Next Level eCommerce

I've started 9 businesses in 12 years. No wonder I'm exhausted.Here's what I would do differently if I were starting today, which is actually what I did to start my latest business.Note: if you want to be a solo consultant or freelancer, that's different than I'm talking about in this episode. That's a fine choice but it will have very different considerations.Also, I said make $100k in annual revenue before committing to the business. That might be too high. Maybe $50k is the number, but I wouldn't go below that.Lastly, I said I hope to never talk about starting a business again, but I don't actually mind talking to you about it if you'd like. I just don't like listening to podcasts, and wouldn't like to go on podcasts talking about it  Get in touch with me here -http://hireteamup.com/contact-isaac

What is product-market fit actually? I stumbled onto it, partly on purpose, partly through dumb luck.In this episode I share how 3-way differentiation (a niche within a niche within a niche) built my current business.And the 4 phases you'll go through to find product-market fit.Listen and apply them to your own business.You can contact Isaac by clicking the link below:http://hireteamup.com/contact-isaac

It's been 2.5 years since Isaac published an episode. What happened? Where did he go, and why publish this now?You can contact Isaac by clicking the link below:http://hireteamup.com/contact-isaac

Check Jesse out at productpearl.comGet a free copy of Joe Valley's book The Exitpreneur's Playbook:exitpreneur.io/nextlevel/Get ready to sell you business by getting your books in order:summitecommerce.co 

Daisy DelfinadoOperations ManagerSummit eCommerce AdvisorsNeed help with your bookkeeping or cashflow planning?  Daisy & Isaac's professional team provides bookkeeping and fractional CFO service.  Get in touch here:Summit eCommerce Advisorssummitecommerce.co

Nate Ginsburg tells the story of acquiring Centrurica, a company that does due diligence services for online businesses.Nate GinsburgCEOCenturicacenturica.comNeed help with your bookkeeping?  Want help with cashflow planning?Isaac's professional team provides bookkeeping and fractional CFO service.  Get in touch here:Summit eCommerce Advisorssummitecommerce.co

Nick Contristan tells his story of building and selling his ecommerce business.Want to sell your business?First, you'll need clean books.  (Otherwise buyers and brokers won't even talk to you.)Second, you'll need a team doing most of the work.  (Buyers don't want to buy a job.)Isaac's team can help with both of these things. Get your books cleaned up and ready for the sale by having Summit eCommerce Advisors do it for you.And let us help you build a rockstar team.Find out more at:  www.summitecommerce.co

Scott MoranFounder of Go2https://www.go2.io

Joe ValleyQuite Light Brokerage - https://quietlight.comThe Exitpreneur's PlaybookGet a free copy here:https://exitpreneur.io/nextlevelHave Isaac's team get your bookkeeping in order, so you can sell your business:https://summitecommerce.co

Mads SingersManagement Consultantwww.madssingers.com

The story of Duda acquiring Snipcart, with the CEOs of both companies.Duda - https://www.duda.coSnipcart - https://snipcart.comFrancois' blog post about selling Snipcart -https://www.flanthiernadeau.com/selling-snipcart-part-one/

Amy WeesFounder of Amazing At Home

Get free SEO tips & fundaments - www.summitecommerce.co/seomonthCheck out John's new eCommerce SEO course - www.ecomseomethod.com

Guest: Ben LeonardCompany: Ecom BrokersLinks:EcomBrokers WebsiteWhy eCom Brokers in Facebook

What if you focused on your superpower?  How much progress could you make?Michael Erickson Facchin did exactly that.  He knows where he's best and delegates the rest.Listen now to find out how he found his superpower, how he trusted it, and how he's able to delegate without fear of losing control.Show notes:http://nextlevelecommerce.coGet Beta Access to our new program at NO COST:How To Build Teams & Systems For Ecommerce Business OwnerWe're only taking beta 25 members, and there are only 8 spots left...www.nextlevelecommerce.co/beta Want to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Everything changes when you find out you have a baby on the way.  If you're doing everything yourself in your business when you find out, what changes would you make?Anastasia Vankova knew she had to systemize and outsource.  Otherwise how would she run her growing business with a new baby?How did she get free from the day-to-day operations without causing problems?Listen now to find out.Show notes:http://nextlevelecommerce.coGet your no-cost bookkeeping strategy session with Isaac here:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/booksWant to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Entrepreneurs are a strange bunch.  It takes someone special to make that big leap.Caleb Roth has been hustling since college, when he learned to flip textbooks on Amazon.When he turned his side hustle into his full-time gig, he found out what separated him from everyone else.He learned it again with his employees.  Why didn't they try to steal his ideas and compete with him?Listen now to find out what separates entrepreneurs from employees and everyone else.Show notes:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

How will marketing change in 2021?  How will you keep up?George Bryant has his finger on eCommerce marketing's biggest pulse.Today, George shares:- the #1 most important thing for marketing in 2021- the 3 fundamental ways marketing will change in 2021Listen now to find out how you can avoid being left behind.Show notes:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

For many, Robert Kiyosaki's book Rich Dad Poor Dad opened our eyes to entrepreneurship.  But what can you learn by revisiting the book?Guest Matt Scott has built a successful ecommerce business.  In planning for his family's future, he's gone back to Rich Dad Poor Dad and the follow up, Cashflow Quadrant.He shares how he's starting to put those lessons into practice in his business.Listen to find out how.Show notes:http://nextlevelecommerce.coGet your no-cost bookkeeping strategy session with Isaac here:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/booksWant to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

What sourcing advantages can you gain for your eCommerce business by living in China for 10 years? How about being able to find your competitors' factories, improving their products, and beating them on Amazon and other platforms?That's exactly what Brian Miller has done.  During that time, he also built a logistics company, with a modern warehouse in China.Click to listen, and find out exactly how he's done that.Show notes:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

eCommerce store owner, coach, and consultant, Jon Warren, shares what all $1-10+ million stores have in common.  He talks marketing, strategy, and mindsets that he's seen separate big businesses from those that struggle.He also tells Host Isaac Smith why he suggested that Isaac sell his drop shipping store, over 1 year ago.Show notes:http://nextlevelecommerce.coNow tap play to hear Jon!Want to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Entrepreneur Jon Warren shares lessons from consulting with 7 and 8 figure eCommerce businesses.  Jon talks talks about partnerships, and how to set them up for success.Importantly, Jon is the one who first suggested that Host Isaac Smith should sell his drop shipping store.Show notes are at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coClick play to hear Jon's story!Want to exit your eCommerce business? Sell it to Ian Bond and his investors.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Starting his eCommerce journey in 1996 by building a website to sell gift baskets for a pecan farm in Alabama, Patrick Pitman has seen a lot.The biggest successes in entrepreneurship often come directly after the biggest failures.  Knowledge and skills that are built during those times of struggle that lay the foundation for the next big success.Today, Patrick serves eCommerce businesses, by helping them connect with their customers on a deeper level.  But it was facing obstacles head on that equipped him to serve at a high level.Click play to hear how Patrick made it through, and what he learned along the way.Show notes are at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to sell your eCommerce business? Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

This is a story of leverage.  It's the story of how Kiri Masters built a 25 person Amazon-based eCommerce marketing agency, by leveraging skills she developed with her eCommerce store.Now she's leveraging what she's created with the marketing agency to serve even more eCommerce businesses.This is a must-listen for all entrepreneurs, because it shows how to connect your current progress to your next steps.Show notes can be found at:nextlevelecommerce.coWant to sell your eCommerce business? Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

How do you build an eCommerce business that supports your family without taking your time away from them? Jeremy Parker has been hyper-intentional about making sure his company works for him, not the other way around.Jeremy explains how he was able to do just that.Show notes are at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to sell your eCommerce business? Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

What is the secret to scaling an eCommerce business?Facebook ads?  A new SEO strategy?Samantha Wu and Wad Ali share how they've scaled as far as they can, working on their own.Now they're building teams, to free up their time, so they can work ON their businesses.They share why they struggled to find good team members, and how they're finding Rockstars now.Listen now to find out how you can do the same.Show notes are at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to sell your eCommerce business?  Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Saxon's business was plummeting, due to something outside his control.  He felt like a failure.Fast forward 1 year, and he's back on top.  But man, that was a tough year.He wanted to give up.  He doubted himself. Saxon Funk told the first part of that story over a year ago on the podcast.  When he was at the bottom.Today, he comes back to tell what happened. How did he keep going?Listen now to find out the real truth of what it's like.  The truth NOBODY wants to talk about.And how you can keep it together when you face your next big challenge.Show notes are at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant help acquiring a cash flowing eCommerce site?Contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Successful eCommerce store owner, Saxon Funk, is experiencing a major downturn in his business.  He shares openly about what it's like when you're in the middle of an emotionally low moment.As online business owners, like all entrepreneurs, have dips and valleys in our journeys.  But the struggle and pain isn't often talked about.  Today, we go deep.Huge thanks to Saxon for being so open and sharing the dark side of this journey with us.  We know he'll come back bigger and badder than ever, like many of our other guests.Show notes are at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to sell your eCommerce business?  Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

How Ronnie Teja built an aspirational brand of watches, even though he knew nothing about them.  He talks about growing a distributed team of 25 people, and selling in countries you would not expect.Ronnie shares openly about the low moments in his entrepreneurial journey - the time he though he would have to quit and get a job.  He talks about how he got through that obstacle, and now faces similar challenges regularly.He talks about starting eCommerce stores in multiple currencies, and many countries.Show notes are at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coJust click play and be inspired by Ronnie's amazing story!Want help acquiring a cash flowing eCommerce site?Contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Our most exciting episode yet - Host Isaac Smith interviews the buyer of his eCommerce business.Steven Pflaster shares why he chose to buy Isaac's drop shipping store.  You'll learn what he looks for in businesses, and how he's growing the store beyond the level Isaac did.Steven and Isaac talk about the details and emotional side of the deal, and going through migration.  They discuss how the business is performing now, and Steven's plans for the future.This is a surprisingly honest and transparent discussion of buying businesses, from both the buyer and seller's perspective.Listen now to hear the real story of buying a successful drop shipping store.Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to sell your eCommerce business? Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Guest Jim Barton and Host Isaac Smith discuss what it was like to sell Isaac's eCommerce store.  They get into the details, and the emotional journey that it was.Jim (Isaac's long time mastermind buddy) is a Seller Advisor with Empire Flippers, the online business broker that Isaac sold his business through.  He and Isaac go through everything you need to be thinking about if you're considering selling your business.Jim also talks about what attracted him to the apprentice model, after having been his own boss for a couple of years.This is a can't-miss episode, so just click play to listen!Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant help acquiring a cash flowing eCommerce site?Contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Ben Knegendorf was labeled a "bad kid." He rebelled against everything normal.He's also built an 8 figure eCommerce business.We all have thoughts like this - "I'm not good enough." "I'll never be as successful as that person." "That person is special."You might think Ben is one of these special people. But he has his struggles too.Ben shares his story, and how he broke through the thoughts that held him back.Listen now to find out how he did it.Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.co50th Episode Celebration - Get your comments on the podcast.Click the link below to share your feedback, ask Isaac a question, or tell him how the podcast has impacted you:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/feedbackWant to sell your eCommerce business?  Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

The Beard Club took off like a rocket, doing $10 Million in sales in their first year. Co-founder Alex Brown tells the story of how they did it. Spoiler: they were not an overnight success.If you're an eCommerce entrepreneur, and you want to grow your business beyond where you are now, this interview is a must listen. Alex talks about the traits all 8 figure business owners have in common.Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant help acquiring a cash flowing eCommerce site?Contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

John Murphy was overwhelmed. He was working 110 hours per week in his eCommerce business.He did everything - customer service, order processing, SEO... and he was about to burn out.That was 3 months ago.  Today he works 10 hours per week, 100 hours less than before.And his business is booming.  How did he do it?Listen now to find out.Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant to sell your eCommerce business?  Ian Bond and his network of investors may be interested.Contact Ian - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

John Murphy was burning himself out by working on his eCommerce business.  For years he was a one man show.But eventually everyone reaches their limit.  Now John is taking a big first step to becoming the CEO of his business. Listen now to find out how he's doing it.Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coWant help acquiring a cash flowing eCommerce site?Contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Ian Bond has built an eCommerce portfolio of 8 profitable drop shipping stores.  On this episode he shares why he chose to buy rather than build his stores.Ian discusses how he manages so many eCommerce stores by building a team, and how he structures the team.An important theme in this episode is being the owner of your business, and not being the technician. Click listen to find out how Ian built his portfolio.Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coIf you want to sell your business, contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Serial offline entrepreneur couple, Anthony and Brenda, applied lessons learned from their brick and mortar businesses to their eCommerce store.  This drop shipping store grew to provide more income than their offline businesses. Creating an online business was new and difficult for them.  They share what kept them going through the difficult times.Anthony and Brenda discuss how they've built 7 businesses over 36 years, and what they've learned.  They share how they passed their entrepreneurial spirit to their sons.Anthony says, "in the seventh month, magic happened," and he couldn't believe it.  Listen to his story about what happened, and what he learned from it.Show notes can be found at:http://nextlevelecommerce.coListen to Anthony and Brenda's fascinating story now!

What is going on with your suppliers?  Why is it taking so long?Today we're diving into the supply chain giving you an up-to-the minute on manufacturing in China and logistics shipping products out.Brian Miller, founder of Easy China Warehouse, has an insider's view of the supply chain.Today shares:- Are raw material supplies keeping up with demand?- What's the bottleneck in getting your products RIGHT NOW?- Will prices come down?Don't miss this one, so listen now!Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/101If you want help acquiring your next ecommerce site - Or if you want to sell your business - Contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

For our 100th Episode, we catch up with listener favorite guests:- John Murphy- Ian Bond- Jon WarrenThis is a fun conversation between friends.  We chat about: - what it's like to publish 100 episodes- what everyone's been up to- opportunities we see right nowDon't miss this one!Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/100If you want help acquiring your next ecommerce site - Or if you want to sell your business - Contact Ian Bond - ianbond@professionalwebsiteinvestors.com

Building an empire takes patience.Freddy Lansky's been searching for businesses to buy over the past year.He's watched the market drop and climb.  He's looked for deals, and financing.Listen now to find out where he sees the market now, and where the opportunities are coming from.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/99Stop Falling Behind In Your Bookkeeping & Have Isaac's Team Do It For Youwww.nextlevelecommerce.co/books

Why do you feel like you're working harder and harder for just small improvements?We forget that - what got you here, won't get you there.  Profit margin becomes important. Finance becomes important. Team becomes important.These are the things that are usually holding you back.Ben McAdam helps businesses generate more profit by thinking and acting strategically.Listen now to find out how you can generate more profit, and get back into growth mode.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/98Stop Falling Behind In Your Bookkeeping & Have Isaac's Team Do It For Youwww.nextlevelecommerce.co/books

Want to sell your business?  Reggie Young just sold his Amazon business.Big success story, right?  No problems along the way, right?Wrong.Of course there were challenges, obstacles, and failures.  But Reggie pushed through to reach is goals.Listen now to find out how he did it, and the tough lessons he learned.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/97Stop Falling Behind In Your Bookkeeping & Have Isaac's Team Do It For Youwww.nextlevelecommerce.co/books

If you 10x'd (or even 2x'd) your business - could you handle all the extra work?Customers, shipping, problems... maybe... maybe not.Yoni Kozminski helps ecommerce businesses achieve scale, by helping build teams, systems, and more.Listen to find out:- How he helped grow his first FBA business from $2 million to $5 million- How you can achieve scaleLinks:MultiplyMiiEscalaExit DNA - Mack LackeySeller AccountantThrasioStop Falling Behind In Your Bookkeeping & Have Isaac's Team Do It For Youwww.nextlevelecommerce.co/books

Do you have to work hard to make money?  Do you have to put in an "honest day's work?Jaryd Krause says, "the less I work, the more I make."How is this possible?On this episode, you're gonna find out how he does it, and how you can too.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/95Get The Blueprint To Build Your Rockstar Team:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/teams

Is starting a business the only way to do eCommerce at a high level?Ryan Cramer saw that ecom would change the world, and wanted to be involved.Instead of starting a business, he found a company on the edge of breakthrough.  And helped push them across the line.Listen now to find out:- How he helped a brick and mortar company break through in eCommerce- What he's learned from several ecom companies- Why payments in a multi-currency world can be so trickyLinks to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/94Get The Blueprint To Build Your Rockstar Team:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/teams

What can a fast food franchise teach you about eCommerce?  Turns out - more than you'd think.Jordan West started his career by buying a Taco Del Mar franchise.  Just follow the franchise playbook and you'll be set, you'd think.  Unfortunately, it didn't go to plan.Now Jordan builds and acquires eCommerce brands.  And he runs an ecom-focused agency.What lessons did he bring from fast food to eCommerce?Listen now to find out.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/93Get The Blueprint To Build Your Rockstar Team:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/teams

Want to sell your business?  Get that big exit?Are you acquiring ecommerce businesses?  Whether you're buying or selling, this episode is for you.  David Carroll helps buyers AND sellers find great deals.Listen now to find out about buying and selling businesses in 2021.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/92Stop Falling Behind In Your Bookkeeping & Have Isaac's Team Do It For Youwww.nextlevelecommerce.co/books

Here's the problem: You're working hard, but your bank account isn't growing.Not as fast as it used to anyway.  So you work harder, with mild success.What's the answer?Cyndi Thomason helps ecommerce business owners grow their profits.  She's the author of Profit First For eCommerce Sellers.Listen now to find out how to grow a healthy, sustainable, PROFITABLE business.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/91Get The Blueprint To Build Your Rockstar Team:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/teams

Mina Elias wanted more.  He went to college, got a job, but wasn't satisfied.He loved MMA, and fighting.  But work?  Not so much.One day, he decided to mix his own supplements.Fast forward just a few years, and Mina has a thriving supplement company.  And he’s excited about his business and his life.How did he do it?Listen now to find out.Links to everything discussed can be found at:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/90Get The Blueprint To Build Your Rockstar Team:www.nextlevelecommerce.co/teams

Tragedy struck our team this week.  Jason and Isaac share memories of Tracy, what she meant to us, and what it's been like this week.

A framework to doubling your profit.It starts by knowing your numbers.  (Wait, don't leave!)If you don't know your numbers, how can you double them?That's what we're talking about today.Listen now to learn how you can double your profit.Links:Buying Online Businesses Website & PodcastSummit eCommerce AdvisorsStop Falling Behind In Your Bookkeeping & Have Isaac's Team Do It For Youwww.nextlevelecommerce.co/books