The Marketing Misfits

What does it take to build a million-dollar online business before you turn 18? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Makenna Riley, entrepreneur and co-founder of GSD, to break down how she started making money online at 12 years old, launched profitable businesses during COVID, and helped her mom, infomercial legend Forbes Riley, pivot online when the world shut down. This is not a hype story. Makenna walks through the exact sequence of skills, mindset, marketing systems, and execution that turned webinars, funnels, and paid ads into real revenue, fast. If you care about online business, funnels, Meta ads, selling knowledge, building systems, or scaling without formal education, this episode is packed with practical insight. What You’ll Learn: - How Makenna made six figures by 17 and hit $1M before 18 - The webinar that closed $25,000 with just 25 attendees - Why beginners often outperform “experts” - How she learned funnels, ads, and marketing at 12 years old - Why most people fail after buying courses - The real difference between feeling productive and producing results - Why websites don’t convert (and what works instead) - How to structure funnels, offers, and product pipelines - The biggest mistakes people make with thank-you pages - Why low-ticket offers beat “free” - How Meta ads still scale fast when done right - How to build a business without college or formal training - What actually separates successful students from everyone else 📚 Chapters00:00 Early Business Start04:20 Internet Exposure09:03 Marketing College14:17 Millionaire Goal18:30 GSD Company Launch23:47 No Formal Training27:57 Passion for Business33:17 GSD Launchpad Training37:24 GSD Launchpad Goal41:40 GSD vs ClickFunnels46:12 Confidence & Success50:15 Client Success Story55:16 Marketing Diversify01:01:26 Marketing Mistakes ‍️01:05:18 Email Marketing Power01:09:31 Russell Brunson's Work01:15:51 Marketing Misfits OutroGuest Makenna Riley Entrepreneur | Funnel Builder | Co-Founder of GSD Website: https://gsdyourbusiness.com Instagram: @themakennariley About Marketing Misfits Marketing Misfits features unfiltered conversations with founders, marketers, and operators who built real businesses by testing, failing, and executing — not following trends. Hosted by Norm Farrar and Kevin King.This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when you lose your money, your health, and almost your life — all at once? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Ingrid Macher, a fitness entrepreneur and global influencer who went from being broke, overweight, and facing a near-death asthma attack… to losing 50 pounds in 90 days and building a multi-million-dollar wellness business serving millions worldwide. This is not a surface-level influencer story. Ingrid breaks down the exact mindset shift, health reset, and marketing strategy that changed everything — and why most people fail to grow an audience or business even when they have “followers.” If you care about organic growth, paid ads that actually work, audience building, fitness transformation, or monetizing influence, this episode delivers real lessons. What You’ll Learn - How Ingrid lost 50 pounds in 90 days and kept it off for 14 years - The near-death moment that forced a complete life reset - Why most people fail at weight loss and content creation - How losing everything in the 2008 crash led to her biggest opportunity - The real difference between followers and buyers - Why you only need 1,000 raving fans to build a million-dollar business - How Ingrid built massive reach organically on Facebook and beyond - When to use paid ads — and why boosting organic winners works best - How TikTok Shop is changing monetization right now - Why knowing your avatar matters more than going viral - The hidden opportunity in underserved markets (especially Spanish-speaking audiences) - How fitness, family, faith, and finances all connect to long-term success Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:05 Guest Introduction: Ingrid Macher 08:09 Ingrid's Journey to America 10:54 Overcoming Challenges 13:31 The Turning Point 15:36 Transforming Health and Fitness 18:14 Maintaining Weight Loss 33:50 Becoming a Wellness Influencer 34:32 A Million Dollar Product Idea 36:04 Entering the Info Product Industry 37:09 Building a Social Media Presence 38:08 Organic Growth and Marketing Strategies 43:34 The Power of Community and Faith 48:05 Adapting to Social Media Changes 56:08 Final Thoughts and Reflections Ingrid Macher Fitness entrepreneur, author (7 books), global wellness leader Instagram (English): @ingridmacherofficial About Marketing Misfits Marketing Misfits features real conversations with founders, operators, and creators who built businesses the hard way — through failure, pivots, and unconventional strategies. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted by Norm Farrar and Kevin King.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most creators have no idea how powerful newsletters are right now. In this episode, you’ll learn why email is outperforming every social platform and how top operators are turning simple weekly emails into six-figure profit machines. Kevin King and Norm Farrar break down their own newsletter playbooks (including selling $4,500 dedicated sends and hitting 62 percent open rates) and sit down with Matt McGarry, widely regarded as the newsletter expert behind The Hustle, HubSpot, and Newsletter Operator. Matt reveals exactly why newsletters outperform every other channel for trust, retention, monetization, and audience ownership. You’ll hear the mistakes beginners make, how to actually grow a newsletter, and what it takes to turn email into a real business. If you’re a marketer, founder, creator, or ecommerce operator, this will change how you think about email forever. What You’ll Learn: • Why newsletters outperform social and YouTube for monetization • How Kevin charges $4,500 per email and sells out months in advance • Newsletter vs. marketing email: the real difference • How Matt built newsletter systems from The Hustle to HubSpot • Why most newsletters fail after 10 issues • How to grow from 0 to thousands of subscribers • How to design newsletters people actually read • Deliverability tactics to stay out of Promotions • How to segment your list for 5–10x higher revenue • How to blend AI with human writing without sounding robotic • Why churn kills paid newsletters and what to do instead • How to use LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to grow email fast • Real-world monetization strategies that actually work in 2025 Chapters 00:00 The Power of Newsletters 00:46 'Email is Dead' Myth 01:43 The Billion Dollar Sellers Newsletter 03:29 Introducing Matt 04:22 Matt's Journey 08:54 Consistency in Newsletters 14:10 Editorial vs. Promotional Emails 27:52 Effective Newsletter Strategies for Beginners 39:57 LinkedIn Newsletters: Are They Worth It? 40:38 LinkedIn Newsletters 43:04 Organic vs. Paid Newsletters 43:18 Challenges of Paid Newsletters 48:26 Newsletter Design Tips 50:29 AI in Newsletter Writing 01:01:24 Deliverability Strategies 01:11:09 Power of Email Segmentation 01:19:55 Final Thoughts This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Misfits, we break down why podcasting is becoming one of the most powerful trust-building tools in the age of AI and how brands can use it to stand out instead of blending into AI sameness. Our guest Eric Ryan went from LinkedIn Live to a cable TV show, built a 19-person podcast production team, and developed a framework for becoming “niche famous” so clients come to you. We dig into: • Why most podcasts die after 7 episodes • How to turn a podcast into a client-acquisition machine • Why you must be omnipresent to win in 2025 • How AI is destroying bad content and elevating real voices • The exact formats, lengths, and clip strategies that perform best • Why “don’t be gentle with your list” is the most important marketing advice you’ll hear • The truth about going viral on TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts • How to become niche-famous (not Joe Rogan famous) and still print money • The #1 thing that separates successful podcasters from quitters If you're building a personal brand, running an agency, launching a show, or trying to build authority online, this episode gives you the playbook. Timestamps 00:00 Why Eric Started a Podcast to Get Clients 01:52 Why Most Creators Fail at Email + Podcasting 03:10 Competing With the Entire Internet (Not Your Industry) 05:12 “Podcasting Makes You Famous” 07:44 Becoming Niche Famous 09:20 How Eric’s LinkedIn Show Led to Cable TV 12:52 Land High-Value Clients 15:31 Editing + Distribution 17:44 Authority vs. Views 21:40 Why TikTok Is Beating Every Platform 24:20 Holding Creators Back 26:10 Being Actually Interesting 28:30 Why Most Interviews Are Terrible 32:18 Building a Multi-Platform Content Engine 35:44 Consistency vs. Perfection 38:05 How Long Should a Podcast Really Be? 41:22 Cutting Content Into Clips That Actually Perform 44:58 Managing Expectations: What “Success” Really Looks Like 49:10 The Hidden Work Nobody Talks About 53:12 The One Strategy Eric Says Will Make You Stand Out 56:40 Should Everyone Start a Podcast in 2025? 59:02 Final Takeaway: Be Different or Be Invisible This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From sourcing 24-karat gold iPhones for Real Madrid stars to navigating the chaotic landscape of new Trump Tariffs, Kian Golzari has seen it all. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with one of the world's leading sourcing experts to break down exactly how smart brands are adapting their supply chains in 2025. Kian reveals his "insider" strategies for legally reducing tariff costs, why the "China +1" strategy is non-negotiable, and the massive mistakes Kickstarter creators make that leave them bankrupt. Plus, find out why top entrepreneurs are flocking to Dubai. 🕒 In This Episode: 00:00 - Sourcing 24k Gold iPhones for Lamine Yamal, Mbappé & Jude Bellingham 04:15 - Sourcing from the Crib: Kian’s early start in China 09:30 - The Tariff Hack: How to split "Product Development" from "Unit Cost" to save thousands 13:45 - China +1 Strategy: When (and where) to move your manufacturing 19:20 - Why you must visit the factory (The "Face-to-Face" Advantage) 26:50 - Direct vs. Sourcing Agents: Which is right for you? 33:10 - The Kickstarter Curse: Why creators fail to deliver (and how to fix it) 45:00 - Currency Exchange Hacks: Using RMB vs. USD to get discounts 51:30 - Why entrepreneurs are moving to Dubai (Tax-free living & safety) 💡 Key Takeaways: The Tariff "Consulting Fee" Strategy: Learn how to separate your R&D costs from your COGS on the commercial invoice to legally lower the value of goods subject to tariffs. Don't Ghost Your Supplier: When tariffs hit, don't panic. Use the "50/50 Split" negotiation tactic to share the burden of rising shipping or tariff costs with your manufacturer. Kickstarter Reality Check: Never launch a crowdfunding campaign without a final production sample in hand. The "Coolest Cooler" disaster is a lesson for everyone. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits #SourcingTips #ChinaTariffs #AmazonFBAHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode breaks down what’s actually working on YouTube right now, and why most creators still miss it. Marley Jaxx joins Kevin King and Norm Farrar on Marketing Misfits to explain how hooks, open loops, storytelling, and disruption are rewriting the entire playbook for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands. Marley also shares the viral story behind her latest project. She’s selling tickets to her wedding. Yes, really. And it’s blowing up across national news. Inside this episode you’ll learn how she did it, why it works, and how creators can use the same storytelling mechanics to explode their own content, build community, and stand out in an AI-saturated world. If you’re trying to grow on YouTube, turn attention into revenue, or understand why viral moments happen, this conversation is a blueprint. What You’ll Learn: - The real reason hooks matter more than ever - How to build “open loops” that keep people watching - Why search-based content alone doesn’t work anymore - How Marley went viral selling wedding tickets - Disruptive ideas that cut through crowded platforms - Why authenticity beats perfect production - How to survive trolls and negative comments - What YouTube wants in 2025 (and what it punishes) - How to warm up cold audiences without killing retention - Why entrepreneurs must treat YouTube like a long-term asset - When to use ads (and when NOT to) - The truth about 180-day YouTube growth patterns Guest: Marley Jaxx, YouTube strategist, filmmaker, creator, and the viral marketing mind behind the “ticketed wedding” trend. Follow Marley: Instagram: @marleyjaxx YouTube: youtube.com/marleyjaxx Chapters 00:00 What’s Actually Working on YouTube 01:12 The Viral Wedding Ticket Story 04:20 The Misfit Joining the Show 05:02 From Teeth to YouTube 07:45 The Content Strategy Shift 10:18 The Real Hook Formula 12:40 Trolls, Hate, and Staying Sane 14:55 The Video That Blew Up Years Later 16:33 One Channel or Two? 18:08 Driving Traffic the Right Way 20:31 YouTube Mistakes People Keep Making 22:44 Selling Tickets to Your Wedding 26:10 AI vs Human Content This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

AI isn’t coming. It’s here. And most e-commerce brands are sleepwalking straight into extinction. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King talk with Lutz Finger, Cornell faculty member, AI researcher, and former Google & LinkedIn exec, about how AI is rewriting the rules of e-commerce, branding, and marketing. Lutz breaks down what 99% of sellers don’t understand: ChatGPT and Perplexity are the new gatekeepers of visibility. Aggregators like Amazon and Google? Their model is breaking. You’ll learn: ✅ Why brands that rely on Amazon will vanish. ✅ What “Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)” means and how to rank in AI results. ✅ Why AI-generated content can hurt your visibility. ✅ How real human communities are the new algorithm hack. ✅ What OpenAI’s deal with Walmart means for sellers. ✅ The 3 things every brand must do before 2026 to survive. Featuring: 🎙️ Lutz Finger – Head of AI at XGen AI, Cornell University Faculty 🎙️ Hosts: Norm Farrar & Kevin King 00:00 Introduction to Chat GPT in Investment Management 00:50 Welcome to Marketing Misfits 01:00 Discussion on AI and Coffee 01:17 The Evolution of AI Terminology 01:53 The Rise of AI in Agencies 02:21 Introducing the Guest Speaker 04:31 Guest Speaker's Background and Experience 06:42 The Impact of AI on E-commerce 12:15 The Future of AI in Various Industries 29:19 The Role of AI in Marketing 32:31 Debt Quality and Control 32:52 The Pitfalls of AI-Generated Content 33:20 Model Decline Explained 34:50 Influencer Marketing with Stack Influence 35:49 Human vs AI-Generated Content 39:28 Novelty in AI Training 41:28 Building Brand Authority 46:35 The Future of Brand Communities 51:40 Adoption of AI in E-commerce 54:54 Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome 57:29 Final Thoughts and Outro This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Former eCommerce powerhouse Mike Jackness went from owning multiple 7-figure Amazon brands to running one of the fastest-growing YouTube gambling channels in Las Vegas. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, hosts Norm Farrar and Kevin King unpack how Mike turned his decades of Amazon and affiliate marketing experience into a completely new media business and how it’s already breaking even in just six months. You’ll learn: ✅ Why Mike sold all his Amazon brands and what he saw coming before tariffs hit again ✅ How he built a content machine that posts daily long-form videos + multiple Shorts✅ The monetization math behind YouTube RPMs, merch sales, and sponsorships ✅ What it really takes to build a loyal community (and why women over 50 are driving his views) ✅ Why owning your audience email, community, and content is the ultimate business asset Featuring: 🎙️ Mike Jackness – Former eCommerce CEO, creator of Desert Degens 🎙️ Hosts: Norm Farrar & Kevin King 00:00 The Pivot No One Expected 01:40 Meet Mike Jackness 03:52 Million-Dollar Affiliate Days 05:43 From Affiliates to Amazon 08:14 Amazon Reality Check 16:23 Building Superfans Online 26:44 Gambling on YouTube 39:11 Selling for Freedom 39:34 What YouTube Really Pays 42:08 Daily Grind of Creation 43:49 Personality Over Perfection 45:12 Who’s Actually Watching 47:24 Expanding Beyond YouTube 53:20 Turning Fans Into Buyers 58:18 What’s Next for Degens 01:04:09 Lessons for Every Creator This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when a Canadian entrepreneur flips broken PlayStations into millions, gets a $10M buyout, then loses almost half to taxes and builds again? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Peter Kostandenou to uncover the highs, lows, and lessons of his unconventional journey from eBay hustler to tech exec. Peter shares how he: - Accidentally went viral on TikTok by falling asleep as a DJ 🎧 - Scaled Hostopia from $3M to $60M and sold to Deluxe for $124M 💰 - Built a full AI marketing suite (Mopro) for local businesses 📈 - Lost $4M from bad tax planning — and what he’d do differently 🧾 - Built an offline car club community to test real-world brand loyalty 🏎️ You’ll learn: - Why Google and ChatGPT rely on real reviews and social signals to rank your business - The critical difference between automation and AI agents - What GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) means for your SEO strategy in 2025 - How to build trust signals through structured data, social media, and review responses - What a roofing contractor can teach you about the power of a single bad review This episode is packed with branding gems, ecommerce evolution, and raw business truth. If you’re an entrepreneur, agency owner, or tech builder, you need this one. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:43 A Tech Entrepreneur's Journey 09:38 The PlayStation 2 Resale Success Story 21:38 The Rise of Hostopia 31:47 The Evolution of Small Business Marketing 34:04 The Future of Websites: AI and Social Media 35:14 The Role of AI in Content Consumption 40:06 The Importance of Reviews for Small Businesses 42:46 Effective Review Strategies for Local Businesses 49:35 Managing Negative Comments and Social Mentions 58:29 Automation vs AI: Understanding the Difference 01:01:27 Branding Stories: Car Club and DJing 01:09:48 Final Thoughts This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Misfits, documentary filmmaker and storytelling expert Rain Bennett joins Norm Farrar and Kevin King to unpack why authentic storytelling is more valuable than ever. With AI flooding content channels, your voice and human emotion are what set your brand apart. Rain shares: - The power of short-form storytelling (and what a 6-second story actually looks like) - Why over-leveraging AI will make your brand blend in - How storytelling builds trust, connection, and conversions - Frameworks to write more compelling brand stories - Real examples from marketing, newsletters, and public speaking - The truth about AI-generated content and how to use it right Whether you're launching an e-commerce brand, growing your newsletter, building a personal brand, or pitching on stage , storytelling is the skill that cuts through the noise. ⚠️ Don’t let AI strip your voice away. Learn how to inject your story back into your content strategy today. 📘 Guest: Rain Bennett - Author of Six Second Stories - Host of The Storytelling Lab Podcast - Creator of award-winning documentaries Learn more: rainbennett.com 🎧 Listen. Learn. Misfit. Chapter 00:00 The Power of Storytelling in the AI Era 00:49 Introduction to Marketing Misfits 00:55 Kevin's College Football Anecdote 02:34 The Role of Storytelling in Marketing 03:13 Introducing Rain Bennett 04:55 Rain Bennett's Journey into Storytelling09:00 The Evolution of Documentary Filmmaking 11:13 The Importance of Human Touch in Storytelling 16:12 The Art of Engaging Storytelling 30:48 The Six-Second Story Concept 36:42 Brand Storytelling and Authenticity 38:04 Serial vs. Episodic Shows 38:20 The Art of Storytelling in Branding 39:46 The Importance of Origin Stories 40:33 Storytelling for the Audience 44:19 The Ice Cream Anecdote 46:54 Effective Storytelling Techniques 56:01 Engaging Your Audience with Stories 59:27 The Power of Practice This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Is retail really dead? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with three powerhouse guests who prove otherwise, Doug Harding from Wholesaleretaildistribution.com , Kirk Hyust from Turbo Trusser (a Shark Tank deal with Kevin O’Leary), and GC Brown, founder of UpCup Koffee, a fast-growing functional mushroom coffee brand. You’ll hear how these brands are cracking into Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, QVC, and big-box retail, even in a world dominated by Amazon. From the truth about what retailers actually want to surprising insights about shelf space, product packaging, and the growing role of AI in retail decisions, this episode is packed with must-know info. 🚨 You’ll learn: - Why 90% of purchases still happen offline - How Kevin O’Leary helped close a deal the same day it aired on Shark Tank - What mushroom coffee brands must do to survive retail - How a single $50K PR mistake nearly sunk a startup - The power of predictive buying and how AI is changing retail strategy forever - Why most Amazon sellers are NOT ready for retail—and how to fix that - How to actually build brand equity off Amazon The mindset shift every seller needs to go from ecom to retail Whether you’re an Amazon seller, brand owner, or product inventor looking to scale into physical stores, this episode is your wake-up call. Retail isn’t dead—it’s just evolved. 📍 Want to go from Amazon to big-box retail? Learn what works, what doesn’t, and who can actually help you get on shelves. Timestamps 00:00 Is Retail Dead? 01:43 Retail vs. E-commerce 03:14 Introducing the Guests 04:27 State of Retail Today 06:44 The Turbo Trusser Story 08:00 UPC Cup Coffee Journey 13:48 Marketing Strategies for Retail 24:47 Shark Tank Experience 35:07 Building an Audience 39:36 Social Media and Influencer Marketing 41:03 Financing Challenges for Small Brands 47:09 Kevin O'Leary's Involvement Post-Shark Tank 59:00 Retail Trends and AI 01:09:09 The Value of Patience in Business This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From flipping used car parts to launching a viral Chrome extension, Kim Dang has done it all. In this episode of Marketing Misfits with Norm Farrar and Kevin King, Kim reveals how she built and sold multiple businesses including automating a wrecking yard, traveling the world while earning passive income, and building GroupConvert, a Chrome extension that turned Facebook group answers into a thriving SaaS funnel. You’ll hear how she turned a $380 Upwork job into $5M in revenue, the truth about scaling with integrators, how she avoids burnout with systemized execution, and her unique Shopify offer that’s changing the game for non-technical entrepreneurs. Kim breaks down automation, delegation, high-ticket funnels, and unconventional marketing with raw honesty and infectious energy. Whether you’re an Amazon seller, coach, course creator, or SaaS builder. This episode is PACKED with insights. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: - How Kim turned a Chrome extension into a recurring income machine - The importance of integrators in scaling online businesses - Bootstrapping vs. venture-backed tools - From car parts to coaching: Kim’s step-by-step evolution - Why masterminds + systems = momentum - B2C drop-shipping with a high-ticket twist - Tips for managing global teams while traveling - Rock climbing, Craigslist shoes, and living with freedom 📺 Watch if you’re into: Entrepreneurship, SaaS business models, Facebook groups, community building, Amazon FBA, Shopify stores, digital products, chrome extensions, high-ticket sales, automations, productivity tools, and lifestyle businesses. 🔔 Subscribe for more stories like this every Tuesday on Marketing Misfits!Chapters 00:00 Facebook Automation Hack 04:22 Organic Growth Funnel Strategy 08:41 High-Converting Email Blast Tactics 14:00 Ebook Offer That Drove Sales 19:52 Brand Storytelling With Hook Products 24:08 Passive Income With Automation 29:10 Risks of Building on Rented Platforms 33:13 Building a Chrome Extension Business 38:14 Live Demo: Instant Scraper Tool 42:22 Buying a Resort 47:29 Client Testimonials for Proof of Concept 52:34 Hiring an Integrator to Scale 56:38 Monetizing Communities for Growth 01:02:16 Offering Shopify Services 01:07:44 Selling Digital Assets Online 01:12:19 YouTube Ads for Course Creators 01:16:44 Join the Marketing Misfits CommunityThis episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What separates boring brands from billion-dollar breakthroughs? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Jesse Wroblewski, author of Marketing for Supervillains, to break down the art and science of true brand differentiation. Forget chasing trends. Jesse reveals how the best brands from Liquid Death to Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey break out of the commodity trap by crafting iconic offers, mic-drop moments, and emotional bonds with customers. You'll learn how to turn your product into a movement, build loyalty that drives referrals, and create content that makes customers say, "Finally... someone gets me." Whether you’re stuck in the race to the bottom, dealing with a crowded Amazon niche, or building a lifestyle brand from scratch. This is your playbook for standing out. What You’ll Learn: - Why “Red Ocean, Blue Offer” beats niching down - The 12 Differentiation Planets from Jesse’s book - How packaging & storytelling boosted a $16 knife into a $135 product - Liquid Death, Ginsu knives, Metallica whiskey & more case studies - When to focus on humor, heritage, lifestyle or process - Why less audience is often more brand power - How to make customers obsessed (tattoos included) - Where most Amazon sellers go wrong when trying to stand out Subscribe for weekly episodes on misfit marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship. Chapters 00:00 Boring Brand Mistakes 04:11 Jesse Braki Joins Show 09:13 Brand Differentiation Map 13:19 Amazon Sellerboard Tool 16:44 Aligning With a Cause 21:08 Building Lifestyle Brands 24:56 Smart Amazon Pricing Tiers 29:18 Lavanta Sponsor Spotlight 32:52 Creator Consulting Strategy 37:42 Made in USA Branding 41:49 Action Figure Branding 45:22 Influencer Tool Stack 50:48 Packaging for Profit 54:47 Liquid Death Packaging 58:24 Subscribe Callout 01:03:06 Marketing Misfits Recap This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jay Hunter, CRO at MaryRuth Organics, breaks down how they’ve scaled to over $500M/year in supplements, how their TikTok Shop strategy feeds Amazon sales through halo effects, and why most brands get everything wrong about influencer marketing and channel diversification. This is a masterclass in real-time execution. You'll learn: - The $35M Amazon boost from TikTok Shop - Why they target complementary, not competitive products - How J’s team reaches out to 3,000 creators daily using AI - How MaryRuth became the top supplement brand on Amazon - What not to do with retail expansion - Unconventional ad platforms like AppLovin & AI UGC tools 💬 Plus: Jay shares his personal brand strategy, the future of live selling, and how to win using scrappiness + smart systems. This is a deep dive for eCom founders, TikTok Shop sellers, and 7–9 figure Amazon brands looking to scale intelligently with AI, community, and content. 00:00 $70M TikTok Halo Effect? 03:31 Who Is Jay Hunter? 07:16 What Drives $500M Brands 11:33 How They Innovate Fast 16:12 Stealing Attention with Strategy 20:02 Retail Isn’t Dead, Unless... 23:56 Their Secret Sauce Revealed 27:39 Roblox? Yep, They’re There 31:54 3,000 TikTok Creators a Day 36:05 How AI Generates Viral Ads 44:07 Why Bilingual Content Wins 47:41 TikTok vs YouTube: Who Wins? 52:10 LinkedIn: Underrated Growth Weapon 55:45 How Top Brands Get Targeted 59:26 The Best “Start Now” Advice 01:02:43 Final Misfits Takeaways This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

AI is a tidal wave, are you ready for it? In this explosive episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with the brilliant Ritu Java (CEO of PPC Ninja) to expose why most Amazon sellers are marketing wrong and how AI is forcing a return to the fundamentals. Discover why targeting just one customer avatar is a costly mistake, and how mastering the Five Levels of Awareness (from Eugene Schwartz’s timeless framework) is now non-negotiable in 2025. Ritu breaks down how to: - Create content for every level of the funnel (even “unaware” shoppers) - Use AI for personalized ads, listing content, and retargeting - Train LLMs like Rufus and Google’s AI to recommend your product organically- Set up Amazon storefronts with intent-specific pages - Avoid the rookie mistake of relying solely on keyword stuffing - Future-proof your email strategy for multiple awareness levels This episode is a masterclass in persuasive marketing, AI content strategy, and conversion-focused ad funnels that will dominate the next era of ecommerce. What You’ll Learn - Why AI-powered suggestions convert 9x better than ads - How to create high-converting content for 5 different avatars - The mistake 90% of Amazon sellers make with their content - How to shift from keyword-based PPC to intent-based content - Why the best sellers will blend marketing psychology and AI - How Ritu uses GPTs to build tailored content and ad creative Plus: A sneak peek at her free GPT tool to create ads by awareness level! This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Chapters: 00:00 Ideal Target Audience 03:44 Kevin’s Fanboy Moment 07:58 Climbing Mt. Fuji Story 12:32 AI Content Shortage Crisis 16:31 5 Levels of Awareness 21:00 Solution-Aware Buyers Strategy 25:33 Most Aware Conversion Tactics 29:41 Organic Marketing that Converts 37:57 High-Converting Amazon Landing 41:52 Timing Your Marketing Right 46:41 Building Long-Term Brand Moats 50:33 Comparing Product Solutions 54:40 Email List Growth Stages 59:32 Email Focus Best Practices 01:03:26 Solving Buyer Problems Fast 01:07:53 Mastering Marketing Fundamentals 01:12:13 Action Steps to ImplementHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if you could turn anything into a must-have product... Just by how you pitch it? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, we’re joined by the legendary Forbes Riley, the Queen of Pitch herself, who’s sold over $2.5 billion in products through infomercials, live TV, and now, social commerce. Forbes breaks down the psychology of effective selling, the power of storytelling, and why people never buy based on need, they buy because they want. Whether you're an Amazon seller, TikTok Shop creator, or SaaS founder, this episode will reframe how you think about persuasion, pitching, and product-market fit. 💥 You’ll learn: - Why describing your product is the wrong way to pitch - The secret to creating emotional buy-in within seconds - Her three-yes pitch rule that converts viewers into buyers - The difference between features vs. benefits—and why most sellers mess this up - How her daughter turned down $100K and helped scale a funnel to $1M+ - The rise and fall of infomercials—and how to apply those lessons to TikTok Shop & Amazon Live Why authenticity is the most powerful sales tool in 2024? This is one of the most story-driven, tactical, and motivational episodes of the year. Stick around to hear Forbes’ wildest moments, the invention that changed her life, and how a painful low point led to a multimillion-dollar fitness empire. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits 00:00 –  Intro 04:20 – Forbes’ Horror Film Debut 08:58 – Why She’s the Misfit Queen 12:49 – Winning Miss New York 17:21 – Daughter’s Viral Business Win 21:33 – Forbes Predicts Entrepreneur Future 25:55 – The Perfect Pitch Formula 29:43 – Mastering Digital Marketing Influence 34:01 – Merging Fitness with Business 38:29 – Human Nature & Sales Psychology 42:39 – Speaking to Millions on Stage 46:40 – The Viral Treadmill Story 51:29 – Selling Fitness Products at Scale 56:32 – International Debut: What Happened? 01:00:41 – Gymshark’s Surprising Backstory 01:10:10 – Free Tools via Forbes.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when you combine private equity, AI automation, and CRM mastery? You get an unforgettable conversation with Amara Omoregie, a growth operator who just sold her agency and is now running CRO, CMO, and CTO strategy across a $400M portfolio. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Kevin King and Norm Farrar sit down with Amara to talk about: - Why AI will replace you if you don’t adapt - The real difference between growth vs scale - How to train your AI (and team) to deliver results - Why schema is the SEO foundation no one's using right - The truth about CRMs like HubSpot and how most businesses misuse them - Her 30-page AI manifesto and how to futureproof your team If you want to survive 2025 as a founder, marketer, or brand operator — you need to hear what Amara has to say. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Chapters 00:00 AI’s Real Evolution Begins 03:10 Who is Amara? 04:39 Schema: The Secret Weapon 10:26 She Sold Her Agency 19:49 Human Experience Over Funnels 25:21 CRM Tips for Small Brands 37:30 Growth vs. Scale: Explained 40:56 AI’s Role in Scaling 41:10 Custom AI Tools Anyone Can Build 41:49 Rise of Agentic AI 43:20 Tool Stacking Like a Pro 45:23 AI Use Cases That Matter 52:41 Can AI Stay Human? 58:54 AI & Future of Work 01:08:45 Final Thoughts 🔥 Bonus: Learn how she built a fully functional AI org chart app in 2 hours, and why she's not impressed by 90% of AI use cases. Subscribe to never miss an episode of Marketing Misfits — the show for eCommerce operators, AI marketers, and serious builders. 👉 Subscribe: Marketing Misfits YouTube 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📩 Newsletter: MarketingMisfits.co 🎥 Clips Channel: Marketing Misfits CLIPS 🧠 AI tools, SEO, CRM, newsletters, funnels, growthHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Marketing Misfits, Steve Chou from My Wife Quit Her Job dives deep into the psychology behind high-converting eCommerce marketing, why most Amazon sellers are missing the mark with branding, and how the Life Force 8 framework can revolutionize your ads and brand messaging. 💡 Learn how Steve built a 7-figure DTC brand selling personalized handkerchiefs, navigated away from overreliance on Amazon, and used real emotional triggers to build a lasting brand moat. He shares the truth about TikTok Shop, why Google Search is dying, and the power of personal storytelling to dominate in a crowded eComm world. Whether you're selling on Amazon, Shopify, or building your first brand, this episode is a masterclass on sustainable growth, emotional marketing, and why community and connection are the future of commerce. ✅ What You'll Learn: - What the Life Force 8 is and how to use it to boost ad conversions - The real reason TikTok Shop is dying for most sellers - Why events and podcasts still matter in 2025 - How AI is helping sellers with content, fulfillment, automation, and more - The secrets to direct-to-consumer storytelling and repeat customer success - The importance of authenticity and personalization for future-proof brands This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits If you're tired of chasing hacks and want to build a business that lasts — this one’s for you. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly insights from the world’s top brand builders, marketers, and misfits. Chapters 00:00 Intro 04:13 My Wife Quit Her Job... 9:10 Events Lose Money 16:18 Monetizing Podcasts for Profit 21:13 Are You Really Profitable? 24:58 Website vs. Amazon Sales 30:08 TikTok Paid Ad Pivot 33:59 Marketing That Moves People 38:03 Find Winning Ads Fast 42:00 AI Will Reshape Search 46:16 Why Chinese Brands Struggle 50:46 Ask Method Explained Simply 56:07 8fig: Cash Flow Tool 01:00:52 Why He Wrote the Book 01:05:11 Living Below Your Means 01:09:02 The Next Misfit is...Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most brands chase big influencers. Then wonder why sales do not move. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Gracey from Deal Cheats to break down why small creators sell more, how to structure commissions and retainers, and the outreach email that actually gets replies. We cover creator vs influencer vs affiliate, how to set expectations, and how to use AI to test hooks without losing authenticity. You’ll learn - Why follower count does not equal sales - Creator vs influencer vs affiliate explained - When micro creators beat macros on conversion - The outreach message that gets yes or no - Commission ranges that attract creators (10% baseline, 30–50%+ to stand out) - Retainers, bonuses, and how to build loyalty - How to vet listings before sending traffic - Using AI to test 100 hooks fast, then reshoot human - The real workload behind “one short video” - How to set expectations so both sides win Who this helps - Brand owners and ecom marketers on Amazon or TikTok Shop - Creator managers and UGC teams - Agencies running influencer and affiliate programs Key takeaways - Small creators can convert better than big influencers - Clear offers and fair commission drive output - One tight email beats a five-thread back and forth - Treat creators like partners if you want repeat wins - Test with AI, scale with humans Timestamps 00:00 The Strategy Everyone Gets Wrong 04:58 Meet Gracey 09:04 How TikTok Accidentally Made Her Money 14:15 The Profit Tool Sellers Overlook 19:22 Big vs Small Creators (Who Actually Sells?) 23:35 Why Followers Trust Her, Not the Product 27:55 Saying “No” to Brands (And Why It Pays) 31:48 How Creators Really Manage the Workload 37:17 The Outreach Message That Works 42:04 Commissions That Make Creators Say Yes 46:26 How to Build an Affiliate Army 50:45 The Secret Job Brands Should Be Hiring For 55:03 Word of Mouth Beats Any Ad 59:39 The Truth About Virality (What Brands Miss) 01:03:34 The Research Most Brands Skip 01:07:52 How AI Tests 100 Hooks in a Day 01:12:37 How to Work With GraceyThis episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ever wondered how a 52-year-old actress turned a homemade face cream into a multi-million dollar skincare brand and even landed on the Inc. 500 list? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Kevin King and Norm Farrar sit down with Denice Duff, founder of In Your Face Skincare, to unpack her journey from Hollywood sets to creating a cult-favorite beauty line. Denise reveals: - How she went from making cream in her kitchen to running a Fortune 500 ranked company- The unconventional marketing tactics that built a loyal fanbase (and millions in sales) - Why TikTok Live, email marketing, and personalized packaging are game-changers for e-commerce brands - How she maintains product quality while scaling - The role of storytelling and authenticity in building a lasting brand You’ll hear about the behind-the-scenes of her viral live selling sessions, her 5-hour TikTok strategy, creating discovery kits that convert first-time buyers, and why she believes email is still the #1 sales channel for DTC brands. If you’re an e-commerce seller, Amazon entrepreneur, beauty brand owner, or just love founder success stories—you don’t want to miss this. 00:00 Idea to Fortune 500 07:40 Skip the Banter 10:16 Creating “In Your Face” 14:11 Truth About Skincare Fillers 17:55 DIY Packaging That Sells 21:33 How to Win Customers 25:38 Family Inspiration 30:54 Body-Safe Ingredients 35:35 Cost-Saving Glass Filling 40:07 TikTok Sample Pack Launch 48:03 Sample Packs That Convert 52:24 TikTok Live Growth Secrets 56:23 Skincare Gift Guide Strategy 01:00:34 Google Events for TikTok 01:04:44 Fun Merch & Branding 01:08:59 Finding In Your Face Skincare 📌 Resources 🌐 In Your Face Skincare: https://inyourfaceskincare.com 📅 Join Collective Minds Society: https://collectivemindssociety.com This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.