The Opportunity Podcast

Having a great product is one thing. Ensuring that it actually appeals to your target audience is a whole different thing entirely. A product that doesn’t convert is essentially useless. That is why split testing is so important. Even a 10% improvement in your conversions can result in massive growth for your business. In this episode, we chat with Andri Sadlak, the founder of Product Pinion, a split-testing platform designed specifically for Amazon sellers. Andri dives into why split testing matters—from refining your product’s appeal and optimizing ad spend to gathering insights about your customers and staying a step ahead of the competition. Andri breaks down the split testing process into four simple steps: Step 1 - Gather feedback from your target audience using things like surveys and Facebook communities.  Step 2 - Create multiple versions of whatever you’re testing based on that audience feedback.  Step 3 - Conduct split tests in a simulated environment. Step 4 - Move to Amazon and test again.  The best part? Improving your conversions doesn’t require years of experience, special skills, or a huge budget. It’s a powerful approach that is accessible to any business, at every stage of your growth. As Andri explains, “Optimizing conversions is a never-ending process. There's a huge benefit to constant improvement. It’s the principle of compounding. As long as you stay on top of things and always improve, little by little, you benefit from that compounding because very few of your competitors will be as resilient and committed to perfection as you are.” If you want to take your Amazon sales to a whole new level, then tune in for Andri’s expert tips on split testing and unlocking a deeper understanding of your audience! Topics Discussed in this episode: Why many Boutique aggregators are failing (04:29) Why Andri had to sell his house to save his business (06:57) What drove Andri to sell his FBA business (11:34) How selling his business empowered Andri to start a new business (15:25) The origins of Andri’s market research SaaS business (17:29) Consumer research trends on Amazon (21:51) How to set up effective split testing (23:58) Tips on how to get ahead in the current Amazon seller landscape (35:00) How the Amazon marketplace will evolve in the next few years (42:45) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Product Pinion Andri’s LinkedIn  Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn the secret to creating a long-lasting boost to your Amazon sales!  

Oscar Wilde once said, “There’s only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” Getting your business mentioned in the right places at the right time can take you from obscurity to virality overnight. Nowadays, businesses tend to rely on social media, but traditional PR and press coverage still play a key role in brand recognition and lead generation. In this episode, we’re joined by Peter Shankman, the founder of HARO, and most recently, Source of Sources, a platform that helps journalists find the sources they need, and businesses get the publicity they seek. Peter discusses the state of modern-day PR, explains the many benefits of press coverage, and offers practical tips on how to get your business featured in popular publications. According to Peter,  “When it comes to getting PR or press for your company, your job is to make a reporter's life easier. Email them saying “This is what I do. Here’s my website. Here's what I know. Here's what I can help you say,” and they will respond to you. Anything you can do to make their job easier will get you the press you’re so desperately seeking.” Beyond PR, Peter also founded Mental Capital Consulting, which helps businesses attract, hire, and retain neurodiverse employees. Having grown up with ADHD, Peter knows firsthand how neurodiversity can be a business superpower if you understand how to leverage it. He talks about the value neurodiverse employees bring to companies and offers advice for neurodiverse entrepreneurs on using their unique abilities to gain an edge in business. Whether you're looking to land press coverage or discover how to turn neurodivergence into an advantage, this episode has something for every business owner! Topics Discussed in this episode: Peter’s background and why he started Source of Sources (02:29) Posting bad AI-generated content on HARO? Peter will find you! (04:18) The inspiration behind Mental Capital - turning neurodiversity into a superpower (07:36) The benefits of building a neurodiverse team for your business (14:37) Peter’s productivity tips for neurodiverse entrepreneurs (19:50) How to get more media coverage on a limited budget (25:42) The value of press coverage in the modern world (28:10) Press agencies - are they worth it? (35:30) How to build stronger relationships with journalists and publishers (39:02) The death of PR (42:37) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Source of Sources Faster than Normal by Peter Shankman Mental Capital Consulting Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to generate press coverage and PR like a pro!

From our humble origins selling small niche websites to successfully selling over 2,300 online businesses and helping more than 70 entrepreneurs become millionaires, Empire Flippers has come a long way. Now, we're entering an exciting new chapter with Andy Allaway taking the helm as our new CEO. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes at Empire Flippers, where Andy shares his journey from Director of Operations, to Chief of Staff, and now CEO. He talks about the rapid growth we experienced during the 2020/2021 online business boom and the challenges that followed in the post-pandemic downturn. Andy also explains the strategies he put in place to get Empire Flippers back on track. According to Andy, “You have to make a conscious decision about what culture you want in your business. You have to decide what it is that you're about. That helps you identify the right people for the business who share your values and are able to maximize what you offer. Then, let that bleed through into everything you do in the business.” We also dive into what makes a great leader and how CEOs must adapt their leadership style in both good times and tough ones. Andy explains, “To be a really really good leader, you have to be able to flex your style depending on the situation that faces you. The way you lead in calm waters is not the way you lead when your back is up against the wall.” If you're an employee looking to gain the kind of leadership skills that you need to become a CEO, then this is also a fantastic podcast for you. Topics Discussed in this episode: Andy’s background and his early days at Empire Flippers (03:10) The changes Andy made to streamline Empire Flipper's operations (08:08) The chaos of 2020 and how it negatively affected Empire Flipper (09:50) Building company culture in a remote environment (20:22) How to find a CEO for your business (22:49) Becoming the CEO of Empire Flippers (25:44) How Andy turned the ship around and helped Empire Flippers recover (32:33) What entrepreneurs should focus on when rebuilding their business (36:32) What makes a good leader and peace-time CEOs vs war-time CEOs (40:30) Andy’s advice to entrepreneurs holding off on selling their business (46:18) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Andy’s LinkedIn Influence by Robert Cialdini Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn what it takes to rise through the ranks and become a CEO.

Amazon Seller Support is notoriously tedious. Many sellers find themselves wasting hours dealing with support tickets, only to end up stuck in the same cycle of slow responses and unresolved issues. Dealing with Seller Support is a necessary evil, but what if someone could handle all of that for you? This is where John Cavendish spotted an opportunity. John is the co-founder of Seller Candy, an agency that deals with Seller Support on behalf of Amazon sellers. Whether it's handling emergencies like suspended accounts, fixing listing problems, managing flat files, or securing reimbursements, Seller Candy shoulders that workload so that you to focus on what you do best: growing your business. In this episode, John shares his expert tips on how to handle the most common challenges Amazon sellers face. He walks us through how to keep your account in good health and why it’s key to long-term success on the platform. Plus, with the holiday season fast approaching, John offers advice on how to get your business ready for the seasonal rush. But the conversation doesn’t just stop at FBA sellers. If you run an eCommerce agency or are thinking about starting one, John’s experience building Seller Candy offers valuable lessons. He talks about the challenges he faced, how he built a remote team, and what it takes to scale an agency in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. Whether you're an Amazon FBA seller bogged down by support issues or an agency owner looking for growth strategies, this episode is full of useful advice to help you move forward. Topics Discussed in this episode: Seller Candy’s origins and how it helps Amazon sellers (02:00) Common Seller Support challenges and how Seller Candy solves these (06:35) What is Amazon account health and why is it so important? (10:10) John’s tips to ensure smooth operations during the holiday season rush (15:30) How to forecast your holiday season inventory (17:15) The common characteristics that successful Amazon businesses share (19:26) What John wishes he’d known when he first started his Amazon business (23:48) Why John decided to pivot and start his own agency (29:31) How John built out his remote team and created a good team culture (36:10) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Seller Candy Refundify Magnet VA Sit back, grab a coffee, and discover an easier way to navigate Amazon Seller Support.

Choosing the right eCommerce platform can be a game-changer for your business. With so many options available, it’s important to find the platform that sets you up for success. In this episode, we chat with Kurt Elster, an expert who believes Shopify is the go-to platform for any eCommerce entrepreneur. Kurt has been running a Shopify services agency for over a decade, helping store owners with theme development, migrations, and support. He’s also the host of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast and has interviewed more than 500 eCommerce entrepreneurs. Kurt shares why Shopify is not just a software company but a champion for entrepreneurs. He dives into everything you need to know about selling on Shopify—from funding your store through Kickstarter-style campaigns to building an audience and optimizing conversions to boost sales. Driving traffic to a Shopify store is often a lot harder than attracting customers on Amazon. To combat this, eCommerce entrepreneurs need to think outside the box and keep their eyes open for hidden opportunities. According to Kurt,  “People are ignoring SEO because they think AI is going to destroy it, which means a lot of people are not investing in SEO right now. But where are these AI tools getting the answers from? They're still doing Google searches!  So, building content like long-form, ultimate guide content is a missed opportunity for a lot of folks. And, it's easier than ever to create the content because ChatGPT and other tools can help you write it.” Kurt also discusses the advantages of expanding into the Amazon marketplace and gives tips for Amazon FBA sellers looking to diversify with Shopify. Whether you're thinking about starting a Shopify business or looking to grow your current one, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed! Topics Discussed in this episode: How eCommerce stores have evolved over the last decade (06:38) The most common mistakes eCommerce sellers make (10:23) The pros and cons of Kickstart-style campaigns (14:06) How to build an audience for a Shopify store (22:28) How to build an audience for your eCommerce business on Reddit (27:06) The benefits of expanding into the Amazon marketplace (30:18) Tips for Amazon FBA sellers looking to diversify with Shopify (34:25) The core pillars of good conversion rate optimization (38:02) Personal vs professional brands (42:32) Kurt's advice for entrepreneurs looking to build an agency (47:54) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Kurt’s website The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Matrixify Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn Shopify tools and tactics to skyrocket your sales!  

Many entrepreneurs think selling their business is a one-time event. But there’s another way to get a big payday and continue growing your business. Instead of selling everything, you can sell a portion of your business to a private equity firm. This reduces your financial risk by allowing you to cash out a large sum of money from your business. Plus you now have a powerful new partner with deep pockets to help you grow your business even further. With this strategy, you can sell the same business multiple times, earning you far more money than you would by simply selling 100% of your business once-off. Adam Coffey, a private equity expert and CEO of The Chairman Group, has successfully used this strategy many times.  In fact, his personal record is selling the same company five times in thirteen years! In this episode, Adam joins us to demystify the world of private equity for online business owners. He explains how private equity works, what a typical private equity deal structure looks like, and of course, the many benefits of partnering with a private equity firm. According to Adam, “The two biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make are overestimating their importance in their business, and struggling to decide when to sell their business. As they get older, they become more conservative, which slows growth. By partnering with private equity, they can reduce their risk, access more capital, and keep growing aggressively, ultimately maximizing their business's value.” Becoming a minority shareholder in your own business opens up avenues of growth many entrepreneurs didn’t even know existed. Done right, it is an excellent way to accelerate your personal wealth. Download this episode to learn more! Topics Discussed in this episode: Adam’s background and what motivates him today (02:31) The difference between private equity and other forms of investments (06:29) A typical private equity deal structure (13:50) The benefits of becoming a minority shareholder in your own company (20:00) How to attract private equity investments (32:17) Common private equity mistakes entrepreneurs make (44:49) The best professional advice Adam has ever been given or heard (52:11) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Adam's Books Adam’s LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how partnering with private equity can accelerate your business’s growth!

Many people view SEO as art. It involves creativity, engagement, and out-of-the-box thinking. However, at its core, effective SEO is a science, grounded in measurable, data-driven strategies. Embracing this scientific approach is the key to SEO success.This is an area where Manick Bhan thrives. Manick is the founder of Search Atlas, an SEO software suite designed to automate your SEO with just one click.In this episode, Manick joins us to share his data-driven approach to SEO, and how he leveraged this expertise to build and scale his own SEO software business.Manick believes that holistic SEO,  a combination of user experience, authority, content, and technical SEO, is the future. By understanding the formulas behind how Google ranks traffic and sites, you can unlock the secrets to SEO success. As Manick explains: “Google wants high-quality content, and how Google calculates this is essentially:Organic Traffic = Ranking Potential x Ranking Signals Ranking potential comes from having web pages and content that are indexable in search. Ranking signals come from authority and the UX / behavior signals that tell Google whether our content is good or not. Mastering these two factors through holistic SEO is the ultimate goal.” Manick also explores the role of AI in modern SEO, explaining how it can help agencies automate their services, delivering high-quality results more efficiently and cost-effectively. If you’re looking for a deeper understanding of the science behind SEO, then don’t miss a minute of this fascinating episode! Topics Discussed in This Episode: The current state of SEO and the emerging opportunities (04:21) The four pillars of holistic SEO (05:56) How to create AI content that actually ranks (07:35) Why automation is the key to modern-day SEO success (15:58) Why you should embrace AI or get left behind (20:14) The most common SEO mistakes that business owners make (25:23) How to recover from a Google penalty on your affiliate site (29:15) The problems that Search Altas solves that other SEO software doesn’t (38:16) How Manick’s Otto AI system identifies technical SEO issues (44:48) How Manick innovates and stays ahead in the industry (50:36) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Search Atlas Mike King’s Google algorithm leak exposé SEO Theory Facebook community Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to use a data-driven approach to master SEO!  

Shopify is a powerhouse in the eCommerce industry, with merchants running more than 1,000,000 businesses on the platform. But Shopify is more than just a product listing tool. It offers thousands of apps and integrations to help you build a profitable eCommerce business. In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Singleton, the founder of Style Factory Productions, a site that provides in-depth reviews and comparisons of key business apps to hundreds of thousands of readers. Chris reveals the ‘hidden’ Shopify features that many merchants overlook. From Shopify’s SEO tools and blogging features to its free email marketing tool and abandon cart feature, Shopify has a full toolkit to help you grow your business beyond a simple eCommerce store. Chris also highlights the power of YouTube for eCommerce sellers. According to Chris, “YouTube is a key SEO strategy for Shopify merchants. The benefit is that you're dealing with two search engines because your video appears in the Google search results and on YouTube. The quickest SEO win at the moment is publishing content on third-party platforms like YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc, and using that platform to drive traffic back to your store.” If you're an eCommerce seller, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Topics Discussed in This Episode: The most common pain points Shopify merchants face (02:15) Why Shopify merchants tend to focus on paid ads over traditional SEO (03:40) Why eCommerce SEO is easier than affiliate SEO (05:43) Quick SEO wins for Shopify (09:45) Hidden Shopify features that many merchants aren’t aware of (12:23)  Shopify’s free email marketing tool (18:18) Creating an effective abandon cart structure in Shopify (22:25) Integrating apps into your Shopify store and which apps you should use (27:03) Why merchants should choose Shopify over other eCommerce platforms (29:44) How Chris has seen eCommerce evolve in the last 10 years (31:47) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Style Factory Chris’s LinkedIn  Podcast about scarcity and behavioral marketing Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to take your eCommerce business to the next level with Shopify’s integrated apps and tools.

Selling a business for millions of dollars is a dream that many entrepreneurs chase, but only a lucky few ever achieve.Oliver Palmer is one of those entrepreneurs. He founded a mobile technology business and sold it for an impressive $85 million.In this episode, Oliver takes us behind the scenes of his multi-million dollar exit. From the disappointments of a failed acquisition to the high of finding the perfect buyer. He also explains the many benefits of using an advisor during an exit. According to Oliver, “The best thing we did when selling our business was engage an advisor. It allowed us to position ourselves in front of acquirers we'd never even heard of. An advisor also brings legal advice and puts the sale together in a way that’s ideal for a buyer. If everything's all lined up, it's so much easier to get to a yes. You can't put a price on that.” Oliver also reveals the common problem his new firm, DQ Ventures solves by helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses from scratch without risking their day jobs.Whether you're a budding entrepreneur with a big idea or an experienced business owner aiming for a major exit, this episode has something for you. Enjoy! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Oliver’s background and how he founded his venture studio  (02:19) A behind-the-scenes look at Oliver’s $85 million exit (03:48) The benefits of using an advisor or broker when exiting a business (14:59) The big thing that surprises entrepreneurs when exiting a business (19:53) How Oliver’s life changed after his multi-million dollar exit (24:31) What Oliver’s venture studio offers to startup entrepreneurs (28:13) The criteria Oliver looks for in a business to fund (37:50) The deal structure that Oliver offers startup companies he helps build (42:19) Oliver’s take on the secret to starting a successful business (51:20) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter DQ Ventures Oliver’s LinkedIn Profile James Green’s LinkedIn Profile Sit back, grab a coffee, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to sell an $85 million business!

Expanding into omnichannel sales is a great way to grow your eCommerce business, but it also results in a more complicated supply chain. That’s why working with a logistics partner who has their finger on the pulse of the industry is so important.  In this episode, we chat with Taylor Smits, co-founder of MyFBAPrep, the largest Amazon prep and eCommerce fulfillment network in the US. Taylor joins us to explain how to optimize your supply chain without hindering growth and expansion. He outlines the common logistics pain points Amazon sellers face, how to ace your inventory forecasting, and how to remove redundancies in your supply chain to boost your bottom line. Taylor also reveals the best growth opportunities emerging in the eCommerce industry today. According to Taylor,  “We're seeing a halo effect from TikTok shop. For every sale you make on TikTok shop, you can assume two or three increased sales on Amazon, because people go to Amazon to check if the brand is legitimate. Now, you can use your FBA inventory to fulfill TikTok. That's one more reason to get on TikTok as a seller and get that halo effect.” Whether you sell on one platform or many, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you streamline your logistics and grow your eCommerce business. Topics Discussed in This Episode: A brief overview of MyFBAPrep and its origins (01:58) How the Airbnb model of logistics works (05:39) The common supply chain bottlenecks for Amazon sellers (15:20) The current state of Amazon fees (19:48) How TikTok Shop is shaking up the eCommerce industry (25:26) The core pillars of an optimized supply chain (31:29) The best approach to inventory forecasting (36:53) The easiest way to boost your bottom line (42:21) An inside look at Taylor’s Preptopia platform (47:09) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter MyFBAPrep Podcast with Roland Frazier Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to optimize your eCommerce logistics to boost your bottom line!

Most digital agency owners start their own businesses to be their own bosses and have more control over their time. However, they often find themselves overwhelmed with sales calls and meetings, working harder than ever. After falling prey to this pitfall himself, Frankie Fihn noticed that most sales calls and meetings follow the same script, with clients asking the same questions over and over. To solve the problem, Frankie created a system of pre-recorded videos that address common questions and issues that clients raise, eliminating the need for most meetings. In this episode, Frankie joins us to explain his framework for a phoneless, meetingless digital agency. Frankie highlights common obstacles agency owners face and shares the key steps they need to take to stop trading time for money. According to Frankie, “A common pain point agency owners struggle with is being too wide. They believe anybody with a credit card is a good fit. This dilutes both your messaging and your ability to deliver at scale because you're just doing too much. Just because you can do it for everybody doesn't mean you should.” By renting out their services, most agency owners are the product. Instead, they should create leverageable assets out of their tools and systems. This mindset shift will save you time and allow you to grow your agency exponentially. If you want to learn how to create a streamlined and profitable digital agency without being tethered to a phone, then this episode is for you. Topics Discussed in This Episode: Frankie's background and his approach to building an agency (02:00) The common pain points agency owners experience (04:00) The importance of streamlining your work and building repeatable systems (10:27) How Frankie automates sales calls (13:41) Frankie’s tips on tasks that should and shouldn’t take up your time in an agency (27:07) Identifying when to use white-label partners to help you grow (32:57) When to outsource and when to bring services in-house (39:19) The key to not trading time for money (48:10) The best piece of business advice Frankie has ever received (1:01:29) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Beyond the Agency Box (Frankie’s book) Beyond Agency Profits Facebook Community Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to build a phoneless, meetingless digital marketing agency!

When running an online business it’s easy to fall prey to the mindset that everything should happen online. But sometimes, to really grow your online business, you need to step away from the screen and connect with people face-to-face. Take Steven Khanna, for example. He’s the Head of English Markets at White Press, a global link-building and marketing agency. Steven used in-person networking to skyrocket his success, generating over $500K per month for White Press.In this episode, Steven shares how attending conferences and actively networking played a crucial role in his success. Attending just one conference helped Steven grow his monthly recurring revenue (MRR) from $5K to $50K!Steven also dives into the important role that link-building plays in a modern SEO strategy. According to Steven, “People keep saying that links are not an important ranking factor, but if you look at the backlink profiles of big, successful websites, they’re still building links. Even in troubled times, link-building will never lose its value. Links will always be one of the most important ranking factors for driving traffic and leads.” Steven goes on to provide useful tips, tricks, and advice on how to optimize your link-building to ensure you are generating the right kind of traffic. This conversation with Steven shows the power of adaptability and perseverance in online business. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to make your mark! Topics Discussed in This Episode: An introduction to White Press and its rapid growth (02:46) Steven’s background and how he ended up in SEO (05:49) The benefits of international expansion (12:26) Behavioral differences across different countries and cultures (17:33) How Steven builds trust with his clients (22:04) The important role conferences play in Steven’s acquisition strategy (29:23) How Steven uses affiliates to grow White Press (41:50) The most common myths people believe about link building (50:53) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter White Press Senuto Steven’s LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn the power of in-person networking and the importance of link-building in modern SEO!

There are roughly 88,000 digital marketing agencies in the US and Hawke Media is the fastest-growing amongst them. What is the secret sauce to this kind of growth? Well, according to Erik Huberman, Hawke’s founder and CEO, it all boils down to working harder than everyone else and actually delivering on your promises. In this episode, Erik walks us through the origin story of Hawke Media, from its almost accidental beginnings, to how he scaled the business to its current value of over $150 million. He reveals the challenges he faced while growing the business, how he sustains Hawke’s rapid growth, and how he motivates his team to keep innovating. According to Erik, “Most people won't push themselves to the limit versus getting pushed. That’s why every major athlete wants a coach and trainer. It's not like Kobe didn't know how to do a workout. But having that outside push and that outside perspective is really helpful. And as the owner of the business, that extra push has to come from you." Erik also sheds light on one of his key growth strategies; acquiring other agencies. He explains the benefits of this strategy, and how he integrates those agencies and their owners into Hawke’s existing ecosystem. If you’re looking for first-hand knowledge on how to scale an agency to a 9-figure valuation, then look no further. Topics Discussed in This Episode: Erik’s background and what led him to create Hawke Media (02:05) What Erik did to help Hawke Media become the fastest-growing consultancy (10:02) How Erik sustains his agency’s rapid growth (14:30) The biggest challenges Erik faced when growing Hawke Media (16:23) Why Erik started acquiring other agencies (20:11) There’s always a deal to be made (27:46) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Hawke Media Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn what it takes to scale your digital agency to the moon.  

Why start from scratch when you can leverage an existing business’s traction and capitalize on its untapped potential? That is the power of entrepreneurship through acquisition.  Mike Swigunski, a skilled entrepreneur and globe-trotting author, discovered this for himself while building his portfolio of profitable online businesses. In this episode, he walks us through one of his most profitable acquisitions, a SaaS business that he grew to 4x in revenue in just a year. Mike walks us through the acquisition from start to finish, from uncovering the business’s rare potential to the creative deal structure he negotiated and seizing low-hanging fruits for post-acquisition growth. Mike also shares his expert insights into the online business industry, including the lucrative gap in the market he spotted when it comes to acquisitions. According to Mike, “The 500K - 750K range of online businesses seems to be like no man's land. It’s often too big for solopreneurs, and too small for portfolio buyers. It’s a sweet spot that can offer buyers a bit of strategic leverage to negotiate a good deal. Sellers are often more motivated and more open to seller financing and creative deal structures.” Mike’s firsthand experience and expert knowledge offer a roadmap to successfully acquiring and scaling online businesses. Don’t miss a minute of this insightful episode! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Mike shares his background and his entrepreneurial journey (02:17) A look at of one Mike’s most successful acquisitions - a $500K SaaS business (07:47) The creative deal structure that Mike negotiated (13:57) The dynamics of buying a business in partnership with another entrepreneur (16:36) Finding the right developer to work on a new SaaS acquisition (18:22) Mike's unique due diligence process for this acquisition (24:42) How Mike 4x’d his revenue by capitalizing on low-hanging fruit post-acquisition (26:59) Mike's growth strategies and future goals for his SaaS acquisition (37:57) An overview of Mike’s business portfolio (45:52) Mike’s productivity tips for digital entrepreneurs (51:06) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Mike’s site (with links to his socials) Copy Sharks Fast Food Spaghetti blog post  Rize productivity app Trello Sit back, grab a coffee, and get the inside scoop on how to source and scale a SaaS acquisition!

Two of the fastest ways to grow your business are to increase your customer base and improve your offering to attract higher-value customers. What if I told you there was a way to expand your customer base exponentially and enhance your offering in one clever move? That is what Josh Springer does through the power of acquisitions. Josh is the Head of Corporate Development at Hawke Media, a powerhouse marketing agency.Josh specializes in acquiring other agencies and merging them into Hawke’s existing ecosystem. This not only enhances Hawke's services but also brings in a ready-made customer base overnight. Now they have a more powerful team and a larger pool of clients.  In this episode, Josh joins us to explain his approach to acquisitions, from sourcing potential targets to sealing the deal. He explains the different types of deal structures he negotiates, his growth strategies post-acquisition, and the key to smoothly merging a new agency into Hawke Media’s framework.One of the key areas that Josh prioritizes is employee retention. According to Josh, “The value behind an agency is the people that it comes with. If you start cutting people, you start losing clients, you start messing with culture, then all of a sudden you're left with a shell that doesn't really resemble what you were trying to buy in the first place.” If you're hungry for rapid business expansion, this episode lays out the blueprint for scaling up through strategic bolt-on acquisitions. Don’t miss it! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Josh’s background and how he ended up working in M&A (02:26) Assessing the right time to acquire a new agency as a growth play (05:10) The key to employee retention during an acquisition (08:15) How Josh integrates acquisitions into Hawke Media’s existing structure (10:46) How Josh sources his acquisitions (14:36) The profit margins agencies should aim for at different valuation levels (23:36) The quick growth levers that Josh has learned to pull on his agency acquisitions (25:48) The types of deals Josh negotiates and structures  (30:03) How Josh measures the success of his acquisitions (38:38) The lessons Josh has learned from all of the acquisitions he has overseen (42:55) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Hawke Media Josh’s LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to scale your business through mergers and bolt-on acquisitions!

The customer is always right. If this is true, then understanding consumer’s opinions and preferences is the secret sauce to success. But how do you ask the right questions to the right people in order to gather this feedback?That’s where John Li comes in. John and his co-founder Justin were scratching their heads over this very question while trying to get feedback for their own business. Being savvy software developers, they created PickFu – a market research and consumer feedback platform that allows businesses to gather in-depth feedback from real people in minutes. In this episode, John joins us to discuss how conducting meaningful consumer feedback can drastically improve your business. He explains that it is never too early to start communicating with your audience.  Gathering feedback can help you pre-validate your products before they’ve even launched by testing logos, packaging, mottos, etc. This can be the difference between a lukewarm introduction to the market, and a rocket-fueled burst onto the scene.  In fact, John helped a business 10x their profits by doing just this. But collecting feedback isn’t all you should be doing. According to John, “It's so important to connect with and listen to your audience. Run surveys, bounce ideas, have conversations, etc. But it’s also important to do market research. There might be a whole different set of people that you aren’t targeting that could open up an entirely new area of the market for you. So it's important to get feedback from both sides.” Of course, there's an art to asking for feedback. John explains which types of questions you should ask, the different types of experiments you can conduct, and the ideal audience size for collecting usable feedback. You don’t have to fly blind. This episode will light the way and teach you how to use feedback to fuel your business growth. Topics Discussed in This Episode: John’s background and the origins of PickFu (02:20) The importance of market research and collecting consumer feedback (06:03) How often should you be doing market research? (10:31) The different types of consumer research experiments you can run on PickFu (15:54) How to encourage feedback and gather the best feedback from consumers (18:05) The most common myths about consumer feedback (25:28) The ideal audience size for meaningful consumer feedback (27:34) Managing negative feedback from consumers (30:23) How consumer feedback can save a business from failure (35:18) John’s goals for PickFu moving forward (37:44) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  PickFu Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to gather consumer feedback that will elevate your business to new heights.

Buying an existing online business is great in theory, but what is the experience actually like in reality?In this week's episode, we chat with Landon Greenhalgh, an entrepreneur who recently took the plunge and acquired his first eCommerce business.Landon walks us through his eCommerce journey so far, from tracking down the ideal business and doing his due diligence to identifying and pouncing on post-acquisition growth opportunities.  Landon sheds light on common pitfalls that often catch first-time buyers off guard, such as fixating on the 'perfect' opportunity or overlooking the value of existing employees. According to Landon, “You can make or break an acquisition by how you treat the [existing] employees. If you come in with a ‘my way or the highway’ type mentality, it can ruin a lot of what made that company great. Humility, and recognizing that the employees probably know way more about the company than you do, is a very important aspect of an acquisition.” The journey from acquiring an existing business to turning it into a thriving brand isn't just for the Bransons and Musks of the world. As Landon's story shows, everyday people like him – and like you – can achieve remarkable success in the online business arena by simply purchasing a scalable business.  Topics Discussed in This Episode: Landon shares his background and entrepreneurial journey (01:42) Why Landon decided to purchase an existing eCommerce business (03:09) Landon’s due diligence tips for first-time buyers (09:29)  Alerting existing employees about the acquisition (15:37) How Landon has capitalized on growth opportunities in his acquisition (19:39) Landon explains how his high-ticket business model works (22:32) The top strategies that have helped Landon grow his brand (24:15) Time management and avoiding burning out (30:18) Landon’s supply chain and forecasting demand (32:15) Landon’s take on the future of eCommerce (36:28) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Landon’s LinkedIn page Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn what it takes to buy and scale an existing eCommerce business.  

Unlocking success on Facebook goes beyond the simple act of launching an ad campaign and hoping for sales to flood in. It’s an art. A magic that only a few Facebook advertising wizards know how to truly unlock.Vincent Nguyen is one of those wizards. As the founder of Growth Ninja, Vincent manages a solo-run, multi-six-figure Facebook ads agency. He works his magic on a carefully selected group of clients, having breathed life back into three seemingly doomed multi-million dollar ad campaigns in just the past few months alone. In this episode, Vincent joins us to reveal the secrets to crafting Facebook ads that can catapult your business to new heights. He shares some interesting case studies from his client, busts common advertising myths, and breaks down the anatomy of a successful Facebook advertising campaign. He also explains the rookie mistakes that many people make when setting up their campaigns. According to Vincent, “Step one when setting up your Facebook ads is to set up some sort of attribution system because Facebook ads reporting is not very accurate. If you can't trust your data, then you shouldn't spend money at all. That's just throwing money away and you're going to scale things that shouldn't be scaled.” If transforming your Facebook ads from average to utterly ad-dictive is your goal, then every moment of this episode is a must-listen! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Vincent's background and how he grew his own Facebook Ad agency (01:56) How Vincent successfully revived and scaled a million-dollar ad campaign (07:17)  The anatomy of a high-converting sales page (13:55) Why Vincent is selective about his clients as a solopreneur (17:32) Vincent’s go-to formula for ad campaign success (29:30) Adding the right images, copy, and create elements to ad campaigns (35:38) Common Facebook Ad myths that people still fall for (45:11) Vincent’s winning bidding strategies (56:01) Why this metric is the most important measurement of your success  (57:42) Vincent’s predictions for the future of Facebook advertising (1:05:33) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Growth Ninja Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to create Facebook ads that actually convert!

2023 was a whirlwind year for Amazon FBA industry as the ripple effects of the 2020-2021 bubble bursting were felt by sellers and consumers alike.Perhaps the largest of these ripple effects was the demise of the Amazon FBA aggregators whose rampant spending and operational shortcomings finally caught up with them.  In this week’s episode, Amazon expert Mina Elias is back to help us unpack the rollercoaster of changes, surprises, and hurdles faced by Amazon FBA sellers throughout 2023. Mina provides a snapshot of the current state of the Amazon FBA industry before walking us through the chain of events that led to the downfall of industry giants like the aggregators.Then, Mina puts his Amazon advertising knowledge on display, revealing the top advertising and brand-building strategies of 2023, as well as tips on how to stand out in the crowded Amazon marketplace as a new seller.Mina also reveals some juicy information about how Amazon is making gathering customer data that much easier for sellers. This episode is jam-packed with all the information you need to elevate your FBA business in 2024! Topics Discussed in This Episode: A quick overview of Mina’s entrepreneurial journey (02:24) A look into Mina’s recent first-ever business exit (03:35) A snapshot of the FBA industry today vs the 202-2021 bubble (05:51) What caused the demise of the FBA aggregators (12:14) Clever new advertising strategies Mina has spotted in the last year (25:00) Gathering customer data as an FBA seller (31:21) How to stand out in the crowded Amazon marketplace as a new seller (36:59) Mina’s predictions on the future of the FBA industry (45:00) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Trivium Group Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to ramp up your Amazon FBA business in 2024!

We're back with a brand new episode! ________________________________________ Nothing is certain except death and taxes.As a business owner, taxes are a double whammy—they affect both your personal and business life. Imagine working hard to build a business that’s set to change your life when you sell it, only to watch taxes eat away at your profits. Thankfully, there are savvy tricks entrepreneurs can use to shrink taxes and pump up profits when selling their businesses. That’s where Crystal Stranger comes in. Crystal is the Partner & COO of Cleer Tax, a company that helps US businesses and entrepreneurs navigate their taxes.  In this episode, Crystal joins us to discuss the various strategies entrepreneurs can use to reduce the amount of tax incurred when building and selling their online business.  She unpacks the most common types of taxes that businesses encounter and how to structure your business to cut down on the taxes you have to pay. Crystal also exposes the big tax blunders many business owners make—like skipping tax filings or setting up shop in high-tax states. According to Crystal, “A big mistake I see entrepreneurs make is using state addresses for vanity reasons, like having a California or New York address to make their business look established or cool. Some entrepreneurs also sign up for mailing addresses without specifying the location. Putting these addresses on your website, invoices or communications can create large tax liabilities in those states.” We also dissect the differences between an asset sale and a stock sale, with Crystal explaining how a stock sale can save non-US business owners massive amounts of money! You might not dodge taxes completely, but armed with the insights from this episode, you can certainly trim your tax bill and safeguard your hard-earned profits! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Crystal’s background and how she ended up helping entrepreneurs with tax (02:23) The most common types of taxes that businesses encounter (06:08) The differences between LLC and C corp (09:45) Structuring your exit as an e-commerce business owner (12:23) How the Nexus tax system works for sales tax (19:26) The common tax mistakes entrepreneurs make when selling their business (31:09) Stock sale vs asset purchase (36:14) The best way to use the proceeds of your sale to grow another business (45:49) How tax applies to Hold Co businesses (51:14) How sellers can make their business more attractive from a tax perspective (54:46) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Cleer Tax Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to reduce your tax liability and maximize your profits!