The Deal Closers Podcast

The world of AI is moving fast, and for Ecommerce founders, it's easy to get lost in the hype or paralyzed by the possibilities. How do you cut through the noise and leverage AI to drive actual results for your business?In this episode of Deal Closers, we sit down with Ashley Gross, a leading AI consultant who has been helping companies implement practical AI solutions long before it was a mainstream topic. Ashley shares her playbook for Ecommerce founders and executives looking to move beyond "shiny object syndrome" and truly integrate AI into their strategy - from optimizing ad spend to revolutionizing search.You'll learn:How to shift your mindset about AI from fear to strategic advantageThe top three "money leaks" in e-commerce that AI can solveWhy auditing your existing tech stack is crucial before implementing new AI toolsHow AI can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up your team for strategic workPractical ways to optimize ad spend and understand the full customer journey with AIThe difference between "search engine optimization" and "answer engine optimization" and why it matters now more than everTimestamps:00:00:00 – The mindset shift: "Why didn't we do this sooner?"00:01:00 – Introducing Ashley Gross: Making AI practical, not paralyzing00:02:00 – Ashley's journey into AI: From marketer to AI innovator00:04:00 – Overcoming AI fear: It's emotional, not just technical00:05:00 – Where e-commerce founders should start with AI00:06:00 – Identifying and solving the "money leaks" in your business00:08:00 – AI tools for data cleaning and enrichment00:10:00 – Using AI for smooth tech stack migrations00:12:00 – Automating repeatable tasks and simplifying customer data00:13:00 – The realistic potential of reducing work hours with AI00:14:00 – How AI can optimize your ad spend for better profitability00:16:00 – Moving beyond vanity metrics to real customer insights with AI00:18:00 – Connecting with Ashley Gross and her AI courses00:19:00 – SEO vs. AEO: Optimizing for answer engines00:21:00 – The importance of valuable, concise content for AI00:24:00 – Avoiding "shiny object syndrome" in AI adoption00:26:00 – The permission to "breathe" and optimize existing tools00:27:00 – Final action item: Embrace the student mindset for AI successConnect with Ashley Gross:Website: theashleygross.comLinkedIn: Ashley GrossDeal Closers is brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com and produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it look like to build a business over two decades—with no outside investment, no years in the red, and no shortcuts?That's what Daniel Bower did, and today he shares his 23-year journey of growing a web development side hustle into a thriving digital marketing agency—and ultimately, selling it on his own terms.You'll learn:Why steady growth and consistency can be more valuable than fast scaleHow to know when it's the right time to leave your job and go all inThe power of building a team that sticks with you for decadesHow to prepare your company for sale—while still running the businessWhat buyers really care about in a founder-led businessHow WebsiteClosers.com helped Daniel find the perfect buyer matchTimestamps:00:01:42 – Launching a web development company in 200100:05:41 – When to take the leap from side hustle to full-time00:13:30 – How a government connection led to a major client00:18:22 – Evolving from website builder to full-service digital marketing00:24:45 – How AI is changing the game—and who will survive00:36:48 – Why Daniel decided it was time to sell00:45:16 – How to prep your business for a smooth exit00:54:26 – Training the buyer's new team and embracing the transition01:00:02 – Celebrating the sale with ski trips and next-chapter planningThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Selling a business is a monumental decision. There's excitement, self-reflection, and yes, uncertainty. For Adam O'Leary, founder of encite branding + marketing + creative, the journey to a successful exit was sparked by a realization - it was time for change.After nearly two decades of growing his full-service marketing agency from a one-man operation to a thriving business, Adam partnered with Website Closers to navigate the selling process. Despite initial doubts about his company's value, Adam discovered a wealth of interest—over 100 inquiries poured in, and multiple serious discussions followed. The end result? A sale that exceeded expectations and opened new doors for his future.In this episode, Adam reflects on his journey, from the entrepreneurial leap that started it all to the challenges that inspired his decision to sell. He shares how Website Closers supported him every step of the way, offering candid advice, patient guidance, and an expertly managed process. For Adam, the experience validated years of hard work and provided a meaningful exit.Tune in to hear Adam's candid story about:The “three B's of exit” and why he decided it was time to sell.How he navigated the broker selection process and why Website Closers stood out.The surprising level of interest his company received and what it felt like to secure his first big business wire.Advice for entrepreneurs considering their own exit strategy.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building a business is an incredible journey, but what happens when your passion for that business starts to fade? For Ellis Achim, founder of Paddie Nails, success in the D2C e-commerce space wasn't enough—he wanted to build something he truly loved working on every day.After years of growing Paddie Nails into a thriving, profitable brand, Ellis realized that while the business was doing well, he wasn't personally connected to the niche. So he decided to sell, but it wasn't a simple process. After a disappointing experience with another firm, he found Website Closers and worked with broker Paul Volen, who streamlined the process and connected him with over 100 serious buyers, ultimately leading to a successful sale.In this episode, Ellis shares:Why passion matters in long-term business success—and when to move on.The challenges of finding the right business broker (and what to avoid).How Website Closers' buyer network generated 106 NDA signings and 7 serious buyer calls.What it feels like to receive your first big business exit wire.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between shifting trade policies, escalating tariffs, and unpredictable port delays, the political landscape is creating chaos for e-commerce businesses shipping internationally. What you could ship profitably yesterday might leave you stuck with massive unexpected fees today.In this episode of Deal Closers, we welcome Jason Brown, founder and CEO of Deliveri, a soon-to-launch platform aiming to give small and mid-sized e-commerce brands an edge. Jason shares how Deliveri helps founders navigate the volatile shipping environment — from skyrocketing costs to confusing customs processes — and why having a smarter logistics strategy isn't just about saving money, it's about surviving.You'll learn:How the ever-changing tariff environment is reshaping global e-commerceWhat "demurrage costs" are and how they can quietly destroy your marginsWhy most e-commerce founders are dangerously underestimating shipping's impact on conversionsHow Deliveri is leveling the playing field with enterprise-level shipping rates for small brandsWhat DDP vs DAP means — and why it could make or break your international salesTimestamps:00:02:45 – How rising tariffs and political uncertainty are disrupting e-commerce00:05:00 – What “demurrage costs” are — and why founders should be worried00:13:02 – Could Mexico become the next major shipping hub?00:16:03 – How Deliveri offers big shipping discounts to small businesses00:20:13 – Jason Brown's unexpected path from photonics engineer to e-commerce innovator00:24:34 – Why logistics is the hidden killer of e-commerce conversions00:30:54 – DDP vs DAP: The key to winning (or losing) international salesResources & Links:Learn more about Deliveri: ondeliveri.comExplore how to sell your e-commerce business: WebsiteClosers.comThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pitching to investors isn't just about having the next billion-dollar idea. It's about energy, authenticity, preparation—and knowing your numbers.Today's episode of Deal Closers comes to you from recorded live at CED's Venture Connect, where host Jason Gillikin sits down with two seasoned investors:Zakiya Alta Lee-Hill, Principal at Idea Fund PartnersNikin Shah, General Partner at Front Porch VenturesTogether, they share exactly what makes founders stand out in a pitch meeting—and what makes investors quickly say no. If you're gearing up to raise capital or sell your company, this is essential listening.You'll learn:Why VC money is like rocket fuel—and how it can blow up your business if you're not readyHow much energy is too much energy in a pitchWhy authenticity and self-awareness beat hype every timeWhat to say when you don't know the answerHow to prep for questions about your numbers, your tech, and your teamThe importance of targeting the right investors—and how to make it easy for them to help youTimestamps:00:00:03 – What VC dollars really mean for your company00:01:15 – First impressions and the importance of energy00:04:00 – Why excitement looks different for every founder00:07:51 – Know enough about every part of your business00:11:00 – Investors expect you to know your numbers00:13:56 – Is your market size actually realistic?00:17:09 – What problem are you solving, and why you?00:22:31 – Walk in saying, “I'm the company you're looking for”Connect with the Guests:Nikin Shah – Front Porch VenturesZakiya Alta Lee-Hill, Idea Fund PartnersDeal Closers is brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com and produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Selling a business is more than a financial transaction—it's a major life shift, filled with tough decisions, unexpected opportunities, and a lot of reflection. After 20+ years in the connectivity and physical cybersecurity space, Jeff Clark recognized that the industry was evolving faster than he could keep up. His company had pioneered a niche market with physical security locks that prevent insider data breaches, but he knew that in order to scale, it needed new leadership with deep expertise in today's digital marketing and cybersecurity landscape.Here's his story.In this episode, Jeff shares:How an accidental discovery in physical cybersecurity reshaped his business.The moment he realized it was time to sell and why he sought out Website Closers.How his broker, Justin Harris, helped him navigate over 130 buyer inquiries and multiple offers.Why selling his business provided security for his family and peace of mind for the future.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a startup founder, you need to wear all the hats. But according to Celi Arias, "You don't actually know how to wear all the hats. You don't know if you are a natural operator. You don't know what a good CMO would do. You don't know what a good marketer would do. You probably suck at sales."So what can you do?Celi is the CEO and founder of The Grown Ass Business, and she joins us to share her entrepreneurial journey, which spans from being an 11-year-old babysitting business founder to becoming a global fashion entrepreneur and renowned business coach.Her methodology emphasizes strong foundations, sustainable growth, and avoiding burnout by focusing on six key growth systems. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by wearing all the hats in your business or wondered why your efforts aren't yielding results, here's how to build a business that works smarter, not harder.With Celi, we discuss:00:00:04 – From homelessness to seven figures: Celi's journey00:02:42 – Building a babysitting business at 11 years old00:07:20 – Why failure is feedback, not the end00:15:06 – Breaking down the six key growth systems00:18:37 – The importance of understanding product-market fit00:22:35 – Customer surveys and discovering what people will pay for00:24:40 – Celi's ideal clients and sustainable growth00:25:04 – Final takeaway: It's easier than you thinkThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Selling a business can be a thrilling yet complex journey, and for Michael Zung, founder of Bloomist, it was a path filled with determination, challenges, and a commitment to sustainability. When Michael connected with WebsiteClosers' Jeff Hanson, buyers immediately had interest. Jeff sent out over 100 NDAs and had about a dozen serious discussions.Ultimately, they found the right buyer and Michael navigated his way to a successful exit, leaving behind a thriving brand and opening new doors for his entrepreneurial ambitions.Here's their story.----Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow Cristina Van Osten Revolutionized and Exited the Pigments IndustryHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperHow RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real IngredientsHow Adam Spiegel Built and Sold OwnloopThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to TJ Hudak, "It is an emotional roller coaster when you're selling a business." Recently, he worked with WebsiteClosers.com to sell his company, Paper Box SEO.Selling can be a tumultuous experience, filled with ups and downs that need to be managed skillfully. Emotions run high, but with the right approach, the process can be navigated successfully.So how did TJ and the WebsiteClosers team do it? And what advice can they give to those looking to eventually sell?Let's find out!Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow Cristina Van Osten Revolutionized and Exited the Pigments IndustryHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperHow RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real IngredientsHow Adam Spiegel Built and Sold OwnloopThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The way we handle payments is crucial to the success of any E-commerce businesses. The payment solutions market is pretty fragmented, and sometimes we hear about potentially groundbreaking innovations like instant direct payments. But you've got a million things on your mind, so the 3% cost of processing isn't all that concerning. Except if you do $2M in sales, that's $60,000 to your payment processor. And what about the cost of any fraud you encounter? Typically, that's on you. So it's a serious topic, and to shed light on payments for E-commerce, we're joined by Marshall Greenwald, the founder of Ionia.With Marshall, we discuss:(00:00:42) Instant Funding and Fraud Protection: ionipay Revolutionizing Payment Processing(00:03:18) Streamlining Payment Processing for Merchants(00:08:36) AI Revolutionizing Payment Processing Efficiency and Security(00:13:06) Compatibility and Cost Analysis of Payment UpgradesThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The B2B E-commerce landscape is evolving rapidly with new trends and technology shaping how businesses interact and transact with one another. From advanced digital tools to shifting buyer expectations, staying ahead of B2B E-commerce requires understanding these changes and adapting effectively. Let's shed some light on the latest trends and strategies.With Jason Greenwood, we discuss:(00:04) - B2B E-commerce Consolidation(05:16) - Expanding into B2B for D2C Brands(10:43) - Digital Transformation in B2B(11:09) - Digital Tools in B2B E-commerce(21:41) - Consulting for B2B Technology ImplementationThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most annoying parts of running an Ecommerce business is paying taxes. It's not so much that you have to pay the taxes (ok, that's not very fun). But oftentimes the bigger problem is making sure you're doing it the right way. And you're doing it on time. And you're paying enough taxes. But...Are you paying too much in taxes? As an Ecommerce business owner, how are you collecting the taxes and delivering that money to the right place, whether it's the federal government or the states? What if a customer is in a different state? Then are you required to collect taxes for that state? And how do you actually remit them? Why is it so hard to pay your taxes correctly for a small business owner?This is a complex topic, and unfortunately we see taxes hold up a lot of transactions when we get ready to sell companies. Fortunately, we've brought on someone to the show today who can help with these questions - Lahari Neelapareddy, Founder and CEO of TaxHero.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Bieker has successfully grown several businesses, such as Spiral Bible and Lume Cube, by emphasizing profitability, lean operations, and effective return on investment. Today, Alex shares actionable strategies for building scalable, sellable, and profitable e-commerce businesses, highlighting the importance of understanding financial metrics, maintaining a strategic approach to marketing, and continuously learning and adapting to the evolving digital marketplace.---This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking about the power of targeted messaging and offers, and the secret to driving successful digital marketing and lead conversion. Davey Jones understands buyer personas, and why it's critical to address the question, "Can you really do that for someone like me?"—a query that reassures customers about the product's relevance to their needs. By effectively leveraging tools such as discount campaigns, in-cart bump offers, and A/B testing, Davey believes businesses can fine-tune their messaging to resonate deeply with their target audience and drive sales. And that's exactly what we all want - more sales and more profitability. So let's find out how!(00:03:46) E-commerce Lead Generation with Targeted Popups(00:06:41) Strategic Checkout Discounts for Increased Sales(00:09:19) Conversion-Boosting Exit Intent Strategies(00:17:10) Personalized Lead Generation with Interactive Quizzes(00:24:18) Leveraging Email Lists for Business Success(00:26:51) Boosting Cart Value with Bump Offers(00:36:53) Boost Conversion Rates with Badao's Pop-Up Tools---Davey Jones is the CEO of BDOW and the co-host of the Brands that Book Podcast.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It can be tricky to grow your company while trying to sell it, because growing and selling are both full time jobs and then some. So how can a founder be expected to do all the things to maximize the offer?Today, “entrepreneurologist” Robbie Hardy joins us to answer this question. She and host Izach Porter discuss:The importance of maintaining operational excellence and long-term growth to attract potential investorsDocumenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance business valueThe role of financial indicators and realistic projections in transactionsDeal structuresSales cyclesNegotiation tacticsThe balance of it all!---Robbie Hardy is the Executive Mentor in Residence at Duke University, angel investor, author, and keynote speaker. This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many founders who are building up their businesses want to sell one day. It sounds like a dream, and it certainly can be. But the reality is it can also be very complicated, and not everyone is ready for the mental gymnastics and identity crisis of not leading your own company any more.So how can we best prepare for the exit and train the next owners as well, so the company's next phase is set up for success?---Cindy Anderson is the Founder and CEO of Thinc Strategy, which helps owners and leaders intentionally create the value they want for themselves, their team, and their business through every life cycle of the business. This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the KPIs buyers are looking for when analyzing a business is its conversion rate - the number of users who converted as a percentage of the total number of users that visit your site. A steadily increasing conversion rate can mean that your brand is becoming better known or your messaging is more attractive - and that's something that's attractive to the buyer as well. A decreasing conversion rate - unless you're getting a lot more users to the site - that could indicate something's wrong.So what are the vital metrics we need to analyze to move towards maximizing CRO?Courtney Lindau Lee is the Partner and Head of Practice at Nimble Gravity.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louie Torres is a first-generation American whose family comes from Ecuador. His mom had Louie when she was 18, and he didn't have another sibling until he was 10. So he had a lot of time to himself where he would script up his own movies or set up his Star Wars collection or just dream. And part of that dream was to find a way to make some cash.Today we share Louie's story of how he built and sold his digital marketing agency, Unleashed Consulting, after it pivoted twice, and after it nearly all came crashing down just months before he sold it. Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow Cristina Van Osten Revolutionized and Exited the Pigments IndustryHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperHow RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real IngredientsHow Adam Spiegel Built and Sold OwnloopT-Shirts, Pests, Gas, and Social Security: Elliot Marks' 4th ExitThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we hear from a founder who has built and sold four very different companies - a t-shirt business before ecommerce existed, a pest control service, a gas station, and most recently, an informational website with an adsense revenue model.How did he do it? Let's find out!Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow Cristina Van Osten Revolutionized and Exited the Pigments IndustryHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperHow RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real IngredientsHow Adam Spiegel Built and Sold OwnloopThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, Doug Grindstaff, and Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's topic is exit planning, and all of the steps you can take as a business owner to help you prepare to sell your business. We all want to sell for the highest possible price at the highest multiple. So what do we need to do to get there? And what are some potential pitfalls that could affect the sale of your business that you can avoid?Our guest is Jason Somerville, founder of GW Partners and South Col.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cristina Van Osten is one of those people where you're not surprised by her success because she's been making success happen her whole life. Back in her home country of Romania, she decided to sell Avon door to door at 16 years old - and thrived. A couple years later, she started two convenience stores and had a nice exit. After moving to the US at 22, while studying to be a CPA, working full time at a public accounting firm, and being a mom to her young daughter, with all the time on her hands she decided to start a side hustle ecommerce business called Rolio with her brother Radu. Not surprisingly, that also went very well for her.Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperHow RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real IngredientsHow Adam Spiegel Built and Sold OwnloopThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Doug Grindstaff, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Ecommerce entrepreneurs, we may not consider ourselves traditional investors. But in today's digital landscape, we're all in the business of selling and investing in our future. We may not have a stock ticker or a brick and mortar property, but we have websites and digital assets that hold incredible potential and can produce amazing cash flows.Today we have the privilege of welcoming a true trailblazer in the world of digital investments, Matt Raad, CEO of eBusiness Institute Australia. He has defied convention to achieve financial freedom through a path that started with nothing and transformed into a high cash flow portfolio by buying and selling online businesses.Here's how he does it.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Website Closers' Gwen Sylvester joins host Izach Porter to chat with Adam Spiegel, who built and sold Ownloop, because he needed a way to make money when his career took a turn for the worse because of the pandemic. Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperHow RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real IngredientsAdam's new company, EcomRelated.com.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Website Closers, we've brokered the sale of businesses anywhere from $100,000 in revenue to hundreds of millions of dollars ARR. But typically, buyers are looking for a company with a few million in revenue and an upward growth trend. And if you're in the low 7-figures and kinda stuck, that might be what our guest Nick Weiksner refers to as “No Man's Land”.Nick Weiksner is the CEO of South Col.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you looking for financial freedom through passive income? That sounds like a dream for most of us, and today we're going to learn the steps to start making that dream a reality, with Spencer Hilligoss, the CEO and co-founder, Madison InvestingThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Website Closers' Doug Grindstaff and Lenny Farber join host Izach Porter to talk with a college student who had an extremely profitable "gap year" from college - one where he built and sold his ecommerce business.Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperHow RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real IngredientsThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hyperlocal marketing is a strategy that targets potential customers who are close to your business location and looking for products and services like yours. The local area is usually very specific, which is awesome, but how does hyperlocal apply to ecommerce? Let's find out from LiveRetail's Wayne Reuvers, a serial entrepreneur who has led 6 exits for a combined $110M!This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many people think that when a company is looking to make an acquisition, they need to have the cash up front to give the seller or maybe give stock or some combination of stock and equity in their own company. And while some transactions do take place like this, most that I've seen at Website Closers require some amount of financing to get over the finish line.Today we chat with Stephen Speer, whose company EcommerceLending.com has funded over a billion dollars in online acquisition loans. And he's here to tell us about how the financing works when you're looking to buy a business - particularly for larger deals that are over the SBA lending threshold ($5 million loan). So let's figure out how this all works!This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Website Closers' Alex Matos joins host Izach Porter to talk with the co-founder of Rari Nutrtion, Sean Kelly about his exit in the super competitive supplement space. Previous How I Built and Sold This EpisodesHow a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her BusinessBreakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di MaioFrom Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company's Austin Wright and David ShohamLaser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his CompanyNetpicks' 7-figure exit in the day trading industryAn ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements marketCryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds' Successful ExitHow this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figuresA high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts' Gregg AlperThis episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know when a potential buyer is actually interested in your company or if they're just simply fishing for information? Or worse, are they trying to get access to some of your proprietary trade secrets? Unless you already have a relationship with the buyer and you've done your homework to properly vet them, it can be really difficult to figure this out and understand what their true motivations are. So today we're bringing in a certified forensic investigator, someone who's an expert at telling if someone is being truthful or if they're just BS'ing you.About Our GuestMichael Reddington is a Certified Forensic Investigator, President of Inquasive, and author of The Disciplined Listening Method.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking about subscriptions and membership sites - how to create them, grow them, and why recurring revenue streams are so attractive to potential buyers.About Our GuestOur guest today is Kristen Baileys, Co-founder and CEO of Bake Eat Love, which sells baking kits that come once a month.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is Robin Bennett, co founder of The Dog Gurus, someone who leveraged her expertise in “reading dogs” into courses, memberships, books, and an eventual exit.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The total market value of the hair care industry is about $100 Billion worldwide and over $15 Billion in the United States. That seems like a huge opportunity, but the market is dominated by big name players like Loreal, Proctor and Gamble, Johnson and Johnson, and Unilever.So how did Cordiale and Beth Di Maio find market share in 2007? And how did Beth overcome her husband's tragic passing and take Healium Hair to the next level - and even a successful exit?Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Ecommerce companies, we have so much information - sometimes too much information. What can we do with all of this data from our customers to maximize their experience while maintaining their privacy?Well today we're talking about the challenges that Ecommerce companies face when implementing AI, and how AI can unlock the value of your data to increase profitability, lifetime customer value, and return on ad spend.About Our GuestRichard Harris is the Founder & CEO of Black Crow AI, a no-code, real-time machine-learning-based predictive software that helps companies understand likely customer behavior.Richard is a veteran entrepreneur and has been involved in tech since the 90s. He cut his teeth in the world of consulting and was involved with a $10bn brand, Travelocity, during the dot com boom. Then, he has continued to be a serial founder with Black Crow AI being his 3rd VC-funded startup.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A couple episodes ago, Lauren Lee told us all about how we can use affiliate marketing to increase our bottom line. So how is referral marketing and word-of-mouth marketing different from that? And how can CloudSponge's Refer-a-Friend program double word-of-mouth sales?About Our GuestJay Gibb is the Founder and CEO of CloudSponge, the most effective way to get people to share e-commerce products with people they know. Since 2010, CloudSponge products have helped thousands of companies (including Stitch Fix, Reebok, JustFab, and American Giant to name a few) to make more sales and reduce customer acquisition costs by optimizing their referral interfaces with contact pickers and email personalization.As a technical leader with entrepreneurial drive and years of experience as a software developer, he has both the technical knowledge to help ecommerce store owners leverage plugins and SaaS tools for growth and the soft skills needed to communicate this knowledge to your listeners in a way that is both engaging and easy to understand.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Ecommerce, we all need much more than a bookkeeper to make sound financial decisions. We need instant information on cash flow, inventory, projections, and other KPIs. It's not easy, but Lio Pinchevski, CEO of Finaloop, has a solution.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all want to maximize sales, and a great way to do that is by leveraging other people's networks and influence to sell your products. But is it best to find influencers on your own or use an affiliate network? What platforms are best (and is it just social media)? And how do you even know when profit margins are ready? Basically in Ecommerce, how can we maximize our bottom line by using affiliate marketing?Lauren Lee is the Senior E-commerce Business Development Manager at ClickBank, a global e-commerce platform and affiliate marketplace.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking about new trends in performance marketing. Simply put, performance marketing is advertising that can be measured in real time, so that means Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram - anything that gives you quick information that allows you to make the right decisions for spending your marketing dollars. Spending money effectively is imperative to success in Ecommerce, and we have one of the best to tell us how - Marin Istvanic from Inspire Brands Group.This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While it's true that the cost of virtual storefront can be less than a Main Street location, you still need cash for team members, software, marketing, and inventory. When is the right time to invest that's safe and allows for growth? If we don't have the right cash flow timing, how can we overcome this obstacle? Our guest today is Oz Merchant, VP of Customer Success and Support at Viably, and he has a solution.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By the end of 2023, Google is planning to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome, meaning advertisers will have a much more difficult time tracking activity of potential customers. Seems like this could be disastrous for some Ecommerce companies - and yet FitzMartin's Will Riley argues that Ecommerce will largely go unscathed. Tune in to find out why.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many of us in Ecommerce, we don't really work from an office and we have no intention to. But what we do struggle with is camaraderie and connection. On the show today, Brett Martin from Kumospace gives us tips on how to create a company culture, even in a virtual world.About Brett Martin:Brett is the President and Co-Founder of Kumospace, a platform that provides virtual offices and event spaces where remote and hybrid teams collaborate and connect. He is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Charge Ventures (a pre-seed focused venture fund based in Brooklyn, NY), and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School where he teaches data analytics and technology strategy.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Hutchison is the founder of Strikeman, a laser training system that allows firearm owners to practice their shooting skills safely at home. Strikeman makes a cartridge that's the same size as a bullet, and it puts a laser on the back of it. When shooting the cartridge, a laser will track it to a target - and everything is captured by the Strikeman app. It's a brilliant idea, and like most entrepreneurs, Scott has plenty of them - but most of them don't work out. Today, find out more about Scott's entrepreneurial journey, his testing philosophy when he realized his ideas weren't all the best, and how Strikeman was build and sold.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jayson Waller has built multiple businesses, and at the beginning of 2022, his solar energy company Pink Energy was valued at $1 Billion. On his Business and Money podcast, he's interviewed Kevin O'Leary, Barry Sanders, Grant Cardone, and hundreds of others on his way to being one of the top entrepreneurial podcasts in the world. His rags to riches story is legendary. Things were going very well.Until a scandal, lawsuit, and bankruptcy has Jayson and Pink Energy fighting for survival. Today, Jayson shares his side of the story.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If your potential customer can't understand what it is that you do and how you can help them, then they are not going to convert on your site. If they can't understand what you are selling, they will leave and go buy from someone else.” Those words are from our guest today, StoryBrand Certified Guide Jessica Embree, and she comes on to tell us how we can discover our core customers and market to them through storytelling.About JessicaJessica Embree has been the Creative Director at Tulip Media Group for over six years. She is a StoryBrand Certified Guide who works with our Client-Partners to craft their brand identities into compelling stories with clear and consistent marketing messaging. Jessica is also GoogleAd Certified and takes the lead on the keyword strategies and research for all of our digital marketing programs. A lifelong entrepreneur, Jessica started her first business at the age of 10. Under the banner of J&J Blueberry Enterprise, Jessica and her sister, Jennifer, harvested blueberries from their family's blueberry farm and sold them door to door. She was also a competitive fencer and represented her province at the Canada Games. Jessica is the co-author of Double Sales / Zero Salespeople: Optimize Your Sales and Marketing Into One Business Development Strategy That Works!, released in August 2021.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global E-commerce sales is now at roughly $6 Trillion a year, and the United States share of that is impressive, but it's only about $1 Trillion a year. That means if you're listening to this and you're in the United States, international E-commerce is a little more than 80% of the market. So if we're not looking internationally, we're missing out. But how can we do that? And what are the roadblocks we need to be aware of?Andy Hooper, CEO of Global E-Commerce Experts, has been successfully expanding e-commerce brands into new markets for over 15 years. An accomplished specialist in e-commerce, Andy now works with companies around the world providing comprehensive gateways and solutions to new markets, especially US-based organisations transitioning into Europe. Starting from the ground up, Andy has carved out a niche inspired by his own experience and success of growing an organisation's profits through e-commerce. With an infectious energy for success, Andy leads a team of professionals in all aspects of e-commerce. With fulfilment centres in the UK & EU, the Global E-Commerce team provide hassle-free end to end solutions that have helped 1000's of sellers capitalise on the multi-billion dollar UK & EU markets. When not working, Andy can often be found enjoying sailing, cycling, and kayaking with his friends and family on England's south coast.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're sharing an episode of the Ecom 365 Podcast, hosted by ShopAgain.io's Maruti Agarwal. Enjoy, and we'll be back in your feed with new episodes soon.---Brokers are an essential part of any industry. eCommerce businesses are no different. These businesses are bought and sold every day, and to steer those sales, brokers are essential. Traditional brokers have little to no understanding of the nuances of online businesses and what goes into trading them. Izach Porter (https://www.websiteclosers.com/broker...) is no traditional business broker. A man of many talents, he tells us what goes into the sale and purchase of online businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Malik McCray from SimpliWorks talks about scalable Amazon advertising solutions with no ad experience and how his company is launching winning Amazon advertising campaigns in one click, improving gross sales in as little as 14 days without ever touching an ad account, eliminating keyword research, campaign set up and daily ad management with the first one-click Amazon PPC automation software. Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2021, Amazon had over 40% of the US Ecommerce sales with the next closest competitor (Walmart) at 7%. Some Ecommerce entrepreneurs might look at the 40% number as disheartening. How can they be expected to compete when all of the e-commerce is dominated by that brand? Others might look at this statistic as an opportunity because you can actually sell your products on Amazon, and you don't necessarily have to have an amazing website right away. There's a cost, of course, as Amazon can take up to 30% of the revenue off the top. So how do we sort all this out? We bring on Amazon expert Ashley Kinkead.Ashley Kinkead is the founder of Private Label Mastery and the host of the Private Label Mastery Podcast.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can we leverage science and behavioral psychology to increase our Ecommerce sales without feeling like we're in Boiler Room or Wolf of Wall Street? Jeremy Miner is a Sales Coach and Trainer, Founder of the Neuro-Persuasion Sales Method, and the host of the Closers are Losers Podcast.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Press releases have been around for quite some time, because it's a great way to get news out about your company. Maybe you had a record quarter, or maybe you closed out a round of funding, or maybe WebsiteClosers.com announced the sale of your Ecommerce business (those are our favorites). But the question is, How are press releases valuable to the businesses? Let's find out from Mickie Kennedy, founder and CEO of eReleases, which has been in the press release experts since 1998.Today's episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.