The Opportunity Podcast

If you've ever had to deal with fake reviews sabotaging your Amazon business, you know how damaging and frustrating it can be. That's why Shane Barker created TraceFuse, an AI-powered platform that helps Amazon sellers detect and remove negative reviews that violate Amazon's policies, without you having to lift a finger. In this episode, Shane joins us to discuss how TraceFuse came to life, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how Amazon's rating and review system really works. We dive into how to spot fake reviews, the consequences of letting them slide, and which niches are the biggest targets for fake review attacks. According to Shane, “Reviews are the core of Amazon. They not only affect sales, they also affect your Best Seller ranking and your star rating. We've seen people lose anywhere from 10% to 50% of their sales because they dropped from 4.3 to 4.2 stars. If you're a seller, you need to really focus on reviews. They're the biggest thing you've got going.” Shane also shares some of the most surprising, and occasionally bizarre, fake reviews he's come across, and walks us through the difference between the traditional manual reporting process and the streamlined system TraceFuse offers. If you're an Amazon seller looking to protect your brand, improve your ratings, and fight back against unfair review tactics, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Topics Discussed in this episode: Shane's background and the origins of TraceFuse (02:40) How the rating and review system on Amazon works (07:11) How to identify fake reviews (10:58) The consequences of fake reviews (19:39) The niches that are most targeted by fake review attacks (21:48) The most surprising reviews Shane has seen (27:38) The manual process for reporting fake reviews vs the TraceFuse process (31:36) White hat vs grey hat reputation management (35:55) The RIO Shane has seen for his clients by removing fake reviews (40:32) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter TraceFuse Amazon Review Checker Smart Scout eCom Engine Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to manage fake Amazon reviews!  

Most entrepreneurs are so busy chasing new opportunities that they overlook the goldmine sitting right inside their own business. That's where eCommerce growth expert Sabir Semerkant comes in. With 25 years of experience and over $1 billion in incremental sales under his belt, Sabir knows exactly where businesses are leaving money on the table. He uses that experience to help other businesses grow through his growth mastermind curse, Growth By Sabir.In this episode, Sabir walks us through the often-overlooked opportunities that can be unlocked through performance optimization. He explains the power of consistency and compound growth, showing how a simple 1% boost in key metrics each day can lead to almost 37x growth over a year. Much of this growth can be accessed from within your business, by using the resources and data already at your disposal. Sabir explains, “You don't see librarians driving Lamborghinis. They have access to all the knowledge in the library, but they're not using it. Many entrepreneurs are the same. They have data all over the place, scattered in Shopify, Google Analytics, Klaviyo, Google ads, Meta ads, etc. But they don't  use that data to help them grow their business.” If you're ready to scale smarter, not harder, this episode is packed with game-changing insights. Don't miss it! Topics Discussed in this episode: From computer scientist to eCommerce veteran (02:18) The compounding power of just 1% growth every day (14:48) The importance of performance optimization (19:57) What is a good ROAS for an eCommerce company? (29:38) Direct response marketing is a powerful tool that is often overlooked (36:09) The dangers of offering too many discounts to your customers (44:14) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Growth by Sabir (special offer) GT Metrix Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn the power of performance optimization!  

Many people talk about personal branding like it's the golden ticket to success. But is it really the best way to grow a business?  There's no doubt that having a strong personal brand can open doors. It helps you stand out, build trust, and connect with an audience. Entrepreneurs like Alex Hormozi have used their personal brands to create massive business opportunities. But here's the catch—when your business revolves around you, scaling becomes a challenge. What happens when you want to step away? Or sell the business? Buyers don't want a business that disappears when the owner does. They want systems, not personalities. In this episode, Greg breaks down the pros and cons of building a personal brand and whether it's worth your time. He also shares alternative strategies, like focusing on building a great product or service first, as well as practical advice on how to balance personal branding with long-term business growth. If you've been wondering whether you need a personal brand to succeed, this episode will give you a fresh perspective. Tune in and find out how to do it the right way! Topics Discussed in this episode: Personal brands are not as important as you think (02:00) Personal brands only work if you have an interesting story (04:15) The opportunity cost of personal branding (05:50) The advantages of having a personal brand (09:33) The challenge of selling a business with a personal brand (14:39) The marketing funnel misconception (19:58) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter The Leader Sip Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn the pros and cons of personal branding when building a business.

Is the AI boom just another bubble waiting to burst, or is it the start of a power wave of business opportunities? Well, that depends on how sustainable AI-driven businesses are in the long run.In this episode, Greg dives into the realities of AI-driven businesses—covering what makes them valuable, the risks buyers should watch out for, and whether AI businesses have long-term staying power. Greg explores how AI is being used in eCommerce, marketing agencies, and SaaS, and why some models succeed while others struggle. With rapid advancements, AI businesses can scale quickly, but they also face challenges like dependence on third-party technology, evolving regulations, and increasing competition.Thinking about selling your AI business? We cover what buyers are actually looking for—like strong recurring revenue and proprietary data. And if you're considering buying an AI business, Greg shares tips on how to spot real opportunities and avoid risky deals. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about the AI boom, this episode is packed with insights to help you make smart decisions. Topics Discussed in this episode: The AI business boom & overheating market (01:26) The risk of AI business obsolescence (02:46) The best strategy: build fast & sell fast (05:46) The reality of selling AI businesses (09:16) eCommerce and AI media companies as a safer business model (12:03) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Sit back, and grab a coffee as we discuss the opportunities and pitfalls of the AI boom.

Great entrepreneurs don't just wait for opportunities, they create them. That's exactly what Tim Swieter did. It all started when Tim was searching for storage containers for his home workshop. He quickly realized that the Systainer market in the U.S. had a major gap. Instead of just moving on, he saw an opportunity. So, he reached out to the international owners of Systainer with a proposition - he wanted to become their U.S. distributor. Fast-forward a few years, and what started as a side hustle turned into the largest Systainer distribution business in the country. Then came the ultimate full-circle moment: Tim sold the business back to Systainer's owners, walking away with a lucrative payday and a wealth of experience. In this episode, Tim shares the inside story—how he identified an overlooked niche, built brand recognition and trust, and scaled his business. He also opens up about the challenges of selling, the unexpected hurdles he faced, and what it's really like to stay involved as a consultant post-acquisition. According to Tim, “If you're going to consult, you have to set boundaries and clearly outline the scope of your work. You also need to know that you really want to work with that team. If those things don't exist, you either need to really cut back on the consulting or not do it at all.” Whether you're looking to sell your business or searching for inspiration on how to build one, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Topics Discussed in this episode: From building theme park rollercoasters to running an eCommerce business  (02:08) The challenges Tim faced launching and growing his business (10:36) The marketing strategies Tim used to build trust and brand recognition (13:00) Balancing B2B vs B2C customers (20:35) How Tim became the biggest Systainer supplier in the US (23:08) How Tim ended up selling his Systainer business (27:39) Calculating a valuation for the business (32:27) The timeline of the sale - it's always longer than you think (38:17) Tim's new post-acquisition consulting role (40:22) Tim's work in the SaaS world and the opportunities he found in that industry (47:12) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Tim's LinkedIn Systainer.store Swieter.net Pipedream Retool Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how this entrepreneur identified a gap in the market and used it to his advantage!

Marketplaces are notoriously hard businesses to run and build. We would know.Running a marketplace means constantly balancing two sides—the buyers and the sellers. If one side struggles, the whole thing falls apart.Chris M. Walker has cracked the code of this delicate dance. As the founder of Legiit, a thriving freelance marketplace for businesses, agencies, and SEOs, he's learned how to make both sides of the equation work in harmony. In this episode, we sit down with Chris to unpack the operational challenges of running a double-sided marketplace. He shares the lessons he's learned, the mistakes he's made, and the strategies that helped Legiit become a trusted platform for freelancers.One of the biggest takeaways? The power of company culture. Scaling a business means founders can't do everything themselves. Chris believes a strong, well-aligned remote team is the key to keeping things running smoothly—even when you're not in the room. He prioritizes culture to make sure his team is not just working but thriving. If you're growing a business, managing a remote team, or thinking about starting your own marketplace, you won't want to miss this conversation. Tune in to the full episode to learn more! Topics Discussed in this episode: Chris's origins story and how he ended up creating Legiit (02:38) Dealing with the double-sided marketplace problem (07:09) How Chris attracts customers to Legiit (09:39) Using courses as a loss-leader product (13:58) Chris breaks down Legiit's marketing funnel (16:03) Chris's experience at the India SEO conference and the power of conferences (21:03) How Chris structures and manages his team (27:52) Chris's advice for managing remote teams (32:09) How freelancers can get clients and how to adjust to a larger client base (36:35) Chris's thoughts on the impact of AI and the future of SEO (44:06) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Legiit Chris's Facebook Chris's YouTube Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to grow a marketplace and build an efficient remote team!

SEO has always been a powerful way to drive online traffic, but with the rise of AI and Google algorithm updates, the game has shifted. So how do SEO agencies combat these new challenges and remain relevant? Steven Schneider, co-founder of TrioSEO, believes the secret is sticking to the fundamentals, and honing in what you're good at. In this episode, Steven shares why he's still a big believer in SEO, how he's adapted his agency to make the most of modern SEO, and how AI has reshaped online traffic. Steven also gives actionable tips on protecting your site from Google algorithm updates, explaining that quality content should be your top priority. He also explains that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. According to Steven,  “ Everyone's trying to shave off time in SEO, but that's not how it works.  SEO is a game of delayed gratification. The strategy is to build something that will last for years. And if you're thinking in months and weeks, you're already upside down from the get-go.” Whether you're running an SEO agency or looking to boost your site's performance, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies you can start using today. Topics Discussed in this episode: Steven's background and how he ended up in online business (02:05) Narrowing down a target audience for your agency (15:03) Why Steven focused heavily on content through his agency (18:35) How Steven vets his white label partners (20:54) Why communication is key to an agency's success (23:36) Is SEO enough for most companies or is omnichannel the way to go? (32:24) SEO best practices to shield yourself from Google algorithm updates (34:33) How AI is affecting search (38:24) How Steven has incorporated AI as a tool in his business (44:19) How to maintain good quality traffic from Google despite AI (46:27) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Steven's LinkedIn TrioSEO Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to build a modern SEO agency.  

Bringing a new product to market is no small feat. But launching a disruptive product that has the potential to transform an industry? That's a whole different ball game.That's exactly what David Bean set out to do with Nira, his business that develops innovative at-home skincare lasers to fight aging. In this episode, David shares the highs and lows of launching and scaling his unusual business—how he navigated the uphill battle of finding early-stage funding, tackled the challenges of marketing something brand-new, and built brand recognition for a never-before-seen product.  David also shares practical advice on what to look for in an investor, how to prepare your business for investors, and how to remain relevant in the rapidly changing online business environment. According to David, “The online business industry  is changing so much. The best way to take advantage of great opportunities is to be nimble. To be agile and to adjust. You've got to constantly be educating yourself. If you can do that, then you'll do really well.” If you're thinking about launching a business of your own,  this episode is packed with stories, tips, and advice to help you take that first step. Topics Discussed in this episode: Moving from being an engineer to becoming an eCommerce entrepreneur (02:48) The challenges David had to overcome building his beauty company (14:00) How David launched his business after eight years researching his product (24:22) How changes in Facebook Ad algorithms have affected David's business (30:27) David's advice to entrepreneurs seeking early-stage funding (32:16) The characteristics David looks for in an investor (40:09) The big milestones David wants to hit with his business moving forward (46:15) David's advice to entrepreneurs looking to bring disruptive products to market (48:28) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Nira David's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to launch a disruptive business from the ground up!  

Growing a business to 7 figures is a huge achievement—but pushing past that million-dollar milestone can feel like hitting a wall. Scaling from $1 million to $10 million is a whole different ballgame. So, how do you navigate this tricky terrain and break through the “seven-figure desert”? Perry Marshall believes the key to unlocking exponential growth is the 80/20 principle. Perry is an experienced business strategist and the author of 80/20 Sales and Marketing. He also wrote Ultimate Guide to Google Ads, the world's best-selling book on internet advertising. In this episode, Perry shares how applying the 80/20 rule—where 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts—can transform the way you approach your business. As businesses grow, so do their complexities. Perry explains that moving into the high 7-figure range means shifting your skillset from running your business to leading the people who run it. At this level, simply being busy isn't enough to achieve success. You have to be busy doing the right things. It may surprise some entrepreneurs, but doing the right thing also includes taking time away from your business. According to Perry, “If you don't have empty space in your day,  you'll never be able to think. Your most productive time is almost never sitting in front of your computer. It's having space to think. I call it Renaissance time. You have to have space to think about your business, outside of your business.” If you want to unlock massive growth, this episode is packed with game-changing insights you won't want to miss. Topics Discussed in this episode: How employee equity helped Perry start his first online business (02:52) The indicators that a business is ready to scale and how to prepare for growth (12:19) The five levels of 80/20 (18:48) How to apply the 80/20 principle to a business's growth (25:47) Why you can't build your business without ‘renaissance time' (34:23)  Common bottlenecks that hinder growth (45:35) How to grow while avoiding the pitfalls of rapid growth (51:00) The first step to reigniting growth after hitting a plateau (55:03) Perry's predictions on how AI will affect the future of Google in SEO and PPC (57:27) The best business advice Perry has ever received (1:04:22) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter PerryMarshall.com/podcast  American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to unlock exponential growth using the 80/20 principle!  

As a business owner, your time is one of your most valuable assets. It's easy to get bogged down by day-to-day tasks that pull you away from what really matters—growing your business. Finding ways to take back your time is key to running your business smoothly and efficiently. This is exactly the challenge Mahmoud Elsaid, founder of the content agency Content Wish, faced. Managing over 50 contractors, Mahmoud was drowning in manual tasks like processing orders, invoicing, and hiring. To fix this, he built automations that now save him more than 3 hours every single day. In this episode, Mahmoud shares how he scaled his agency using automations and AI. He opens up about the struggles he encountered along the way and walks us through the tools and processes that helped him streamline operations. Mahmoud also gives advice to fellow entrepreneurs who are looking to automate their agencies: “Before you can automate your agency, you have to fix and test your processes with clear KPIs.  If your processes don't work or don't achieve the required KPIs, there is no point in stressing over automation.” If you're ready to reclaim your time, optimize your operations, and take your agency to the next level, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Topics Discussed in this episode: How Mahmoud earned his first dollar online at age 15 and what he's up to now (03:20) The catalyst that inspired Mahmoud to start his own agency (09:21) Scaling ContentWish and the critical decisions that led to growth (11:54) Adapting a content agency to thrive in the age of AI (16:18) The most common SEO issues Mahmoud's clients encounter (20:26) The automations that transformed Mahmoud's agency and the AI tools he used (22:24) Mahmoud's advice to agency owners looking to automate their operations (26:03) How to ensure that automations don't compromise personal touch (28:55) The challenges Mahmoud faced when automating his agency (31:42) Trends and opportunities in SEO and AI in the next few years (33:41) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter ContentWish Mahmoud's LinkedIn Make.com Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to streamline your operations using automations!

Some of the best businesses start organically —by solving a real problem.Jordan Saniuk's business was no different. As a realtor, Jordan had trouble selling a property and noticed a bigger issue: Realtors needed a better way to connect. So, he created a platform where they could share listings, price reductions, bonuses, and more. Realtors loved it, and within a year, Jordan's idea grew to 500 clients and 43,000 subscribers. In our latest podcast episode, Jordan shares how he built this business from scratch and sold it for six figures—all in just 12 months. Jordan opens up about the challenges he encountered while scaling his business and the tools and techniques that helped him succeed. One of the keys to Jordan's success was his effective use of email marketing. He found a way to connect with potential clients without overwhelming them, building trust and credibility along the way. But Jordan didn't stop at digital marketing. He also tapped into the power of in-person networking. Jordan explains, “Lots of people want to start an online business and market it through social media and paid online ads, but there's no replacement for in-person networking. Telling people about what you're doing in real life, getting them excited about it, and having them tell other people. Real social proof of concept is much more powerful than reposting someone's story on Instagram.” This mix of online and offline efforts gave Jordan's business the edge it needed to fuel its explosive growth. After just one year, Jordan decided to sell the business—a big move that came with valuable lessons of its own. Tune into this episode to hear how Jordan turned a simple idea into a six-figure success story. Topics Discussed in this episode: Jordan's background and how he became a digital entrepreneur (02:13) The power of email as a growth tool (06:10) How Jordan scaled his email list to 43,000 subscribers in just one year (09:00) The challenges Jordan faced as he rapidly grew his business (18:19) Why Jordan decided to sell his business (26:55) The untapped power of direct mail (34:19) What has changed for Jordan since he sold this business (38:30) What Jordan would have done differently if he had to start again (43:11) Jordan's advice to first-time business sellers (45:43) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Postoff.ca Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how effective email marketing helped build a six-figure business in just one year!

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!

How do you integrate your business into consumers' lives and have your products playing on their minds, even when they're not online? Today's guest believes Pinterest is the key to deepening customer engagement. In this episode, we talk to Kate Ahl, the founder of Simple Pin Media, a marketing agency that creates personalized Pinterest marketing strategies for online businesses. Kate also created the Simple Pin Podcast, a popular Pinterest-focused podcast that boasts over a million downloads. Kate has a unique take on Pinterest, believing that it doesn't fit in with the likes of Instagram and Facebook. She has often stated: “Pinterest is very much like Google. It is not a social media platform, it is a search and discovery network.” In this interview, Kate elaborates on this concept and explains how patience is a virtue when marketing on this unique platform – which can pay off handsomely. We also dig into what makes Pinterest users tick and how entrepreneurs can leverage Pinterest to grow their traffic and boost their brand awareness.  Kate walks us through how the pinning platform has changed over the years and the new trends that are shaping the Pinterest landscape. Taking these factors into account, Kate discusses the biggest challenges businesses face when using Pinterest and how to go about setting up a successful Pinterest marketing strategy for years to come. If you feel like your Pinterest marketing is lacking that extra oomph, you don't want to miss out on this episode! Topics Discussed in this episode: How Kate got started on Pinterest and the birth of Simple Pin Media (02:04) Why Pinterest is a search and discovery network, not a social media platform (07:52) How Pinterest can supplement your SEO to bring in floods of traffic to your site (09:19) How the Pinterest ecosystem has evolved over the years (14:18) What it takes to be successful and the trends driving Pinterest today (17:27) The Pinterest Verified Merchant Program and buying intent on Pinterest (21:58) Is Pinterest the right platform for Amazon sellers? (29:03) The steps to starting a successful Pinterest marketing strategy (35:46) Kate's biggest success story growing client's businesses through Pinterest (44:12) The biggest challenges that businesses encounter when using Pinterest (47:03) How Kate built her Simple Pin Media team by training women in her community (51:25) What Kate's podcast has shown her about the power of the Pinterest community (54:18) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Simple Pin Media Canva Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to create a Pinterest marketing strategy that will shine a spotlight on your business!

In order to be successful, eCommerce sellers need to have the ability to be flexible and pivot to meet new trends head-on.  In this episode, Kasey Luck explains how Shopify merchants can take advantage of the hype surrounding NFTs by minting and selling them through their Shopify stores. Kasey is the founder of Luck & Co, an agency that specializes in increasing eCommerce conversion and retention rates through SMS and email marketing. She also has a YouTube channel, where she teaches valuable industry advice, helping eCommerce sellers to boost their sales.  Kasey walks us through the various use-cases for NFTs in eCommerce, the risks and rewards of branching out into NFTs, and how the crossover between eCommerce and blockchain will affect the industry in the coming years.  We also discuss what drew Kasey to the eCommerce industry, and her passion for email and SMS marketing. She explains the power that these marketing channels can provide to business owners, and reveals the most common marketing mistakes she sees sellers make. According to Kasey, “When you start a new brand, the first thing that you should be thinking about and setting up is your traffic. If you don't have traffic, you don't have anything else. It's too soon to be focusing on things like email and SMS marketing if you don't have any idea how you're going to drive traffic to your site.” If you're ready to step into the future of eCommerce and learn more about NFTs and the metaverse, then this is a conversation you don't want to miss out on! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Kasey walks us through her entrepreneurial journey so far (03:28) Why Kasey decided to start her own marketing agency (06:30) Why working in the eCommerce industry really resonates with Kasey (09:26) The common marketing mistakes that trip eCommerce sellers up (13:36) Kasey explains what exactly an NFT is(18:51) How NFTs are crossing over into the eCommerce world (23:45) The fundamentals Shopify owners should have in place before launching NFTs (29:15) The biggest risks associated with selling NFTs on Shopify (32:01) The advantages available to sellers who get into the NFT game early on (33:37) The changes Kasey predicts in the eCommerce industry over the next few years (34:39) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Luck & Co ReallyGoodEmails.com Mailed.com Mailcharts.com Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to take your eCommerce business to the next level by minting and selling  NFTs through your Shopify store.

In today's world, almost everyone uses email. But many entrepreneurs still underestimate the power of email marketing and its ability to establish a meaningful connection with your customers.  This week's guest is Greg Zakowicz, a veteran email marketer and the Sr. eCommerce Expert at Omnisend, an eCommerce marketing automation platform. With 15 years of experience under his belt, Greg has witnessed firsthand the transformative power that email marketing can have on eCommerce businesses. According to Greg,  “If you sell something online, you should probably be sending marketing emails. Otherwise, you're leaving money on the table.” In this episode, Greg discusses how email has evolved over time and how to set up a successful, automated email marketing strategy. He explains how to use email marketing in each step of the buyer journey and how it can plug the holes that social media marketing can't fill.  He also walks us through how to breathe life back into a dormant email list and some of the common email marketing pitfalls that trip up eCommerce business owners.  If your list of email subscribers is simply gathering dust, you don't want to miss out on Greg's valuable insights! Topics Discussed in this episode: How Greg got his start in the world of email marketing (01:16) How email marketing has evolved over time and why it remains relevant (06:49) Why email marketing is an essential tool for e-commerce businesses (14:39) The foundations of setting up a successful email marketing strategy (21:16) How to revitalize a dormant email list and reestablish a meaningful connection with existing subscribers (27:14) The common email marketing pain points that entrepreneurs encounter (34:21) What email marketing success looks like, and who is getting it right (40:58) How SMS can work hand-in-hand with email marketing (45:20) Pro tips for utilizing automations in your email marketing (51:38) Insight into any upcoming email and SMS automation trends (56:52) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Onmisend Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to leverage the power of email marketing!

How important is SEO to your business? Great SEO is a primary factor in many online businesses' success. But approaching it for the first time can feel like a minefield. Between out-of-date information and seemingly constant changes to Google's algorithm, you may think SEO is an impossible game to win. But Kyle Roof knows it's far from that. In fact, the SEO guru has obtained a US patent proving exactly how you can manipulate SEO to rank on search engines. Kyle is the lead SEO at High Voltage SEO, Founder of PageOptimizer Pro, Co-founder & SEO Instructor at Internet Marketing Gold (IMG), speaker, trainer, and all-around hub of SEO knowledge. He joined The Opportunity Podcast to dispel some of the common myths and misconceptions about SEO practices and the Google algorithm, and reveals what site owners should be doing to improve their SEO and outperform their competition. Topics Discussed in this episode: The biggest SEO misconceptions and mistakes to avoid How to get started with SEO How to get your site to rank What to do when there's a search engine algorithm update and how to protect your site against it Kyle's advice for more advanced SEO practitioners Why testing is key to developing your SEO skills What the future of SEO looks like Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace High Voltage SEO PageOptimizer Pro Internet Margeting Gold (IMG) Ahrefs Moz Discover more SEO insights and find out how to apply them to your site by listening to the full interview with Kyle.

What if I told you that there's a secret ingredient that can help you sell almost any business (yes, even the declining ones) in a fraction of the time?  I'm not referring to huge discounts or expert-level negotiation tactics. I'm talking about the often underestimated element of trust.  Doron Wolffberg, SEO expert and co-founder of Cliverse, has built and sold many content sites and has made buyer-seller trust the central focus of deals.  In this week's episode, Doron shares how transparency and trust helped him sell a content site at a full listing price to a first-time buyer in just one day! He explains how this tactic not only preserves your reputation as a seller but also equips the buyer with the necessary information to take your business to the next level. Doron also dives into the key focus areas for building a successful content site and reveals how to prepare your site for a speedy and profitable sale. According to Doron, “Before you sell your site, make sure that you fix any faults from a technical standpoint. When buyers look at your site, they look at things like page speed. So even though it's not a huge ranking factor, if buyers see your site has a low score, it might turn them down a bit.” If you're looking for ways to scale your content site or tips on how to market your site to sellers, this is the episode for you! Topics Discussed in this episode: How Doron got his start in the online business world (01:58) Doron breaks down the sites in his portfolio and his current projects (03:11) The benefits of being in the content site industry (04:12) Details about the business Doron recently sold on Empire Flippers (06:08)  The importance of seller transparency during an acquisition (11:54) How to market a flawed business fairly (16:09) A common factor that buyers neglect to think of during the sales process (19:22) Why quality should be the core focus for content site owners in 2022 (22:03) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Cliverse Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to set your content site up for a profitable, and fair, sale.

Spotting a promising acquisition is just the beginning. Figuring out how to make that acquisition thrive is a whole new challenge.  Dom Wells has cracked the code for both. Dom is the founder of Onfolio, a company that specializes in buying and nurturing profitable online businesses. Since Dom's last appearance on the podcast in October 2022, shortly after Onfolio went public, the company's revenue has surged from $1.2 million to nearly $6 million. In this episode, Dom returns to discuss how his acquisition strategy has evolved. He's shifted away from content sites and instead focused on acquiring agencies, WordPress plugins, and digital courses.  Why the change? Content sites are excellent traffic assets, great for cultivating audiences and communities, but they come with a notable drawback—the vulnerability to AI and algorithm shake-ups.  To mitigate this risk, Dom advises content site owners to pivot beyond SEO and affiliate revenue. They should explore innovative ways to build their audience and convert it into a thriving community or media brand. One effective approach is to channel traffic toward additional revenue streams like newsletters, digital courses, or eCommerce stores. Dom also walks us through how he goes about acquiring businesses, from the characteristics he looks for in a business to his preferred deal structure and how he sources CEOs to run those businesses.  Finally, Dom shares his insights on current market conditions for sellers.  He believes the market is unlikely to return to the high valuations of 2020/2021 any time soon. Therefore, entrepreneurs who have a large chunk of their net worth invested in their businesses are shouldering enormous risk by delaying selling their businesses in the hopes of waiting out the market.  Don't miss this episode packed with valuable insights into the world of acquisitions and the evolving landscape of online business! Topics Discussed in This Episode: A brief breakdown of Onfolio's business model and history  (02:26) The characteristics Dom looks for when acquiring businesses (05:05) Mitigating the risks of running a content site through diversification (08:37) The benefits of buying an agency (17:00) The metrics Dom looks at when valuing an agency (22:45) How Dom sources quality CEOs to run his businesses (29:13)  Dom's approach to CEO onboarding (37:20) The characteristics of a good CEO (41:00) Dom's ideal deal structure when acquiring businesses (45:34) Dom shares his outlook on the current sellers' market (47:53) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Dom's previous Opportunity podcast interview Onfolio Dom's X (Twitter) Greg Eisenberg's  X (Twitter) Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how an acquisition pro approaches growing his portfolio!

Sometimes, our talents are immediately recognizable. Other times, we accidentally stumble across things we end up being incredibly good at. This is what happened to James Dooley. Initially, he worked as a project manager, seeking a reliable way to generate leads for the business he was part of. He had a website created for that business and stumbled upon the world of SEO. What followed was a whirlwind of success. Today, James boasts a staggering portfolio of over 800 clients in more than 650 diverse industries, making him a prominent figure in the rank and rent industry. He's taken things a step further by investing in many of the businesses he provides leads to. In this episode, James joins us to reveal the secrets to his success. He discusses the importance of testing and research when it comes to SEO and ranking, and the crucial role his team has played in the growth of his business. James explains, “The best investment I've made is in the people that work with me. Forget the content, the backlinks, the websites, the businesses we work for. If you get good quality people around you, you encourage them and give them enough space to let them grow and do their own thing, they will do everything for you.” James offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how he builds trust with clients and leverages directories to attract leads. He also debunks common SEO myths and errors while unveiling the SEO strategies he believes yield the best results. According to James,  “Parasite SEO is great for getting instant wins. Quickly build a site on a high DR domain, and hit it with a couple of tier-two backlinks. At present, that's the best way of generating quick traffic.” If you're thinking of getting into the rank and rent or lead generation game, or simply aiming to supercharge your existing business, this is one conversation you don't want to miss! Topics Discussed in This Episode: James briefly touches on how he has elevated the rank and rent model (04:06) A look at James' background and how he got into the world of SEO (06:03) The importance of R&D and how James's team is structured (12:12) James debunks common SEO myths and mistakes (15:02) How James acquires and maintains clients for his rank and rent business (20:24) James explains how he uses directories to attract leads (29:00) Building trust in a pay-per-performance business model (37:18) Why James decided to invest in many of the businesses he works with (43:46) How James attracts and retains talented employees (49:16) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  James Dooley.com Screaming Frog MarketMuse Surfer SEO AutoBlogging Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to take your rank and rent business to a whole new level!

What is the secret to creating the fastest-growing startup in Canada before the age of 24? For Blair Forrest, the answer lay in identifying the nexus between a common pain point for FBA business owners, and an untapped gap in the logistics market.  While Amazon helps out by delivering products to consumers, the onus is on the seller to receive, store, label, and transport the inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers. It was here that Blair identified an opportunity. Blair is the founder of AMZ Prep, an end-to-end fulfillment solution for Amazon FBA sellers. AMZ Prep stores, preps, packs, and ships inventory to Amazon on behalf of sellers, saving them precious time and resources.   In this episode, Blair joins us to discuss the common logistical pitfalls that FBA sellers experience and outlines the various ways FBA sellers can optimize their logistics. According to Blair, “A lot of businesses have a fragmented approach to logistics, which is often why they don't get the valuation that they want, or why they're not able to scale. What turns a good seller into a great seller is optimizing their fulfillment with a solid partner that has multiple warehouses, and can expand you to other marketplaces like Shopify and Walmart.”  Blair also shares insights into how he juggled starting and scaling a business while being a full-time student, and the various lessons he has learned along the way.  If you want to learn how to structure your logistics and inventory management like an FBA all-star, then this is the episode for you! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Blair walks us through his entrepreneurial journey so far (03:55) How Blair juggled running a business and being a full-time student (14:30) The gap in the market that inspired Blair to create AMZ Prep (18:28) Some common pain-points Amazon Sellers are experiencing today (22:17) How to streamline your Amazon logistics (29:16)  The common mistakes FBA sellers make when it comes to logistics (36:50) The secret to Blair's success (46:20) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace AMZ Prep Notion Minimalist journaling article Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to create a logistics strategy that will set you up for future success. 

Sometimes, it's an entrepreneur's ability to neutralize their weaknesses that paves the way to their success. By prioritizing important tasks and removing themselves from activities they aren't skilled at or simply don't like, entrepreneurs can focus their talents on areas of their business where they can make a measured difference.  Implementing systems like these helped Lauren Tickner turn her side hustle as a fitness coach into a 7-figure online business by the age of 21.  But Lauren didn't stop there. She realized that the systems she used to grow her fitness coaching business could be applied to all industries.  This revelation inspired her to create Impact School, a 7-figure coaching company that helps digital entrepreneurs implement systems that allow them to free up valuable time and scale their businesses to new heights.  In this episode, Lauren joins us to discuss the advantages of systematization, the steps business owners should take to systematize their business, and how implementing systems has helped her own business thrive. According to Lauren, “As a business owner, you have to fill your weaknesses. I became so systems oriented through my own lack of organization. A big lesson for me was hiring someone who was my opposite, who could ensure that those systems were set up. But only by being honest about my weaknesses was I able to find the right person.” Lauren also sheds some light on the bad industry advice that entrepreneurs should avoid, how she diversifies her income streams without succumbing to shiny object syndrome, and some of the biggest challenges she faced when building and scaling Impact School. Topics Discussed in This Episode: How Lauren helps people detach their personal brand from their business (05:06) Lauren walks us through her origin story as an entrepreneur (07:55) Hiring people who compliment your weaknesses (13:48) How systemization can benefit entrepreneurs (15:10) The right time to implement systemization in your business's lifecycle (18:03) The V.I.L.E. system Lauren uses to prioritize tasks (24:33) The bad advice Lauren has heard floating around the industry (29:41) How Lauren plans to diversify her income streams moving forward (39:35) How Lauren avoids shiny object syndrome when acquiring businesses (44:05) Why Lauren decided to exclude investors from her own business (50:35) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  Impact School Notion Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how systems can help you scale your business without losing your freedom.

While every business faces its own unique challenges, many early-stage SaaS startups share common characteristics that can dictate their success or downfall. Figuring out what makes these startups thrive and what causes them to crumble requires years of expertise and industry knowledge. Having invested in and worked with over 450 pre-seed & seed stage SaaS startups, Marvin Liao has certainly earned his stripes when it comes to identifying and nurturing profitable and sustainable SaaS businesses. In this episode, Marvin joins us to discuss everything early-stage SaaS founders should be doing. He provides actionable tips and advice including focusing on a narrowed-down, niche audience, remembering to listen to your gut instead of relying solely on data, and waiting until your business is more established before raising growth capital. According to Marvin,  “I've found that, in general, bootstrap founders are better at running businesses. Money can be a crutch. You figure out business basics faster when you don't have a lot of money. It forces you to not waste time. So, bootstrap first, and then once you've gained traction and have a better sense of what you're building and who you're targeting – that's the time to raise funding.” Marvin also touches on the common mistakes that SaaS founders make, like modeling themselves after industry giants, spreading their focus too thin instead of doubling down on what works, and undercharging for their software while it's still a work in progress.  If your SaaS business is still in its infancy, then you can't afford to miss out on Marvin's expert insights to help your business reach its full potential. Topics Discussed in This Episode: Why startups shouldn't model themselves after business giants (02:00) Marvin explains why he's the Forest Gump of Silicon Valley (15:04) Why early-stage SaaS founders should focus on bootstrapping instead of VC funding (20:55) How to balance data-driven decisions with creative “gut-driven” decisions (28:58)  What SaaS founders get wrong when pricing their products (31:26) The benefits of focusing on a narrow, niche audience as a startup (35:34) The common mistakes SaaS founders make when trying to scale (38:54) The criteria Marvin looks at when investing in a business (40:20) It's easier than ever to create a successful SaaS startup (45:37) The best professional advice Marvin has ever been given or heard (50:38) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  The Hard Fork by Marvin Liao The Next Big Blue-Collar Job Is Coding Conversion Crimes Wayback Machine Justine Musk's Quora post Sit back, grab a coffee, and listen in as we pick the brain of an early-stage SaaS expert!

Considering Google was created only 25 years ago, finding someone who has been working in the online marketing and affiliate industry for almost 18 years is rare. All the way back in 2005, Matt McWilliams created an affiliate program in a last-ditch effort to earn money for his business that was nearing bankruptcy. The affiliate program took off, growing from zero to more than $1,000,000 a month in only 18 months. Matt hasn't looked back since.In this episode, Matt gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to run an affiliate program.  We dive into Matt's war stories from years in the industry, the foundations of a good affiliate program, and why Matt has chosen to stay in the affiliate world for so many years. Matt explains,  “The thing I love about affiliate marketing is it's relatively risk-free because you don't pay affiliates until you make money. Whereas you have to pay Facebook before you make any money from your Facebook ads.” Matt also sets the story straight on the difficulties of creating an affiliate program, explaining that it takes time to build up a steady flow of revenue and that attracting the right breed of affiliate partners can be a trial-and-error process. If you're thinking of joining the affiliate industry, then don't miss out on this peek behind the curtain from an affiliate program veteran. Topics Discussed in This Episode: Matt's background and how he got involved in the affiliate industry (02:52) The importance of having a good relationship with your affiliate partners (10:55) The type of affiliates Matt has served (23:03)  The 3-5 core elements a beginner should focus on when building their affiliate site  (28:08) AI in affiliate marketing (30:29) Should every business have an affiliate program? (37:33) How to set up an affiliate program for a small business (38:05) Matt's funniest moment in internet marketing (53:15) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  MattMcwilliams.com/empire  Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell Sit back, grab a coffee, and get a behind-the-scenes peek into the inner workings of the affiliate program industry!

There's a lot on the line when you buy a business, so you want to make sure you buy a business that is primed for success.  An important lesson you need to learn as a buyer is that you can't take businesses at face value. There's a lot going on below the surface that you need to uncover. That's where due diligence comes in.  Few people know more about the due diligence process than Elliott Holland. Elliott is the Co-Founder and CEO of Guardian Due Diligence, a diligence solution for first-time buyers and self-funded searchers. In this episode, Elliott takes us on a deep dive into the due diligence process.  He highlights red flags buyers should look out for, the common mistakes buyers make, and he breaks down the due diligence process, step by step. According to Elliott, “There are four main buckets of due diligence in online business. Financial, Operational, Commercial, and Online metrics. In online business, 70 to 80% of due diligence is focused on financials. Financials are created through the operations of a business, and so they are a great way to really understand the story of the business.” Elliot also shared his top due diligence war stories and the lessons buyers can learn from them.If you're in the market to buy an online business, this episode is jam-packed with useful information that could make or break your acquisition! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Elliott's background and how he became involved in business acquisitions (02:22) What is Quality of Earnings? (14:13) The best time to hire a due diligence service (21:50) The different areas of due diligence (23:09) What Elliott looks at when examining a business's financials (25:37) How Elliott examines a business's operations (32:19) The classic due diligence mistake experienced entrepreneurs make (41:54) Top due diligence questions buyers should ask (44:50) Elliott's favorite due diligence war stories (53:16) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Guardian Due Diligence 10 best practices doc War Stories hub Elliott's Twitter Elliott's YouTube channel Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how the due diligence process really works!

Sometimes, consumers need a little nudge to convince them to add your product to their checkout cart.  You could try using discounts and promotions to lure consumers in, but these techniques aren't always sustainable and can eat into your bottom line. So what strategies can you use instead? Nancy Harhut believes the answer lies in neuromarketing. Nancy is the Co-Founder and CCO of HBT Marketing, an agency that blends creativity with behavioral science to drive consumer engagement. Through many years of research, Nancy has learned that consumer behavior often isn't rational. Instead, people are driven by hard-wired, instinctive and emotional responses. By tapping into behavioral science techniques, entrepreneurs can trigger these instinctive responses to boost conversions.  In this episode, Nancy joins us to explain the science behind consumer decision-making and walks us through how to use concepts like the authority principle, social proof, and loss aversion to increase purchase intent. According to Nancy,  “Behavioral scientists have found that people are twice as motivated to avoid the pain of loss as they are to achieve the pleasure of gain. So as a marketer, you should inject a little well-placed loss aversion. Instead of saying “Take advantage of”, try saying “Don't miss out on”. That's what people really pay attention to because people hate to lose out.” Don't risk missing out on any more sales! Use Nancy's expert advice to gain an advantage over your competitors and stand out from the crowd. (See what we did there?) Topics Discussed in This Episode: Nancy's entrepreneurial background and the origins of HBT Marketing (03:45) Neuromarketing and behavioral science and how it applies to marketing (08:43) The topics Nancy's book covers and how it can help marketers (15:40) How Nancy created a 13% increase in purchase intent for one of her clients (17:41) Top techniques to trigger emotional responses in your customers (20:54) How different demographics respond to neuromarketing techniques (31:17) Common mistakes people make when attempting to use neuromarketing (35:01)  Cringy marketing techniques you should avoid (37:47) What inspired Nancy to write her book Using Behavioural Science in Marketing (44:38) Changes and trends that have influenced marketing over the last few years (48:35) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  HBT Marketing Using Behavioural Science in Marketing by Nancy Harhut  The Believing Brain by Michael Shermer Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to increase purchase intent through behavioral marketing.

This week we are revisiting an extra special episode of The Opportunity podcast.  In this episode, Greg looks back on a few of our most memorable interviews to review the top 7 lessons learned from the last 100 shows.  You'll hear many familiar voices as some of our favorite entrepreneurs and industry experts share their top tips for building, running, and scaling successful online businesses. Greg acts as our guide, walking us through each lesson and sharing his own unique insights and pearls of wisdom. One of Greg's top takeaways includes, “If you want to build wealth, don't focus on making money today. Focus on making an experience that will create fans of yours for years to come. Because if you make enough of those fans you're going to create a snowball effect that'll carry you far into the future.” Join in the celebration by letting us know which episode or guest has been your favorite so far! Be sure to share this episode with your friends and family so that they can join us for the next 100 episodes where we'll continue to uncover all of the hidden growth opportunities in the online business industry. Topics Discussed in This Episode: Lesson 1: Creating a Machine of Leverage by Knowing the Value of Your Time (02:07) Lesson 2: Learning to Love Risk to Create Wealth (10:30) Lesson 3: Spending 9 Hours Sharpening the Axe, and One Hour Cutting Down the Tree (17:07) Lesson 4: Creating Value While Respecting Your Audience's Time (26:33) Lesson 5: Communication and Thinking in Four Degrees of Impact (31:43) Lesson 6: Why the Best Marketing Isn't a Tactic, It's an Experience (39:45) Lesson 7: Persistence Through Adversarial Wins (44:23) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  Jobs to be Done Framework Featured Guests: Kevin Espiritu (Ep #87) Matt Diggity (Ep #23) Sushee Nzeutem (Ep #59) John Hefter (Ep #19) Emma Shermer Tamir (Ep #49) Doron Wolffberg (Ep #41) Perrin Carrell (Ep #79) Alexis Grant (Ep #84) Chelsea Cohen (Ep #42) Fabricio Miranda (Ep #91) Chelsea Jones and Rachel Saul (Ep #74) Nicole Baqcai (Ep #55) Ben Donovan (Ep #71) Bill Szabrak (Ep #6) Sit back, grab a coffee, and take a trip down memory lane as we discuss the valuable lessons learned from the past 100 episodes.

In an era where thinking outside the box is paramount, foreign SEO has emerged as a tantalizing strategy for affiliate marketers in search of new frontiers. While foreign affiliate industries are not as established as their English-language counterparts, competition is less fierce and Google algorithm updates are less frequent and hard-hitting.  Among the numerous gems in this treasure trove of opportunities, the Dutch affiliate market stands out for its unexplored potential. This is where Niels Zee, a seasoned SEO and affiliate marketer comes into play. Niels has not only navigated the complexities of affiliate marketing but has also mastered the Dutch affiliate market's distinctive characteristics.  In this episode, Niels shares his journey from inception to expertise. We dive into the differences between the US and Dutch affiliate markets, and Niels highlights how language and cultural nuances play a pivotal role in shaping strategies for success.  From monetization options for Dutch sites to the importance of backlinks in Dutch affiliate marketing, we explored the critical elements that set this market apart. Niels explains,  “The most important metric for the Dutch market is the amount of incoming links versus outgoing links. Some websites just link out to 10,000 websites and they only get 100 links in. That's not quality. And Google knows that. So really try to shy away from those sites if you're looking to buy a Dutch affiliate site.” Moreover, Niels took us through his playbook for nurturing and expanding affiliate sites, sharing his secrets for sustainable growth. He also shares the secret sauce behind structuring acquisition deals that work like a charm as well as the pros and cons of building from scratch versus acquiring established affiliate sites. According to Niels, “I always prefer to buy a site over building one from scratch. There's always a sandbox period where you create a domain and then for the next three to six months, nothing happens. That's very frustrating. It's less risky to start with a domain that's already ranking and bringing in some traffic.” Listen to this episode to unlock the door to a new realm of possibilities in the world of affiliate marketing. Topics Discussed in This Episode: How Niels ended up in the affiliate and SEO world (03:16) Overcoming language barriers and the key differences in US vs Dutch affiliate markets (10:58) Monetization options for Dutch sites (14:24) Why backlinks are so important in the Dutch affiliate marketing (17:02) Niels's advice to aspiring affiliates who want to get into the Dutch affiliate market (22:11) Niels's experience in building vs buying affiliate sites (24:58) How Niels structured his acquisition deals and what he looks for in a site (29:10) Niels playbook for growing his sites (35:21) How Niels uses AI in his workflow and his views on how it will affect the industry (39:45) The growth trends Niels has seen in the Dutch affiliate market (46:10) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter  Sign up for our referral program  Neils's LinkedIn profile Bol.com affiliate program Sitedeals.nl Matt Diggity's affiliate course  Authority Hacker courses Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to navigate the exciting world of Dutch affiliate marketing!

Many highly skilled SEOs and digital marketers use their expertise to build high-performing websites and other online assets.  Others recognize that their skill itself is an asset that they can leverage. So they create an agency, hiring out their SEO and PPC expertise to businesses in need. But building an agency is no walk in the park. How do you rise above the noise and claim your spot in this highly competitive arena? In this episode, we sit down with two entrepreneurs who've walked the talk—David Kauzlaric and Erich Schaefer, the minds behind Agency Elevation. This full-service, white-label agency offers a suite of digital solutions, including SEO, PPC, Facebook Ads, and TikTok Ads.  Join us as they pull back the curtain on their journey to agency success.Diving into their strategy, David and Erich unveil the blueprint of Agency Elevation's triumph. One standout element? Transparent pricing. While many agencies play the hidden-cost game, David and Erich defy the norm by showcasing their pricing upfront, fostering trust and transparency. With a 100% US-based team, Agency Elevation eliminates the hurdles of time zones and communication, ensuring swift turnarounds and effective collaboration.  They also walk us through the common characteristics that successful agencies share. The most important ingredient of success? Focusing on a specific niche. According to David and Erich, “Niche-focused agencies are the easiest to scale because you can get instant credibility with just good branding. All you need is a good offer, good branding, and experience or results in that industry. We see guys going from zero to multiple seven figures in three or four years because they're niche focused.“ So, whether you're a budding entrepreneur with dreams of agency ownership or a seasoned player aiming to amplify your agency's performance, this episode holds the key. Enjoy! Topics Discussed in This Episode: David and Erich's entrepreneurial journey and how they started their agency (02:09) Why Agency Elevation is 100% US based (05:02) How David and Erich manage to serve a high variety of niches and services (09:03) How the agency is structured in order to scale and stand out from the crowd (18:11) The service hierarchy that David and Erich recommend to their customers ( 22:22) Why David and Erich prioritize being transparent about their pricing (25:12) The common traits of successful agencies (33:24) The benefits of niching down vs building a general agency (37:18) David and Erich's approach to scaling sustainably (42:06) Top advice for agency owners who are looking to start and grow (46:55) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to the This Week in M&A newsletter Agency Elevation GoHighLevel David's Facebook page Sit back, grab a coffee, and peek behind the curtain of a successful white-label agency!

With the content marketing industry constantly evolving, it's easy to get caught up chasing the latest trends and forget about the basic principles that form a strong marketing foundation. This week's guest, Philipp Schoeffmann, joins us to explain how to build on those basics to turbocharge your marketing. Philipp is a 20-year marketing veteran. He has not only lit up the stage as the charismatic host of the Affiliate Worlds conferences, but he is also the pioneer behind Reals, a service that repurposes your existing video content into engaging clips that boost your brand's authority. Philipp sits down with Greg to explain why marketers need to avoid shiny object syndrome and instead focus on the core ingredients of marketing mastery.   Before you can expect to successfully market to your audience, you need to understand what drives them. What makes them tick? What keeps them up at night? Armed with this knowledge, you can create attractive offers and impactful content that really resonates with consumers and keeps them coming back for more. The good news is that creating powerful content doesn't have to be a grueling process. With the right structure in place and a little help from AI, creating high-quality content at scale is easy as pie.  Another way to save time and money on content creation is to lean into the power of user-generated content. According to Philipp, “User-generated content is definitely the way to go. In general, you can expect your traffic to be maybe a fourth in terms of cost. CPMs are a lot lower. Engagement rates are four or five times higher. And you just build up a lot of trust. So user-generated content gets you better buyers at a cheaper cost.” If your marketing feels tired and lackluster, listen in to Philipp's top-notch advice on how to create content that really packs a punch!As an added bonus, Phillip is offering our podcast listeners a 20% discount on his Reals service. Head over to the Reals website (linked below) to learn more! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Phillip walks us through his 20-year journey in online business (04:22)  How the marketing industry has changed over the last 20 years (09:30) How to create value in your marketing (12:59) Why content is still king in 2023 (19:30) How to structure your content so that it is not a time killer (26:29) The anatomy of what makes a good short video (36:18) How brands can encourage the creation of user-generated content(49:27) How Phillipp uses AI to create content (53:33) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to the This Week in M&A newsletter Reals $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi ElevenLabs Descript Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn the secret to mastering content marketing in 2023 and beyond!

Shopify store owners have a whirlwind of responsibilities like managing supply chains, keeping tabs on inventory levels, and staying ahead in a competitive market.  It's no wonder that SEO often takes a backseat. In the race for quick results, many sellers lean towards paid advertising, but this week's guest believes that SEO is the real game-changer that will set the stage for skyrocketing sales.Benjamin Golden is the founder of GoldenWeb, an SEO agency focused on scaling Shopify brands through SEO. In this episode, Benjamin explains that while paid ads might offer instant gratification, they are no match for the steady and sustainable stream of traffic that SEO can bring to your Shopify store. He walks us through the first steps to kickstart a thriving Shopify SEO strategy, the crucial role the backlinks play in eCommerce SEO, and how to strike the perfect balance between paid ads and organic traffic.Benjamin also shares his views on how AI will affect the eCommerce and SEO industries, explaining, “I think AI will affect every single business, but not in the way that people think. I like to compare it to the gold rush. It wasn't everyone that was digging up and mining gold that got rich. It was the people selling the shovels.  The same thing will happen with AI. Everyone is rushing into building the next AI tool, and some of those businesses will succeed and do well, but that's going to get very saturated, very fast. The people that will really benefit from AI are the ones that learn how to properly integrate AI into their business.' Finally, Benjamin explains the unique advantages of buying online businesses as an agency owner, using the resources, internal processes, and industry connections the agency has developed to fast-track growth. If you're an eCommerce store owner then listen up, because this episode is filled with actionable insights and expert tips that will supercharge your store's SEO and sales. Topics Discussed in This Episode: Benjamin's background and how he became involved in SEO (03:08) Why Benjamin chose to focus on SEO specifically for Shopify stores (05:27) How eCommerce SEO differs from affiliate SEO (09:38) The first steps of a successful Shopify SEO strategy (14:47) The crucial role backlinks play in eCommerce SEO (20:17) How to allocate your marketing budget between paid ads and SEO (27:34) Common SEO mistakes that eCommerce store owners make (32:37)  Why Benjamin believes AI is like the gold rush (37:48) The reason Benjamin decided to diversify his income by buying a SaaS business (46:55) The benefits of buying online businesses as an agency owner (50:37) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to the This Week in M&A newsletter GoldenWeb Ahrefs Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to propel your Shopify store to unparalleled heights using the power of SEO!

The entrepreneurial journey is an adventure filled with twists and turns. It's normal to try different paths before discovering what brings out the best in you – be it the right niche, a lucrative business model, or a monetization strategy. Yet, the allure of rapid growth can tempt entrepreneurs to abandon their hard-earned lessons and happiness for the sake of expansion.  Aware of this common pitfall, Jesse Hanley has prioritized calm over growth when building his new business, Bento. Bento was born out of Jesse's desire to learn how to code and to solve common problems he saw firsthand through his marketing agency. What began as analytics and ad tracking software soon morphed into an email automation platform as Jesse pulled threads, experimented, and refined his vision.  As the business grew, Jesse sold his agency so that he could devote all of his time and energy to Bento.  In this episode, we explore the organic growth of Bento and dive deeper into Jesse's desire to keep his business small. Jesse explains the dangers of a growth-at-all-costs mentality and walks us through how he has structured Bento to remain small but powerful in a competitive niche.  Lastly, Jesse explains that his “keep it simple” philosophy also extends to email marketing. According to Jesse, “If you want to grow your business, send more emails. The people who make the most money are those who are sending emails every single day with simple, well-communicated offers. Just send more emails, run your ads, and keep it simple.” This episode goes beyond the usual business and marketing techniques, taking a closer look at the entrepreneurial mindset and how goals and ideologies shift over the course of your business journey.  This no holds barred, honest discussion is one for the books. Enjoy! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Jesse's background and entrepreneurial journey so far (02:40) How the sale of Jesse's agency spurred on the growth of Bento (03:17) Building a “calm” business that doesn't chase growth at all costs (10:20) The origins of Bento and how it stands out from the crowd (21:09) How Jesse structured Bento's pricing as the company grew (33:55) The marketing techniques Jesse uses to brow Bento's brand awareness (43:17) Why Jesse wants to keep Bento small (45:17) How to get better at email marketing (57:14) Jesse's advice to aspiring digital entrepreneurs (59:44) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to the This Week in M&A newsletter Bento Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn the benefits of growing your business at a sustainable and steady pace.

Wouldn't it be great to travel back 10 years into the past and take advantage of a younger SEO market with all the knowledge you have now? Well, as it turns out, Azedine Djedid has figured out how to do exactly that.  Azedine is an SEO expert who has built and grown more than 20 successful websites in Italian, French, and Spanish. According to Azedine,  “The non-English SEO market is 10 years behind the English market in many cases, so it's easier to get into and it's easier to rank for keywords or rank for topics, even when it comes to eCommerce.” In this episode, Azedine joins us to reveal the blueprints for success when it comes to creating a foreign language content strategy.  He explains how consumer habits differ in various parts of the world, and how to adapt your content strategy to suit these cultural differences. He also reveals the best emerging markets for foreign SEO, including Brazil, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.  Azedine explains why he chooses to build many of his sites on expired domains, and why he focuses on strong branding and a high DR when shopping for these domains.  Azedine has also sold five of his foreign language sites so far and sheds light on the process of selling a non-English site and the benefits of using a broker to help you sell your online business. With the SEO market becoming more saturated and competitive by the day, foreign language sites present a unique opportunity to enter emerging SEO markets and take advantage of their future growth. If you're searching for ways to get ahead in the world of SEO, then don't miss a minute of this informative episode! Topics Discussed in This Episode: Azedine's background and the opportunities in foreign SEO (02:16) Azedines advice for starting a site in a foreign language (08:50) How to maximize CTAs on a foreign language site (17:00) How different consumer habits impact monetization and strategy (21:02) The challenges of foreign SEO (25:07) The characteristics Azedine looks for in an aged domain (28:50) Where foreign audiences go to search for products to purchase (37:58) How to use AI to grow your foreign language site (40:25) The process of selling a foreign language site (46:40) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcast Empire Flippers Marketplace Schedule a call with our expert sales advisors  Create an Empire Flippers account Azedine's LinkedIn Ahrefs Awin Google Keyword Planner Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to create high-performing content for foreign language websites!