to promote and protect their brands on the platform.
Shannon is also a speaker who specializes in on-site speaking engagements as well as virtual and online presentation opportunities on several Amazon topics. His innovative approach to empowering sellers with practical takeaways and helping them focus on the essentials creates tremendous value opportunities for attendees.
In this episode… Building a brand doesn’t always mean getting bigger fast, although that is the goal. What you would want to do is to make sure that your brand is meeting the goals you have in mind because a brand that’s reliable and credible is what keeps customers coming. But what do you do when you’re suddenly bombarded with negative feedback on your listings? How do you face competition when your brand seems to have lost its traction due to bad reviews?
According to Shannon Roddy, Founder of the Marketplace Seller Courses Company, deep cleaning your listings is a lot more effective in helping you maintain a strong presence on Amazon versus trying to outsell your closest competition.
In this episode of The Buy Box Experts Podcast, James talks to Shannon about the types of brands he typically works with on Amazon and how he helps them build their brand. He also shares the importance of momentum on Amazon, and the most common mistakes that established brands and emerging brands make on the platform. Stay tuned.
Trevor George is the Founder and CEO of Blue Wheel Media, a digital marketing agency. He is also the CEO of the nation's largest soft lines manufacturer of licensed merchandise, a company called Trevco.
Trevor, who is passionate about digital marketing, is also a speaker and he has given a talk about the future of marketplaces and e-retail in the eTail Conference last year. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing & Communications from the University of Michigan.
In this episode…
Growing a startup company to reach the 8-figure mark is no easy feat for most entrepreneurs, let alone doing it in less than 2 years. But that is exactly what Trevor George was able to do back in 2016. His company started manufacturing licensed apparel for Superman, Batman, and Harry Potter, which allowed him to grow the brand into an 8-figure business in less than 2 years.
Through his great passion and expertise in digital marketing, Trevor now helps other brands grow to the 8-figure mark by improving their marketing strategies on the Amazon marketplace as well as social media marketing. And he says knowing how the market ticks and how to make it work in the direction that’s beneficial for you is crucial to your success.
In this episode of the Buy Box Experts Podcast, Eric Stopper talks to Trevor George about the pay-to-play strategy that most brands are looking to go into as well as how brands can make use of other online selling portals to their benefit. They also talk about what it takes to grow your business on Amazon, the considerations you need to make when marketing and advertising your brand, and why manufacturing your own product is a better idea than just rebranding ready-made pre-manufactured items. They also touch base on the possibility of using voice search for marketing along with a ton of other awesome topics so stay tuned.
Chris Shipferling is the Managing Partner at Global Wired Advisors. He is a marketing guru with over 16 years of experience in sales and marketing having worked with brands like Combi and Evenflo, to owning his own agency, Robert and Pearl.
Chris is an expert in mergers and acquisitions, and his team of investment bankers and digital experts at Global Wired Advisors are looking to innovate the world of buying and selling businesses by getting involved at a granular level and seeking to understand the businesses he works with better than the business owners themselves.
In this episode… To sell a business, there are a number of important things a business owner needs to take care of first. These include having a profitable line of products and keeping proper accounting records. A business owner also needs to show the return on investment and the lifetime value of his business and assets to potential buyers before a deal is signed.
So how best can one prepare for a successful sale?
Chris Shipferling, an expert in buying and selling businesses, joins Eric Stopper in this week's episode as they tackle the importance of keeping your accounting books in check prior to selling your business, why the lack of customer data from Amazon are hurting business owners, the value of product roadmaps, how to best drive traffic for your business using ads on Facebook and Instagram, and why having focused branding is a deal-maker when selling your business. Stay tuned.
Dave Knox is co-founder of The Brandery, a consumer-focused startup accelerator. He as well as the author of the book Predicting the Turn, which examines the intersection of disruption and innovation between startups and large companies.
Dave is a brand builder, venture investor, and startup advisor. He worked at Procter & Gamble’s corporate digital team and later became the Chief Marketing Officer of Rockfish, a digital agency that was acquired by WPP Ventures.
In this episode… Amazon has been in the forefront of creating innovations and disruptions in the world of eCommerce so much so that many companies are looking to it for inspiration on what to do next to up their game. The waves of change that Amazon has brought in online marketplaces and online sales marketing have had such a huge impact on how business is done on the internet and companies are starting to see the need to embrace innovations and disruptions in an effective and optimized manner.
Dave Knox of The Brandery joins Buy Box Experts host James Thomson in today’s episode where they talk about the best ways for both small and large brands to embrace the possible innovations and disruptions in their particular market and how they can use these to stay ahead of the competition. They also talk about the importance of building brand credibility, other opportunities for growth in the online world that isn’t within the confines of Amazon, and why updating a company’s compensation model can help them propel their business forward. Stay tuned.
Chris McCabe is a prolific voice in the Amazon space. Chris is a former Amazonian who has created his own consulting company, ecommerceChris, that helps sellers to communicate with Amazon to maintain a healthy Amazon seller account.
Chris worked for many years at Amazon evaluating seller account performance and helped enforce Amazon’s policies. He now uses that knowledge and experience to help sellers think like Amazon and protect their businesses, appeal listing restrictions, and fight account suspensions.
In this episode… What does an Amazon seller do when the unthinkable happens and Amazon sends strongly worded emails about unsatisfactory seller performance or shipping times? What should you do if your account is suspended? It can seem like the world has come crashing down and there is nothing left to do.
Fortunately, there is someone you can call.
In this week’s episode of The Buy Box Experts Podcast, host Eric Stopper is joined by Chris McCabe to talk about what he learned working for Amazon, offensive listings on the platform, and what to do if your account gets suspended.
Chris Fryburger is the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of nReach, a firm that helps match brand organizations with agencies. He has worked with many brands for over two decades and has a deep understanding of the needs that brands have, which enables him to help clients find the best solutions.
Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University and another Bachelor's degree in Pre-Engineering from Loras College.
One of the biggest mistakes brands make when looking for Amazon service providers is that they tend to be unprepared. Many of them don't know what their needs are with Amazon & don't know what to do with it. They don't know what problem they want to solve & many times the larger firms go for large marketing agencies that may not have enough Amazon channel experience or offerings to meet the needs of the firms.
And so this is where Chris Fryburger, the Amazon matchmaker, comes into the picture.
He started his company to address the Amazon seller knowledge gap and play matchmaker between brands and Amazon service providers. He brings his expertise to us today on this Buy Box Experts podcast as he shares with James Thomson his best practices on how brands can find suitable outside agencies to support their business needs. They also talk about the most common mistakes brands make when
Chad Epling is Founder and CEO of Mamenta, a global platform that enables brands and retailers from every continent to expand their retail coverage internationally.
Prior to this, Chad held senior roles in a variety of other e-commerce enablement firms like Onestop Internet, Webtrends Optimize, and EchoMail. Chad studied Electronic New Media at the University of Akron.
In this episode… For most US brands, thinking of expanding into the international markets can be full of misconceptions. One of the most common misconceptions is that other countries' marketplaces are as large as the Amazon channel. And according to Chad Epling of Mamenta, just because the infrastructure is there, it doesn't necessarily mean that people will come to try out your products. There are a number of factors that need to be looked into before deciding which marketplace to enter and this is where his company steps in.
Mamenta works with both local and international brands to help them establish their brand in other international marketplaces. In this episode of Buy Box Experts, James Thomson to talk about the work his company does, other misperceptions US brands have about international marketplaces, and how these brands can manage their overseas distribution.
Rick Cesari is a best-selling author, speaker, consultant, and marketing & branding strategy guru. He has helped major brands from GoPro to George Foreman build billion-dollar brands through brand response advertising and strategic video marketing.
Rick’s newly released book 'Video Persuasion' aims to put big brands’ proven video marketing techniques into the hands of small business owners, entrepreneurs, inventors, Amazon sellers, and others.
Greg Mercer is the founder and CEO of Jungle Scout, the leading software for Amazon sellers. He leads a team of over 125 employees spread all around the globe.
Jungle Scout is all about empowering small businesses on Amazon to get to the next level. Greg and his wife Liz are travel junkies and they've been all over the world including Burning Man, Bali, South America, and other places.
Mark Sancrant is the Founder & CEO of Blue Ash Capital, an M&A advisory and corporate strategy firm. He has over 20 years of experience & $3 billion worth of transactions under his belt.
Mark began his career in investment banking with Prudential Securities in NYC and has extensive experience with consumer products, eCommerce, and media businesses. He has also worked for technology firms and has recently taken an interest in brands that are selling on the Amazon channel.
In this episode… Online marketplaces are all the rage these days and for this reason, a lot of prospective business buyers are looking to purchase a company or brand that sells online despite their lack of experience in online-centric businesses. It’s not a walk in the park, it’s definitely challenging, but for Mark Sancrant, it’s a business risk that actually pays off if you close a good deal well.
On this episode of Buy Box Experts, James Thomson is joined by Mark Sancrant where they talk about how Mark began his venture into the merge and acquisition of different brands that buy and sell online, what it’s like to sell on Amazon, and how to develop a brand that sticks out in a pool of businesses that seemingly offer quite similar things.
Tune in for a great discussion on business opportunities both for business sellers and prospective business buyers.
Many people think that Google is spying on them. In reality, Google makes use of algorithms to show relevant ads depending on your interests. How does it do that? According to Bruce Rowe, it’s through search engines. Search engines use the data gathered through your searches to figure out what you're looking for and sends ads your way that suits your interests and needs.
Bruce Rowe is the President and Owner of Sebo Marketing based in Provo, Utah. Sebo is Utah's Google expert which drives traffic to websites through search engines via SEO and PPC. It improves website conversion rates by maximizing leads, sales, and profits. Bruce is an avid skier, husband, father, and grandpa.
In this episode, host Eric Stopper is joined by Bruce Rowe to talk about Google Ads & algorithms, website conversions, and an employer's obligation in their employee's personal development.
For a firm looking to use an executive search firm to build a digital organization, there are a couple of things that need to be considered. There will be a lot of firms out there that will say that they've done it before and claim to be the best firm to do the work.
According to Bob, the first thing to do would be to consider the person that's going to be working with you, and not necessarily the reputation of the firm.
Bob Damon is a Partner at Ventura Partners, an executive search firm specializing in the placement of very senior executives and board members. He has over 30 years of experience working with boards and C-suite level executives on critical organizational and talent management issues. Bob has helped to place dozens of CEOs and senior e-commerce executives in major brands that are well known to consumers.
In this episode, host James Thomson is joined by Bob Damon to talk about finding the right executive talent for e-commerce brands, changes in his executive search firm over the years, and his biggest accomplishments.
Many businesses are experiencing fast growth. One of the biggest challenges these businesses face is maintaining a heritage of success. How do they ensure they adapt to new technologies and new ways of selling? How do they innovate? Are they willing to sacrifice short term profits & revenues for long term growth & long term brand value?
These are some of the questions John helps executives answer in his coaching.
John Rossman is a Partner at Rossman Partners and one of the co-founders of the Amazon Marketplace. John is an advisor, coach, and mentor to senior executives around the world. John is also the author of several best-selling books on Amazon, including the most recent book, Think Like Amazon, 50 and a Half Digital Ideas to Become a Digital Leader.
In this episode, host James Thomson is joined by John Rossman to talk about how John got started in executive mentoring & coaching, how to leverage best practices from Amazon, and the steps brands can take to adjust to selling on Amazon.
When a business is started, the focus is generally on the growth and success of the company, and understandably so. There can be a laser focus by management on the achievement of this goal, which can last for months or years.
Should the leadership in that company find success, there may come a day when that business could become ripe for acquisition. But when is the time right? What are the best ways to go about selling your hard-earned business while still getting a good value? This week’s guest on the podcast has all the answers to these questions and more.
Mark Daoust is the Founder and CEO of Quiet Light Brokerage, which helps entrepreneurs in the online and internet business sectors to sell their businesses for the maximum value that they can get. Mark and Quiet Light Brokerage have worked with hundreds of brands that utilize the Amazon platform.
In this episode, host James Thomson is joined by Mark Daoust to talk about what kinds of companies can benefit from a brokerage, learning from mistakes, and what makes a business attractive for potential acquisition.
Amazon is introducing a program that will make it easier for sellers to reach out to their customers on Amazon to request feedback on product reviews. But what's at stake with this new program? Why have some sellers and software providers been suspended? What should you do if you are yet to be suspended?
Even though Amazon has made these big changes, there are still a lot of “black hat” tactics going on and it's very unfortunate for honest sellers. Competing with sellers engaging in these techniques can be very challenging.
James Thomson is a seasoned entrepreneur and an Amazon expert who joined Buy Box Experts in 2013. He is the co-author of The Amazon Marketplace Dilemma and co-founder of The Prosper Show. He holds a PhD in Marketing Strategy from Northwestern University.
In this episode, Eric Stopper is joined by James Thomson to talk about Amazon’s new Request a Review button, automatic vs manual buttons, and Amazon sellers’ use of “black hat” tactics.
Having a counterfeit version of a company’s product being sold online can be very detrimental to their brand and bottom line. Online marketplaces like Amazon are unfortunately very susceptible to having unauthorized and counterfeit products sold there. Channel control is very important for those who sell on Amazon, and that is one of the reasons that Aquis reached out to Buy Box Experts.
Joseph Hansen and Buy Box Experts immediately brought their experience to bear to help Aquis get control of their brand and channel. By partnering with the legal team at Voyrs, they were able to bring solid legal representation to Aquis to be able to own the buy box on Amazon and get a consistent message and product to their customers. This, along with effective advertising campaigns, led to an increase in sales.
In this episode, Joseph Hansen is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz to talk about the example of Aquis, what Buy Box Experts offers Amazon sellers, and what “gray sellers” are.
One of the most difficult problems Amazon sellers have, especially brands, is channel control. If a brand sells a product, who is allowed to sell that product on Amazon? The answer is not so easily controlled. For those who are selling on Amazon, what can be done to curb the unauthorized selling of their products?
Many brands try to control this issue by buying ads and driving traffic to their website to avoid paying fees on Amazon. The idea is that by putting a product in front of them through an ad and sending the click to their website, but does it work? The answers to these questions might surprise you.
In this episode, host Eric Stopper is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz. Listen in as Eric talks about channel control, and the best ways of limiting other sellers from selling your products.
Selling on the Amazon Marketplace means putting your products up against thousands of other products and sellers. With so many product choices out there, it is hard to stand out. And yet, standing out amongst the crowd is crucial, and getting lost in that crowd will sink your listings.
So what are some tactics that Amazon sellers can try out to improve their conversions and boost their sales?
This is what Eric Stopper calls “low-hanging fruit”.
Eric Stopper is an Amazon Consultant, entrepreneur, and product developer. He hails from Texas and he's worked with a lot of top brands like BetterBody Foods. Eric started his career developing nanotechnology products for pregnant women to ease anxiety, and now he's an expert on Amazon product development and launch strategies. He is currently the Amazon Marketing Specialist at Buy Box Experts.
This week Eric Stopper is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz to talk about the “low-hanging fruit” that Amazon sellers can do to improve their sales and visibility.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:22] Background on Buy Box Experts
[2:23] The low-hanging fruit that Amazon Sellers can do to generate more revenue
[3:44] How much copy of an Amazon listing do customers actually read?
[6:20] Pictures are the most important part of a listing
[7:43] The use of videos in Amazon Listings
[9:06] Graphics can tell a story
[10:21] Eric’s thoughts on coupons
[12:32] The math used in coupons needs to be simple
Resources Mentioned on this episode Buy Box Experts
LinkedIn for Eric
Sponsor for this episode Buy Box Experts applies decades of e-commerce experience to successfully manage clients’ marketplace accounts. The Buy Box account managers specialize in combining an understanding of clients’ business fundamentals and an in-depth expertise in the Amazon Marketplace.
The team works with marketplace technicians using a system of processes, proprietary software, and extensive channel experience to ensure your Amazon presence captures the opportunity on the marketplace, not only producing greater revenue and profits, but also reducing or eliminating your business’ workload.
Amazon PPC can vault your sales if done correctly. It can also be a giant waste of time and money if targeted incorrectly. For someone who is new to PPC and keywords, the task of running a campaign can be daunting.
Even after starting a campaign, what happens next?
These are the kinds of questions that Eric Stopper is here to answer.
Eric stopper is an Amazon consultant, entrepreneur, and product developer. He started his career developing nanotechnology products for pregnant women to help them to ease their anxiety. Now, he's an expert on Amazon product development and launch strategies.
In this episode, Eric is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz who will be helping to get to the bottom of Amazon PPC and how to scale. Listen in as they talk about keyword research, scaling PPC, and the importance of running reports on your campaigns.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: * [1:56] Scaling Amazon PPC * [5:17] Keyword research can be wasted on bad search terms * [6:49] Using broad terms can be wasteful * [9:02] Big mistakes people make when running Amazon PPC * [11:06] Pulling the reports on PPC is key * [12:11] The best tools for keyword research
Resources Mentioned on this episode * Buy Box Experts * LinkedIn for Eric
Sponsor for this episode Buy Box Experts applies decades of e-commerce experience to successfully manage clients’ marketplace accounts. The Buy Box account managers specialize in combining an understanding of clients’ business fundamentals and an in-depth expertise in the Amazon Marketplace.
The team works with marketplace technicians using a system of processes, proprietary software, and extensive channel experience to ensure your Amazon presence captures the opportunity on the marketplace, not only producing greater revenue and profits, but also reducing or eliminating your business’ workload.
Buy Box prides itself on being one of the few agencies with an SMB (small to medium sized business) division and an Enterprise division. Buy Box does not commingle clients among divisions as each has unique needs and requirements for proper account management.
Learn more about Buy Box Experts at BuyBoxExperts.com
The Amazon Marketplace can seem like the Wild West at times, as companies often look to sell their product there, only to find out a shocking revelation: the product is already there.
Such was the case for Brock Beauty. After realizing that their line was already available on Amazon, they were not sure if they should disrupt the sales. After all, a portion of that revenue was already going to them.
Fortunately for them, they sought out the advice of Buy Box Experts. In this episode, Joe sits down with Dr. Jeremy Weisz to outline the problems that Brock Beauty had in allowing 3rd party sellers to sell their products on Amazon, and Joe outlines some strategies which he implemented to help them maintain control of their brand presence.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [2:00] How did Brock Beauty find Joe and Buy Box Experts, and what were the issues they needed to overcome?
[3:45] What Joe advised Brock Beauty to do on Amazon
[7:59] The importance of brand protection and advertising
[9:51] Final thoughts from Joe
Resources Mentioned on this episode Buy Box Experts
Brock Beauty
Amazon.com
Sponsor for this episode Buy Box Experts applies decades of e-commerce experience to successfully manage clients’ marketplace accounts. The Buy Box account managers specialize in combining an understanding of clients’ business fundamentals and an in-depth expertise in the Amazon Marketplace.
The team works with marketplace technicians using a system of processes, proprietary software, and extensive channel experience to ensure your Amazon presence captures the opportunity on the marketplace, not only producing greater revenue and profits, but also reducing or eliminating your business’ workload.
Buy Box prides itself on being one of the few agencies with an SMB (small to medium-sized business) division and an Enterprise division. Buy Box does not commingle clients among divisions as each has unique needs and requirements for proper account management.
Learn more about Buy Box Experts at BuyBoxExperts.com
The Amazon Flywheel is, at its core, a simple idea.
First conceived in the early 2000s, the idea is that Amazon could use the internet to offer a greater selection of goods and offer products at lower prices. This would create an economic engine that uses growth and massive scale to improve the customer experience … leading to greater selection and lower cost.
But is the ‘Amazon Flywheel’ the best thing for all brands that are utilizing the Amazon platform? Not always.
James Thomson is a Partner at Buy Box Experts, a digital agency that helps brands govern the Amazon Marketplace. James is a former business head of Amazon Services, which recruited tens of thousands of sellers to the Amazon platform each year. He also served as the first Fulfillment by Amazon account manager.
James also co-founded the PROSPER Show in 2015, a conference for large Amazon sellers which provided them continuing education.
In this episode, James Thomson is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz. The tables are turned this week, as it is James who will be the one who is interviewed. Join them as they talk about the differences between the Amazon Flywheel and the Buy Box Experts Flywheel, effective channel governance, and the tough conversations that brands don’t want to have when trying to grow on Amazon.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [0:55] Background on James Thomson
[2:25] The Amazon Flywheel can have negative effects
[3:55] The Amazon Flywheel vs. the Buy Box Experts Flywheel
[8:51] Advertising is not the only way to increase sales
[9:55] Effective Channel Governance
[12:09] The 3 Legs of the Stool
[13:23] The tough things companies don’t like to talk about
Resources Mentioned on this episode Buy Box Experts
Amazon Marketplace Dilemma: A Brand Executive's Challenge Growing Sales and Maintaining Control, by James Thomson and Joseph Hansen
LinkedIn for James
Profile for James
Sponsor for this episode Buy Box Experts applies decades of e-commerce experience to successfully manage clients’ marketplace accounts. The Buy Box account managers specialize in combining an understanding of clients’ business fundamentals and an in-depth expertise in the Amazon Marketplace.
The team works with marketplace technicians using a system of processes, proprietary software, and extensive channel experience to ensure your Amazon presence captures the opportunity on the marketplace, not only producing greater revenue and profits, but also reducing or eliminating your business’ workload.
Buy Box prides itself on being one of the few agencies with an SMB (small to medium sized business) division and an Enterprise division. Buy Box does not commingle clients among divisions as each has unique needs and requirements for proper account management.
Learn more about Buy Box Experts at BuyBoxExperts.com
Having a great product will get you far in the eCommerce world, but it is only one aspect of success on Amazon. Potential customers will never know how great your product is if you don’t optimize the customer experience on Amazon, both on your listing and behind the scenes on the platform itself.
Fortunately for TRX Training, they called upon Joe Hansen and Buy Box Experts. TRX Training is a suspension training equipment company that offers equipment that was developed by former U.S. Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick.
In this episode… What are the best ideas and strategies for successful product launches and brand protection for selling on Amazon? There is a lot more than meets the eye to be among the best in the marketplace. Joe knows the ins and outs of the platform and helped TRX improve their presence there. On this episode, host Joe Hansen is joined by Dr. Jeremy Weisz to talk about Joe’s experience working with TRX training, how to protect your brand from knock-off competitors, and what goes into a successful product launch.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:52] TRX and how Joe started to work with the company
[4:02] The “Fly Wheel” concept that Jeff Bezos created
[7:35] Negative effects the Fly Wheel can have on Brands
[11:41] The products which TRX sells
[13:20] The issues on Amazon that TRX needed to address
[20:49] Launch strategies that Buy Box Experts uses for product launches
Resources Mentioned on this episode Buy Box Experts
TRX Training
Amazon.com