Podcasts about Organic growth

Shoot Us A Message!How P&C insurance agency owners can adapt to modern technology, evaluate emerging risk, and strengthen client retention to scale their business.In this episode, we discuss the changing landscape of insurance technology, managing risk profiles, and maintaining strong relationship-driven service. Learn how to implement sustainable agency growth systems and streamline your operations in a shifting market. If you are looking to scale your agency systems and processes, check out the Agent Elite community and the Million Dollar Agency book.Key Takeaways and Timestamps00:00 The Unexpected Acquisition Journey02:59 SageSure: A Deep Dive into the Company05:56 The Path to Insurance: A Personal Story08:59 Connecting Insurance and Financial Markets11:58 The Birth of SageSure14:53 Organic Growth and Strategic Decisions17:47 Maintaining Momentum in a Competitive Market21:10 Lessons Learned from Challenges24:09 Investing in Technology for Growth27:02 Understanding the Homeowners Insurance Market30:35 Understanding the Cost of Capital in Insurance36:06 The Role of Reinsurers in the Insurance Market41:28 Challenges in the California Insurance Market46:15 The Evolution of Insurance Agents and Technology57:25 The Future of Insurance: Technology and RelationshipsThe Insurance Dudes ResourcesJoin the Agent Elite: https://www.skool.com/agenteliteBest Seller: https://MillionDollarAgencyBook.comInsurance Dudes Files: https://blog.theidudes.comTeamIQ: https://teamiq.theidudes.comTelefunnel Lead Callers: https://theidudes.comILB: https://insuranceleadbrokers.comInsurance Agency Trader: https://trader.theidudes.comIf this helps, subscribe and hit the bell so you can catch every episode.Follow UsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsurancedudesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-insurance-dudes-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancedudespodcastSupport the showHey there! Thank you for listening! We'd be SUPER GRATEFUL for a subscribe!And a review over on the Apple Podcasts would be incredible!Check out our newsletter, webinar, and some great Internet Lead tactics at The Insurance Dudes Homepage.We appreciate you!Craig Pretzinger & Jason FeltmanThe Insurance Dudes

Want to grow your creative business, find more clients, and build real momentum without spending a fortune on marketing?In this episode of Magic Made, Megan Holly and Chrissy Sherry are sharing the creative business growth strategies that actually worked for them, including the scrappy, free, imperfect things they did when they were first getting started.Whether you're building your creative business on the side of a 9-to-5, trying to land your first few clients, or years into entrepreneurship and feeling a little stagnant, this conversation is packed with practical ways to get moving again.0:00 – How to Grow Your Creative Business2:13 – The FREE Tool We Used to Find Clients5:08 – Build a Business Community Around You7:28 – Our Social Media Engagement Strategy10:01 – Organic Growth vs. Paying for Reach12:21 – Stop Obsessing Over the Algorithm14:09 – Why Some Content Suddenly Takes Off16:03 – Going Viral Isn't Always a Good Thing18:02 – You Don't Need a Huge Following20:49 – How Community Helped Grow Our Businesses22:07 – New Entrepreneurs: Say YES24:40 – Pricing Your Creative Services26:20 – Contracts, Boundaries & Learning to Say No27:45 – How You Actually Find Your Niche28:40 – The #1 Thing: Keep Your Momentum31:04 – What Growth Really Looks Like32:28 – When Business Starts Feeling Overwhelming34:01 – Stop Thinking Success Is for Other People35:03 – Your Challenge: Rip the Band-Aid OffWe're talking about:✨ Using Facebook groups and social media to find clients for FREE✨ Why community and networking can change the trajectory of your business✨ Building organic social media growth without obsessing over the algorithm✨ Why a smaller, engaged audience can be more valuable than thousands of random followers✨ When new business owners should SAY YES more often✨ Pricing, raising your rates, contracts, and learning through experience✨ How working with different clients helps you discover your niche✨ Why consistency and momentum matter more than finding the “perfect” strategy✨ Letting your business evolve as you discover what you actually want to createYou don't need 100,000 followers, a massive marketing budget, or a perfectly mapped-out business plan to start building something meaningful.Start where you are. Use what you have. Find your people. Keep creating momentum.

Today for "Everyday Money #6":-- A few episodes ago, we talked about the idea of a $0 CAC consumer finance product, and whether that was actually achievable. Today I want to come back to that question with a concrete example, because there is a company that has built its entire growth engine around exactly this principle: Revolut. Their internal slogan was famously displayed in neon signs across their offices: Deliver “wow”. On the surface, that sounds like a marketing line. But underneath it is a genuine economic strategy, and it explains a lot about how organic growth actually compounds. The idea is simple to state but hard to execute. [Learn more in the episode]-- The podcasts are authored, edited and produced by Raph Grieco (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raphael-grieco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠olivecapital.vc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).

Driven by a streetwear-inspired model of weekly drops and deliberate scarcity, Last Crumb built a viral $120-a-box cookie brand without spending a dollar on paid ads. By spending a year obsessing over every detail—from custom boxes to cookie angles—founder Derek Jaeger generated explosive organic clout, and celebrities took notice. The brand eventually moved away from the scarcity model in 2023 to expand into evergreen retail and long-term scaling.  For more on Last Crumb, in show notes, click here.   Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel sits down with Dylan Robbins, CEO and Co-Founder of SeventySix Capital portfolio company Lucra, alongside Bracketology Co-Founders Kaitlyn Hurley and Jonah Fialkow to discuss Lucra's acquisition of Bracketology and what it means for the future of fan engagement.Dylan, Kaitlyn, and Jonah share how the acquisition came together and why combining Lucra's gamification technology with Bracketology's highly engaged community creates new opportunities across sports and entertainment. Kaitlyn and Jonah also reflect on Bracketology's journey from an idea in college to a platform used by more than one million reality TV fans.The conversation explores how Bracketology turns reality TV into an interactive experience, allowing fans to make predictions, compete with friends, and stay engaged throughout their favorite shows. The group discusses the parallels between sports and reality TV fandom and why gamification can create deeper engagement around both.They also break down Bracketology's organic growth, including the role of social sharing, creators, and influencers in building its community. Dylan discusses how Lucra's technology and rewards infrastructure can help build on that foundation, opening new opportunities for monetization and creating more ways for fans to interact with the content they already love.Looking ahead, the group discusses plans for integrating the two platforms and expanding into new shows, experiences, and formats. They also explore how AI could enable more personalized reality TV experiences and how the combination of digital gaming, rewards, and in-person experiences could reshape fan engagement across entertainment.Finally, Dylan, Kaitlyn, and Jonah share their vision for the combined company, the ideas they are most excited to pursue, and what comes next for Lucra and Bracketology.In this episodeHow Lucra's acquisition of Bracketology came togetherWhy Bracketology was a strategic fit for LucraKaitlyn and Jonah's journey building BracketologyTurning reality TV into an interactive gaming experienceThe parallels between reality TV and sports fandomBuilding an engaged community through organic growth and social sharingThe role of creators and influencers in growing fan communitiesExpanding gamification beyond traditional sportsCreating new rewards and monetization opportunitiesCombining Lucra's technology with Bracketology's communityConnecting digital and in-person fan experiencesThe potential for AI and personalized reality TV experiencesThe future of fan engagement across sports and entertainment01:13 How the Merger Came About and the Quick Deal Process03:40 Kaitlyn's Journey from College Hobby to Industry Leader05:22 Jonah's Story and How He Got Involved06:40 Pre-Merger Growth and Expansion of Bracketology08:03 How Users Experience Bracketology During Shows09:53 The Organic Growth and Social Sharing Phenomenon11:52 Engaging Creators and Influencers in Fan Communities13:40 The Diversity of Players and the Appeal to Women15:53 The Parallels Between Reality TV and Sports Fandom16:43 Why the Merger Was the Right Move for Both Companies17:13 Jonah's Passion and the Future of Reality TV18:51 Next 12-24 Months: Plans and Vision20:28 Future Growth Strategies22:09 The Potential for Wild Ideas and New Formats24:32 Connecting In-Person and Digital Fan Experiences27:52 Family Support and the Passion Behind the Ventures31:17 The Exciting Future of Reality TV and Fan Engagement33:54 Dream Projects and Innovative Ideas in Entertainment34:38 How to Get Involved with Bracketology and LucraSubscribe to the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show for conversations with the athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, and investors shaping the future of sports!#Lucra #Bracketology #FanEngagement

What happens when gold, AI and startups collide? Today on The Indian Startup Show, I'm joined by Devansh Alijar for a wide-ranging conversation about AI, investing and building modern businesses. Devansh has helped transform a traditional family jewellery business, and we talk about how he's using AI to make the business more efficient — from operations and hiring to training and decision-making. We also explore how he thinks about investing in startups, gold, and other assets, including what he looks for in founders and the red flags that can quickly put him off an investment. We discuss why founders should be genuine users of their own products, why distribution matters so much, and how building trust can become one of a company's biggest advantages. And, away from business, Devansh shares the story of his incredible 4,000-kilometre cycling journey across India during covid and banana chips startup, which led to being featured on Shark Tank India. We talk about: We talk about: How to modernise a traditional family business Building a digital brand without relying on paid advertising Why founder visibility can create extraordinary customer trust Gold, silver and the way Devansh thinks about investing How to spot promising early-stage founders Why pedigree and name-dropping can be major red flags Using AI for recruitment, HR and employee training How AI can analyse operational and financial data Using AI to improve sales teams and compliance The importance of giving AI the right context Why distribution may matter more than the product Building an audience before launching His plans to turn that journey into a book Why Nepal belongs on every trekker's list and much more  Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/devanshalijar/   Hosted And Produced by Neil Patel https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/neilpatel2 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review! Share this episode with your friends. Listen and Subscribe to More Episodeshttps://www.indianstartupshow.com/ Music by Punch Deck.https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kdduxAVaFnbHJyNxl7FWV

Organic Relationship Growth is Easier Than Prospecting and Available Daily Your cheapest growth engine is the customer whose transaction history you're already holding. Every month, your customers' accounts send money out to banks, brokerages, mortgage companies, auto lenders and installment lenders. At the customer level, that's a flow of funds analysis: where money enters, where it leaves, and which parts of the relationship are being served somewhere else. It won't tell you everything a customer owns or owes, but it will show you where money is going, how often it moves, and which outside relationships are active. Deposits and investments held elsewhere leave a trail as outbound transfers, and no credit bureau reports them, so your bank or credit union may be the only one positioned to see them. Loans held elsewhere show up as recurring debits. Every one of those is a form of credit somebody else underwrote for a customer you had already acquired and already paid for. Acquisition costs are rarely fully loaded, and roughly a third of new accounts leave within the first year. That's what makes this an organic growth argument rather than a reporting exercise, and it's growth you can begin sizing before you spend, because the volume, the frequency and the timing are already visible. Jim Marous shares his own money movement across two top 5 institutions, neither of which has ever offered him an alternative to what they can see him doing elsewhere. Some institutions have never assembled this view. Others have assembled it and attached no action to it. Different starting points, and the same result for the customer. Hosted by Jim Marous. Subscribe to Banking Transformed for new episodes multiple times each week.

Alanna is a Boston-based mom of two, an occupational therapist, potty training consultant, and certified pediatric sleep consultant through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management. For over three years, she has been helping families navigate their sleep journeys through her business, Big Picture Sleep Solutions. What began as a side hustle alongside her career as an occupational therapist has now become her primary focus.Alanna's passion for baby and toddler sleep was sparked when her older daughter was an infant. Determined to support her own baby, she immersed herself in the world of sleep consulting and discovered a deep love for it. She is dedicated to creating a supportive space where families can learn about sleep in a flexible, non-judgmental, and personalized way.Alanna takes pride in her work and has helped hundreds of families achieve the rest they need to thrive.On this episode of the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, Alanna shares:- Her initial goals for her business when she launched three years ago and how those goals have evolved over time- What it looked like for her business to gain momentum over time- Her thoughts on the secret to growing a successful sleep consulting businessLinks:Website: https://bigpicturesleep.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigpicturesleepIf you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

Most experts don't struggle to grow their business because they lack talent or results, they struggle because their message isn't landing, their online presence is weak, and their podcast guesting feels random instead of strategic. Today's guest, Josh Elledge, fractional Chief Revenue Officer and founder of Pod Verified, has launched over 300 podcasts, hosted more than 3,000 episodes, made 3,000+ traditional media appearances, and helped clients generate over $40 million using relationship‑driven podcast guesting strategies. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Josh breaks down how to become the kind of podcast guest hosts want back again and again, and how to turn those appearances into real business results instead of “nice exposure” that goes nowhere. He explains why being “the marketing guy” or “leadership consultant” is killing your chances of getting booked, and how to define a clear, unique media brand that instantly stands out to podcast hosts and producers. Josh dives into the real rules of engagement for ethical podcast guests from positioning and messaging to websites, press kits, and LinkedIn profiles that actually impress decision makers. Josh shares why most common calls to action (“buy my book,” “join my newsletter,” “book a call”) fail for 95% of listeners, and what to offer instead so that cold listeners are willing to take the next micro‑commitment with you. He also explains why your website must be built to “concierge” podcast listeners, deepen the relationship, and keep them with you for another 15–20 minutes where conversion really happens. You'll learn how to appeal to both audiences and gatekeepers: what podcasters look for when they're getting 200–300 pitches a month, why many good experts never break into the top 10% who get booked, and how to signal that you're media‑savvy, prepared, and ready for prime time. Josh talks about authority signals, influence, and guest activity, and why your speaker kit, social presence, and on‑air performance either open doors or quietly disqualify you. This conversation also goes deep into mindset and skill development. Josh shares how he went from a shy, insecure “husky‑pants” kid to a Navy journalist and high‑volume media personality, and why “do the thing, have the power” applies perfectly to podcasting: you get good by doing reps, but only if you stop making the same mistakes and get the right feedback. He compares podcast guesting to stand‑up comedy and swimming: you can learn it, but only if you respect it as a skill, stop “spray and pray” pitching, and commit to intentional improvement. https://youtu.be/JueJAzWCHbU?si=XCGHcDZnrQffg4A- If you're an expert, coach, consultant, founder, or thought leader who's tired of cold outreach, ads, and pushy sales, and you'd rather grow organically by serving audiences, this episode will give you a practical roadmap. You'll discover how to assess where you really are today, what caliber of shows you should be targeting, and how to start showing up as a high‑value, ethical, and memorable podcast guest who builds trust, authority, and revenue, without feeling salesy. Tune in and learn how Josh's Pod Verified approach can help you stop guessing, stop spamming, and start getting real results from podcast guesting. Quotes: “If you're a speaker and you have no speaker kit on your website, there's a reason you're not getting paid very well. You just don't look ready for prime time.” “Podcast guesting works. If you're smart but still broke from your PR efforts, it's not the medium; it's the strategy. You've been doing it wrong, and no one's been honest enough to tell you.”  “You can build an enormous business by serving audiences in the media. I've built multiple seven-figure companies without spending a dime on ads, simply by showing up and being generous.” Contact Details: Join PodVerified And Turn Your Expertise Into Podcast Opportunities Start Growing Your Influence Today: Check UpMyInfluence...

Ethan Glenn never set out to launch a clothing label. Every Other Thursday began as an Instagram archive of vintage aesthetics until a single self-made hat sparked massive demand. By skipping wholesale margins and keeping operations lean, Glenn scaled the company drop by drop into a thriving apparel business with a New York retail footprint. For more on Every Other Thursday, in show notes, click here. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

When Lauren Levy struggled through a freezing diaper change with 30 snaps to close, she spotted a gap no one had filled in a century of baby clothing. She and co-founder Lawrence Scheer spent two years perfecting a patented magnetic closure before selling a single item. Today, Magnetic Me has 50 employees and has been profitable since 2012. For more on Magnetic Me and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

What if building a thriving business didn't require exhaustion, hustle, or pretending to be someone you're not? In this episode, Shauna Van Mourick shares how women coaches and therapists can grow organically—without soul-sucking marketing or sacrificing their lives. We talk about life-first business design, sustainable visibility, and why alignment, not aggression, is the real growth strategy. This is a must-listen if you want income and integrity.

Melissa Palmer inherited a wholesale beauty brand from her mother and rebuilt it into a nine-figure omnichannel business—with direct to consumer, Amazon, TikTok Shop, and more than 1,500 Ulta locations each playing a role in how OSEA Malibu finds and keeps customers. For more on OSEA Malibu and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

John Madsen shares how he went from NFL player to building a multi-million-dollar fitness business by leveraging bold niche marketing, paid acquisition, operational excellence, and a faith-driven shift toward purpose, profitability, and long-term impact.⁣⁣Connect with John - ⁣https://www.instagram.com/suprahuman_john/?hl=en⁣https://suprahuman.com/⁣⁣__________⁣If you'd like my team to run your marketing & sales department to scale your business apply here https://www.pinedapartners.com⁣⁣Join our private mastermind for elite business leaders who golf. https://www.mastermind19.com⁣⁣Want to be featured on the Wealthy Way Podcast? Apply here https://www.wealthyway.com⁣⁣If you want to start your real estate investing business, we'll give you 1:1 coaching, seller leads, software, & everything you need. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com⁣⁣Tired of paying so much in taxes every year? We'll give you strategy, tax prep, and accounting all in one place. https://www.taylor-tax.com⁣⁣Join free Bible studies and workshops for Christian business leaders. https://www.tentmakers.us⁣__________⁣⁣Chapters:⁣00:00 - First Ad to First Signup⁣00:39 - Polarizing Messaging⁣04:06 - NFL Journey⁣15:02 - NFL Training Lessons⁣18:49 - Gym Ownership & Online Pivot⁣30:02 - The First Million⁣36:13 - Paid Ads vs Organic Growth⁣45:04 - Marketing to High Earners⁣48:01 - High-Ticket Sales & Compliance⁣50:49 - Peptides, HRT & Business Goals⁣1:00:07 - Profitable Growth with Affiliates⁣1:07:35 - Community & Retention⁣1:15:08 - Training & Performance Evolution⁣1:15:54 - Business Struggles & Faith⁣1:23:39 - Humility & Renewed Purpose⁣1:30:08 - Ambition, Faith & Community⁣1:36:01 - Real Estate, Social Media & Identity

Text me!Today I'm talking about four compelling reasons why every single businesses should leverage social media marketing to increase visibility, build trust, and grow organically. I talk through the importance of authenticity, consistency, and strategic presence online.Takeaways: Social media is the loudspeaker for your business and essential for visibility.Organic social media growth is possible and effective with consistency.People are watching your business and will remember you when they need your services.Authentic marketing and sharing personal insights foster trust and connection.Support the showLINKS TO FREEBIES BELOW: WEEKLY NEWSLETTER where I share all the tips and tricks on how to grow organically online HERE If you are interested in sponsoring the show, send me a DMABOUT THE HOST: Former Executive Recruiter turned Digital Marketing Expert & Entrepreneur.  I'm here to show you that you can do it too! I help small business owners to start, grow and scale their personal brand and business online through social media. In 2021 I launched ChilledVino, my patented wine product and in 2023 I launched The Caroline Pennington Show Podcast and in 2025 I launched my Digital Marketing Agency called CPM. I live in South Carolina with my husband Gary and 2 Weimrarners, Zena & Zara. This podcast is a supportive and inclusive community where I interview and bring women together that are fellow entrepreneurs and workplace experts. We believe in sharing our stories, unpacking exactly how we did it and talking through the mindset shifts needed to achieve great things.Let's connect further!!LinkedIn HERE IG @cpennington55 FB HEREChilledVino HERE

This week, Jack Sharry talks with Merit Financial Advisors' CEO & Founder, Rick Kent, and President, Kay Lynn Mayhue. Rick is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who founded Merit on a servant-leadership philosophy and a commitment to helping individuals reach their financial goals while supporting fellow advisors and entrepreneurs in meeting their professional goals. Kay Lynn has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: as a successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to relate to advisors at all career stages and across the M&A lifecycle.  Rick and Kay Lynn talk with Jack about how they've built one of the fastest-growing RIAs in the country without losing sight of culture, leadership, and long-term value creation. They discuss what it really takes to scale intentionally, from balancing disciplined M&A with true organic growth to building a leadership model rooted in servant leadership, humility, and accountability. Rick and Kay Lynn also share Merit's institutionalized approach to business development and explain why partnerships, technology integration, and adaptability in the age of AI will define the future of wealth management. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:13) - Rick on Merit's origin story (03:06) - Rick and Kay Lynn's partnership and leadership dynamics (04:59) - The core principles of Merit Financial Advisors (09:14) - How Merit has maintained its culture through 60+ acquisitions  (12:41) - How Merit generates organic growth (16:56) - Inside Merit's business development engine and growth tracks  (20:30) - Rick and Kay Lynn's outlook on the future of wealth management (26:16) - Rick and Kay Lynn's interests outside of work Quotes "You can have all of the principles and core values at the top. But if you don't bring on the right people, you are not going to succeed at having that in your culture. And so it starts with the people, it ends with the people." ~ Kay Lynn Mayhue "People are underestimating the power of finding the right partnerships. The right partnership is going to make your future." ~ Kay Lynn Mayhue "The marketing to bring in clients should be an enterprise operation. It really should be institutionalized, where we figure out how to connect with clients and then provide those opportunities to our advisors to let them do what they do best." ~ Rick Kent "When you think about the real value of a firm, if you have money, you can make acquisitions. But really valuable firms are going to prove that they are growing their market share through organic growth." ~ Rick Kent Links  Rick Kent on LinkedIn Kay Lynn Mayhue on LinkedIn Merit Financial Advisors Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

In this Part 2 conversation, David DeCelle, CEO of ModelFA, sits back down with Daniel Gourvitch of Mercer Advisors to dig into the brass tacks of organic growth for financial advisors and RIAs. Building on Part 1's focus on mindset and firm design, this episode is all about execution. Daniel shares stories from Mercer's experience serving family office clients, creative professionals, and other specialized segments, while David brings data and examples from his work helping advisory firms build intentional growth systems. Key Topics Covered ✅ Why growth is an outcome, not a single tactic ✅ The hierarchy: Know yourself → Know who you serve → Build around that ✅ The 2 "must-have" and 1 "nice-to-have" boxes for choosing a niche ✅ How Mercer helps advisors find what lights them up and build around it ✅ The role of process in organic growth ✅ The referral gap ✅ David's three simple referral processes ✅ Daniel's three mindset & behavior shifts for referrals: ✅ Why sharing your real life (family, milestones, etc.) deepens loyalty and forgiveness when mistakes happen ✅ Marketing & branding for advisors: ✅ Education-first marketing: ✅ Authenticity & community impact: If you're tired of "accidental growth" and want a more predictable, values-aligned way to grow your firm, this episode is for you. #FinancialAdvisor #OrganicGrowth #RIAGrowth #WealthManagement #AdvisorMarketing #ModelFAPodcast #MercerAdvisors  Connect with Daniel: Email: dgourvitch@merceradvisors.com Website: https://www.merceradvisors.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gourvitch-59562b5/ About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.  

It's been well-documented and researched: While valuations in the RIA industry have skyrocketed over the last decade, the large majority of firms are not proactively growing. Organic growth rates remain anemic when the opportunity to acquire new clients has arguably never been greater. In this episode of RIA+, Ray Sclafani, the Founder and CEO of Clientwise, comes back to the podcast for a deeper dive into his "10% Rule." Ray argues that RIAs should be targeting 10% increase in net new assets or revenues each year - an aggressive, but achievable goal with the right strategy, structure and growth architecture. 

They said it was too taboo to talk about. Too sensitive to market. Too uncomfortable to scale.Jhalesa Seymour turned it into a multi-million dollar empire.In this episode of Inside The Vault, Jhalesa breaks down how she built an eight-figure feminine wellness brand from her college dorm room — starting with just $67 and a problem no one wanted to address.No investors. No big box stores. No massive ad budget.Just conviction, focus, and a product that worked.Inside this episode, we cover:• How Jhalesa built a $70M brand from handmade soap • The power of word-of-mouth marketing (no ads for years) • The 150,000-unit breakthrough moment • Losing 20,000 orders overnight (and surviving it) • The $80,000 internal betrayal that changed everything • Why focus is the real eight-figure secret • How to scale a physical product business the right way • Building legacy beyond the moneyIf you've ever wanted to build a product-based business, dominate a niche, or turn something “too taboo” into a global movement — this is the blueprint.

Many agency owners proudly hold the pitchfork of independence, but if your firm isn't growing, you are literally losing wealth every single year. The days of treating an agency like a personal lifestyle business while expecting a massive private equity payout are coming to an end.My guest, James Graham, Managing Director at Marsh Berry, joins me to give a "State of the Union" on the M&A landscape in the insurance industry. We break down why the M&A market has shifted from an era of "free money" to highly disciplined buying, why acquirers are intensely scrutinizing Quality of Growth (QofG) and EBITDA margins, and why the drop in public broker organic growth is a massive wake-up call for independent shops. We also discuss the biggest deal-killers in the 11th hour and why the most successful founders have mastered the art of delayed gratification. If you are an agency principal trying to decide whether to scale, partner, or sell, this episode provides the exact roadmap buyers are looking for in 2026.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callcompletegameu.com/agaTimestamped Outline(00:00) Introducing James Graham(03:17) Why Do Agencies Sell? The Three Macro Buckets of M&A(05:02) The Wealth Trap: Why Holding a Stagnant Agency is Losing You Money(07:34) The Hard Truth: Selling Insurance vs. Operating an Agency(09:54) The 2026 M&A Landscape: High Multiples and the "Quality Spread"(12:30) Why Deals Fall Apart: Mismatched Expectations and Murky Ownership(15:00) The Scrutiny Shift: Why "Quality of Growth" is the New Buyer Metric(17:41) The Drop in Organic Growth: "The Water is Out and You're Naked"(21:45) 11th Hour Deal Killers: What Happens When Top Producers Walk Away(27:24) Start Now: Why You Must Run Your Agency Like It's For Sale Today(29:17) Delayed Gratification: The #1 Characteristic of Scalable Founders(32:49) The Power of Peer Exchange: Inside MarshBerry's Executive Network(36:55) James's Final Advice: Why Organic Growth is Your Greatest M&A LeverageCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

In this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast, we welcome back Gina Jurlando to the show. You might remember her when we last had her on to talk about the Yeasty Boys, the community surf group she founded to help make surfing more welcoming, inclusive, and supportive for everyone looking to paddle out.Since then, Gina has continued doing what she does best—bringing people together. Whether it's through surfing, community events, environmental initiatives, art, film, or simply creating spaces where people can connect, she's become one of the driving forces behind the ever-evolving culture of Rockaway Beach.Today she's back to talk about two exciting new projects. First, the inaugural Rockaway Surf Film Festival, a new celebration of surf culture, storytelling, creativity, and the unique community that has grown around the ocean here in New York. And second, Jupiter Club, a new community-focused surf club, co-working space, event venue, and gathering place that is already becoming a hub for surfers, artists, entrepreneurs, and locals alike. Jupiter Club was created to carry forward the spirit of community that has always made Rockaway special, while creating new opportunities for people to connect, collaborate, and share ideas. From building one of the most welcoming surf communities on the East Coast to helping launch new cultural institutions right here in Rockaway, Gina continues to prove that surfing is about much more than waves—it's about the people you meet along the way.She is our guest today on this episode of The Swell Season Surf Podcast.Follow The Jupiter Club on Instagram: jupiterclubnycYou can find more information on the club and The  Rockaway Surf  Film Festival here: https://www.jupiterclubnyc.com/ The Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Artist: The SandalsSong: Driftin'Album: The Endless Summer Soundtrack 00:00 Welcome Back Gina02:42 Host Gift Plug04:17 Jupiter Club Origins06:53 Amenities And Bike Plans08:18 Why Jupiter Club10:18 Running The Space11:49 Membership And Lockers13:33 Programming By Community15:35 Work Life Balance18:36 Film Festival Idea21:16 Keeping It Short23:41 Tech And Volunteers26:39 Submissions And Judging28:50 Screening Night Details29:22 Panel Talk And Kwame30:12 Surf Therapy Explained32:02 Volunteering and Perspective33:25 Running a Surf Club35:23 Dogs and Community Vibes36:12 Film Festival Updates37:00 Summer Events Lineup37:23 Wetsuit Repair and Sustainability40:51 Art Classes and Community Ideas42:30 Organic Growth and Challenges45:27 Social Media Struggles48:36 Surfer Questionnaire51:06 Final Plugs and Wrap UpBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season-surf-radio--3483504/support.

Former comedy writer Bette Bentley built Skimpies—the world's first liner designed specifically for leggings—into a number one TikTok brand entirely through organic livestreams, bypassing paid ads by treating the platform like an interactive group chat. This innovative founder breaks down how she embraced raw authenticity to collapse the traditional sales funnel, handle extreme burnout, and turn a grueling six-month streaming schedule into a $60,000 warehouse livestream. For more on Skimpies and show notes, click here. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

What does a decade of organic growth at one of fintech's most successful companies actually look like?In this episode of The Growth Leaders Series, Charlie Marchant sits down with Fabrizio Ballarini, Head of Organic Growth at Wise, the multi-billion dollar global money transfer platform operating across 160+ markets.Fabrizio shares the thinking behind Wise's famous growth philosophy: going as broad as possible, as fast as possible, and then refining what works. He breaks down the story of the currency converter that became one of the most powerful organic acquisition tools in fintech, how a single page generated 1 million clicks in one month, and why Wise continues to build acquisition for products that don't yet exist.The conversation gets into the AI Search question head-on: what it really means for an established brand like Wise, why traffic is still at an all-time high despite the hype, and where the genuine risk lies. Fabrizio also talks about the LTV forecasting models that changed how the team evaluates content, why he rarely kills pages that aren't converting, and what he'd tell his younger self about growth.Follow Fabrizio on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabrizioballarini/Read the show notes:https://exposureninja.com/podcast/growth-leader-series-fabrizio-ballarini/New episode launches every Wednesday throughout June 2026, so stay tuned to hear from growth leaders from leading brands like McKinsey and Company, Profound, and AirOps! Book a consultation to get a live review of your website and marketing

Most financial advisory firms say they want organic growth. But very few are honest about what it actually takes to create it. In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle is joined by Daniel Gourvitch, President of Mercer Advisors, for a deep conversation on why organic growth in the RIA and wealth management space is so difficult, what firms often misunderstand about growth, and why client impact has to come before business metrics. Daniel shares his journey from McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and BlackRock to Mercer Advisors, and explains how Mercer built a growth engine rooted in fiduciary advice, integrated planning, client experience, and long-term consistency. The conversation explores why AUM can be a misleading growth metric, why many firms mistake market appreciation for actual growth, and why organic growth is not a single activity. It is the outcome of many connected systems working together over time. David and Daniel also discuss referrals, client trust, advisor specialization, the difference between serving clients and finding new families, and why firms need to think structurally about growth instead of chasing disconnected marketing tactics. In This Episode ✅ Why organic growth is an outcome, not an activity ✅ How Mercer Advisors thinks about serving families, not just growing AUM ✅ Why many advisory firms believe they are growing when they may only be benefiting from market growth ✅ The difference between AUM growth and true revenue growth ✅ Why firms struggle to build repeatable organic growth systems ✅ How client experience drives referrals and long-term firm health ✅ Why growth requires patience, consistency, and connected execution ✅ How Mercer separates client service and client development roles ✅ Why advisor personality matters when building a growth model ✅ How Model FA's Advisor DNA framework fits into the organic growth conversation If you are a financial advisor, RIA founder, or wealth management leader trying to grow beyond market performance, referrals by accident, or M&A alone, this episode will challenge how you think about organic growth. #FinancialAdvisor #OrganicGrowth #RIAGrowth #WealthManagement #AdvisorMarketing #ModelFAPodcast #MercerAdvisors Connect with Daniel: Email: dgourvitch@merceradvisors.com Website: https://www.merceradvisors.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gourvitch-59562b5/ About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.  Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.  Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

Most brands overlook one of the most unexpected secrets to rapid growth—authentic collaborations with small indie brands. Lynn Power, founder of Masami and the Power Beauty Collab, reveals how genuine partnerships can multiply your reach, build trust, and create a loyal community—without spending a fortune on ads. Learn how her scrappy, relationship-first approach turned a tiny launch into a national presence, and discover the overlooked power of organic growth in today's crowded beauty industry.In this episode, we dive into Lynn's entrepreneurial journey from a 30-year advertising veteran to a founder passionate about clean beauty and community. She shares behind-the-scenes strategies for choosing brand partners based on shared values like sustainability and education, and how these collaborations generate exponential reach via audience swaps, co-marketing, and retail pop-ins—often involving 50 brands at once. You'll discover her unconventional tactics, like running multiple pop-ups across the U.S., leveraging influencer content, and building a digital magazine to amplify small brands' voices—all while keeping costs manageable.We also unpack her innovative acquisition tactics rooted in community and authenticity. From avoiding costly ad spend to harnessing the overlooked impact of handwritten direct mail campaigns, Lynn illustrates how personalized touches can rekindle dormant customers and deepen loyalty. She reveals how her team's clean ingredient ethos fuels consumer trust—and how education is the secret weapon small brands wield against giant competitors. Plus, learn her approach to modern retail, emphasizing influencer activation and the importance of giving customers a reason to keep coming back.Why does this matter? In a landscape dominated by paid ads and fleeting trends, Lynn's organic, relationship-driven strategies unlock sustainable growth—and they're accessible to any brand willing to focus on community, authenticity, and clever partnership. This episode is perfect for founders, marketers, and entrepreneurs eager to cut through the noise and turn collaboration into their secret weapon for customer retention and brand loyalty.Whether you're bootstrapping or scaling, if you want practical, proven tactics for leveraging organic growth, this episode is your playbook. Lynn's insights will inspire you to reimagine how small brands can punch above their weight through creativity, community, and collaboration.

This week, Jack Sharry talks with Alois Pirker, Founder & CEO of Pirker Partners. For 25 years, Alois has worked with many leading wealth management firms and providers globally. Today, he advises firms, vendors, and investors on where the industry is headed, grounded in real conversation, real data, and real-world execution. Alois talks with Jack about how firms navigate the convergence of AI, operations, and business model transformation. They discuss the gap between AI hype and practical implementation, why data management is the key to successful AI implementation, and how firms are moving from siloed, product-focused models toward holistic advice.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:35) - What makes AI different this time (06:00) - The challenge of organizing data across firms (10:26) - Why AI can't fix broken infrastructures (13:17) - The truth about organic growth (18:04) - How the vendor landscape has evolved over time (21:41) - Alois' interests outside of work Quotes "Using AI is very expensive. So, marrying traditional methods with AI methods, that's where the secret sauce is." ~ Alois Pirker "Organic growth starts with trust. It starts with the trust the advisor or the firm has earned with the client or prospect. And that cannot be manufactured through technology." ~ Alois Pirker "Smart vendors know their position in the value chain. They know where they are strong." ~ Alois Pirker Links  Alois Pirker on LinkedIn Pirker Partners Range.com FINNY Morgan Stanley Jed Finn Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

In this episode of Scratch, Viren sits down with Misbah Uraizee from Nectar Social to dismantle one of marketing's most persistent myths. The truth? Organic and paid media are complementary engines, and brands that still silo them are leaving serious growth on the table. Misbah breaks down the post-iOS 14 reality and reveals the exact playbooks modern challenger brands are using to scale today. In this episode, we cover: The Post-iOS 14 Reality: Why the entire class of brands built on cheap paid ads simply no longer exists. Year-One CPG Playbooks: What the fastest-growing brands actually do in their first year (hint: it has nothing to do with media spend). Killing Vanity Metrics: Why follower count is the metric that refuses to die—and what you should be measuring instead. TikTok Shop's True Role: How to properly integrate it into your modern marketing mix. Measuring the Unmeasurable: How to spot the "halo effects" that prove social is working before the revenue data catches up. The AI Equalizer: Why "taste" is the last true differentiator for marketers in a world where everyone has the same AI tools. Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v5lbv-u9bOk Links & Resources:

Before the screen-time backlash hit the mainstream, Cat Goetze was already building an analog antidote. Her brand Physical Phones—Bluetooth landlines designed to replace smartphone habits—generated $800K in its first year and turned a personal frustration into a full-blown cultural movement. For more on Physical Phones and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

In episode 507 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Charlie Beer, chief operating officer at Naturepedic, the leading certified organic mattress and bedding company. Naturepedic was started over 20 years ago when the founder rejected conventional crib mattresses containing industrial foam and chemicals, leading to better products like organic cotton (0:55). Since then,…

She built Virtue Labs into a $50M+ hair care brand. Now Melisse Shaban is CEO of Aramore — a biotech skincare company backed by peer-reviewed NAD+ research — and she's throwing out the beauty playbook. No influencer deals. No aspirational campaigns. She's sending free product to Reddit strangers, asking for the honest truth, and betting that real science doesn't need hype to win. In this episode: Why she left a board seat to run one more brand How a 28-day Reddit trial beat any influencer campaign The products she cut from her own line — and why What 30 years at Aveda, the Body Shop, and Fekkai taught her about what's broken in beauty Why she hates the word "aging" and refuses to sell fear For more on Aramore https://www.shopify.com/blog/aramore-reddit-skincare-science?utm_campaign=shopifymasters&utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=podcast Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

FINNY founder Eden Ovadia shares how the firm is tackling one of financial advice's biggest challenges: organic growth. Advisors can spend up to 60 hours to win a single client – consuming their most valuable asset: time. And that doesn't scale. FINNY's approach – using AI to identify high-intent prospects and automate outreach – aims to change that. The goal? A more efficient growth engine, especially for advisors with clearly defined niches. In an increasingly competitive business, specialization and smart use of technology can compound over time – separating firms that grow from those that don't. After all, if you're not growing, you may be dying on the vine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode of the Organic Growth Podcast series recorded live at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, this conversation explores how healthcare organizations can unlock growth by focusing on financial fundamentals.

Episode of the Organic Growth Podcast series recorded live at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, this conversation explores how lenders evaluate organic growth—and what healthcare organizations must demonstrate to secure capital.

Episode of the Organic Growth Podcast series recorded live at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, this conversation explores how buyers evaluate organic growth—and why it's becoming a key driver of valuation.

Episode of the Organic Growth Podcast series recorded live at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, this conversation explores why healthcare organizations are shifting from acquisition-driven growth to operational performance and efficiency.

How will artificial intelligence transform the most human parts of wealth management? In this episode, we explore where technology meets empathy, and what the future looks like for financial professionals and their clients as AI adoption accelerates across the industry. Our guest, Carrie Nelson, is the founder of Atlas Point and a veteran leader with experience at Ernst & Young, Experian, and Edward Jones. Carrie shares her journey from big-firm consulting to building a platform that empowers advisors to navigate a rapidly changing landscape, with a focus on the coming great wealth transfer and the next generation of clients. Together, we discuss why human connection is still essential—even as AI creates new efficiencies—and how Atlas Point blends behavioral science and smart tools to bridge the gap. For anyone interested in the future of finance, entrepreneurship, or the emotional side of money, this is a must-listen episode filled with real-world stories and actionable insights.   To get the latest from Carrie Nelson, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-nelson-5377864/ https://www.theatlaspoint.com/   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

This special Organic Growth Podcast was recorded live at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference. Revenue doesn't disappear—it gets stuck. In this episode, Brian Plamondon of SuperDial explains how AI is transforming revenue cycle management by automating payer communication and clearing long-standing bottlenecks.

Episode of the Organic Growth Podcast series recorded live at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, this conversation explores how healthcare leaders can evaluate AI vendors in a rapidly evolving—and often overhyped—market.

Organic Growth Podcast: The Patient Is the New Payer: Rethinking Healthcare Payments by Healthcare Success

Episode of the Organic Growth Podcast series recorded live at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, this conversation explores one of the most overlooked drivers of growth: hiring the right people.

This special Organic Growth Podcast series is being recorded live at the McGuire Woods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference in Chicago. In this episode, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Roy Bejarano of SCALE Healthcare to explore why scaling healthcare organizations is far more complex than simply adding locations or acquiring practices.

Stewart Gandolf speaks with Andrew Smith, CEO of Association of Dental Support Organizations, about how the industry is shifting beyond rapid deal-making and into a more disciplined focus on operational performance, technology, and patient experience.

On the podcast: why retention is the only real moat, how dropping paid conversion from 20% to 9% increased revenue, and why he sees the rise in competition as a net positive for Opal.Top Takeaways:

In this special Organic Growth Podcast series filmed at the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity & Investing Conference, Stewart Gandolf sits down with Louis Oster of ECG Consultants to unpack why so many healthcare organizations struggle to grow—even after investing in marketing, acquisitions, and infrastructure.

This special Organic Growth Podcast series is being recorded live at the McGuire Woods Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference in Chicago. In this first episode, Stewart Gandolf, CEO of Healthcare Success, sits down with Quin Wright, Senior Vice President of Real Rev, to discuss lifetime value.

What happens when the product that made you famous starts holding you back? Kevin Gould co-founded Glamnetic in 2019 with Ann McFerran, launching a magnetic eyelash brand that exploded from $1 million to $50 million in revenue in just one year — fueled by a great product, smart growth marketing, and the COVID-era boom in DIY beauty. But when the tailwinds reversed — iOS 14 updates sent acquisition costs soaring, the lash category contracted, and revenue dipped 25% — Kevin faced a make-or-break decision. Rather than doubling down on what was declining, he pivoted the entire business into press-on nails, a category still in its infancy. Today, Glamnetic is one of the largest press-on nail brands in the world, doing over $100 million a year. In this episode, Kevin gets real about the unglamorous side of hypergrowth: the cash flow crunches that come with scaling too fast, the inventory mistakes that haunt you, and the emotional toll of watching revenue fall when you expected it to double. He shares how he and his team navigated the pivot, why community and brand affinity will always outlast paid acquisition, and why the best advice he can give founders is: don't grow too fast. You'll learn: Why going from $1M to $50M overnight nearly broke the business How to manage cash flow and inventory when you're self-funded The marketing mix that built a real brand — not just an ad machine Why TikTok Shop is the biggest arbitrage opportunity right now How a 40,000-member Facebook community doubles as a product development engine The one hire every founder should prioritize early on What it really takes — personally and professionally — to turn a pivot into a $100M business Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

David Lawrence founded MECA Personal Training in a small Wixom warehouse in 2012 with one client and a clear vision for what a performance training company should look like. On this episode of Community Capital, Rob sits down with David to talk about building a business that gets results, retains great coaches, and has grown almost entirely on word of mouth into four locations across Michigan. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to David Lawrence 02:02 Revolutionizing Personal Training 04:28 MECA's Business Model 05:50 MECA's Organic Growth and Name 08:03 Future Vision and Industry Impact 09:58 Challenges in Personal Training 11:50 Rewarding Aspects and Contact   Guest Links Website: https://www.mecastrong.com/ Show Links Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website. Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/

Two recent college grads turned a dorm room pistachio recipe into a fast-growing food brand—by letting their community call the shots. Nicola Buffo and Francine Voit, co-founders of Pistakio, share how they pivoted from pistachio mayo to a sweet pistachio spread one week before their first big grocery pitch, built a loyal following on social media because a college professor forced them to start posting, and turned customer DMs into their best-selling products—including their crunchy spread and date bark. In this episode, Nico and Fran talk about: How a last-minute product pivot landed them in Portland's biggest local retailer Why they said no to Shark Tank and Target before they were ready How community-led product development drove 10x growth Building a brand in public from day one (even with terrible dorm room lighting) The café tour strategy that gets customers to try the product risk-free Navigating a business partnership that's also a romantic relationship The $20,000 TikTok agency mistake and what they learned from it Why taste—not health trends—is their only non-negotiable Whether you're starting a food business, looking for community-driven marketing strategies, or figuring out when to say no to big opportunities, this episode is packed with real talk and actionable advice for ecommerce entrepreneurs. For more on Pistakio and show notes click here: https://www.shopify.com/blog/pistakio-community-led-product-development?utm_campaign=shopifymasters&utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=podcast SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more video episodes: https://utm.io/uhw53 Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

In this episode, host Josh interviews Will Russell, CEO of Russell Marketing, about effective strategies for launching e-commerce products. Will shares his five-step framework, emphasizing audience building through paid ads, partnerships, virality, and organic growth. They discuss practical tactics for Amazon sellers, such as using product insert cards with QR codes, leveraging surveys for product validation, and segmenting email lists for launch campaigns. Will highlights the importance of nurturing existing customers and using their feedback for product development. The episode offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs aiming to maximize launch success and scale their businesses efficiently.Chapters:Introduction to Will Russell and Russell Marketing (00:00:00)Will Russell's background, agency achievements, and book introduction.Strategies for Building an Engaged Audience Pre-Launch (00:00:55)Overview of paid acquisition, piggybacking/partnerships, virality, and organic growth for audience building.Piggybacking and Partnerships Explained (00:01:20)How to leverage existing communities and partnerships to access target audiences.Virality and Organic Growth (00:02:47)Discussion of viral marketing, influencer strategies, and the role of organic content.Summary of Audience-Building Approaches (00:03:53)Recap of paid, partnership, viral, and organic methods for audience growth.Leveraging Existing Customer Bases for Product Validation (00:05:07)Using current customers for product validation, feedback, and preorders to reduce launch risk.The Value of Existing Communities in Launches (00:07:11)How established audiences give a head start and lower costs for new product launches.Applying the Five-Step Framework to Amazon Sellers (00:08:14)Host introduces actionable takeaways, adapting Will's framework for Amazon product launches.Step 1: Product Validation Tactics (00:09:26)Using product inserts, QR codes, and Amazon analytics to validate new product ideas.Step 2: Audience Building and Customer Surveys (00:10:37)Reaching out to existing customers, using surveys to identify pain points and refine products.Step 3: Audience Engagement During Product Development (00:11:50)Keeping customers involved in product design and updates to build anticipation and loyalty.Step 4: Conversion Strategies and List Segmentation (00:13:05)Segmenting email lists for staggered launch campaigns to optimize Amazon ranking and conversions.Step 5: Scaling and Ongoing Audience Engagement (00:14:02)Using product inserts and ongoing engagement to prepare for future launches and scale the business.Review Research and Copywriting Insights (00:14:28)Using competitor reviews for product development and marketing language.Segmentation Strategies for Different Launch Models (00:15:19)How to segment audiences for Amazon vs. crowdfunding launches, prioritizing likely converters.Conclusion and Final Thoughts (00:17:01)Recap, book recommendation, and closing remarks.Links and Mentions:Advertising Tools:"Facebook Ads": "00:01:20""Google Ads": "00:01:20""Reddit Ads": "00:01:20""Amazon Brand Analytics": "00:10:37"Books:"Take Your Idea from Light Bulb Moment to Profitable Business in Record Time" by Will Russell: "00:00:52"Marketing Concepts and Strategies:"Piggybacking": "00:01:20""Virality": "00:02:47""Organic Growth": "00:03:53""Customer Surveys": "00:06:02""Product Insert Cards": "00:09:26""Segmentation for Email/Text Lists": "00:13:05"Content and Influencer Strategies:"User-Generated Content": "00:02:47""Influencer Marketing": "00:02:47""Referral Strategies": "00:02:47"Transcript:Josh 00:00:00  Today I'm super excited to introduce you to Will Russell. He is the CEO and founder of Russell Marketing. Russell Marketing is an innovative digital agency specializing in e-commerce launch marketing. To date, they have generated more than 25 million in revenue for over 300 new entrepreneurs. Will has been featured on Forbes, Business Insider, Crain's New York Start-Up nation and many more. Will also has launched the Russell Gibbs Foundation, a family foundation that offers grants and mentorship to 501 C3 partners committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. In November of 2022, Will's first book launch in five. Take your Idea From Light Bulb Moment to Profitable Business in Record Time, was published by Nicholas Brealey. So welcome to the show, Will.Will 00:00:52  Thank you. Thanks for having me, Josh. It's a real pleasure to be here.Josh 00:00:55  When you talk about building an engaged, you know, audience or, you know, building it up a The following. What are what are the channels or strategies to kind of build this following of people before you've even launched a product?Will 00:01:15  By and large, most people are going to lean heavily into paid acquisition.Will 00:01:20  And so, you know, that means paying Facebook or Google or Reddit for ad space and driving traffic using those methods. Now, not everyone has big budgets. They can just plug in. To do that, I always suggest paid acquisition because frankly, is the quickest and easiest way of getting from where you are to where you need to be. But I understand not everyone has the budget. So for those who don't have those budgets, or for those who don't want to rely entirely on those budgets, there's a few other avenues you really look to. One is piggybacking. And so by piggybacking, we're looking for partners or like minded communities that already we have the people we want, and we want to build a connection with the managers or the founders of those communities and essentially piggyback on top of the success they've had to get access to these people. So examples of that might be, maybe you don't want to put $10,000 into a Facebook ad campaign, but maybe you could purchase an advertising spot or in a particular media websites newsletter, or you could write a guest post, or you could do some sort of exchange post promotional exchange with them over a period of six months, where maybe front end of that relationship, they're helping you, but then towards the back end, you're going to balance that out more and start helping them in different ways.Will 00:02:47  So piggybacking and looking at those kind of partnerships is a really good route. Another effort we're going to look to is virality. It's a tough one because it's you know, there are obviously elements to what makes something viral and, and checkboxes that you can go through. But there's always an element of luck there. You don't really know for sure whether a big effort to go viral is going to work. And so it can be a bit of a risk, but virality and that can be things such as word of mouth, marketing strategies, referral strategies and fun content, user generated content, things like ambassadors or affiliate marketing. We might even include some influencer marketing in that. So we've got the virality is certainly a good a good path to go. If you don't want to lean into pushing too much of your budget into paid ads, and then I mean, the fourth and longest one, I suppose is is the organic, you know, people that don't have big budgets and and maybe don't excel. I don't have any partners or I don't have.Will 00:03:53  I can't make things viral. They can't ...

Running a hotel can mean processing all sorts of guest transactions, from check-in, to spa treatments, to a martini in the lobby bar. One company promises to consolidate all of those transactions — and all of that customer data — onto one single platform. Taylor Lauber is the CEO of Shift4 payments, which trades under the symbol FOUR. Taylor's been with the company since 2018 with prior roles including President and Chief Strategy Officer, he was also one of the company's first interns 25 years ago. Taylor joins us to discuss Shift4's incredible growth over the last few years, how they differentiate themselves in the crowded payments industry, and their strategy for generating new revenue streams organically or through M&A.Highlights:What is Shift4? (2:02)Shift4's Market Share (5:38)Brands within the brand (8:55)Taking over as CEO (10:26)Strategy for Organic Growth (11:49)M & A Strategy (13:58)Global Blue Acquisition (17:22)Stable Coin payment processing (20:18)Building cross-regional consistency (22:18)AI's evolving role in the business (23:47)Balancing growth and profitability (25:47)Exciting things ahead (27:41)Links:Taylor Lauber LinkedInShift4 LinkedInShift4 WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co