In this episode, we sit down with Matt McGarry, founder of Growletter and one of the top minds in newsletter growth and monetization. Matt has helped brands like The Hustle, Milk Road, and Morning Brew scale to millions of subscribers and today he reveals exactly how to build, grow, and monetize a newsletter in 2025.If you’ve ever wanted to turn your content into a real business, this is your playbook.Subscribe to Matt's Newsletter -- https://www.newsletteroperator.com/subscribeYou’ll learn:📩 The evolution of newsletters — from media empires to creator businesses🚀 How to grow your first 1K, 10K, and 100K subscribers💰 The best monetization models (ads, digital products, and subscriptions)🧠 How to choose a profitable niche that actually converts📊 Paid ads, lead magnets, and conversion benchmarks that work right now⚙️ Matt’s full welcome flow and onboarding sequence for new subscribers🔥 The biggest newsletter mistakes to avoid when scaling🚀 Want to grow your newsletter faster? Here’s what we cover in this episode 👇00:00 — How Matt started in the newsletter space06:00 — How big newsletter businesses really get13:40 — What makes a great newsletter stand out29:20 — How to go from 100 → 100K subscribers43:27 — The best lead magnets for fast growthFull Chapter Breakdown: 00:00 — Intro: Who is Matt McGarry?00:05 — How did you first get involved in the newsletter space?01:34 — How has the newsletter industry changed since those early days?03:25 — Which newsletters do you personally follow and study today?05:04 — Where do you usually discover new newsletters to subscribe to?06:00 — How big can newsletter businesses actually get?07:47 — Would you classify Agora and similar publishers as newsletter companies?09:24 — Should every modern media company have a newsletter component?10:21 — Is that based on content type or audience demographics?11:31 — What makes a great newsletter stand out from a poor one?13:40 — How should beginners pick a niche when starting a newsletter?17:28 — What are the most profitable newsletter niches right now?18:41 — Do obscure or hyper-niche topics still make money?20:41 — Is there space for non-profits or charities in newsletters?21:42 — Do political campaigns use newsletters effectively?22:27 — Are legacy media companies succeeding with newsletters?25:06 — What should someone do first when starting a newsletter?26:13 — How do you get your first subscribers and grow organically?29:20 — What are the key growth stages: 100 → 10K → 100K subscribers?33:15 — What are the most effective newsletter growth channels today?37:34 — How do you track and compare subscriber quality across channels?38:40 — Can you filter or vet subscribers on the front end?39:15 — When should you start selling to new subscribers?39:55 — What should the subscriber journey look like after signup?42:15 — How many emails should be in your welcome flow?43:27 — What are the best types of lead magnets for newsletters?45:20 — Should you ever charge for lead magnets or access to your list?46:33 — What conversion rates should you expect on signup pages?47:46 — How should you run ads for your newsletter or lead magnets?49:14 — What makes a newsletter ad campaign successful?

Raising investment isn’t about chasing money... it’s about winning time from investors. In this episode of The Brand Builders Podcast, bestselling author and co-founder of Robot Mascot, James Church, breaks down the psychology behind successful fundraising, and how founders can turn their pitch decks into powerful sales assets that convert investors.Whether you’re a startup founder, eCommerce brand, or SaaS operator, you’ll learn how to:- Build a credible investment story that investors actually want to hear- Create pitch decks that hook attention and drive follow-up meetings- Understand what investors really care about — proof, traction, and risk- Avoid the #1 mistake that destroys founder credibility- Value your business and structure your deal without giving up too much equity- Turn fundraising into a repeatable B2B sales and marketing campaign- Choose the right investors and advisers to scale faster- Decide when to raise vs. bootstrap your businessStick around as James also shares frameworks from his book “Investable Entrepreneur”, revealing the six principles of the perfect pitch, and why storytelling psychology drives investor engagement.Chapters:00:00 — The #1 Mistake Founders Make When Pitching Investors00:52 — Meet James Church: The Man Behind 400+ Funded Startups02:28 — Inside Robot Mascot: The Agency That Makes Startups “Investable”03:00 — What Kind of Founders Do They Work With? (Hint: Not Just Tech)04:10 — From Brand Agency to Investment Consultancy — The Unexpected Pivot07:25 — The Moment James Knew He Had to Reinvent His Business09:48 — Why Letting Go of Design Was the Best Move He Ever Made12:38 — The Secret Process That Turns Ideas Into Investor Magnets15:00 — The Psychology Behind Investor-Ready Pitch Decks19:12 — How Raising Money Forces Founders to Fix Their Business21:17 — The Team Structure Behind a Multi-Million-Dollar Pitch Machine22:46 — What It’s Actually Like Working With Robot Mascot24:20 — Why You Should Pitch for Time, Not Money27:49 — Treating Fundraising Like a B2B Sales Funnel30:07 — Turning Your Pitch Deck Into a Marketing Campaign30:57 — Why James Wrote Investable Entrepreneur (and What It Teaches)33:06 — The Harsh Truth: Most Founders Aren’t Ready to Raise35:09 — Raise Capital or Bootstrap? Here’s How to Decide37:54 — Lifestyle vs Performance Businesses — Which One Are You?41:38 — Can a Lifestyle Business Ever Truly Scale?44:52 — The Right Time to Start Raising Investment47:58 — Equity, Dilution & Keeping Control — James’s Advice53:22 — How to Value Your Startup Without Guessing57:48 — Picking the Right Investors (and Avoiding the Wrong Ones)01:03:13 — Angels, VCs, and Beyond — Understanding Investor Types01:07:18 — How to Find and Leverage Great Advisers01:10:22 — Paying Advisers: Cash or Equity?01:12:54 — What Really Happens After You Raise Investment01:15:11 — What Investors Look for Beyond the Money01:18:20 — Why eCommerce Brands Are Suddenly Hot for Investors01:21:18 — The State of Fundraising in Today’s Market01:25:43 — Where to Find James + Get His Book “Investable Entrepreneur”

Scale without the shiny-object spiral. Ollie Hudson has helped 100+ brands hit 7/8 figures by doing fewer things better: dominant channel focus (Meta), disciplined creative strategy, offer testing tied to unit economics, and smart expansion (TikTok Shop, new products, new markets) only when the data says so.What you’ll learn- The growth ladder at 6/7/8 figures: rapid growth → consolidate → repeat- Why most brands can reach eight figures on one channel (Meta) — and when to layer TikTok/TikTok Shop- Creative strategy that actually moves CAC: “silver bullet” frameworks, iteration vs big swings- Offer design with a P&L: AOV lifts (bundles, GWP) vs LTV trade-offs and when to prefer each- ICP and messaging: casting a smart wide net, then doubling down- Measurement that survives complexity: forecasting, contribution margin, blended targets- US vs UK eCom: execution standards, spend ceilings, and how to expand the right way- Agency ops playbook: pods, hiring, incentives, and keeping opex flexibleChapters:00:00 – Intro: Meet Ollie Hudson & the growth journey02:36 – How do you view growth strategies at 6, 7, and 8 figures?05:04 – Is creative/positioning just at the start, or ongoing as you scale?06:38 – Should new brands capture existing demand first, rather than create it?08:17 – Is that just for early traction, and do you diversify later?08:46 – At the six-figure stage, beyond creative testing, what else matters?10:09 – Should brands target one ICP early on?11:50 – After testing personas, when do you double down?13:45 – How do you split testing variants vs. big creative swings?17:51 – How should brands approach offer creation?20:09 – Does offer testing depend on business goals (AOV vs. LTV)?23:04 – What other bottlenecks block growth beyond creative and offers?25:44 – Are finance/ops common gaps in scaling brands?27:23 – How should brands decide on new channels vs. optimizing existing ones?31:14 – What do brands miss by trying to do all marketing in-house?33:38 – At what size does it make sense to bring functions in-house?35:35 – Which functions should brands 100% keep internal?37:48 – Why is SAW winning big UK brands compared to competitors?40:34 – How do you stay on top of market needs and shift service accordingly?43:49 – How do you find the courage to pivot or rebuild an agency service?45:50 – What’s your process for hiring and vetting talent?47:20 – In-person vs remote teams: what works best for agencies?48:08 – At what headcount does in-person become necessary?50:08 – How do you approach talent development and knowledge sharing?52:25 – How do you personally stay focused across multiple projects?52:31 – How do you identify your own “zone of genius”?54:28 – Once gaps appear, how do you fill them and tie roles to P&L?57:54 – How do you incentivize leaders and teams?59:45 – How do you view agency growth—organic vs acquisition?01:03:41 – Do you help brands expand internationally (US, Germany)?01:04:31 – Closing thoughts & where to follow Ollie

From early Google Ads days to pioneering Amazon PPC and DSP, Clear Ads founder George Meressa breaks down how to launch, scale, and defend profitable growth on the world’s biggest marketplace—without chasing shiny objects or burning margin.What you’ll learn- The retail-ready checklist that drives conversion and ranking- A step-by-step Amazon launch playbook (long-tail terms → phase upgrades → organic lift)- How to use Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and DSP in the right order- Creative ways to build audiences with Amazon’s first-party data- The “slow growth, strong profits” system: inventory, reviews, margins, forecasting- When to add variations vs. new products, and how to read category signals- Smart ways to bring external traffic (TikTok/Google) to boost rank and moat- 2025 realities: tariffs, storage fees, and cost creep—and how top brands adapt- Omnichannel strategy: why Amazon + DTC/retail increases resilience and exit multiples- Building an edge with people + AI inside your growth teamChapters:00:00 – Introduction & shiny object syndrome02:35 – George’s backstory: from sales to Google Ads05:50 – How George discovered Amazon PPC06:55 – Learning Google & Amazon media buying skills07:30 – The first services Clear Ads offered08:43 – Expanding into programmatic and full service09:43 – Why move beyond ads into listings & content10:25 – One-time setup vs ongoing optimization10:42 – What types of brands Clear Ads works with11:12 – US vs UK focus on Amazon11:49 – Criteria for “retail-ready” brands12:32 – Red flags: brands Clear Ads avoids13:34 – Why consumables make strong Amazon products14:20 – How new brands should launch on Amazon15:56 – Ads first or organic first?17:50 – Can you forecast revenue before launch?19:38 – Reviews: risk, compliance & best practices21:41 – Competition: how to judge new niches23:23 – Battling strong incumbents on Amazon24:23 – Scaling: from Sponsored Products → Brands → DSP → external traffic26:42 – When to run external traffic to Amazon27:00 – Sponsored Products vs Sponsored Brands vs DSP explained30:36 – Beyond ads: profit tracking, inventory, and slow growth33:20 – Launching variations vs new products34:14 – How to test demand for new products35:07 – Biggest growth challenges & tariffs38:29 – Should brands go all in on Amazon?41:50 – When and how to diversify outside Amazon44:39 – Launching new products vs expanding into new channels48:00 – Exits: what multiples look like in 202550:20 – How Clear Ads differentiates from other agencies52:25 – The power of people and community in agency growth55:24 – Building a network of top-tier partners01:00:00 – Balancing focus vs partners with multiple ventures01:02:30 – How George personally uses AI01:05:35 – Staying curious to stay ahead01:06:07 – Where to follow George#ecommerce #AmazonPPC #AmazonDSP #AmazonFBA #DTC #PaidMedia #CRO #RetailReady #AdsStrategy #BrandBuilding #ClearAds #MarketplaceMarketing #EcommerceStrategy #AmazonAdvertising #LongTailKeywords #InventoryManagement #Tariffs #ExitMultiples #ProgrammaticAdvertising #omnichannelmarketing

From addiction to purpose-driven entrepreneur, Zach Schubert breaks down the research-first lead-gen system that scales high-ticket offers. In this episode, Zach shares how to validate offers with real audience language, build book-a-call funnels that qualify buyers, scale Meta/Facebook ads without guesswork, and install sales frameworks you can measure, repeat, and delegate. If you run an agency, coaching, info, or any high-ticket business, this is your playbook for predictable pipeline and profit, without becoming a slave to the grind.What you’ll learn:- Audience research that makes paid traffic convert (FB Groups, Reddit, micro-tests)- When to use DM ads, book-a-call funnels, VSLs, webinars, challenges, and low-ticket tripwires- How the most successful brands leverage their networks to win big- Offer OVER vehicle: copy the customer’s words to lower CPL and raise close rate- How to scale creatives, segment by niche, and add new offers when data shows the ceiling- Sales systems and SOPs that turn one-off wins into a repeatable quota engine- Purpose over profit: design a business that funds your life, not the other way aroundChapters:00:00:00 Partying → Purpose00:02:08 Meet Zack00:02:32 Nonprofit Roots00:03:22 Pandemic Pivot00:04:18 Business as Mission00:05:24 Faith Becomes Personal00:06:31 Addiction & Emptiness00:08:54 Refocus: Marriage & Mission00:12:55 Legacy over Hustle (Taxi Story)00:17:26 Mentors & Network00:20:38 Starting Cara00:21:01 SEO & Drop-Servicing00:22:47 First $1M Profit00:26:11 Lead Gen: Upwork → Ads00:29:30 Funnel Playbook00:34:50 Research-Driven Offers00:41:37 ROAS, LTV & Economics00:43:14 Scaling Playbook00:58:56 Brand & Positioning01:14:08 Work with Zack

From $0 to $40M in 4 years — that’s the growth Cody and his team unlocked at Kalo, the silicone wedding ring brand that pioneered influencer marketing before it became mainstream.In this episode, Cody shares the exact influencer seeding playbook that helped land names like Steph Curry and LeBron James, why small creators outperform big celebrities in 2025, and how his agency Kinship now helps 7–8 figure ecommerce brands scale with creative systems, forecasting, and cost-controlled ad buying.We break down:✅ The real ROI of influencer marketing in ecommerce✅ How to turn free product seeding into 100+ ad assets every month✅ Why micro influencers drive more revenue than celebrities✅ Cody’s system for forecasting P&Ls and setting realistic growth targets✅ How to scale creative volume while keeping costs down✅ Offer testing, landing pages & why simplicity converts✅ The new balance between profitability vs. growth for DTC brands in 2025Chapters:00:00 – Intro00:05 – From Qalo to $40M: Cody’s Background01:05 – Starting With Product Seeding02:02 – Building Up to Big Names02:33 – DMs vs Agents for Influencers03:05 – Why Outreach Should Stay Human03:59 – Mistakes Brands Make With Influencers05:12 – The Power of Giving First05:37 – Small Creators vs Celebrities06:33 – How Influencer Marketing Has Evolved07:25 – Paying for Posts vs Seeding08:03 – Kinship’s Approach Today09:12 – Seeding as a Content Engine10:25 – The Numbers Behind Seeding10:57 – Why Raw Content Outperforms AI11:31 – Branded vs Whitelisted Ads12:17 – Choosing the Right Influencers12:50 – Kinship’s Growth System15:00 – P&L Mistakes Brands Make17:52 – Why Forecasting Monthly Matters18:13 – Balancing Growth and Profit22:00 – Thoughts on Funding & Capital22:37 – UGC vs CGC Content25:36 – Video-First Content25:54 – Static Ads & AI Tools27:00 – Mixing Creative Pipelines27:30 – Ad Spend vs Creative Volume28:52 – Why More Creative Wins29:58 – Using Cost Controls in Ads30:58 – Search vs Social Ads31:51 – TikTok Ads Today32:15 – How to Build Winning Offers33:14 – What an Offer Really Is33:40 – Examples of Strong Offers34:30 – Measuring Offer Performance35:00 – Optimising Landing Pages35:52 – Do Small Tweaks Matter?35:57 – Wrap Up & How to ConnectWhether you’re running a $3M brand or pushing past $75M, Cody reveals the system, not services approach that keeps Kinship’s clients profitable while scaling across Meta, Google, TikTok, and beyond.If you want to grow your DTC brand with smarter influencer marketing, UGC pipelines, and real financial discipline — this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

What if the future of eCommerce wasn’t Facebook Ads or Amazon… but TikTok Shop?In this episode, I sit down with Nav’i Singh, a TikTok Shop and influencer marketing expert who has helped brands like eBay, Sephora, HubSpot, and Wish scale through social commerce and affiliate campaigns. Now she’s on a mission to show founders how to take their TikTok Shop from zero to millions in GMV with proven playbooks.We dive deep into:- How to know if your brand is ready for TikTok Shop- Why margins matter more than hype- Building a winning affiliate network and product seeding strategy- The rise of live shopping and how creators are cashing in- Common mistakes brands make on TikTok Shop (and how to avoid them)- What’s next for influencer marketing as TikTok Shop maturesWhether you’re an eCommerce founder, DTC marketer, or just curious about where social commerce is heading, this episode is packed with insights that can help you get ahead of the competition.📌 Watch until the end to learn Nav’i’s roadmap for scaling profitably on TikTok Shop.Chapter:00:00 – Intro: The future of eCom beyond Facebook & Amazon01:53 – Guest intro: Nav’i Singh’s background02:04 – How did you get into influencer & affiliate marketing?03:18 – What does creative operations actually mean?04:39 – Early work with influencers at eBay, HubSpot & Wish05:26 – How did you manage 1,000+ creators at Wish?07:10 – Where does your learning mindset come from?08:04 – Transition from traditional influencer marketing → TikTok Shop09:36 – Why start SOA, your TikTok Shop agency?10:45 – Moving from freelancing to agency ownership12:12 – Was now the right time to launch?13:16 – For brands considering TikTok Shop, where should they start?14:30 – What margin profile works best?15:20 – How to pick a “hero” SKU for TikTok Shop16:26 – Should brands focus on high-ticket or low-ticket items?17:47 – Is TikTok Shop only for $20–30 products?19:02 – What categories or demographics don’t work on TikTok Shop?20:23 – Sampling strategy: how many products to send out?22:59 – How to educate & brief creators effectively23:43 – Optimizing creator content & scaling what works25:55 – Segmenting top creators & building relationships27:53 – Scaling by finding the right niche & doubling down32:07 – How many samples should new brands start with?33:18 – What’s the timeline for results & profitability?34:44 – How do you know if TikTok Shop isn’t working?36:54 – What are the secondary benefits (halo effect, UGC, brand lift)?39:06 – Should brands join TikTok Shop if competitors are/not there?40:01 – Tips for creators: reverse-engineering virality41:57 – Posting balance: commercial vs lifestyle content44:12 – How should creators evaluate which brands to work with?45:41 – Why top creators focus on 4–5 “money maker” products46:40 – Building SOA’s creator community & support48:15 – Beyond affiliates: ads & live shopping strategy50:40 – TikTok Ads: how GMV Max works53:02 – Live shopping: how it works & why it matters55:25 – What does a successful live shopping session look like?59:53 – What kind of results should brands expect from lives?01:02:10 – Should TikTok Shop replace traditional influencer deals?01:04:16 – Where is TikTok Shop headed in the next 12–24 months?01:05:12 – What SOA does for brands end-to-end01:06:04 – The agency’s mission: supporting both enterprises & mom-and-pop brands01:09:03 – SOA’s team structure & scaling challenges01:12:08 – How do you balance delivery vs growth as an agency owner?01:13:13 – What’s working for SOA in lead generation?01:14:01 – Do you prefer enterprise or small business clients?01:15:43 – Will you offer training or an incubator program for small brands?01:16:54 – Client mix & who SOA serves today01:17:45 – What’s your vision for the agency long-term?01:19:13 – What advice do you have for new agency owners?01:21:01 – Where can people find you & SOA?01:21:38 – Outro

From management consultancy, building an 8 figure info product business, to now becoming the go-to headhunter for high growth eCommerce brands, Ugis has seen (and DONE) it all.In this episode, we break down how to scale an eCommerce brand by building world class teams. If you’ve ever wondered when to hire, who to hire, and how to avoid the “I’ll just do it myself” trap, this conversation is packed with insights you can use today.👉 What you’ll learn:- The playbook for building high performing eCommerce teams- Must-have hires at 7, 8, and 9 figures in revenue- How to spot bottlenecks and make the right hire to unlock growth- Why creative strategy is the #1 lever for scaling brands right now- International hiring: where to find top talent for eCommerce roles- Onboarding, culture, and retaining A players- How AI is reshaping roles like media buying, customer support, and creative strategyWhether you’re running a Shopify brand, DTC startup, or fast growing agency, understanding how to recruit and manage top talent could be the difference between stalling at 7 figures or scaling to 9.Chapter: 00:00 – From Funnels to Headhunting01:17 – Breaking the “I’ll Just Do It Myself” Trap02:09 – Getting Started in Online Business03:13 – Escaping Corporate Consulting04:11 – Entering the Info Product Boom05:16 – Scaling to 8 Figures on Low-Ticket Offers06:50 – Building the Team Behind the Growth07:54 – Exiting the Business08:59 – Mini Retirement & Rediscovering Purpose10:55 – Lessons From Building Teams13:52 – Director-Level Talent Explained14:49 – Helping Founders Let Go15:48 – Spotting the Key Levers for Scale17:19 – Team Structures at 7, 8, and 9 Figures19:12 – Avoiding Bureaucracy With Senior Hires20:05 – Must-Have Roles at Each Stage22:06 – Who Owns Product & Brand?22:36 – The Rise of New Roles (AI & Retention)24:03 – Agency vs In-House: Which Is Better?27:38 – Agency Red Flags to Watch For29:04 – Why Creative Strategists Are in Demand30:34 – What Makes a Great Creative Strategist?32:07 – Hiring Process That Works36:04 – Why Job Boards Don’t Work for Top Talent39:35 – Evaluating Candidates Beyond Skills43:26 – Designing Great Test Tasks46:22 – Filtering for ChatGPT-Generated Work48:17 – Red Flags in Interviews49:12 – Onboarding That Actually Works51:08 – First 30 Days for New Hires54:20 – Diagnosing Bottlenecks56:48 – The Global Shift in Hiring59:00 – Top Regions for eCom Talent01:01:05 – Building Culture Across Borders01:05:01 – Promoting Internally vs Hiring Externally01:06:00 – AI’s Impact on Ecom Teams01:09:04 – Who Ugis Works With📈 If you’re serious about scaling your eCommerce business, this episode gives you the inside track on how to hire leaders that drive growth and avoid costly mistakes.ecommerce hiring, ecommerce recruitment, scaling ecommerce brand, build ecommerce team, ecommerce headhunter, DTC hiring strategy, Shopify hiring, 7 figure ecommerce, 8 figure ecommerce, 9 figure ecommerce, creative strategist ecommerce, ecommerce team structure, ecommerce recruiting agency, ecommerce growth strategy, scaling DTC brand

🚀 How to Scale Your Ecom Brand with Lean China Fulfillment | Supply Chain Optimization, Global Shipping & Factory SourcingMost DTC & eCommerce founders obsess over ads, CPMs, and click-through rates… but the real profits happen before the click. In this episode, Simon from EcomOps shares how fast-growing brands scale internationally by mastering China fulfillment, building direct factory relationships, and running a global supply chain with just two weeks of inventory.We cover:✅ How to cut lead times from 30+ days to just 5–10 days✅ The costly factory mistakes eCommerce brands keep making (and how to avoid them)✅ Inventory planning strategies for Q4 & peak seasons✅ Navigating US import tariffs & customs compliance✅ Scaling to new markets like the UK, Australia, Canada & Southeast Asia✅ When to choose air freight vs. sea freight vs. rail freight✅ Cash flow management & batch ordering✅ How to future-proof your supply chain while keeping ops leanIf you run a DTC brand manufacturing in China and want faster shipping, higher margins, and fewer operational headaches, this episode is a masterclass in eCommerce logistics, supply chain strategy, and fulfillment optimization.🔔 Subscribe for weekly eCommerce growth tips, founder interviews, and behind-the-scenes strategies from top operators.

Most eCommerce brands think scaling to $1M/month means better Facebook ads or media buying tricks. But the truth is, scaling a 7-figure DTC brand comes down to creative strategy, high-converting landing pages, and a UGC content system built to drive ROAS.If you're stuck at 6 or 7 figures and want to scale profitably, it's time to stop obsessing over ad platforms and start building a performance engine powered by content, offers, and conversion.In this episode, we sit down with Spencer Pawliw, founder of EZA Media and Evolve, the fastest-growing DTC consulting community on School. Spencer unpacks the exact system his agency uses to help DTC brands scale from 7 to 8 figures—with deep dives into performance loops, offer testing, AI-powered ad strategy, and his UGC creator engine.🔎 What You’ll Learn:The 3 scaling levers behind $1M+/month ad accountsHow Spencer turned a media buying agency into a consulting rocketshipWhy UGC is dead—and what’s replacing itHow to structure winning offers that boost AOV + conversion rateLanding pages vs. websites (and why top brands obsess over LPs)How to use AI to engineer performance creative (with real prompts)The rise of TikTok Shop and the new UGC economySpencer’s plan to build an 8-figure brand live inside Evolve 2.0CHAPTERS00:00 - The 3 Levers That Actually Scale Brands 02:05 - How Spencer Went from Freelancer to 8-Figure Operator 06:19 - How Their Agency Offer Evolved Over Time 09:47 - Why Media Buying Isn’t the Growth Engine Anymore 10:33 - Creative, Content, Landers: The Real Growth Stack 11:25 - What Makes an Offer “Good”? 14:42 - Offers That Convert: What to Test First 17:34 - Do Digital Bonuses Work in Bundles? 19:45 - 3 Killer Offers You Can Steal 21:30 - How Often Should You Test New Offers? 22:48 - What High-Converting Landing Pages Actually Have 26:05 - UGC vs Creative Strategy: What’s the Difference? 31:09 - Inside Their UGC System for Content at Scale 35:05 - How They Build Winning Ads Every Week 39:07 - Testing Creative: Big Swings vs Small Tweaks 43:13 - Why Research Beats Guesswork Every Time 45:17 - The 3-Step Creative Testing Framework 47:26 - Do Tiny Creative Tweaks Really Matter? 49:15 - Think Bigger: Why Micro Tweaks Won’t Move the Needle 50:06 - How They Actually Use AI (Not Just Talk About It) 54:31 - Why Knowing What “Good” Looks Like Is Everything 58:25 - Evolve: The DTC Community Built for Real Operators 1:00:02 - How the Agency + Community Flywheel Works 1:03:00 - Are They Launching Their Own Brand? 1:05:24 - Meet Sean: The Twitter Genius Behind Evolve 1:09:40 - How They Blew Up on Twitter & YouTube 1:14:18 - Final Advice: Give Value, Stay Real, Do Cool Sh*t 💡 If you’re a founder, growth marketer, or creative strategist scaling a DTC brand—this is a masterclass.

From GaryVee's Content Machine to Building Personal BrandsWhat’s it really like behind the scenes at GaryVee’s Content Empire? Meet Jason, the creative force behind the DailyVee, and now founder of Steal Jason, a creative consultancy helping entrepreneurs and artists build content systems that scale.In this in-depth interview, we dive into Jason’s 5-year journey working directly with Gary Vaynerchuk, how he helped scale a world-class content team, and what it takes to run a brand at internet speed. You'll learn the exact creative systems, video workflows, and content repurposing strategies Jason used to generate hundreds of millions of views, plus how he’s now applying those lessons to help CEOs, artists, and thought leaders turn personal stories into powerful content engines.🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- What it’s really like to film, edit, and build content for Gary Vee- How to scale a lean content team for personal brand growth- Systems for short-form video, repurposing, and platform distribution- Why conversational content beats scripted videos in 2025- How to transition from creator to creative strategist- Lessons on burnout, work-life balance, and moving to Europe to rebuild- How to build an audience without being a “guru”- Behind the scenes of launching his agency, Steal JasonCHAPTERS:00:00 - The Man Behind the DailyVee00:46 - Snowstorms to Storytelling01:38 - Early Passion & Picking Up a GoPro03:00 - First Client Break & Real-World Validation05:30 - Mini GaryVee for a Kickboxing Gym07:50 - Creating Momentum & Going All In10:36 - Gary Vee Notices — And Steals Jason13:46 - Inside Team Gary: Structure, Chaos & Execution17:34 - Operational Lessons from Gary Vee20:00 - Can’t Fake the Pace: Passion-Driven Teams23:10 - The VeeFriends Shift & Creative Flexibility25:35 - Operational Systems: From Chaos to Structure28:48 - Brand KPIs: The ‘Airport Metric’31:36 - Moving to Europe: Recharging & Reframing34:30 - Joining Mike Posner: Rebuilding a Brand38:31 - Storytelling Strategy: Vulnerability to Viral42:32 - Building the Content Engine47:55 - Script vs. Conversation: Finding Your Format51:34 - Finding What Resonates: Deep Comments as KPI55:45 - From Brand Builder to Business Owner58:29 - What Is “Steal Jason”?01:01:23 - Content Formats, Channels & Flow01:07:20 - Who Should Hire Jason01:10:00 - Reclaiming the Filmmaker Identity01:13:25 - Final Thoughts & What’s NextWhether you're a founder, creator, or marketer, this is a masterclass in creative execution and personal branding.#GaryVee #ContentStrategy #PersonalBranding #CreatorEconomy #CreativeDirector #StillJason #BrandBuilding #EcommerceMarketing #ShortFormVideo #YouTubePodcast

In this episode, we dive deep with Dan, founder of everambr Eyewear and now Head of Community at Wayflyer — one of the most innovative funding platforms for eCommerce brands.From building a 6-figure DTC brand out of his kitchen to helping thousands of founders scale with capital, Dan shares the hard-earned lessons, cash flow mistakes, and capital strategies that every eCom operator needs to hear.You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Wayflyer thinks about inventory financing, alternative lending models, LTV-driven funding decisions, and why brands succeed or fail in 2025’s economic climate.We cover:✅ How Dan built everambr from a tiny launch to $100K+/mo✅ The cash flow mistakes that nearly killed the business✅ Why inventory is your biggest threat and opportunity✅ How Wayflyer helps brands fund growth without giving up equity✅ The best and worst capital strategies eCom founders use✅ New financing models for omnichannel, Amazon, and subscription brands✅ Why cult brands are winning — and how to build one✅ The rise of organic-led content & founder-led community modelsWhether you're a DTC operator, CMO, or founder managing rapid growth, this episode will change the way you think about funding, forecasting, and brand building.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro02:06 – Dan’s Unusual Office Setup03:10 – How Dan Got Into eCommerce05:18 – First Launch Success06:53 – COVID Boom: 5X Growth Overnight08:04 – The Post-COVID Crash09:50 – The Inventory Trap11:02 – Why Needing Capital Doesn’t Mean You’re Failing12:15 – Why Inventory Ties Up So Much Cash13:18 – Common Inventory Planning Mistake: Overordering15:56 – Inventory Management Advice16:57 – Dan’s Role at Wayflyer: Founder Community & Content18:31 – What Size Brands Does Wayflyer Fund?20:49 – How Wayflyer Beats Traditional Banks21:37 – Why Alternative Financing Isn’t “Too Expensive”23:36 – Viral Moment? Wayflyer Steps In25:16 – 4 Data Sources Wayflyer Connects To27:54 – How These Metrics Affect Financing Terms30:24 – Addressing Debt Fear Among Smaller Brands32:13 – Avoiding Low LTV Pitfalls34:06 – Market Capture Mindset35:46 – A Big Advantage of Wayflyer Financing37:44 – Market Expansion: Wayflyer’s Global Reach40:04 – Global eCom Headwinds: Tariffs, Inflation, and Uncertainty42:15 – Mistake: Charging Tariffs as Line Item at Checkout43:09 – Capital Strategy: Be Cautious With Performance Ad Spend44:33 – Can You Copy Winning Brands? Kinda...45:31 – Example: Pride (Pet Food Brand Using Comedy)46:44 – Every Brand Needs a Media Arm48:49 – Real-World Community Building50:08 – Why Drop Models Work So Well51:08 – The Rise of Founder-Led Brands52:17 – WFAR’s Focus for the Year: From Transactional to Community53:21 – Building an Engaged Online Platform54:54 – Advice to eCom Founders Thinking About Funding in 202556:07 – Final Wrap-Up & Contact Info

Scaling Your Ecom Brand Beyond Meta: The Rise of Native Ads & AppLovin – with Val ShahStill scaling with just Facebook and Google? You're leaving money on the table.In this episode, I sit down with Val Shah, one of the top media buyers in the game, to break down how eCommerce brands are scaling outside the Meta-Google duopoly—using native advertising platforms like Taboola, Outbrain, Revcontent, MGID, and the explosive rise of AppLovin, the mobile in-app ad network dominating in 2025.Val shares:✅ His exact testing strategy for native ads✅ The realistic benchmarks for ROI and why most brands give up too early✅ How to structure high-converting advertorial funnels✅ The truth about AppLovin's $10K ad credit and who qualifies✅ Geo-scaling tips (Canada, UK, Germany, LatAm)✅ VSLs vs. advertorials in performance marketing✅ Why native ads are the biggest untapped traffic source for eCommerce in 2025✅ What brands like Ridge Wallet are doing rightThis is the ultimate guide to scaling with native ads, from beginner to advanced.🎯 If you're spending $1K+/day on Facebook and want to scale smarter, this is your blueprint to omnichannel growth.Chapters:00:00 Intro – Why Native Ads Are 2025’s Biggest Opportunity02:06 Val’s Background: How He Got Into Media Buying05:29 From Tech Jobs to Launching a Native-Ads Agency06:39 What Exactly Are Publishers & Native Widgets?10:15 How Much Traffic Do Yahoo, AOL & Other Majors Deliver?12:07 Native vs. Facebook: Better for Lead-Gen or E-Com?13:52 How Big Can You Scale on Native in Q4?15:08 What Skills Give You an Edge in Media Buying?16:06 Choosing the Right Native Platform for Your Offer18:18 Testing Budgets: Taboola/Outbrain vs. Revcontent/MGID19:28 Beginner Pitfalls & Why You Need a Rep20:33 When Should Brands Add Native After Meta & Google?21:50 Building High-Converting Ad + Advertorial Funnels22:52 What If the Offer Is Already Saturated?23:48 Which Geos Perform Best Right Now?26:17 Localising Creatives for International Scaling28:23 Why Pre-Sale Advertorials Are Mandatory on Native29:31 The –50 % ROI Benchmark: Does Your Offer Have Legs?31:47 Are VSL Funnels Still Dominating Health & Nutra?33:27 Where to Find Killer VSL Examples35:03 Best Ad-Spy Tools for Native & App Campaigns36:05 Yahoo × Taboola 30-Year Deal Explained37:15 What Is AppLovin & How Is It Different from Native?40:18 MoPub Acquisition: AppLovin’s Targeting Edge42:29 Who Qualifies for AppLovin’s $10K Ad Credit?44:14 Winning Products & Impulse Buys on AppLovin45:51 Funnel Structures & Compliance on AppLovin47:54 Hooking Gamers: Creative Best Practices49:22 First Tests & Optimisations on AppLovin49:55 Is Omnichannel Marketing the Future of E-Com?51:31 The Modern Media-Buying Stack in 202552:07 Where to Follow Val & Join the Native Hub Community53:12 Outro & Subscribe for Weekly Growth Insights🔗 Subscribe for weekly episodes breaking down modern media buying, DTC growth, and advanced acquisition strategies.

Recent data shows 90% of founders sell within 7 years—but what if you could break that cycle? In this episode, I interview John, who founded a full-service Amazon growth agency at just 23, sold it for 8 figures in 2020 (to S4 Capital → Media Monks → Monks), and retired by age 40. Now, he’s running VantaFive, a unique venture studio designed to build the next wave of Amazon-like agency businesses.✅ What You'll Learn- Agency scaling secrets: How John built a 100-person team and 8-figure business from scratch- Acquisition & earn-out insights: Why consolidation in 2020 was the right move- Founder psychology: Balancing obsession, burnout, and building meaning- Post-exit life: What real retirement feels like—and why it wasn’t enough- What's next: Launching Vantafi to spot the next big opportunity in emerging marketing domains- Hiring right: Traits needed in a CEO/founder—grit, humility, sales chops, and more- Service expansion: How to add new offerings thoughtfully and profitably- Marketing blueprint: Choosing alpha channels and focusing for 7- and 8-figure growthCHAPTERS⏱️ 00:00 – Intro: Building a $100M Agency⏱️ 00:44 – Getting into agency life⏱️ 03:00 – Why I started VantaFive⏱️ 07:24 – First hires & early team⏱️ 10:48 – Scaling content teams⏱️ 15:02 – Our delivery tech stack⏱️ 17:35 – Getting first 10 clients⏱️ 22:27 – How we price services⏱️ 25:45 – VantaFive financial model⏱️ 28:39 – Launching new agencies⏱️ 33:43 – Build vs. buy strategy⏱️ 38:00 – What would make me sell⏱️ 41:25 – Equity splits explained⏱️ 45:29 – Hardest part of the journey⏱️ 48:59 – Our 12-month game plan⏱️ 51:46 – Final advice for founders⏱️ 55:04 – How I hire top operators⏱️ 59:17 – Systems vs. hustle⏱️ 1:04:38 – Testing new services⏱️ 1:09:01 – Picking agency markets⏱️ 1:14:22 – Growth mistakes to avoid⏱️ 1:18:00 – VantaFive’s future vision🔑 Keywords & TopicsAmazon agency, agency exit strategy, founder retirement, scaling service business, venture studio, hiring founders, marketing strategy, product-market fit, remote leadership, direct-mail, subscription business, TikTok Shop agency, B2B growth, performance-based retainers

What does it really take to grow and sell a 7 or 8-figure Amazon brand?In this episode, I sat down with Harry Nicholls, co-founder at eVenturing -- a firm that's helped 50+ U.S. Amazon brands expand into Europe, increase profitability, and successfully exit for 8 figures or more.Tune in as we explore:- The exact roadmap to a high-multiple Amazon brand exit- How U.S. sellers can unlock international expansion (UK + EU)- Why most brands leave 6-figures+ on the table by ignoring branded Amazon search- Key metrics that influence valuation multiples (and how to improve them)- What actually kills deals (and how to avoid it)- The Amazon playbook to go from 6 to 8 figures- How aggregators have matured—and what they’re really looking for todayWhether you're: an Amazon seller ready to expand or exit, a DTC brand ignoring Amazon (and leaking revenue), or a founder chasing global growth...This episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world strategies from the front lines of Amazon growth, investment, and acquisition.Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Meet Harry Nicholls & eVenturing00:52 – Why Combine Growth, Expansion & Exit Into One Agency?03:38 – From Investment Banking to Amazon Strategy06:04 – What Separates 7-Figure Brands From 8-Figure Exits08:55 – The Most Overlooked Growth Lever on Amazon11:36 – First Steps: How eVenturing Audits New Brands14:42 – When You Should Not Scale a Product on Amazon17:09 – What Founders Get Wrong About International Expansion20:45 – The Biggest Mistakes in US ↔ EU Expansion24:10 – Non-Negotiables for Entering a New Market26:48 – When Is a Brand Actually Ready to Expand?29:30 – Ideal Brands for US → UK Expansion31:52 – Best Global Market to Launch in 2025?34:07 – How Tariffs and Trade Risk Affect Growth Strategy37:19 – How to Know You’re Ready to Sell Your Brand39:41 – What Real Valuations Look Like in 202542:05 – What Separates Life-Changing Exits From Failed Deals45:12 – Deal Killers: What Tanks Your Valuation48:04 – How to Boost Brand Value Without Inflating Revenue51:12 – The Biggest Shift in Amazon Strategy This Year54:30 – What Buyers Are Looking for Now (That They Weren’t Before)57:44 – Where to Learn More About eVenturing58:29 – Who Should Be the Next Guest on the Pod?1:01:00 – Why Harry’s Bullish on the Future of Amazon Brands1:04:20 – Underrated Skills Founders Need to Scale Faster1:07:55 – What’s Next for eVenturing in 2025 and Beyond1:10:35 – What Harry Would Tell His Younger Self1:14:12 – Final Takeaways for Founders on the Edge of Scale or ExitKeywords:Amazon brand growth, 8-figure exits, ecommerce expansion, UK/EU launch, FBA growth strategies, Amazon SEO, DTC to Amazon, private equity for ecommerce, Amazon deal structures, valuation multiples, international compliance, reverse engineering exits.📣 Subscribe for more weekly interviews with top ecommerce operators, investors, and founders.#AmazonFBA #EcommerceGrowth #BrandExit #DTC #AmazonExpansion #PrivateEquity #EcommerceStrategy #SellOnAmazon #BrandBuilders

What separates 7-figure agencies from the ones stuck spinning their wheels?In this episode, I sit down with Joey, founder of Agent CFO, the go-to finance partner for high-growth agencies. We break down the entire financial strategy behind scalable, profitable service businesses.You’ll learn:✅ The 3 agency business models — and how your goal changes your entire strategy✅ Why most agencies are leaving thousands on the table with bad forecasting✅ What top-performing agencies spend on delivery, ops, and growth✅ How to use financial models to scale faster, smarter, and with less stress✅ Why one-time offers are exploding — and how to make them profitable✅ Tactical benchmarks for sales, margins, team structure & utilization✅ Tips for reducing churn, raising prices, and retaining top talentIf you're an agency owner doing $20K/month to $200K+/month and want to scale without guesswork — this episode is a must-watch.Chapters:00:00 - Intro + Meet Joey, Founder of Agent CFO 00:03 - The 3 Types of Agency Founders 00:06 - Why Financial Clarity Matters 00:09 - Joey’s Backstory + Finding Product-Market Fit 00:12 - Agent CFO’s Onboarding Process 00:15 - The Power of a Custom Financial Model 00:18 - How Forecasting Should Really Work 00:21 - Breaking Down High-Growth Agency Patterns 00:24 - Offer Strategy + One-Time Offers 00:27 - Top Financial Metrics to Track 00:30 - Role of Finance in Agency Ops 00:33 - Benchmarks vs Reality 00:36 - Weekly Insights + Strategic Action Items 00:39 - Common Bottlenecks in Sales and Team Structure 00:42 - Utilization Rates + Scope Creep 00:45 - Who Owns the Data? 00:48 - When to Hire Finance Support 00:51 - Lifecycle of Finance Roles in Agencies 00:54 - Lifestyle vs Exit vs High-Growth Agencies 00:57 - Pricing Structures That Actually Work 01:00:00 - Should You Drop Low Paying Clients? 01:03:00 - How to Improve Collections 01:06:00 - Performance Pay Structures 01:09:00 - Hiring & Retaining A-Players 01:12:00 - Reducing Churn with Personal Touch 01:15:00 - How Top Agencies Use Pricing Models 01:18:00 - Maximizing LTV & Optimizing Offers 01:21:00 - What Should the Founder Focus On? 01:24:00 - AI’s Real Role in Agency Ops Today 01:27:00 - Where to Find Joey & Outro 🔍 Keywords:how to scale an agency, agency finance, agency CFO, agency profitability, one-time offer model, agency forecasting, scaling service business, financial model for agencies, agency KPIs, retention for agencies, agency margins, high growth agencies

Ad Platform Attribution Is Broken – Here's How Smart Brands Are Fixing It (ft. Fabian from OneTrack)Struggling to scale your eCom brand because your ad data doesn't add up?You're not alone.Meta, Google, TikTok—they all claim the win, but no one tells the full story. Attribution is broken. And in 2025, relying on in-platform reporting will keep your brand stuck.In this episode, we're joined by Fabian, founder of OneTrack, the attribution and analytics software powering some of the fastest-scaling 7 and 8-figure eCommerce and lead gen brands.🔥 What you’ll learn:Why ad platform attribution is broken (and what to do about it)How to unify your customer data and scale with confidenceWhy brands stall after $50K/month in ad spend—and how to break throughThe real difference between Triple Whale, OneTrack, and other tracking toolsA simple 3-step attribution framework: Collect → Transform → PostbackHow to improve cross-device and multi-touch tracking accuracyWhat your first-party data is actually worth—and how to leverage itIf you're running paid traffic across Meta, Google, TikTok, Pinterest, Taboola, or Outbrain… this is the playbook you’ve been missing.Whether you’re a media buyer, eCommerce founder, or marketing operator—if you want cleaner data, better decisions, and more profitable scaling… tune in now.👇 Chapters00:00 - Why Attribution Is Broken01:00 - The Problem with Relying on Ad Platforms04:30 - When Brands Should Start Using Attribution Tools08:45 - What Makes OneTrack Different from Triple Whale12:10 - How Lookalike Audiences Actually Work Post-iOS15:40 - Cross-Device and Cross-Network Tracking Explained18:00 - Why Most Brands Misread Their Customer Journey23:00 - Using Attribution to Improve Your Funnel Strategy30:00 - Branding vs Direct Response Ad Strategy35:00 - Why Offers Matter More Than Ad Hacks38:00 - OneTrack’s Origin Story and Bootstrapped Journey45:00 - Inside OneTrack’s Onboarding & Customer Success Process50:00 - Word of Mouth Growth & Future Vision🔗 Try OneTrack: https://www.1-track.io📩 Subscribe for weekly interviews, eCom brand teardowns, and proven marketing strategies to grow smarter in 2025 and beyond.#eCommerce #Attribution #DTCMarketing #OneTrack #MediaBuying #AnalyticsTools #CustomerData #AdTracking #FacebookAds #ScalingBrands

How to Build a World-Class Supply Chain (with Kian Golzari)If you're scaling a DTC brand or launching your first product, this is the ultimate masterclass on product sourcing, supply chain optimization, and global manufacturing strategy.Kian Golzari has sourced over 2,500+ products, worked with the NBA, Olympics, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, and helped brands scale from zero to 8 figures. In this episode, he breaks down:✅ When to move beyond Alibaba and start visiting factories✅ How to cut product costs without sacrificing quality✅ What the 2025 supply chain strategy should look like✅ The real impact of Trump’s new China tariffs (125%) and how to adapt✅ Building strong supplier relationships (and how to negotiate credit terms)✅ His “PSP Framework”: Best Product, Best Supplier, Best Price✅ The real reason visiting China gives your brand a competitive edge✅ Secrets from the Canton Fair and how to dominate sourcing✅ Scaling your product while protecting IP, molds, and margins🎯 Whether you’re an Amazon FBA seller, Shopify brand, or physical product founder, this is a must-watch for 7 & 8-figure operators navigating a changing global landscape.Follow Kian on Instagram: @kian_jg🎙 Chapters:00:00 – Kian’s journey from China to the NBA04:00 – Visiting 500+ factories10:00 – Leaving the family business to go solo14:00 – Working with elite athletes & football clubs20:00 – Tariffs, Trump, and navigating the new trade war29:00 – Cost-saving supply chain tactics37:00 – Canton Fair tips and sourcing playbook46:00 – Picking the right factory: “The Horse & The Jockey”54:00 – Product development: validate, iterate, scale1:10:00 – Building a brand vs flipping products1:20:00 – Protecting IP, patents, molds1:23:00 – Eco-friendly sourcing & sustainable materials1:27:00 – What's next for China and global manufacturing?👍 Like the episode?👉 Drop a comment📩 Share with a founder📅 Subscribe for weekly drops!#SupplyChain #Alibaba #DTCBrands #ProductSourcing #KianGolzari #EcommerceGrowth #ChinaManufacturing #CantonFair #Tariffs2025 #ScalingBrands #AmazonFBA #ShopifyStores #EcomTips #GlobalTrade #BrandBuilders

Discover the exact Amazon strategies Jon Derkits uses to build, scale, and acquire 8-figure eCommerce brands. From M&A and brand building to PPC, first-party data, and off-Amazon traffic — this interview is a masterclass in Amazon growth.Jon, a former Amazon exec turned founder of Color More Lines (a full-service Amazon agency), reveals what it really takes to win in 2025 and beyond.👨‍💼 Whether you're a DTC founder, 7-8 figure brand operator, or agency owner looking to scale, this is your blueprint for success on Amazon.What you’ll learn:- How to use Brand Analytics + AMC (Amazon Marketing Cloud) to master first-party data- The hidden costs of scaling bad systems — and how to avoid them- How John builds his team using “curious achievers”- The 3 biggest mistakes Amazon brands make in 2025- Why CPCs are rising — and the smartest ways to drive off-Amazon traffic- The M&A playbook John uses to grow his agency and acquire brands- Tactical cash flow tips for capital-hungry eCommerce businesses🧠 Plus: Real talk on burnout, balancing multiple ventures, and how John thinks through new opportunities using his "Hell Yes or No" filter.Chapters:00:00:00 – From 9-to-5 to 7-Figure Brand: John's Wild Journey00:06:00 – Why Most Amazon Brands Are Built Backwards00:12:00 – Traffic ≠ Sales: The Real Conversion Problem00:18:00 – Scaling Secrets: What Most Sellers Miss00:24:00 – How to Bulletproof Your Brand Before You Scale00:30:00 – The M&A Playbook: Structuring for a Big Exit00:36:00 – How to Actually Win on Amazon in 202500:42:00 – Advanced Funnel Tactics for Serious Growth00:48:00 – Paid Media Mistakes That Kill Profit Margins00:54:00 – What Investors Look For (That Founders Miss)01:00:00 – Final Advice: Building a Brand That Prints Cash👇👇 WORK WITH ME 👇👇🚀 More Behind The Scenes Brand Growth Tips: https://jordan-doughty.kit.com/b8baebbd0f📧 Learn About Retention Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfJoNxvsFN8☎️ Work With My Retention Agency ($50k/mo+): https://openhousemedia.agency/

👇👇 WORK WITH ME 👇👇🚀 More Behind The Scenes Brand Growth Tips: https://jordan-doughty.kit.com/b8baebbd0f📧 Learn About Retention Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfJoNxvsFN8☎️ Work With My Retention Agency ($50k/mo+): https://openhousemedia.agency/----------From filming backyard skits as a kid to running media for Gary Vaynerchuk and scaling Acquisition.com’s content engine with Alex & Leila Hormozi — Caleb Ralston has spent 16+ years behind the camera helping top-tier entrepreneurs grow unforgettable online brands.Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight.In this episode, we unpack Caleb’s wild journey and his hard-earned lessons on:🔥 Building high-performance creative teams that don’t rely on the founder🔥 Avoiding burnout while scaling content at breakneck speed🔥 Storytelling that creates behavior change (and revenue)🔥 Why copying top creators kills your brand — and what to do instead🔥 His framework for building personal brands that actually convert🔥 The real difference between info and transformation in contentWhether you're building a media team, creating a personal brand, or just want to get better at content strategy, Caleb brings the real talk most won’t say out loud.👉 This is a masterclass in content creation, team leadership, and staying human in the process.🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with creative leaders, DTC brand builders, and marketing strategists who are reshaping the future of digital business.timestamps:00:00 - Intro: Meet Caleb and his creative journey03:46 - Discovering Gary Vee and starting in video10:22 - From bodybuilding brands to church media18:10 - Burnout is real: Pushing through with purpose23:00 - Caleb’s Harley escape and creative reset26:40 - How Caleb approaches structuring content34:27 - Wearing every hat: Caleb’s hands-on experience42:30 - Building dream teams for content success48:47 - Stop copying, start innovating: How top creators stand out56:30 - Creating value-first content vs. monetization pressure01:00:33 - Two-column exercise: Speaking to customer pain01:05:10 - Why storytelling wins over dry tactics01:12:10 - Creating a comfortable on-set environment01:14:42 - Matching content format to creator comfort01:19:10 - What great post-production looks like01:20:50 - Key content roles and how to prioritize hires01:23:47 - Platform-native content strategy: 3-phase approach01:29:44 - On legacy, team relationships, and emotional leadership#CalebRalston #ContentMarketing #BrandStrategy #CreativeLeadership #GaryVee #AcquisitionDotCom #PersonalBrand #BurnoutPrevention #ContentTeams #Hormozi #EcommerceMarketing #FounderStory #contentcreator