Popular Shows by Meny Hoffman: Page 2

101

The Key to Differentiating Your Brand with Hamza Ramzan

May 5, 2022

26:57

Some brands can grow immediately after post-acquisition within one or two months and some can take longer depending on how complex the brand is. However, what determines the success of a product is to identify and work on the specific growth levers that enable sellers to gain authority in their industry. This week, our guest is Hamza Ramzan, the Co-Founder, and VPO at D1 Brands. He breaks down relevant tips on how sellers can maximize the value of their business as they come close to a sale. He also shares his insights in regards to the current status of the Amazon marketplace for new sellers and discloses how he has built a culture within D1 that is healthy and scalable. Listen and enjoy! Hamza is the Co-founder and VP of Operations at D1 Brands where he’s primarily focused on overseeing the performance and growth of the company’s top Amazon-native brands. Prior to joining D1, Hamza had successfully launched and run several profitable brands on Amazon across multiple product categories with revenues run-rating $100M+. Hamza holds a degree in Business Marketing from New York University. [00:01 - 07:19] Sell Yourself on Amazon Hamza’s experience before being the co-founder of D1 Doing the Amazon selling machine course Looking for strategies to be differentiated in the Amazon space Acquiring his first brand in 2020 Hamza’s leadership role in the D1 success Focusing on brand maintenance and growth post-acquisition [07:30 - 17:07] Growing Brands to The Next Level Hamza’s non-negotiable for a brand Maintaining inventory, data-driven decisions, and product quality How sellers can know if they should keep optimizing a listing Hamza's standpoint of growing businesses beyond Amazon There are a bunch of other marketplaces out there E.g. Walmart The aggregators' perspective of growing a brand that is going down What can be done to improve the margin [17:08 - 25:16] How to Build a Harmonious Operation How to build a culture that is scalable and healthy Teams are single direct management Being customer-obsessed and having over communication Practical tips Hamza uses to inspect what sellers expect Having a monthly performance review The role of SOPs within D1 SOPs range from fundamental techniques to details of what sellers were doing before Hamza shares his insights about eCommerce [25:17 - 26:57] Closing Segment Hamza on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “You ideally want to plant your seeds early on. So your brand and your products grow in the future. The earlier you plant the tree, the more it's gonna grow in the future.” - Hamza Ramzan “One man's trash, maybe another man's goals” - Hamza Ramzan “There is still room to grow, there's still room to launch. You really have to come to the market with a truly differentiated product now.” - Hamza Ramzan Connect with Hamza https://www.d1brands.io/ D1 Brands (LinkedIn) Hamza Ramzan (LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts

102

How to Become A Thriving EXITpreneur with Joe Valley

May 12, 2022

48:43

Are you aware of what your business is truly worth? In today’s episode, Joe Valley, a serial entrepreneur, EXITpreneur, M&A Advisor, Podcaster, and Partner at Quiet Light Brokerage discloses the first step for selling your business and why you should prepare and reverse engineer your exit. Joe also remarks on the importance of making sure it’s the right time to sell and where your focus needs to be if you want to postpone your exit. Pay close attention to Joe’s insights about the aggregator space and how the pool of buyers are potentially way bigger than just aggregators. Listen and enjoy! Joe Valley is a serial entrepreneur, EXITpreneur, M&A Advisor, Podcaster, and Partner at Quiet Light Brokerage, one of the top online business brokerage-advisory firms in the world. Joe has also built, bought, or sold over half a dozen of his own companies. And over the last nine years, he has mentored thousands of entrepreneurs whose goal is to achieve their own eventual exit. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional, and a frequent guest expert in mastermind groups, AMAs, podcasts, and speaker events for entrepreneurs worldwide. Joe’s book, The EXITpreneur’s Playbook shares real-life stories of successful and failed exits, and teaches you how to reverse engineer a pathway to your own incredible exit. Joe has personally closed nearly 100 million in transactions and touched nearly a half-billion in online exits through the entrepreneur-led team of Advisors at Quiet Light. [00:01 - 08:50] The EXITPreneur's Make sure to check The EXITPreneur's Playbook Joe’s experience being self-employed Launching his first online business Why he decided it was time to sell his business How Joe joined Quiet Light Brokerage They closed under 215 million in total transactions in 2021 The reason why Joe came up with the idea of writing a book [08:51 - 23:17] Understanding What Brings Value The reason why he started using the term Exitpreneur Reading Joe’s book is a great entrepreneurial education It gives very concrete information and keeps the reader engaged Looking for the opportunity versus preparing your exit Why you should prepare and reverse engineer your exit Always set a goal How people can know when it is the right time to sell your business [23:18 - 41:41] The EXITPreneurs Needs to Be Very True to Themselves The key metrics people may change to maximize the potential of their exit Have a great eCommerce bookkeeper and do accrual accounting Focus on risk, growth, transferability, and documentation. At which point the seller has more leverage than the buyer to structure a deal Think about how competitive the process is The lowball offers vs the fair market value if you price the business right, the lowball offers don't come in [41:42 - 48:43] Closing Segment Joe on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “If you don't think about prepare and reverse engineer your exit, and that aggregator catches you on a bad day and gives you a number that feels good, you are going to be selling for a lot less than you should be.” - Joe Valley “The right time to sell is when it's the right time for you the business owner. You might not be ready but your business is trending down and then you have to look out to the future.” - Joe Valley “You're building a great business for a great buyer to take over at a great price with a great deal structure. ” - Joe Valley Connect with Joe Website: quietlightbrokerage.com https://exitpreneur.io/joe-valley/ Joe Valley (LinkedIn) Joe Valley (Twitter) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

103

The Amazing Affects of Prioritizing Eco-Friendly Packaging with Robin Bade

May 19, 2022

33:27

What’s at the top of mind in your business– perspective or profit? In this week’s episode, Robin Bade, the CEO, and Co-founder of eBrands Global, shares his journey as a digital agency owner and how he ended up selling his business to the WPP Group. He explains how he took his passion for the environment as the mission with his new company where they focus on brands that are eco-friendly. Most importantly he breaks down why building a culture of excellence is essential and provides great advice on what sellers should ask a potential buyer when they're interviewing for a potential exit. Listen and enjoy! Robin Bade is an entrepreneur and active investor with a growth mindset. He founded eBrands in 2020 buying Amazon FBA businesses worldwide and is a recognized expert in the field of Digital Marketing, E-commerce, and the Amazon marketplace. His objective is to build high-performing and quality-driven global businesses with a strong growth culture that allows him to attract and develop the best people and talent. Robin’s experience in entrepreneurship, business internationalization, and digital marketing has opened opportunities for him to act as an active Venture Partner, Angel Investor, Advisor, and Board member in several high-growth businesses. He contributes substantial value to companies set to grow through international market expansion, more effective marketing, and better leveraging digital commercial channels. [00:01 - 08:33] Build The Company That You Want to Be Working In What Robin did prior to getting into the eCommerce/aggregator space His experience starting a digital marketing agency How he learned how to build, grow and buy businesses Selling his business to WPP Make sure that you don't buy businesses that are unfriendly [08:34 - 19:52] What's Important To A Business Why the financial and environmental points of view are key Areas people should look at after taking over the brand and starting to improve The environmental eCommerce playbook We should be better operators than normally The quickest place where a seller could start improving Packaging and logistics Be environmental friendly How to make sure you have sustainable operations [19:53 - 31:24] Positioning Your Brand Post-Acquisition Where you could improve on the brand positioning or the marketing The marketing and branding aspects Great value add The major growth or expansion of the brand post-acquisition Building expansion models: Geographical expansion Bringing brands to new marketplaces Questions sellers should ask a potential buyer What Robin puts in place to build a culture of excellence in his team Communicating the values of the business [31:25 - 33:26] Closing Segment Robin on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “If the business grows bigger than yourself, then you've succeeded.” - Robin Bade “ Environmental friendly is not the opposite of being profitable” - Robin Bade “We believe in doing what's right and doing as much as necessary. ” - Robin Bade Connect with Robin Website: https://www.e-brands.co/ eBrands (LinkedIn) Robin Bade(LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

104

Optimize Your Amazon Listing For the Best Results with Robyn Johnson

May 26, 2022

35:36

Are you looking for an effective way to maximize and optimize your listings on Amazon? In this week’s episode, the CEO of Marketplace Blueprint, Robyn Johnson shares the meaning of successful optimization on Amazon and how you can take action when your listing goes down in ranking. She also discloses how to go about product development and what's changed in selling on Amazon in the last couple of years. Pay close attention to Robyn’s insights about the opportunities Amazon has for those who want to launch new brands. Listen and enjoy! Robyn has been heralded as one of the country's foremost leaders on the topic of selling and marketing products on Amazon.com. She has been a guest on shows like Entrepreneur on Fire, Confessions of A Marketer, and is a SEMrush Academy professor. Robyn is the co-founder of Marketplace Blueprint, a digital agency that specializes in listing optimization and advertising on Amazon. She has over a decade of experience selling online on Amazon, eBay, and other eCommerce venues. [00:01 - 08:09] Being An Accidental Entrepreneur Robyn’s experience in the Amazon Space Moving from retail arbitrage to wholesale Maximizing the potential and money vs turning around money without any profit Cash flow, advertising, and the product are key Why Amazon is still an amazing opportunity What Amazon really wants is a better customer experience [08:10 - 18:14] Product Development and Listing Optimization How sellers were approaching product development 36 months ago What the focus for sellers should be now How your product is going to solve a need or fix a problem How your product is going to make the customer’s life better What makes a great optimized listing Really understand your customer Motivate your customer Check out Donald Miller’s book How to make sure you are speaking to the audience and the algorithm [18:15 - 31:13] The Lifetime Value of Your Customers What sellers can do if they have great products, but they’re losing rank Look at what has changed in the competitive landscape Get conversions on keywords that are highly relevant Where the ad spend should go Start with sponsored products Allocate 10% of your budget to testing new keywords, targeting types, and ad products The categories where there are more needs for new brands Robyn’s outlook on launching products outside of Amazon Other marketplaces don't get the same traffic as Amazon does [31:14 - 35:35] Closing Segment Robyn on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “Make sure you're really clear on what it is that's really going to motivate your customer. - Robyn Johnson “Not the same strategy works for everybody.” - Robyn Johnson Connect with Robyn Website: https://marketplaceblueprint.com/ Marketplace Blueprint (Facebook) Robyn Johnson(LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

105

Building a Standout Brand in the Saturated e-Commerce Space with Alex Kopco

Mar 17, 2022

41:17

With the many online stores out there in the Amazon space, is it possible to be that A+ brand? Having the right technology and partnerships are significant factors, but our guest adds in another element - passion. For today’s interview, we have our guest, Alex Kopco, the co-founder and COO of Forum Brands. He explains that the way to unlock a brand’s full potential is by going back to the “why” and that everything comes back to the belief in the brand itself. Although it is a common goal to earn money when getting into the e-commerce space, the results and growth won’t be exponential without passion - and it shows with the way we do our business. Listen and enjoy! Alex Kopco is the co-founder and COO of Forum Brands. Alex’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for cultivating an amazing customer experience began in his childhood leading tours of his hometown in South Dakota. He has since worked throughout his entire professional career in retail and e-Commerce, working at both Target and Amazon. His expertise spans retail buying, supply chain management, cost & inventory planning, negotiations, pricing, promotion planning, and retail P&L management. Alex is on a mission to empower e-Commerce business owners by providing them with opportunities to help their brands reach infinite growth with technology and strategic brand management. [00:01 - 09:26] Keeping the Customer’s Perspective at the Forefront Alex Kopco on falling into the path of retail Watching Amazon grow from a sleeping giant into world domination Learning the inner works and working dynamics by working directly in Amazon Building an iconic brand that resonates with customers Consider how the customer interacts with products and brands. Starting Forum Brands Conveying a sense of togetherness from varying walks of life [09:27 - 22:39] The Significance of Passion When Building an A+ Brand How do you juggle a day as a COO? Blending roles and allowing autonomy and trust in the team Starting with the “why” to unlock the full potential Our passion shines through the way we handle the business. What are your thoughts on the selection of categories? Why you should stay away from consumables and potentially hazardous materials Focusing product innovation on what consumers already love How much focus are you putting on technology? Operating the business more efficiently Comes back to belief in the brand itself The key is to strive to be that A+ brand. [22:40 - 39:10] Realizing the Value of Starting Your Amazon Journey Alex Kopco’s outlook on e-commerce Becoming into convenience and a facet of people’s everyday lives Physical stores may not necessarily disappear. Is there still room for sellers to initiate a journey in Amazon? Suppliers on recognizing building the business without middlemen Standing out in the sea of sameness Where should be the focus in order to maximize the value of the business? Becoming as seller-friendly as possible Boils down to trust and recognizing red flags Establish transparency for confidence. [39:11 - 41:17] Closing Segment Alex on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “You may achieve an outcome that you feel comfortable with, but the opportunity to create lasting value is I believe, always going to be kind of short-shrifted if you aren't passionate about what it is that you're doing.” - Alex Kopco “If you don't believe in what you're selling, customers are going to know that and they're not going to believe in you either.” - Alex Kopco “Challenge drives innovation.” - Alex Kopco Connect with Alex https://forumbrands.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkopco/ @akopco (Instagram) @alexkopco (Twitter) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

106

How to Bring Brands to the Global Level with Malte Karstan

Jun 9, 2022

55:11

Would you like to discover how to build, buy and scale consumer brands globally? In this week’s episode, our guest, Malte Karstan gives a closer look at the background of BBG (Berlin Brands Group), and how they were able to maximize the potential outset of the Amazon platform on their own websites, and other marketplaces in Europe and internationally. He also touches on what happens post-acquisition with the brands they buy, and who is responsible to see the growth of those brands long-term. Listen and enjoy! After his first sales experience on eBay in 1998, Malte became quickly fascinated by the market-places Amazon and Alando. On the direct path to becoming an eBay platinum power seller, his business grew rapidly nationally, but internationalization and expansion were particularly appealing to him. Represented on platforms and marketplaces in over 60 countries, his products reached customers in 170 countries around the world. In 2018 he sold his companies and since then is part of BBG. [00:01 - 10:39] Always Give and Take How Malte got connected to eCommerce His experience with the music industry Working with big companies based in Japan and New York Engaging with the BBG Malte’s outlook on doing eCommerce is a new way Why he decided to add already established brands [10:40 - 29:53] Building Your Own Brands What you need to envision brands and scale them How BBG has become one of the biggest players in the marketplaces The common theme across the different brands that were the early adopters of BBG Democratizing the market and finding creative alternatives Creating things that are affordable for a wide range of people Quality should reflect a higher level than expected What sets BBG apart in the marketplace [29:54 - 50:37] Let’s Optimize! Malte’s insights about where eCommerce is going What foresight BBG has for a brand post-purchase Do the roll out into the new territories where the brand is not existing The logistics side of product management International rollout Why the role of brand managers is key for your brand How Malte feels to be part of the process of making millionaires You have to look for a win-win situation [50:38 - 55:10] Closing Segment Malte on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “It's all about trust, and it's all about expecting things reading things and science earlier.” - Malte Karstan “There are some problems on the road all the time, and you cannot l avoid everything and always shine bright. It's not possible. But if they're substantially something, then you will succeed long tail. ” - Malte Karstan Connect with Malte Website: https://www.berlin-brands-group.com/en BBG (LinkedIn) Malte Karstan (LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

107

Elevating Your eCommerce Game with Andrew Morgans

Jun 16, 2022

52:25

Do you want to launch products with remarkable results on all eCommerce platforms? In this episode, Andrew Morgans, a thought leader in the Amazon Branding space delves into his passion for branding done right for Amazon sellers. He also touches on what are the micro-steps you could do to enhance your branding if you're an Amazon seller. Andrew breaks down relevant tips of what you should consider when doing a listing and what it can do for your conversation rates. Tune in and learn the importance of branding and the micro and macro steps of a proper branding strategy. Listen and enjoy! Andrew is a resident mentor at UMKC's Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and guest lectures at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Andrew found early success as an internal corporate e-commerce manager. In less than a year he launched and scaled corporate brands new to Amazon topping over $1 million in new sales, and repeated this more than once with several different businesses. With this success, he launched both the Landlocked Co Apparel brand and Marknology™, an Amazon Brand Accelerator. Marknology™ has worked with over 200 global brands and sales of over $200 million. [00:01 - 09:10] Thinking Like the Brand Andrew’s background and work His 11 years of experience in the Amazon space Being an eCommerce manager Discovering the internal challenges that brands are having Where the Marknology™ name comes from Branding and Marketing on the eCommerce channels [09:11 - 29:56] Knowing the Rules to Play the Game the Best Way How Andrew describes the opportunity of eCommerce What branding really means It evokes emotion and specifically gets customers to trust the company Andrew’s outlook on good branding vs bad branding on Amazon The difference between demand generation vs demand capture Know your skills as a marketer Check who's the person working on the project to see if it’s a fit [29:57 - 48:14] You Can't Brand Yourself Overnight What makes an FBA seller different from an agency You have to play a long game to build a brand that people know and trust The only thing that can really create a brand is consistency over time I want my reputation to remain intact Andrew’s advice on how to reevaluate where people are with branding Look at your competition, products, and listings How to build a strong culture within your company [48:15 - 52:22] Closing Segment Andrew on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “I want to sell by creating something that will last a long time and that has a good reputation.” - Andrew Morgans “I think anyone building a business where people rely on that business, being short-sighted could be the difference in making it or not.” - Andrew Morgans Connect with Andrew Website: https://www.marknology.com/ Marknology(LinkedIn) Andre Morgans(LinkedIn, Instagram) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

108

How the Best Are Winning on Amazon with Troy Johnston

Jun 23, 2022

49:06

Are you taking advantage of the most innovative resources available to Amazon sellers? In this episode, the co-founder of Seller.Tools, talks about his first exit and how he came up with the idea of creating seller.tools. He also touches on how you can find a strategic buyer and what other sellers look at when they're looking to exit. Troy delves into the whole concept of tools for Amazon sellers, how to use them, how to not use them, and what to look out for when you see tools. Pay close attention to Troy's answer about the number one mistake sellers do when they're looking at tools for Amazon. Listen and enjoy! Troy Johnston is the Co-Founder of Seller.Tools and M&A Advisor at Carbon6. He brings a wealth of on-channel Amazon and e-commerce knowledge as a 7-figure Amazon earner with 2 successful exits. Today Troy focuses on leading strategic M&A in the Amazon SaaS space with the disruptive SaaS aggregator Carbon6. [00:01 - 07:43] Amazon and E-Commerce Brand Builders • Troy's experience being the co-founder of seller.tools and M&A Advisor at Carbon6 How he brings a wealth of Amazon and e-commerce knowledge as a seven-figure Amazon seller His exit and how he found his strategic buyer Why a seller's exit strategy shines through in strategic buyer search • Why it is a good time to go to market and entertain the acquisition of a brand [07:44 - 25:41] The Software Is An Investment Sellers Should Be Willing to Make • SAS tools help Amazon sellers stay ahead of the competition SAS has been constantly evolving to address the challenges of sellers in the Amazon ecosystem API integration is key for SAS because it allows sellers to access Amazon's vast data set • What makes it difficult for tools to provide reliable insights There is a lot of uncertainty and volatility when it comes to Amazon data • Software becomes obsolete quickly in the Amazon ecosystem, so SAS should be careful when adding new features or automation [25:42 - 43:39] How to Automate Your Amazon Seller Tools to Maximize Results • The reason why sellers should use automation It keeps key areas of their business running smoothly, while also focusing on ranking in Amazon reviews Automations can help sellers take care of important data points without having to spend time manually checking them • The challenge for brands is that Amazon is releasing so much first-party data that it can be difficult to make informed decisions with it. • Sellers should focus on fewer reports and take action on the most important ones [43:40 - 49:05] Closing Segment • Troy on the four rapid-fire questions • Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Want to connect with Troy Website: https://seller.tools/ https://www.carbon6.io/ Troy Johnston (LinkedIn, Facebook) Key Quotes: "If you can add in those automations and add some predictability to your business, that is an investment you should be willing to make." - Troy Johnston "If I can quantify what type of costs, human error, human delays, any of those elements that I can mitigate through software, I'll take that software investment any day of the week." - Troy Johnston Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts

109

How to Build and Sell Your eCommerce Business with Ben Leonard

Jun 30, 2022

37:15

Do you know what it takes to succeed in eCommerce, get unstuck, take control, and scale up? In this week's episode, Ben Leonard, the Ecom Broker's brand ambassador, discusses the grind and the hustle that he had with building his first brand and why he decided to sell it. He also shares what he learned from that process to build his new brand. Pay close attention to the suggestions he has for sellers to make sure they're maximizing the potential of their business. Listen and enjoy! Best known as the founder of Beast Gear, Ben Leonard is the classic millennial entrepreneur. He built a business on a laptop, in a cupboard, in his spare time. The difference? Ben grew an international 7-figure business and successfully exited after 3 years; the business holy grail. Ben is Ecom Broker’s brand ambassador and digital marketer. He is busy building the network, creating relationships, and banging the drum! In addition to Ecom Brokers, Ben is busy building brands and helping others follow in his footsteps with his consultancy, courses, and mentorship program. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 06:53] How an Ecologist Built an E-Commerce Empire •Ben shares his background and work Ben's journey into eCommerce and how he built his first brand Building a fitness brand and transitioning to selling on Amazon • How to maximize the value of their businesses and achieve an optimal exit [06:54 - 20:01] Selling an E-commerce Business: A Step-by-Step Guide •Why selling the business was the right decision for Ben and his family •The challenges of starting and selling an eCommerce business Cash flow management and product quality • Why working with an intermediary makes a difference Growing the business by applying skills such as relationship building and product quality. • How Ben became passionate about eCommerce and decided to build a legitimate brand [20:02 - 33:45] How to Sell Your E-Commerce Business When the Markets Are Maturing • The high barrier to entry for starting an eCommerce business is becoming increasingly important • One way to protect your brand and increase its value Have intellectual property rights in place • What sellers should look at to decide whether or not to sell Understand the data and its current value • The importance of focusing on mitigating risk for buyers when selling Buyers want to buy a business with a low-risk profile [33:46 - 37:13] Closing Segment • Why selling on selling on Amazon and eCommerce is important • Ben on the four rapid-fire questions • Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Want to connect with Ben? You can follow him on LinkedIn.Head to Ben Leonard, and smash your eCommerce goals! Visit Ecom Brokers, and sell your business for the best possible price. Key Quotes: "If you don't get product quality right, it ain't gonna fly." - Ben Leonard "One of the main things that I apply to, anything I do in business is relationship building and win-wins." - Ben Leonard "If I'm not an expert at something I'm gonna work with someone who is." - Ben Leonard Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts

110

The Fast Track to Becoming a Top Seller on Amazon with Scott Needham

Jul 8, 2022

33:31

Still trying to figure out the best tool to understand the marketplace and find out opportunities for wholesale and private level? In this episode, the founder and Ceo of SmartScout, Scott Needham shares his outlook on the importance of branding and creating a larger presence for your products within the Amazon ecosystem. He delves into the SmartScout tool, and why he decided to build the software the way he built it. Scott also breaks down why the way the information is laid on SmartScout is the right way to look at how to expand your brand in the long-term and short term. If you love technology and data, this episode is for you. Listen and enjoy! Scott is the Founder of SmartScout and BuyBoxer. He is the host of the Smartest Amazon Seller Podcast and an Amazon seller for 10 years who has scaled wholesale and private labels. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling products online, and his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 08:16] The Importance of Branding and Building a Large E-Commerce Business • Scott's experience building and selling Amazon brands The founder and CEO of SmartScout His experience as a wholesale and private label Amazon seller • What SmartScout does and how it works A software tool designed to help Amazon sellers identify and analyze potential brands for sale • Why it is important to brand and build a larger brand for Amazon sellers [08:17 - 16:05] The Most Useful Tool for Amazon Sellers • How the tools in the SmartScout suite can be used to research products and brands Optimizing products for FBA • The main benefits sellers can have by using SmartScout tools It can help you stay within your zone and focus on what is important It helps you to do a deep dive on your competitors Understand how your competitors built their business and find areas where you can improve [16:06 - 24:10] How to Successfully Sell on Amazon • It is important for sellers to be using tools regularly • What you should do if you're the sole entrepreneur behind your product Check Amazon fees and see if there is anything you can do to improve sales • Sellers should always be keeping an eye on their data Amazon has started introducing new reports such as search term query analytics [24:11 - 32:02] The Tool That Can Change Your Life • Scott shares his insights about Walmart • Why diversification may not be the best use of time Seller's focus should be on channels with high ROI and OT returns • One of the strategies sellers have used to succeed with Walmart • SmartScout can be used to identify trends in a channel and find opportunities to sell to customers [32:03 - 33:30] Closing Segment • Scott's Tips for Becoming an Amazon and E-Commerce Expert • Scott on the four rapid-fire questions • Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Scott: @smartestseller (Instagram) @itsScottNeedham (Twitter) Website: https://www.smartscout.com/ Key Quotes: "Implementing technology should be a concerted effort on its own." - Scott Needham "The more Amazon gives out the more, we can build tools and actually have an improved accuracy." - Scott Needham Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts

111

How to Expand Your FBA Business Internationally with Rael Lowenthal

Jul 14, 2022

37:41

Are you seeking to expand your Amazon business into global markets? In this episode, Rael Lowenthal, the Director of Business Development at Zee, delves into marketplace expansion to other countries, and how Zee makes it easy for actual sellers to expand their eCommerce business to have a great return on investment and return on time. He also breaks down how to do proper research and understand if your product is successful in the existing marketplace and if there is a demand on other ones. Rael discloses where Amazon is going and why it's important for sellers to focus on expansion if they want to maximize the value of their business. Listen and enjoy! Rael Lowenthal is a Chartered Accountant and former investment banker. He is the Director of Business Development at Zee, mainly responsible for new client acquisitions and existing client relationship management. Aside from assisting e-commerce businesses to expand their global reach, he is passionate about African wildlife conservation, financial systems powered by blockchain technology, and reading. Zee offers a complete door-to-door import solution into Amazon warehouses, including IOR, logistics, and compliance. Use Zee to outsource the hard grind of getting your goods into new countries. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:29] Solutions for Amazon Sellers Seeking to Expand Globally • Rael shares his experience with eCommerce and how he ended up on Zee Zee makes it easy for sellers to expand their businesses globally His passion for African wildlife financial systems • Why sellers should think about expanding their businesses into other countries [07:30 - 21:16] Importing your Amazon Products into New Markets • Zee's core services Product compliance services An importer of record service Logistic solution • How Zee facilitates the imports Having offices in all of the major eCommerce marketplaces • Why sellers should start with minimum quantity in multiple markets • Simplify the importing process for our clients [21:17 - 34:34] How to Maximize Your Margins on Amazon • Why Rael recommends sellers to use SmartScout • You need to do product research and understand the demand for a specific product before choosing a marketplace • Why sellers should sell globally • The benefits of selling internationally for sellers Increasing sales and diversifying risk Transferring reviews and rankings to other markets [34:35 - 37:40] Closing Segment • Zee's offer for the Let's Exits Podcast listeners • Rael on the four rapid-fire questions Connect with Rael: Zee IOR eCommerce(LinkedIn) @zeeior(Instagram) @IORZee (Facebook) Website: https://zee.co/?utm ref=OK9Y4GIZ821I5 Key Quotes: "The offering that we bring to the market is to enable the global expansion of any eCommerce business." - Rael Lowenthal "If you have the right partner who knows what those hurdles are and how to get around them, it can save you a lot of time." - Rael Lowenthal Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts

112

What makes Amazon Ad Strategies Profitable with Brent Zahradnik

Jul 21, 2022

51:37

Do you know how to effectively and profitably advertise on Amazon marketplaces? In this week's episode, Brent Zahradnik delves into PPC strategies and what is the status of PPC in 2022. He breaks down the difference between how to look at new product launches versus ongoing maintaining products with PPC, and remarks on the importance of storefronts and brand build-out across the whole marketplace. Pay close attention to Brent's answer about the opportunity for people who want to start their journey in selling on Amazon. Listen and enjoy! Brent Zahradnik is the founder of AMZ Pathfinder. He started the company in the summer of 2015 and since then has worked with 100s of brands on the Amazon marketplace. Pathfinder manages millions of dollars in ad spend per month and is composed of nearly 30 advertising experts who speak 11 languages between them and work with the North American and European marketplaces. Brent lives in Southern France with his girlfriend, their cat, and entirely too many bicycles. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:08] The End of the Amazon Advertising Golden Era • How Brent ended up in the eCommerce ecosystem His experience with Google Ads Growing an agency and working primarily with the American and European markets • Brent discloses the state of PPC in 2022 The golden era of Amazon advertising is officially over [07:09 - 27:49] How Much Should You Be Spending? • The reason why Amazon advertising is no longer as effective as it once was The average cost per click is high and profit margins are low • If a business is doing well organically, it should be focusing less on PPC and more on other acquisition channels • You need to keep up with new tricks and techniques to stay ahead of the competition Make sure you have enough inventory for a successful launch • How to increase your Amazon seller's share of voice [27:50 - 47:34] Amazon Advertising: What to Expect • How to budget for a launch and determine what keywords to target • Why social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest have a great implication for Amazon sellers • Brent shares how the company helps Amazon-related keywords rank in the Amazon ecosystem while making a little bit of money Sending customers to Amazon storefronts rather than Google product detail pages • How to create a culture that contributes across team members Have core values that everyone understands and infuse them into everyday operations Team meetings to keep everyone aligned and motivated [47:35 - 51:36] Closing Segment • Brent on the four rapid-fire questions Connect with Brent: Brent.Bike (Website) Key Quotes: "Advertising has matured on Amazon. It's not the golden era anymore, and essentially you need to have other complimentary services to make the impact of advertising greater than what it is." - Brent Zahradnik "Culture is what happens when the chips are down." - Brent Zahradnik Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts

113

Empowering the Growth of eCommerce Sellers with Erik Davidek

Jul 28, 2022

48:52

Are you ready to change the way you scale and grow your eCommerce business? In this episode, Erik Davidek touches on the importance of building a proper brand and the different brands he saw while being at Heyday. He breaks down what stood out as a great brand from the others and why it is crucial to support brands with cash flow opportunities to help them grow, buy inventory, and expand new products in different marketplaces. Listen and enjoy! Erik heads aggregator partnerships for SellersFunding, an eCommerce lending platform. His role focuses on creating non-dilutive working capital solutions and referral and marketing partnerships. Before joining SellersFunding, Erik was the 16th employee at Heyday, a top-5 funded aggregator. He sourced M&A opportunities and worked directly with hundreds of entrepreneurs to prepare their brands for acquisition. Prior to this, Erik's career followed non-traditional paths. He was an Editor at the world's largest automotive magazine, taught high school social studies, was a marketing consultant in Europe, and spent a decade leading sales teams for manufacturing, commodities, and SaaS companies. Erik works remotely from beautiful Northern Michigan. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 08:05] The Importance of Building a Proper Brand •The key to building a successful Amazon or e-commerce brand Focus on creating a strong brand and developing unique products that appeal to consumers • Why building a proper brand is crucial, and how it can be key to achieving an optimal exit • The importance of having access to funding to help businesses grow and expand [08:06 - 23:42] The e-Commerce Space • How to survive the next round of eCommerce growth • Erik's key drivers for businesses in the e-commerce space Focus on finance, cost control, and operational excellence • Why the money coming is no longer sustainable and has caused many aggregators to pull back or go out of business • Specialization and building a real brand are becoming more important in the Amazon eCommerce aggregated space The aggregated space is growing, with more operators and smaller buyers entering the market [23:43- 46:16] How to Focus on Brand Performance • How sellers can get insights into their businesses through seller signals Get an outlook on what's working and what's not in the market, and how to improve their business. • Erik introduces Seller Funding and what it does It offers several solutions to help sellers grow their businesses Revenue advances, daily advances, digital wallets, and aggregator pausing • The market is slowing down, but there are still opportunities for sellers to make money [46:17 - 48:51] Wrapping Up! • Erik on the four rapid questions Connect with Erik: Erik Davidek (LinkedIn) SellersFunding (Website) Key Quotes: "Don't think you have to have every product ready to go, but what's that next little step that I can take that gives me a little more security, a little more defense ability around what I'm doing." - Erik Davidek "Niches build bridges." -Erik Davidek Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts

114

Overcoming Bad Habits to Become a Wildly Successful Salesperson: Talking with Warren Greshes

Nov 7, 2022

51:11

It’s time for you to be really honest with yourself: are you afraid of hearing “no” when you try to sell - and is that fear preventing you from becoming a great salesperson? In this episode, our guest is Warren Greshes, an expert in the areas of sales, personal and professional development, leadership development, and employee motivation. He has addressed corporate and association audiences all over the world, and Bridgestone/Firestone, Hewlett Packard, Monsanto, and Coca-Cola are among his many corporate clients. He has also spoken in front of some of the world's largest and most prestigious organizations, including The Million Dollar Round Table, The National Association of Realtors, and Sales and Marketing Executives International. In our conversation, Warren reveals how to be a successful salesperson, and how most people are not good at sales because they are afraid of rejection. He breaks down why activity goals are more important than sales goals and why you should never walk out of an appointment without a conclusion. Warren encourages you to stop thinking about the sale itself and instead focus on the client's needs and how your product or service will benefit them. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:39] Opening Segment • Warren shares his background and work A world-renowned expert on sales, leadership development, and employee motivation • How to become a great salesperson Stop being afraid, start believing in your product or service [07:40 - 28:22] What You Need to Be a Successful Salesperson • Most people are not good at sales simply because they're afraid someone's going to say no The key to being successful in sales is to have a positive mindset and believe in your product • It's important to remember that you're not just selling paper goods - you're selling service as well • Salespeople need to be motivated to keep up the activity necessary to reach their sales goals How and why dialing the phone is one way to generate activity [28:23 - 42:23] Salespeople Must Be Aware of the Changes in Social Media • Make sure to have goals, write them down, and set realistic goals • Salespeople have to be aware of how technology has changed Social media is not selling; it is marketing • The main goal of social media should be to get your company's name and product out there Build name recognition and marketing for your company • Sales should be approached in a way that shows respect for the customer by providing quality and value [42:24 - 51:10] Closing Segment • Understand your unique selling point and what sets you apart from other salespeople • Warren on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: What type of salesperson should I be looking to hire? Want to connect with Warren? Follow him on LinkedIn and YouTube. Key Quotes: "Most people are not good at sales simply because they're afraid someone's going to say no." - Warren Greshes "The only way you can define how much money you need is to tell me how you want your life to look." - Warren Greshes "A goal becomes realistic if you are willing to do what it takes to achieve it." - Warren Greshes Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

115

An Exciting Announcement with Scott Kahn

Jul 25, 2022

16:20

Are you ready to listen to the amazing changes that are coming up in the show? Since its inception, the Let's Talk Business podcast has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business owners thrive. We believe that information is key, but we also believe that it's important to help business owners to start to take action. That's why we've introduced a new format and a new producer to the show, and we look forward to continuing to provide practical advice and help entrepreneurs and business owners grow their businesses. Let's welcome Rabbi Scott Kahn, formerly the dean of Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah in Beit Shemesh, Israel, and the founder of Jewish Coffee House, a podcast network featuring podcasts that deal with issues in the Orthodox world. He is also the executive producer of JCH Productions, a podcast production company that partners with companies, organizations, and individuals who see podcasting as a critical vehicle to get their message to a wider audience. He is the host of several podcasts as well, including Orthodox Conundrum, Intimate Judaism, and the Baseball Rabbi. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife Aliza and their seven children. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 05:52] Opening Segment • Meeting Scott Kahn and his role at the Let's Talk Business Podcast • An overview of what changes are coming to the show • The reason why Meny to grow and improve the podcast Keep providing quality advice to its listeners [05:52 - 12:54] An Exciting Announcement! • What the upcoming episodes will have A better quality guests and questions A segment where listeners can submit questions Practical advice for business owners • Why Let's Business Podcast is different from other shows • When you can expect new episodes [12:55 - 16:18] Closing Segment • Subscribe to the show and get notified when new episodes are published Key Quotes: "My personal mission in life is I believe every person should be given the opportunity to succeed in life." Meny Hoffman "Great relationships start with a great conversation." - Meny Hoffman We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Business! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-business/id1469289551 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

116

Becoming an Impact-Driven Business Leader with Zack Estes

Aug 22, 2022

42:18

Are you a leader that sacrifices health for the sake of growth? In this episode, our guest is Zach Estes, a Manufacturing Engineer by trade; who has experience in manufacturing operations, hospital operations, and media operations, and now leading Path for Growth as Chief Operating Officer alongside Alex Judd. He's passionate about healthy growth and applying operational principles in life and business. In our conversation, Zach digs into some lessons he learned from his time as a manufacturing engineer that has helped him to be an effective operator in today's business landscape. He stresses the importance of visibility in business and how manufacturing principles can be applied to any type of business. Zach breaks down the principles that he uses to run an efficient, effective, and enjoyable business and what has led him to achieve healthy growth. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 06:58] Opening Segment • Zach shares his journey as a manufacturing engineer How he ended up being the COO of Path for Growth Helping leaders grow their businesses without losing themselves in the process • Make work visible for better communication and understanding between team members and customers [06:59 - 19:58] Path of Healthy Growth for Businesses • Zach discloses the four steps to Path for Growth Standardization, documentation, evaluation, and improvement • How Path for Growth help businesses achieve success • Why individual growth is a key element Not sacrificing one's personal life to achieve success in one's business. • There must be intentionality and energy put into pursuing healthy growth to maintain a flourishing business [19:59 - 32:11] The Importance of Downtime • The key to a successful company is having a clear mission, focus, and passion Leaders need to communicate these values to their team for them to be attentive and motivated • Why downtime is expensive, and leaders need to be aware of this to manage it effectively Planned downtime vs unplanned downtime • Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually is important for long-term success [32:12 - 35:52] Closing Segment • Learn more about Zach with the Rapid Fire Questions! • Q&A: Should you share your financials with your team? Connect with Zack on LinkedIn. Head to Path of Growth, and find out how to practice healthy growth! Key Quotes: "If you know how you create and deliver value for your customer, then you'll know how you don't do that to you." - Zack Estes "If you know where you're going, or if you know what your responsibilities are, then it's a lot easier to determine what it is you should be spending your time on." - Zack Estes We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Business! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-business/id1469289551 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

117

Transforming Your Weakness Into a Superpower: A Conversation with Isaac Bardos

Aug 29, 2022

52:53

Are you ready to do the work that it takes to have a breakthrough in your business? In this episode, our guest is Isaac Bardos, the kid who everyone thought would never be successful at anything. But Isaac used that rejection to develop into a college athlete, a well-regarded public speaker, the founder of numerous successful companies, and a business coach who can diagnose a business’ core problem in minutes. Join Meny as he and Isaac talk about effective leadership, what it means to have a calling, how to spot the patterns that can tell you what’s really happening in your business, make better decisions, and much more. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 13:04] Opening Segment • How understanding your weaknesses can make you a better leader • How Isaac became a successful public speaker and business coach • Isaac's story of overcoming obstacles to achieve success Being doubted by family and friends, and starting his own businesses Providing more value to his clients by helping them achieve their goals [13:05 - 28:52] What You Need to Be a Succesful Leader • How an upbringing can either be seen as victimization or as fuel for someone's future • It is a learnable skill to be a leader, but most people are not naturally born leaders Moses's story • Leadership is about looking at where someone wants to go and what is needed to get there • Leaders need to be connected to their employees to lead them effectively [28:53 - 44:24] How to Navigate the Business World When the Recession Hits • When it comes to scaling a business, you need to take a "really serious look" at scalability • Why patterns are essential for your business Patterns can help protect businesses and help you stay ahead of the curve • What business leaders should focus on Focus on what's going to help your businesses grow [44:25 - 52:52] Closing Segment • Isaac on the four rapid questions • Q&A: How to budget for marketing your business? Connect with Isaac on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook. Key Quotes: "The must is where we really see things come out and we learn things about ourselves that become potentially huge assets for the business." - Isaac Bardos "If you're disconnected from the people who are doing the work that needs to get done, then you're not leading." - Isaac Bardos Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

118

Operation Pineapple Express: Saving the Heroes of Afghanistan from the Taliban

Sep 5, 2022

40:48

Creating deep human connections and building a high-trust culture is crucial to truly thrive as a leader. In this episode, our guest is Scott Mann; he spent 23 years in the United States Army, 18 of them as a Green Beret, where he specialized in unconventional, high-impact missions in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Colombia. He is a storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership, where he helps leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust environments. He also empowers people - both in warfare and in business - to stand up for themselves and develop a strong voice. He is the author of Operation Pineapple Express: The Incredible Story of a Group of Americans Who Undertook One Last Mission and Honored a Promise in Afghanistan. In our conversation, Scott shares some of his experiences from his time in Afghanistan and how he was able to use his relationships to help save people and build deep relationships with them. He digs into the importance of leadership, social capital, and accountability and how polarization can be dangerous and counterproductive. Scott remarks on why relationships are essential for building successful organizations. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:32] Opening Segment • Leadership lessons learned from a war zone • How to build relationships of trust with the local population to rescue people in high-risk situations • Check out his book Operation Pineapple Express A story of this rescue mission and the inspirational lessons that can be learned from it [07:33 - 22:15] The Problems with the US Withdrawal from Afghanistan • The problems with the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan No public hearings on what happened and no accountability • Look at the situations that as a leader you face and ask yourself what's your pineapple express • Afghan special operations forces and the veteran volunteers who stood on their shoulders and honored a promise • Why it's key to focus on local solutions, such as helping tribal leaders stand up to terrorists and training select special operations units [22:16 - 36:36] If America Abandoned Its Allies, What Would Happen? • What has led to increased conflict and instability in Afghanistan A political decision made without input from military leaders • Why the division between left and right in America is a major obstacle to effective policymaking on issues like Afghanistan • The importance of opening public hearings by Congress to allow for a more informed discussion of policy options for Afghanistan There is still potential for the United States to support its allies, but it needs to do so in a more transparent and effective way [36:37 - 40:16] Closing Segment • How to make decisions as a leader • Q&A: What will help you with your decision-making process? Want to connect with Scott? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Head to Roof Top Leadership, and discover how to create deep human connection! Key Quotes: "It is our social connection ability that really enables us to thrive." - Scott Mann "The time to build social capital is when nobody is looking " - Scott Mann Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

119

Communicating with Confidence & Increasing Your Value with Laurie-Ann Murabito

Sep 12, 2022

45:32

Are you ready to create a message that connects with the right people and builds your business, even if you’re a shy introvert? In this episode, our guest is Laurie-Ann Murabito. She was so shy that she couldn’t even look people in the eye. Almost accidentally, she became a public speaker and discovered that even an extreme introvert can overcome stage fright and communicate powerfully and effectively. She is a business mentor and speaking strategist who teaches clients to communicate with confidence, and leverage speaking opportunities to be positioned as the expert, attract high-end clients, and monetize their authority. Laurie-Ann is the best-selling author of Rethink Leadership and Rethink Your Leadership and host of the Be In Demand Podcast. In our conversation, Laurie-Ann shares her story of becoming a public speaker and how she overcame her shyness to achieve success. She encourages you to take the first step towards your goals and share your stories to inspire others. She stresses how the fear of public speaking is something that a lot of people deal with and it can really hold someone back from really taking the plunge and trying to speak in front of an audience. So, if you're afraid of public speaking, learning how to do it properly can really help you out. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 08:07] Opening Segment • How Laurie-Ann became a powerful speaker Learn to communicate with confidence and leverage speaking opportunities The best-selling author of Rethink Leadership and Rethink Your Leadership • There are three different types of speakers • Take the first step even if it's not perfect, and never give up on their dreams. [08:08 - 23:33] Overcoming Stagefright and Communicate with Confidence • The fear of speaking can be a barrier to success It's important for business owners to learn how to communicate confidently • How public speaking is a valuable skill and increases business owner's value • You don't have to keep coming up with new stories every time you speak • Where the fear of being judged comes from If you're not part of the inner circle, you'll be kicked out. [23:34 - 39:04] Speak Like a Leader Without Stressing • Why leaders should take baby steps before speaking, be themselves, and ask for feedback • The key points for a successful public speaking engagement Having an opening that grabs attention Providing valuable information in the authority section Ending with a call to action. • Becoming a speaker is easy with the right approach • Integrity is important when delivering speeches as it can help build trust and credibility with audiences [39:05 - 45:31] Closing Segment • Why narcissism is a personality trait that makes someone difficult to coach • Storytelling is an important tool for getting your employees and customers excited about what you do Key Quotes: "Being able to tell stories is so infectious. The storytelling is so powerful and a lot of us don't realize it." - Laurie-Ann Murabito Connect with Laurie-Ann: Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn. Head to Speak And Stand Out , and get crystal clear on your message! Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

120

Going for Stupid: Steve Sims and the Art of Moving From Ridicule to Reverence

Sep 19, 2022

47:39

Did you ever have a crazy idea that you thought just might be a big one but you never did anything about it because you didn't want people to laugh? This week, our guest is Steve Sims, the author of Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen and Go For Stupid: The Art of Achieving Ridiculous Goals which will be released on October 18. Called by Forbes Magazine, “The man with the world’s coolest job,” Steve has become famous for taking the craziest dreams of his celebrity clients and making them a reality. In our conversation, we’re going to hear about some of his wildest adventures, and learn how the fear of ridicule can stop us from doing the things that might be the keys to our success. Steve also teaches us how to recognize when something stupid might actually be brilliant and how to approach business and personal goals with a curious mindset. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:44] Opening Segment • Steve shares his experience working with celebrities and high-profile clients • The key asset to achieving success Having a curious mindset when pursuing goals • Check out The Art of Making Things Happen [07:45 - 24:11] People Laugh at Your Goals to Keep You Down • How different cultures can help or hinder a person's ability to pursue their goals Steve's advice on how to manage these differences • Going for stupid isn't the same as being reckless • Why entrepreneurs need to have goals that are both achievable and ridiculous to be successful They should vision their goals and reverse engineer them down to the smallest steps necessary to make them a reality • Stupid goals are those that are so far out of reach that they become impossible to achieve, but are still worth pursuing [24:12 - 40:09] Change Your Process and Achieve Greater Success • What has led to a canceled culture in which people no longer want to engage in conversations or projects People are afraid of being laughed at • Instead of laughing at those who make mistakes, we should challenge them and help them learn from their mistakes • Don't give yourself excuses for not changing; try different things to see what works When you start doing things differently, your mind starts seeing opportunities that it may not have seen before • The key to success is having a balance between your business and personal growth, and being true to your standards [40:10 - 47:38] Closing Segment • Steve on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: When do I know it's time to quit? Want to connect with Steve? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter. Visit his website, and make the impossible possible! Key Quotes: "Do things that disrupt the way you live and your mind will start to accept and recognize alternatives." - Steve Sims "Most of society today wants to laugh at your goals to keep you down. But if you don't go for stupid goals how are you gonna dare of achieving them." - Steve Sims Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

121

Overcoming Fear and Maximizing Potential with Shlomo Friedman

Oct 24, 2022

1:02:18

Is the fear of tipping off your competition, losing your employees, and disappointing your clients hurting your ability to communicate honestly and effectively? In this episode, our guest is Shlomo Friedman, he is a Partner & Executive Director of Imperial, a leading real estate brokerage headquartered in Lakewood, New Jersey. He is renowned for his emphasis on company culture & mindset work, helping Imperial agents sell more and dream bigger through the power of training, support, & teamwork. Shlomo is also a much sought-after speaker on sales and company culture, presenting at popular events and seminars, where he empowers high achievers to set and achieve impressive goals. In this episode, Shlomo digs deep into why fear is a great motivator but it destroys the possibility of having a growth mindset. He points out how important it's to reach your fullest potential and make sure you have accountability as a leader. Shlomo stresses out the importance of not getting stuck when you don't get the results you worked for and encourages you to rate yourself on how well you communicate and admit where you need to improve. Tune in and discover how to assure that your work and personal goals support each other. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 15:48] Opening Segment • Shlomo shares how to succeed despite fear The importance of company culture and mindset work • How fear can hurt your ability to communicate honestly and effectively with your employees, clients, and competitors • Shlomo's outlook on titles and responsibilities in corporate America [15:49 - 32:49] How to Achieve Your Potential: Mindset, Activities & Results • Understanding what your responsibility is and personally growing yourself are key to succeed in your business • Why the leader's responsibility is to help people realize their unrealized potential • There is no way to make any change without understanding the cause of the lack of progress To grow, one needs to have a growth mindset and believe one can achieve anything • When the growth mindset is established, the focus shifts to practical actions that will enable growth How to focus on the positive aspects of negative situations, and use spin to turn negative events into positives [32:50 - 48:44] Give the Work-Life Balance You Deserve • When we don't have a growth mindset, we are driven by fears • The benefits of having a growth mindset when communicating with your clients, employees, and competitors Always let them know what you can do and how you'll try to do it better • How to have a work-life balance that supports your personal goals A person's real life is more than business, and their goal and where they want to get to is much bigger than the business • Why your business goals should support your personal goals [48:45 - 1:02:17] Closing Segment • Shlomo on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: How to know which event to attend? Want to connect with Shlomo? Follow him on LinkedIn. Key Quotes: "If we can think of the other more than of ourselves, that's how we grow." - Shlomo Friedman "I feel much more comfortable with not a title but with an understanding of what it is that my obligation in the organization is." - Shlomo Friedman Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

122

Balancing Business Success with Health and Wellness: A Talk with Luke DePron

Oct 31, 2022

30:23

How many times have you had the resolution to start losing weight, but after a couple of days or weeks, or months it all goes to waste? In this episode, our guest is Luke DePron, an online weight loss coach for busy entrepreneurs and businessmen, as well as the host of the Live Great Lifestyle podcast. Both from his training and from strategies learned from exceptional sportsmen and elite performers, Luke has transformed everyday men into Olympic-level athletes. Today, he helps high-achieving entrepreneurs lose 20 pounds or more of body fat through the Lean Body Method™ so their physiques, energy, and confidence match the success they have in business and in life. In our conversation, Luke navigates how to establish your way to fitness, avoid work that is unhealthy for you, and lead a successful business. He digs into how to achieve wellness, make it stick, and set up realistic goals. He remarks on the importance of creating a business culture where employees' health is prioritized and they feel you care about them as well as their wellness. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 06:48] Opening Segment •Luke shares his background a work A health and fitness coach who helps entrepreneurs recover their health and wellness • How often business leaders have sacrificed health to build wealth • Wealth and wellness go together, and they need to step into a practice that supports their goals • Why October through November is the best time to take on health and fitness goals [06:49 - 16:33] Slow and Steady Wins the Race to Lose Weight • How to overcome the challenges of starting a fitness program when you're busy • You don't need to go to the gym to achieve your fitness goals • Why resistance training can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle Slower, longer-term weight loss is more successful than rapid weight loss • Eating a standard, healthy diet that is easy to adjust calories from is key to success [16:34 - 26:47] Leaders Look to Build Great Cultures, Great Environments • How leveraging your low-level step count is a massive point • Luke's advice to build great cultures and work environments Promoting a healthy first culture and setting standards to achieve them • Luke breaks down great leadership strategies • Be willing to give and contribute to others [26:48 - 30:22] How to Get More Clients After Completing Work • Luke on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: What is my next step in order to get more clients? Want to connect with Luke? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook. Head to his website to increase confidence & energy! Key Quotes: "We need to step into a health and fitness practice that supports whatever it is that your goals in life are." - Luke DePron "By you becoming a healthier version of yourself, the time that is invested, you're gonna buy it back through productivity, through feeling better, through having more confidence." - Luke DePron Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

123

3 Keys to Successful Sales with a Proactive Approach

Jun 20, 2022

46:10

What is a definition of a good salesperson? In this week’s episode, our guest is Fred Diamond. He is the host and producer of the Sales Game Changers Podcast and is the co-founder of the Institute for Excellence in Sales (IES). He is also an advocate for Lyme disease treatment and is a frequent article contributor to LymeDisease.org. His books, “Love, Hope, Lyme” and “Insights for Sales Game Changers” will hit bookshelves on in July. In this conversation, we are reminded of the virtues a salesperson must have in order to become successful - a deep understanding of the customers’ needs, the company’s offers, and perceiving sales as a profession than simply a task to accomplish the quota. Fred Diamond also touches on the idea that it takes time for a salesperson to build trust with their customers. Listen closely as we discuss diversity in sales, how to create a successful sales process, and what makes a good salesperson in today’s world. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 09:08] Opening Segment Fred on cultivating his passion for sales Working in high-tech marketing Realizing the importance of salespeople The urgent need for support in sales success Check out Sales Game Changers [09:09 - 21:55] What it Takes to Be a Great Salesperson Defining a good salesperson Believe in the company and understand– Customer needs The product Sales as a profession How the little things matter Realize that your offers may not be the right solution Display proactiveness and show up as a partner for the clients Building trust requires more than a couple of phone calls [21:56 - 40:42] Tips for Better Performance from Sales People Fred’s advice on establishing relationships with clients People need solutions from people they trust There is no need to play ballgames, just honest answers Put yourself in the head of the customer How introverts can outsell you They think about the needs of the customers They know that they need to engage with people [40:43 - 46:10] Closing Segment The effects of world events on people’s lives Learn more about Fred with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Fred Follow him on LinkedIn and check out his podcast, Sales Game Changers for more tips on successful sales strategies. Don’t miss his recommendations - The Introvert's Edge by Matthew Pollard, The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, and Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Key Quotes “The salespeople were the key. I had to support these people, I had to do things to make them successful by getting the right messaging in the marketplace, bringing the right products to market, and helping them target the marketing programs and their customers to accelerate the sales process.” - Fred Diamond “A great sales call is one where the customer does 90% of the talking.” - Fred Diamond “Sometimes, to be a great salesperson, you're not going to sell something, maybe you bring them a better solution.” - Fred Diamond “The great sales professionals are conscious of having a diverse team to support their diverse audience.” - Fred Diamond

124

The Secrets of Webinar Success with Steve Werner

Nov 14, 2022

54:17

If you had 75 potential customers hanging on to every word and you had two hours to talk to them, how would you spend that time? In this episode, our guest is Steve Werner, in the last eight years, he has gone from failing at holding live events - to the point that one hotel told him they would never do business with him again - to holding over 41 successful live events for himself and 23 for his clients. He has spoken on hundreds of stages and critiqued and helped the sales presentations of hundreds more. During covid, he pivoted to helping online entrepreneurs launch webinars, which have produced more than 6.9 million dollars in sales over the past 18 months. In our conversation, Steve shares the lessons learned from his failures and how this has allowed him to provide actionable advice and tools and help businesses grow and succeed. He stresses out how to build a successful webinar and breaks down the two keys to achieving it. He emphasizes the reason why business owners should become known and trusted by their audience in order to increase sales and highlights the importance of having an action plan for your business. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:43] Opening Segment • Steve shares important lessons that led to his success today Anything worth doing is hard and requires effort How to market and sell to customers effectively • Steve's strong passion for helping others grow and succeed [07:44 - 27:00] How to Succeed When Your Dreams Don't Match Your Reality • You have to ask yourself where you want to be in the future and figure out what steps will get you there When things don't go as planned, it's important to remember that it's not the end of the world • Having a plan and taking small, consistent actions are essential to achieve success • Three things you can do to make a big difference Reading every day, having great friends, learning from failures • Entrepreneurs need to be willing to take the risk to succeed, and being reckless is not a good way to go about things [27:01 - 44:02] Making Your Webinars More Successful • When spending money on ads, you should know what you're looking for the ads to do How you're going to recoup your money, and what your sales process is • The importance of having a plan for what to do if something goes wrong • Why you should focus on telling stories about your personal life to connect with your audience Engagement is more important than teaching • How to overcome a lack of action with your business [44:03 - 54:37] Wapping Up! • Things might go wrong but that doesn't mean you should radically change your business plan • Steve on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: When is the timing right to add more services to your business? Want to connect with Steve? Follow him on LinkedIn, and Facebook. Head to his website, and build a powerful, engaging presentation that is a money-making machine for your business! Key Quotes: "Everybody's got a plan until they get punched in the face." - Steve Werner "Instead of talking at somebody, engage with them and bring them into what you're doing and use stories." - Steve Werner "The more imperfect you are the more you'll relate to people." - Steve Werner Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

125

Creating Income from Home By Utilizing Things You Already Know with Martha Krejci

Nov 21, 2022

43:05

Nowadays, as more and more people work from home, having multiple income streams is increasingly important - and world-renowned marketing expert Martha Krejci has created a system to help you maximize profits by developing these streams one at a time. Join Meny Hoffman as he and Martha talk about affiliate marketing, how many income streams a person should have, what social media platforms you should emphasize and which you shouldn’t, how to use SEO to get to the top of Google searches, and much more. Listen and enjoy! Martha Krejci is a world-renowned expert in the areas of SEO, organic traffic, and personal brand building. She uses these three skill sets together to teach everyday people how to make sustainable and even scalable income with affiliate marketing. Fortune 500 companies often invite her to teach their own affiliates how to be more successful. Other companies have put her on their payroll to educate their own affiliates on a regular basis because they see a major uptick in activity after she speaks. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:50] Opening Segment • How Martha's mindset led her to become an entrepreneur. Why quitting her job and starting her own business was a defining moment in her journey • How Martha created an exit strategy and goal for her business • Be realistic with your goals and not be overly optimistic [07:51 - 19:40] How to Succeed When Starting Your Own Business • How Martha realized moving to the SEO space was a good fit for their skills and experience Why her previous corporate experience helped her to be prepared for the entrepreneurial path • What you need to create content that gets you results Giving away free training sessions on SEO and ecommerce • Google is a great tool to determine what content to create in order to rank well [19:41 - 31:26] How to Create Content That Gets Scraped • Why long-form content is not as effective as shorter content • People should focus on one medium and master it before branching out Figure out what platforms are most authentic to them and focus on those • How to be successful in affiliate marketing Affiliate marketing is a great way to start off with income [31:27 - 43:54] Closing Segment • Martha on the rapid-fur questions • Q&A: When is my business ready for rebranding? Want to connect with Martha? Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. Visit her website, and be your authentic self. Key Quotes: "We need to think about ourselves less. And we need to think about who we're about to serve more." - Martha Krejci "You build your business from giving away." - Martha Krejci Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

126

01 - Welcome to the Let's Talk Exits Podcast

Jan 24, 2022

6:20

The Let’s Talk Exits Podcast hosted by Meny Hoffman is a show dedicated to the growth and success of Amazon and e-commerce brand-builders. You’ll learn all about how you can maximize the value of your business to achieve your ideal exit. We believe it’s never too early to start thinking about your exit. I’m sure you have a lot of questions about Amazon and the e-commerce space. You are not alone. In this podcast, you will get to know stories, practical tips and strategies to help you launch your brand and turn your dreams into reality. [00:01 - 02:35] Opening Segment Welcome to the show! Discussing your pressing questions with incredibly knowledgeable guests Weekly posts ahead! Educating and guiding the exit process [01:49 - 05:34] Maximize Your Exit with the Right Tools and Strategies Thought about exiting? Providing invaluable tools to get on the radar What are Amazon aggregators? Consolidating small successful sellers into one parent company Why do people choose to sell their businesses? For many reasons - financial freedom, pursuit of another passion, lack of resources to sustain a growing business, or to start a new venture It’s all about crafting a strategic exit. Considering the timing, value and potential of your brand, and the best potential buyer [04:50 - 06:38] Closing Segment Be empowered and maximize your exit Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “It's never too early to start thinking about your exit. No matter how much you love, or have invested in your business. Think about the exit.” - Meny Hoffman “It's important that you don't go about it [exiting] on your own without knowing all the facts, because you want to make sure you're maximizing the exit to its fullest potential.” - Meny Hoffman Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

127

From a 15k Side Hustle to a 2-Billion-Dollar Business with Spencer Jan

Feb 3, 2022

49:09

It’s a common misconception that there has to be a large capital to start an e-commerce business built for success. Spencer Jan’s story will reveal otherwise. Listen as he shares his journey from a 15k side hustle to a booming two-billion-dollar business! Spencer Jan is the co-founder of Solo Stove, an e-commerce company that was started in 2010 as a side hustle in a garage with only 15K. Solo Stove grew into Solo Brands and in 2021, raised $219M through an IPO (NYSE: DTC) giving the company that he started in a garage a valuation of over $2 BILLION dollars! After a decade of starting and growing ecommerce businesses and having successfully exited the daily operations of Solo Stove, Spencer is now turning his focus to helping other ecommerce entrepreneurs find success. [00:01 - 08:55] Opening Segment Who is Spencer Jan? Starting in the garage at 15k to a two-billion-dollar business Hone in on good products for e-commerce. Bootstrapping as the only option and viable path to entrepreneurship Be our own brand! Growing through the site by design Building value in the brand [08:56 - 35:02] The Leap to Entrepreneurship for Time Freedom and Fulfillment What does it take to grow the brand with passion? Finding true passion in e-commerce Creating a community of like-minded people Build with intention. Falling in love with what you do - interacting with customers and offering desirable products Start with a seed of passion. What are some early trials and errors to stay away from? Failures as the stepping stones to get to a place of understanding Let stamina carry you to opportunities. Setbacks as necessary and avenues to learning What are the differences between taking calculated risks and recklessness? Feeling like a mouse in a maze We get better over time! Going back to the essence of entrepreneurship - time freedom and fulfillment Do we optimize our time? What prompted the decision to shift to entrepreneurship? Wanting our time and freedom back [35:03 - 44:41] The Opportunity to Go Big with Little Investment in E-Commerce How was the IPO stage of your journey? Achievements as not who you are Reflect and consider paying it forward. Spencer Jan’s outlook on e-commerce Varied tools and opportunities with little investment needed Go for it! A space for amazing brands to emerge, stories to be told, emotional connections to be made, and communities to be built [44:42 - 46:52] Closing Segment Spencer on the four rapid fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “If we're selling this item, we also have to help people experience those feelings.” - Spencer Jan “Start somewhere where passion is there, or at least the seed of passion is there, and see where it takes you and the twists and turns that all businesses eventually take can lead you to a place that you never thought you were going to be at when you started it.” - Spencer Jan “It's [e-commerce] life-changing for so many people. And so I just encourage entrepreneurs to go for it to dive in. And there's no better time to start than now.” - Spencer Jan Connect with Spencer https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerJan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerjan/ Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

128

How Four Guys Built a Multibillion Dollar Powerhouse with John Hefter

Feb 10, 2022

48:33

What are the key ingredients for turning a bootstrapped startup into a business with a valuation of up to 10-billion dollars? This week my guest, John Hefter, the founder of Thrasio, shares his story of crafting a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse! In our interview, he explains how he and his partners scaled by prioritizing higher-value opportunities and building harmonious work environments. According to John, one of his most important roles is to listen to people in positions of power in the company and identify what conflicts or problems need resolution. John also talks about the keys to a scalable business; Establishing winning cultures by building endurance in the workplace to drive people towards a goal. Winning cultures are fun, meaningful, and have no room for ego. Listen and enjoy! As a founder of Thrasio, John Hefter has been fortunate to witness his original team of 4 grow into a 1000 person, multibillion-dollar powerhouse. At work and in life, he is a polymath with unrelenting energy and curiosity. John enjoys regularly deploying his expertise in branding, creative, neuroscience marketing, business development, acquisitions, leadership, culture building, and product development across diverse sets of business domains. If there is a challenge met, John will face it openly with creativity, humor, and persistence. [00:01 - 08:04] Opening Segment John Hefter on building a multibillion-dollar powerhouse Starting with four individuals with varying skills - networking, finance, system-building, and sales Play around with the market leverage. When the perfect environment for acquisition opens up [08:05 - 31:51] Building a Winning Culture through Harmonious Work Environments How was the pace of scaling to reach the vision? Taking it one step at a time Being humble enough to be aware of your weaknesses Outsource the daunting tasks. What is the typical day look like in the company? Strategy-building and turning weaknesses into strengths Identifying what conflicts need resolution Balance time to think, to work on projects, to reach out, and to solve problems. How do we establish a winning culture? Being serious without taking life seriously Capitalize your endurance to keep striving despite fear. Knowing your flow state and triggers of stress Grinding your employees to save pennies has a worse outcome than striving to create a harmonious work environment. Getting the best of both worlds - fun and seriousness in the workplace [31:52 - 44:42] Establishing Your Space in the E-Commerce Realm John Hefter’s outlook on e-commerce Modest to moderate growth across every category in Amazon A cooling-off period in the acquisition side for e-commerce Do not expect quick money! Start with the objective in mind and analyze the brand’s position. Settling in and optimizing management Where should you focus on to grow your business? Showing reliable return of investment Understand the cycle of the products. A smaller, healthier company is better [44:43 - 48:33] Closing Segment John on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “There's something captivating about a good origin story because all of us see the potential of that in ourselves.” - John Hefter “We literally have a rule in our office, that's ‘No Assholes’. I don't care how talented you are if you're not a cultural fit… It's a visceral response of them trying to gain power at all costs… And that, to me is a big sign that you're not going to be fit for our culture.” - John Hefter “On your spreadsheet, you might say like, ‘Hey, I'm saving pennies here by grinding out my employees just a little bit more,’ but your long term outcomes will be much worse than creating a harmonious work environment.” - John Hefter Connect with John https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hefter-a27aaaab/ Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

129

Why Investors are Funding Aggregators Acquiring Hundreds of Amazon’s Third-Party Sellers with Brian Harwitt

Feb 17, 2022

37:18

What exactly happens in the aggregator space? Let’s demystify the ins and outs of this business model in e-commerce with Brian Harwitt from Coventure. He breaks down what exactly goes on in the operations of aggregators, why they are excited to buy brands, and how credit provides more opportunities for sellers to scale in the space! In our interview, Brian explains why lenders are willing to fund these opportunities as e-commerce goes on its way to stabilization. The obvious effects of COVID-19 on e-commerce seem to be the one to blame when it comes to profitability fluctuation, but considering the ease of supply chain, availability of capital, and consumer preference, Brian points out that we are leaning towards growth and stabilization of the e-commerce ecosystem. Listen and enjoy! Brian is a Partner at Coventure, working within its Credit Opportunities group. He has spent a significant amount of his time working with Amazon Third Party Seller Aggregators, working with 10+ different aggregators across credit and equity investments. Brian also works with emerging fintech companies to help provide creative solutions to finance their company. Prior to joining Coventure, Brian worked in the Investment Banking group at Guggenheim. [00:01 - 08:49] Utilizing Credit Opportunities in the E-Commerce Space Brian Harwitt on getting into e-commerce Utilizing credit opportunities This allows financing new-age businesses including Amazon sellers. Vetting the risk factor Make sure to have the highest quality management teams. Apply due diligence with the competency of underlying aggregators. E-commerce in the lens of credit Opportunities for higher returns Taking away the need of bringing the customers to the page [08:50 - 19:35] Stabilizing the Ecosystem through Supply and Capital Availability What is the economics behind the venture capital perspective? Financial arbitrage by efficient use of debt It is about creating more value through expansion. Prioritizing market share followed by profitability Do equity rounds make a difference in the operations of the company? Prerequisites in taking on debt as a seller Scaling fast without quickly raising equity Brian Harwitt’s outlook on e-commerce for aggregators What the easing of supply chain issues entails Stabilized ecosystem for continued growth Creating more options for exits What should a seller look for to exit? Considering the certainty of the close Dangers of miscommunication or misrepresentation [19:36 - 35:00] Learn From Mistakes and Step into the Industry Are there opportunities for entry into the e-commerce space? Professionalization through aggregators Learning where to focus on Up to what extent is the control of aggregators? Due diligence to combat potential trust issues Guarding a good reputation for more closes What does day-to-day in the company look like? The intersection of technology and finance The blending of cultures between the venture Brian Harwitt’s outlook on brands picking up on e-commerce Professionalizing the systems in the marketplace The bullish trend and observable growth year by year Awareness of what aggregators avoid Negotiation and mitigating risks [35:01 - 37:18] Closing Segment Brian on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “As more and more players came into the space, we [Brian and his business partner] became more confident in the ecosystem, the ability to align to it, and the institutionalization of it.” - Brian Harwitt “The e-commerce on Amazon's platform is really appealing because it took away the need of bringing the customers to your page.” - Brian Harwitt “A lot of what I've seen in a lot of Amazon sellers, specifically in most of my experiences in Amazon, is that you gain market share first and worry about profitability later.” - Brian Harwitt “As we see the supply chain issues ease, and as we see, hopefully, stabilized demand and more predictability, I think it'll be easier for capital to come into the space as we see more of a steady-state rather than this, like, euphoria, and then come down to earth. And then now we'll sort of see, what does the stabilized ecosystem look like?” - Brian Harwitt Connect with Brian https://coventure.vc/ https://twitter.com/bharwitt Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

130

A Seller’s Journey to an Exit of Over 100M Dollars with Adam Feinberg

Feb 24, 2022

56:25

What does it take to set up your corner in eCommerce world? What is the formula for making sure that each product is worthwhile? Our guest, Adam Feinberg from Britech Inc, amazes us with his story of starting a business with $40,000 in capital, selling Bluetooth speakers. As his product line grew, his brand grew to over $80 million in sales. Ultimately, he sold his business for over $100 million! So, how’d he do it? In our interview, Adam advises on practical marketing tips, and he highlights the ways we can prepare ourselves for growth, success, and an ideal exit for our eCommerce businesses. He explains that if we can go the extra mile to enhance our sales processes and financial management, our chances of success are that much greater. With such an admirable story, our chat is filled with golden bits of advice and wisdom. Listen in and you’ll be on the road to taking action in no time. Listen and enjoy! Adam is the CEO of Britech Inc, a brand new e-commerce start-up, and Chairman for ClearSpace, an e-commerce company focused on storage solutions. He sold Web Deals Direct, an e-commerce firm which grew to over 80 millions dollars in annualized sales in less than 6 years, for 100M plus to Perch in spring 2021. Adam is currently working with the Perch team as a consultant. Prior to selling on Amazon, Adam was the CEO of a search engine optimization firm. Adam also has 15 years enterprise software development experience, as a consultant with Accenture. [00:01 - 10:10] From Making Websites to Amazon Success Adam Feinberg on discovering eCommerce Making websites and involvement in SEO Turning $40,000 bucks into $100 million It was simply about trying not to get jobs. Starting own logistics and growing the staff Keeping full stocks during COVID-19 as an advantage [10:11 - 28:23] Marketing Tactics to Employ for Better Brand Positioning What was the marketing strategy behind selling multiple brands? Adding variety and selling in different categories Spending money on trademarks Come up with some backup. How do we decide between opening another brand or expanding the existing one? Doubling down what works Expanding from the US to Canada or UK markets Adding complementary products in the same brand How do we go from marketing tactics to selling? Coming into a realization of ongoing expenses Approaching private equity firms and getting the deal done [28:24 - 52:55] The Realities of the eCommerce Space in Financials and Cashflow Where should eCommerce newbies focus on? Establishing serious financials and doing the books Ensuring accurate accounting for transparency Your net margins should be at least 15%. The significance of sufficient capital before starting The rise of aggregators changing the cash flow of the business The simplification of accounting - cash basis Being wary of the $26 million-dollar mark Tips on launching products Offering coupons to run ads Gathering reviews and minimizing ads Building additional storefronts as guidance [52:56 - 56:25] Closing Segment Adam on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “I recommend in general, to spend money on trademarks, a couple of years in advance, of things you want, might want to do and come up with brands. And if you like a category, unfortunately, come up with some backup. ” - Adam Feinberg “The most success that we had on web deals direct was taking something that was already working, doubling, tripling and quadrupling down on it.” - Adam Feinberg “I honestly don't recommend people going into the Amazon space, unless they have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend right now.” - Adam Feinberg Connect with Adam https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-feinberg-6879033b Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

131

How to Determine the Next Hottest Product on Amazon with Tim Jordan

Mar 3, 2022

39:35

How is it possible to figure out the next top-selling product on Amazon? With the presence of tools and software at our fingertips, it seems doable, but this week’s guest, Tim Jordan, tells us that those are not precisely the key ingredients to launching success. In our interview, he emphasizes the need to do your own broad research before diving into product development. He warns us of the dangers of trendy products that would someday only gather dust in your warehouse. He explains how the barriers to entry to Amazon become an advantage and that we should trust the system. Trust yourself in looking for opportunities in the space and use the tools available to validate and build confidence in your decisions. Listen and enjoy! Tim Jordan is a serial entrepreneur and e-commerce expert, having developed multiple online brands as well as helping hundreds of other sellers through training and coaching. He is also the host of many popular content series, such as the AM/PM podcast. Tim also works as an Executive Strategist for many service-based companies in the e-commerce industry. Tim has built, launched, and created multiple brands across multiple platforms and had large collaborations in E-com education. [00:01 - 07:44] Opening Segment Tim Jordan on getting involved in real estate Comparing wholesale price for government bidding to online shops got him thinking Opening a shipping and sourcing company targets the biggest problem of the private label space Producing content even after the exit and becoming an executive advisor [07:45 - 26:53] Winning Strategies for Finding Opportunities and Product Development What is your strategy in product development? The dangers of not having the right keywords Find keyword opportunities then transition into development. Utlizing tools and software for analysis and confidence Validate the search volume for keywords. How do you approach launching a hot product? Depending on the product - there is no one correct answer Figuring out how many products to launch with little effort Go wide, not deep. What's your take on letting that product go? Asking yourself if it’s worth the time Combating shiny object syndrome by avoiding useless products [26:54 - 35:00] Why the Best Time to be Entrepreneurs is Today What is your advice for people still entering the space? Why the risk is worth the reward Stacking dominoes to reach your Amazon goal Have faith in the system. How the best time to be entrepreneurs is now Tim Jordan on being a host of a big podcast Opportunities to build a network of noteworthy people Making an impact even on another side of the world [35:01 - 39:35] Closing Segment Tim on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “When we think about Amazon, specifically, we have to understand that we do not sell products, we sell keywords. So even if I have the greatest product in the world, if there's no keyword demand for it, or there's too much keyword competition, it won't sell.” - Tim Jordan “There's no simple button to push. And if you're just pushing a button to find the great product opportunity, you're pushing the same button as everybody else, and you're gonna fail at it.” - Tim Jordan “The software is giving the evidence and not dictating decision.” - Tim Jordan Connect with Tim privatelabellegion.com IG: @timbo jordan FB: facebook.com/tim.jordan.714 LI: linkedin.com/in/timbo-jordan Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

132

Introducing the Let’s Talk Business Podcast!

Jun 17, 2019

1:48

Welcome to the Let’s Talk Business Podcast—the podcast for no-nonsense advice to help you learn, grow, and lead. Listen in as Ptex Group CEO Meny Hoffman talks to some of the world’s foremost business leaders and influencers about how they’re turning ambition into action, blunder into breakthroughs, and passion into profits. Please subscribe, rate, and enjoy the show!

133

Awakening the Entrepreneur Within—with Michael Gerber

Jul 8, 2019

48:01

Being a small business owner does not mean you have to keep your vision small. After all, to become big later on requires you to begin with what little you have. Renowned author of The E-Myth, Michael Gerber, is no stranger to starting small. In his seminal book, Michael dispels the myths surrounding starting your business. Today, he takes that wisdom to us and shares the a-ha moment of how his book came to be. He talks about growing and scaling a small business, touching on the important ingredients – dream, vision, purpose, and mission. In this episode, awaken the entrepreneur within and get inspired to see that big why to grow and scale your business. On top of that, receive a copy of Michael Gerber’s latest book by visiting freebook.michaelegerber.com and My Online Trade School for Entrepreneurs at www.radicalu.com.

134

Embracing Failure is the Key to Success—with Brian Scudamore

Jul 15, 2019

36:59

There is power in failure because it gifts us the opportunity to learn and grow. Brian Scudamore, the Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, is such a great believer of this that he wrote a book all about it, WTF?! (Willing to Fail). With a successful company right under his name, Brian is all too familiar with how failure is the key to success. He shares with us his journey during those early stages in the business, the lessons he learned, and how he maintained humility amidst it all. He shares how he goes about hiring the right people, how he creates his company culture, how to create exceptional brands, and how he achieves work-life balance.

135

How To Hustle The Smart Way—with Ramon Ray

Jul 22, 2019

27:59

If you want to grow your business, you have to hustle smart. As someone who has started four companies and sold two, Ramon Ray is no stranger to growing businesses. He’s an author and sought-after speaker on topics such as personal branding, technology, marketing, and sales, and he has impacted hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs through his company, Smart Hustle Media. In this episode, he shares details of his own entrepreneurial journey, defines what it means to “hustle smartly,” and talks about how business owners should be defining success. He also shares some practical, no-nonsense tips on how to integrate your business brand with your personal brand, and how to use data and technology to its fullest in your business to save time and scale faster.

136

Cold Calling: How To Make That Introductory Call—with Wendy Weiss

Aug 5, 2019

47:32

If you’re like most business owners, you hate cold calling. It usually starts with the questions, “Who do I call? How do I overcome the gatekeeper? And what exactly am I going to say to that person? To help us answer those questions and understand cold calling more, we have Wendy Weiss as our guest for this episode. Wendy is known as the Queen of Cold Calling. She is an author, speaker, sales trainer, and sales coach. In this interview, we speak with Wendy about the fear of cold calling, why she would rather call it an introductory call, how to overcome the gatekeeper, what to say on the phone, and ultimately, how to walk away with a clear understanding of an appointment. We also spoke about different objections that you could face on a call, such as, “I’m already using someone,” how to overcome that and use that to your advantage. We also touch on the strategies of a script and why a script is important, and why you shouldn’t overcomplicate it but ultimately use it to your advantage.

137

How to Build and Sustain a High-Performing Team—with Ira Zlotowitz

Aug 19, 2019

42:30

We all know that a good team can make or break a business. But do you ever wish you could simply clone yourself and create a team of people just as motivated, knowledgeable, and passionate about your business as you are? Ira Zlotowitz, the founder and president of Eastern Union Funding, knows a thing or two about building and sustaining high-performing teams; he grew his own business from a four-person office to a company of over 100 people, closing roughly $5 billion in national loan volume in 2019 alone. In this practical, no-nonsense interview, we discuss how to cultivate a culture of excellence (starting from the very first interview); how to hire the right people; how to master the skill of delegation; and how to make your current employees more valuable to your company.

138

Breaking The Myth Of Multitasking—with Dave Crenshaw

Aug 26, 2019

43:32

Do you ever wish you could be a more focused leader, a calmer thinker, a more productive worker? Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder what you actually accomplished? This week’s guest is renowned productivity and time-management expert Dave Crenshaw. In our interview, Dave and I go in-depth on how leaders can maximize their most precious asset, time, leading to higher profits, higher quality of life, more time to spend with their families, and higher work satisfaction. We discuss the myth of multitasking and its huge costs to our businesses and happiness; why the most successful leaders say NO far more often than they say YES; how to determine which tasks to spend your time on and which to delegate… and more. This episode may just change the way you think about and spend your time.

139

How to Harness the Art of Storytelling to Grow Your Business—with Brian Wallace

Sep 16, 2019

45:48

How can you make your company more desirable and sustainable in today’s age of marketing and content creation? Brian Wallace, the Founder and President of NowSourcing, has the answer to this question – infographics. In this episode, he talks about focusing on the infographics niche and shares his take on service expansion. He also touches on the importance of storytelling, company culture, and asking the right questions in the interview process.

140

How to Be a Go-Giver—with Bob Burg

Sep 23, 2019

41:16

Business is a two-way street of giving and receiving. While this may be a common fact, not many find success because their focus is not on giving but in getting. In this episode, Bob Burg, a sought after speaker and bestselling author, helps us understand the value of giving and why it is not only a more pleasant way of conducting business but the most financially profitable way as well. Through his book, The Go-Giver, he redefines the meaning of selling and how we can properly measure value. Know the benefits of being a go-giver from Bob as he takes us further into understanding attention, empathy, and influence we can apply in business and in everyday life. being an owner to be the best CEO.

141

Let’s Talk Business Season One Highlights, Part 1

Oct 7, 2019

15:28

After twelve great episodes full of great content and no-nonsense advice, the first season of Let’s Talk Business is finally complete! To celebrate, host, Meny Hoffman, with guest co-host and director of content at Ptex Group, Chava Shapiro, look back on the highlights of every episode that has provided many of us great and unforgettable wisdom. Together in this first of two highlights episode, they share their takeaways from Michael Gerber, Charlie Harary, Dov Gordon, Wendy Weiss, Dave Crenshaw, and Brian Scudamore. Recall their wisdom on building a small business, changing mindsets and perspectives, cold calling, delegating, and more.

142

Let’s Talk Business Season One Highlights, Part 2

Oct 17, 2019

14:27

Continuing the wrap-up celebration of the Let’s Talk Business Podcast season one, we round up the last part of episode highlights across the show. Host, Meny Hoffman, with guest co-host and director of content at Ptex Group, Chava Shapiro, take us back to the great insights of Mike Michalowicz on making your business profitable; Ramon Ray on branding and social media; Bob Burg on giving first; Brian Wallace on company culture; and Susan Rosner on building your company to sell. Refresh your mind with the great wisdom shared on the first season of this podcast and prepare yourself to look forward to many more insights in the coming next season.

143

The Recipe for Turning Your Passion into Profits—with Jamie Geller

Oct 28, 2019

37:30

People with passion and grit can make seemingly impossible things happen—and Jamie Geller is one of them. In this episode, Jamie Geller, bestselling author and CEO and Founder of Kosher Network International, shares the inspiring personal story of how she built a business around her passion for sharing the joys of food and entertaining, how she came to author six bestselling kosher cookbooks, and the secrets she’s unlocked to gaining major mainstream media attention and juggling work and home life.

144

Growing Your Creative Agency—with Jason Swenk

Nov 4, 2019

40:48

As an agency owner, looking for opportunities to scale and grow your business can be challenging. Let agency advisor, mentor, and author Jason Swenk reveal what is holding you back. Jason has been helping agencies grow from zero to eight figures. His no-nonsense advice on how to qualify clients on the first meeting, find your niche, and hire the right people to support your vision will leave your head shaking as to why you have pent your time forming proposal after proposal and running after clients. He shares the fundamental points on how to prepare yourself for the growth you deserve and finally turn from being an owner to be the best CEO.

145

How to Take Advantage of Podcasts to Grow Your Influence—with Daniel Gefen

Nov 11, 2019

46:11

In the world of entrepreneurship, we need to constantly be creating and doing. In this episode, host Meny Hoffman talks with the Founder and CEO of Gefen Media Group, Daniel Gefen. Daniel is also the number one international bestseller author of The Self Help Addict and the host of the popular podcast, Can I Pick Your Brain? which has reached over 250,000 downloads and ranked in the Top 100 Business Podcasts on iTunes. On today’s show, Daniel shares his life story and how much he learned from interviewing top billionaires and successful people in the world of business. He reveals the common denominator between all those successful people, the importance of showing up, podcasting, and how you can take advantage of being a guest on other people’s show. He also shares the best gift you could give yourself or to your spouse.

146

The 5 Stages of Business Growth—with Clate Mask

Nov 18, 2019

53:48

Many business owners struggle with the following questions – How do we manage our growth? How do we scale our business? How do we know which stage of growth we are to know what to focus on in order to get our business to the next level? Who is better suited to answer this question than Clate Mask. He is the CEO and Cofounder of Keap, formerly Infusionsoft, recognized as a visionary leader in the small business community. In this interview with Clate, he explains the five stages of business growth and all the challenges you’ll face by each stage, as well as the importance of creating your purpose, value, and mission, and how to cast that to your team. He also shares how to hire the right people and be clear with your expectations. There is so much value in this episode, so don’t miss out.

147

How to Take Control of Your Business’s Financial Health—with Zacharia Waxler

Nov 25, 2019

30:23

Companies are made up of more than just the CEO and the management team. Roles need to be defined and differentiated in order to have a streamlined company process. In this episode, Zacharia Waxler discusses the various roles needed in a company, whether big or small. Zacharia is the Co-Managing Partner at Roth & Co alongside Abe Roth. He has over two decades of accounting experience, which allows him to offer his services to a wide range of industries. He talks about the importance of not only having data on an ongoing basis but also to have an analytical mindset to interpret the data. Zacharia also shares how important it is for companies to have core values and the reasons why businesses have cashflow issues.

148

The Roles Of A Leader—with Marc Bodner

Dec 2, 2019

45:25

In any business or organization, the role of a leader is very important. Our guest, Marc Bodner has over 25 years’ experience in the distribution industry. He currently holds the CEO position and is a member of the Board of Directors. In this episode, Meny Hoffman interviews Mark about his role as a leader and how he makes strategic planning and operational planning work together. Sharing some practical tips on how he guards his schedule in order to accomplish what a CEO needs to accomplish, Mark also differentiates between essential work from important work. This episode is full of golden nuggets so we encourage you to listen to the finish.

149

How To Succeed In Brick-And-Mortar Retail—with Isaac Wolman

Dec 5, 2019

34:06

Retail has boomed through the years and as it progresses, so do the challenges. In today’s episode, Meny Hoffman interviews Isaac Wolman, the CEO of Make It Real, about the future of brick-and-mortar business and how the business of retail is changing. Isaac also breaks down the importance of mentorship and networking in retail, and shares what you need to do in order to grow from early-stage growth and being retail ready to scalability. Finally, Isaac highlights Tribeworks which is a one-day event for business owners to learn and network from the pros.

150

Finding Your Why And Making That Your Differentiator—with Mark Levy

Dec 9, 2019

50:03

How are your customers’ lives better because of you? If you’re ready to dig deep for an answer that sets you apart from the competition, you don’t want to miss my interview with Mark Levy, founder of Levy Innovation. Mark Levy, the founder of Levy Innovation, has consulted some of the world’s most prominent CEOs and thought leaders, including Simon Sinek of Start with Why, and helped them differentiate themselves with a big idea that sets them apart. In this episode, Mark shares the importance of finding your purpose, your “why,” and making that your differentiator. Through riveting anecdotes of clients he has worked with, Mark explains why most companies fail to differentiate themselves and offers practical tips on how to define and articulate your “why” to the world in ways that will transform your business and scale it.

151

How To Develop An All-In Culture And Engage Your People—with Chester Elton

Dec 16, 2019

35:48

What are the best practices whereby leaders succeed? The answer is by engaging their employees to execute on strategy, vision, and values. On today’s show, Meny Hoffman interviews one of today’s most influential voices in workplace trends, Chester Elton. Chester has spent two decades helping clients engage their employees in organizational strategy, vision, and values. He provides real solutions for real leaders looking to build culture, manage, change, and drive innovation. In this episode. Meny and Chester discuss the simplicity of leadership as Chester breaks down the five discipline every leader needs to have to engage their people. Chester also shares some practical tips on how to show gratitude and recognition to your team.

152

The Power of Building the Right Relationships—with David Nour

Dec 23, 2019

36:50

Whether we like it or not, we all need to build the right relationships in order to survive in the world of business. Today’s guest, David Nour, the CEO of the Nour Group, Inc, has spent the past two decades studying business relationships. In this episode, Michael Zipursky and David discuss the power of building the right relationships. As David explains the number one reason why companies fail in building proper relationships, he also shares the myth about it. Finally, he breaks down the steps to identify the people in your life or your business that you could add the most value to.

153

Pivoting Through LinkedIn—with Joe Apfelbaum

Dec 30, 2019

51:04

When your company stops growing, you need to start thinking about changing up what you’re doing. Today’s guest is Joe Apfelbaum, CEO of Ajax Union, a B2B digital marketing agency based in Brooklyn, New York. Joe is a business strategist, marketing expert, certified Google trainer, and the author of High Energy Secrets: How I Lost 95 Pounds, Kept It Off and Have Higher Energy Levels Than Ever! He’s also known for motivating entrepreneurs at events and on social media. Meny Hoffman talks with Joe about how he took risk early on to build Ajax Union and how he pivoted to the business he has now using LinkedIn. He explains why LinkedIn needs to be part of your strategy and breaks down the steps on how to build a strategy for your LinkedIn success. He also shares some practical tips on how to build your personal brand.

154

Building A Culture Of Excellence—with Garry Ridge

Jan 6, 2020

35:28

Many entrepreneurs have trouble building a culture that enables them to build a scalable company. In this episode, Garry Ridge, the CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of WD-40 Company, answers those troubles for businesses owners who are looking to expand their company. WD-40 is a product found in 8 out of 10 American households and sold in more than 176 countries around the world. It’s become an iconic global brand. In fact, there’s a saying you only need two tools in life – duct tape and WD-40. If it’s not stuck and it’s supposed to be, duct tape it. If it’s stuck and it’s not supposed to be, WD-40 it. In this interview, Garry and host Meny Hoffman discuss the approach WD-40 took throughout the years for expansion and scalability, and how they stayed singular focus on a singular product. Discover what it takes to build a scalable company as Garry breaks down the steps of building a culture of excellence and provides practical tips for measuring the success in your culture.

155

Message from Meny

Jan 20, 2020

2:10

Message from Meny

156

Season 2 Highlights – Part 2

Jan 27, 2020

19:15

Another season has come to a close, so it’s time to look back. Season 2 of Let’s Talk Business was packed with amazing guests who all had some advice to share culled from years of experience in their respective industries. Let’s Talk Business host Meny Hoffman sits down once again with Chava Shapiro, podcast producer and Director of Content at PTEX Group to do a retrospective of some of the best that Let’s Talk Business Season 2 had to offer. The second of two highlights episodes, there are spectacular soundbites from the likes of Jamie Geller, Jason Swenk, Daniel Gefen, Clate Mask, Zacharia Waxler, Marc Bodner, Isaac Wolman, Mark Levy, Joe Apfelbaum, David Nour, Chester Elton, and Garry Ridge. Get your piping hot and fresh life (and business) advice here now!

157

Align Your Team to Scale Your Business—with Mike Paton

Feb 3, 2020

42:30

If you are an entrepreneur or leading a company, you may have probably heard of the acronym EOS and wonder what it is and how it could help you. In this episode, Meny Hoffman’s guest, Mike Paton, a Visionary at EOS Worldwide, shows how he helps leaders get a grip on their businesses and achieve their visions through simple concepts, practical tools and his unique approach to leadership known as EOS. Meny and Paton discuss what it is and who it is and is not for. Pay attention to how he explains data showing the frustration of businesses and how to solve them. Read how he breaks down the steps to become better at casting your vision to your team. Finally, pay close attention to the practical tips that Paton provides to solve the issue of people in your organization.

158

How To Win As An Amazon Seller—with James Thomson

Feb 10, 2020

40:11

Taking risks when selling online is necessary, especially when you are just starting out. Limiting yourself to one selling platform is ideal but expanding your scope is better. James Thomson is a partner at Buy Box Experts, a managed services agency supporting brands selling online. In this interview, host, Meny Hoffman, and James discuss the misconception that new Amazon sellers have and how these can be addressed. He explains how Amazon sellers win and how you too could do the same. To control the catalog for Amazon, James breaks down the steps to do this. He then shares some practical tips on how you could drive a lot of brand awareness outside of the platform to earn and succeed more.

159

Managing The Balancing Act Between Home And Work—with Jeff Mask

Feb 17, 2020

43:37

Despite what other people believe, you can achieve balance and harmony between your work and your personal life. This is what Jeff Mask believes and shares with others. After beating cancer, Jeff was able to successfully grow multiple businesses and still be a winner at home. Through his experience, he created a powerful coaching program that enables corporate executives to find confidence, clarity, and conviction at work while having peace, passion, and prosperity at home. In this episode, Jeff explains the importance of building and growing a thriving work culture after defining your personal why. He also discusses tips in finding balance in order to spend more time with your loved ones. How do you find that harmony at work and at home? Allow Jeff to tell you.

160

The Art Of Beliefology: Transformation To A New You—with Brad Blazar

Feb 24, 2020

38:16

The ability to create habits for a transformation is just one of the many things that separate great salespeople from average salespeople. This is what Brad Blazar discusses in this episode, among others. He talks about three types of people in the world and the four things most organizations miss. Brad is an effective sales leader, coach, speaker, and author who started his business career as founder and CEO of a small oil company at a young age. Brad is the Founder of The Art Of Beliefology™, wherein he states that you have the power to change your limiting beliefs and providing a path to the millions of men and women around the world raising their hands for help. This is what he shares in this episode—the hows of creating new habits to transform yourself and become the architect of your new you.

161

Reinvent Yourself, Reinvent Your Business—with Damian Mason

Mar 2, 2020

38:10

This is the story of a man who started out dressing as Bill Clinton for various gigs to becoming a renowned keynote speaker in all 50 states and seven foreign countries. This is the story of how Damian Mason reinvented himself to become better. Damian is a Businessman, Agriculturist, Speaker, Podcaster, Writer, and Consultant whose passion is on two subjects—business and agriculture. He is one of only 900 public speakers in the world to hold the Certified Speaking Professional designation. In this episode, Damian shares how businesses can and should reinvent themselves by providing thought-provoking practical tools for adapting your business to the future. He also explains the four trades every business owner needs to have in order to be successful, breaks down the steps of reinventing, and discusses how to arrive at a good destination.

162

The Pillars Of Becoming Successful In Sales—with Berry Schwartz

Mar 9, 2020

35:04

We live in a world where in one way or another we are doing sales. In this episode, Meny Hoffman talks to Berry Schwartz about hitting your target income. Berry is the Founder of Radical Results LLC and runs a boutique coaching consulting and sales training company. With his experience, he has developed four pillars of being successful in sales. Pay attention as Berry breaks down the steps you need to have in order to create a better process in selling. Moreover, Berry and Meny discuss why they see so many successful salespeople while others are failing.

163

LinkedIn Learning—with Mordy Golding

Mar 16, 2020

42:42

Never stop feeding your brain with knowledge because constant learning allows you to grow and develop life skills. Today with Meny Hoffman is Mordy Golding, the Director of Content for LinkedIn Learning. They talk about LinkedIn Learning in particular and discuss the importance of constantly educating oneself and growing. Mordy then shares the top LinkedIn job requirements, top skills you’ve got to learn, and the differences between soft skills and hard skills. Absorbing knowledge has its limits, and with this he shows you how much you need to learn, what you need to do, and how you need to do it. Finally, pay close attention to how Mordy shares their transition from Lynda.com to LinkedIn acquiring Lynda, and Microsoft acquiring LinkedIn.

164

What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from a Combat Veteran—with Waldo Waldman

Mar 23, 2020

36:20

The military is known to have the most unfaltering discipline along with well delivered skillsets. Military meeting entrepreneurship can mean total success especially when it comes to leading and producing promising results. Together with Meny Hoffman, highly experienced combat veteran Waldo Waldman shows us how to marry these two with mentorship as the element that glues them together. Waldo is also a Hall of Fame leadership speaker, executive coach, and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller book, Never Fly Solo. Waldo breaks down the importance of staying focused on your mission even when missiles are heading your way. He also gives some practical tips to get free mentorship.

165

How To Know When You’re Ready To Outsource—with Nathan Hirsch

Mar 30, 2020

34:44

Most companies outsource to cut labor and operational costs or delegate less critical operations to outside organizations so they can focus on the core aspects of their business. But how do you know exactly if you’re ready to outsource? In this episode, Meny Hoffman interviews Nathan Hirsch, an entrepreneur and expert in remote hiring and eCommerce selling, about the importance of figuring out when you’re ready to outsource. Nathan explains how you need to be able to figure out what tasks you want to outsource, and breaks down how he decided to exit his latest venture and settle the business. He also shares some practical tips on how to delegate properly in order to be able to free up some of your time.

166

How to Turn a Setback into a Comeback—with Dr. Willie Jolley

Apr 13, 2020

34:23

Just because the world is currently at a standstill does not mean that our quest for growth has to. These uncertain times may have forced many of us to put our daily lives on hold. However, if we look at it from a different perspective, this may be the time we can finally focus on the things we have long put aside for that future we have been dreaming of. Bringing a very fitting guest in this episode, Meny Hoffman interviews the world-class award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and media personality, Dr. Willie Jolley. With a mission to empower people to rise above the circumstances, Willie teaches us how, like the name of his book, we can use a setback as a startup for a comeback. He describes the exact step by step details on how we can use this pause time to prepare ourselves for a very strong comeback in the near future. Don’t miss out on this very comforting and encouraging conversation!

167

How Creatives Can Create A Thriving Business—with Gabrielle Chipeur

Apr 27, 2020

33:42

Any workplace or workflow is dependent on systems and processes moving smoothly in order to function optimally, which is why optimizing your business process is so important. A work process that’s not properly optimized and systematized can lead you down a road wherein you’re expending so much more time, energy, and resources than you should be. Meny Hoffman is joined by marketing automation specialist Gabrielle Chipeur. Drawing on her own experiences, Gabrielle discusses the snags that you have to seek out and fix in your workflow in order to make sure you’re functioning at an optimal level. Are you ready to take your business process to the next level?

168

The Six Essential Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur—with Gino Wickman

May 4, 2020

53:12

You want to start your own business. But there’s a lot on the line. You have to ask yourself difficult questions. Do I have what it takes? Is it worth it? And how do I do it? This interview has been months in the planning, and I’m so excited I can finally share it with you all. I had the honor of interviewing Gino Wickman, creator of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and the Founder of EOS Worldwide. He is a bestselling author of several books, including Traction and most recently, Entrepreneurial Leap: Do You Have What It Takes To Become An Entrepreneur? Gino founded Entrepreneurial Leap with the mission to give people the tools to decide whether entrepreneurship is the right path for them and how to go after their dreams. In our interview, Gino and I discussed his journey in developing the EOS system and what he has learned is the most important mind shift a leader must make to make their organization successful. We discussed entrepreneurship—the six essential traits of every entrepreneur, how to identify whether entrepreneurship is in your DNA, and the different ways that one can pursue the entrepreneurial path. If you’re currently an entrepreneur, thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, or wondering if entrepreneurship is right for you, I encourage you to give this one a listen!

169

From Food to Pillows: Lessons from an Entrepreneurial Journey—with Isaac Scharf

May 11, 2020

42:45

Have you ever doubted whether you have what it takes to build your business? Growing a business is not easy. That’s why I am thrilled to share this interview with my guest Isaac Scharf, the founder and CEO of IYS Enterprises, INC. and Pillow Guy, as he retells his own fascinating entrepreneurial journey, from successfully launching a restaurant in the Catskills, to selling life insurance, to running a thriving moving company, and ultimately breaking into the pillow and bedding industry. There is so much to learn as Isaac shares with us his wealth of experiences and what he discovered along the way. He breaks down the way you need to approach and understand your brand and the products that you’re sourcing. Isaac also shares how you can get your products to retailers and e-tailers, and offers valuable insight into recent trends within the eCommerce marketplace. Listen and enjoy!

170

The Secrets to Growing a Multi-Generational Family Business—with Shay Myers

May 18, 2020

34:53

It takes a lot of effort, care, and passion to feed tens of millions of Americans. In this episode, Meny Hoffman talks to Shay Myers, an agriculture executive and the CEO of Owyhee Produce, a third-generation family farm and one of the largest vertically-integrated onion farms in the country. Shay reveals the secret to running a family business and working with the first generation to the second generation to move the business to scalability. He also shares his insight on how you can go from being a small farm to one of the top ten players in the United States, as well as how you can differentiate yourself and innovate in a market where everybody is doing the same thing.

171

How to Leverage the Power of Referrals for Exponential Growth—with Bill Cates

May 25, 2020

37:21

If you want people to identify with your brand, marketing and branding are not enough. Creating a culture of referrals is key to your business. Elaborating on this topic with Meny Hoffman is Bill Cates, an internationally renowned client acquisition expert and the author of Radical Relevance. Today, Bill discusses the importance of building an introduction system to future and existing clients and explains the necessary steps for earning referrals and assessing their satisfaction with your products or services. Sharpen your marketing message, cut through the clutter, and win more clients as Bill shares how you can become referable.

172

How to Align Your Team and Process—with Kim Bohr

Jun 1, 2020

36:25

Ironing out business strategies will always be a vital part of the process, but do you ever get the sense that you’re getting stuck on the strategy level? “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” and this holds true in business as well. You can have the most solidly constructed business strategies in the world, but without the proper execution, those plans will soon go off the rails. Kim Bohr is a speaker, coveted executive advisor, and the CEO of the Innovare Group. Together, Kim and Meny Hoffman discuss the importance of tight execution to complement well-made business strategies. It’s time to move out of the bubble and put what you know in practice!

173

How to Make Your Sales Team Unstoppable—with Rene Zamora

Jun 15, 2020

28:19

Your sales team is one of the most important aspects of your larger team because, without them, your business isn’t actually making money. You have to make sure that your sales team is always in optimal working condition so that they can communicate and sell as effectively as they can. Meny Hoffman is joined by Rene Zamora, the President of Sales Manager Now. Together, they talk about the importance of keeping your sales team sharp and strong. Check in on your sales team today, and see if they’re the best they can be!

174

How to Use Social Media to Fast Track Your Growth—with Rachel Pedersen

Jun 22, 2020

29:22

Social media offers an unprecedented way of reaching out to your ideal clients in the shortest amount if time. The whole new discipline of social media marketing is built around the premise that social media platforms are powerful tools that can be used to generate leads for your business. Meny Hoffman is joined on the show today by top social marketer and consultant Rachel Pedersen, who talks about some of the fundamentals of marketing and generating leads using social media. Known as the “Queen of Social Media” in marketing circles, Rachel Pedersen is the founder and CEO of The Viral Touch and Social Media United. She graces this episode with amazing insights on personal branding, choosing the right platform, building a business funnel, and more. An advocate of continuous learning, she enjoins listeners to read books and join courses that will greatly help them enhance their marketing experience on social media.

175

How to Succeed in Business Without Sacrificing Your Family, Health, or Life—with David Finkel

Jun 29, 2020

30:16

As we, business owners, continue to hustle and do right by our business, we sometimes forget to keep that balance with the other aspects of our lives, particularly our family and even our health. How can we achieve that without sacrificing one over the other? In this episode, Meny Hoffman gets the answers from his guest, David Finkel—a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, syndicated columnist for Inc.com, Forbes.com, and CEOWorld.com, and the CEO of Maui Mastermind. Through his book, The Freedom Formula, David shares how we can build a company faster that is not about the time and effort but about the value created. He talks about working smarter, not harder, and passing it on to your teams so that you can build a company that is independent of any one person. On achieving that work-life balance, David then gives some practical tips that would help you go about creating the time and space to focus on your highest value.

176

Becoming a Leader in the Family Business: A Personal Journey —with Chagit Leviev-Sofiev

Jul 6, 2020

24:08

Sometimes in the world of business, we’re thrown into the deep end and faced with two options: sink or swim. This week’s guest, Chagit Leviev-Sofiev, the CEO and President of Leviev Group USA joins us this week to tell us her fascinating story and the lessons she learned along her journey—which all started with moving from Israel to America to run the U.S. arm of a multi-billion dollar business founded by her father, renowned businessman and philanthropist Lev Leviev. Chagit discusses what happens when you’re thrust into a new situation as an outsider and forced to make difficult choices; how to hire the right people; the unique challenges facing women leaders and entrepreneurs; the importance of giving back to the community; and more. There are so many golden nuggets in this interview. I encourage you to listen and enjoy!

177

How to Build a More Connected Team—With Zev Freundlich

Jul 20, 2020

26:41

Since the 1970s, innovators in human resources have witnessed the power of corporate team building in fostering healthy company culture. What makes for an amazing corporate culture? It’s about making every single person in the company feel like they’re in a family. It’s about making the employees feel that they have a critical contribution to the company’s vision. It’s about creating camaraderie among the different human elements that make your corporate machine work. The team-building experience helps companies achieve that for their teams. It also happens to be the niche expertise of Zev Freundlich, the Founder of TEAMCORP, who joins Meny Hoffman on the podcast. For over twenty years, Zev has created and facilitated team-building events, workshops, and seminars for organizations and businesses, helping them create solid working teams and dynamic company cultures. Learn about what their company is up to in this wonderful conversation.

178

How to Lead with the Unstoppable Mindset of a Navy SEAL—with Alden Mills

Jul 27, 2020

34:42

To lead is to serve, and to truly serve is to care. If you want to create your business to be the best that it can be, you need to be the best at serving the value that business brings to not just your customer but also your coworkers, teammates, and the people inside your company. On today’s podcast, Meny Hoffman chats with Alden Mills as he shares some tips on how you can lead with CARE – connect, achieve, respect, and empower. Alden is a long-term entrepreneur with over 40 patents and more than 25 years of experience working with high-performance teams. Don’t miss this episode as they also tackle mindset shift, focusing on what you can control, and the difference between the whiner and the whisperer.

179

What High Performing Athletes Teach Us About Organizational Leadership—with Alan Stein Jr.

Aug 10, 2020

32:45

What is high-performance leadership? What constitutes a great organizational performance? In this conversation with Meny Hoffman, veteran basketball performance coach and successful business owner, Alan Stein Jr., stresses that leaders and teams should always be on the same page when it comes to this. More often than not, we find ourselves in responsibilities that are not exactly what we envisioned ourselves doing. However, when we learn to fall in love with the output of our work, it drives us even further in a virtuous cycle of high-performance. It is the leader’s responsibility to seek this intersection between passion and performance for themselves and their team. It is the leader’s responsibility to instill the value of collective responsibility into each essential cog in his team machine. That is but the tip of the iceberg of what you can learn from Alan in this episode. Learn more about high-performance leadership as you dig into this wonderful conversation!

180

How to Go From Entrepreneur to Leader—with Alex Judd

Aug 17, 2020

34:14

If you want to scale your company and graduate from startup academy, you need to transition from being an entrepreneur and become an effective business leader. There is a clear distinction between the two, as you are about to discover in this conversation between Meny Hoffman and Alex Judd, founder and CEO of Path for Growth. What is the primary measure of effectiveness in leadership? What skills do you need in order to lead your team effectively? How do you ensure that your team cares for the company’s vision as much as you do? How do you empower each person in your team to bring about the outcomes that you want? Get the answers to all these and more in this episode.

181

Why You Need To Hire A Business Lawyer Right From The Start—with E. David Smith

Sep 22, 2020

34:56

This week’s esteemed guest is E. David Smith. A Principal of Smith & Associates, David serves as outside general counsel for companies, family enterprises, and family offices, guiding his clients in the creation and growth of their wealth. He specializes in helping business people solve complex problems, from positioning them for growth opportunities to assisting with risk mitigation and asset preservation. In our interview, we discussed why it’s important to be proactive about legal issues in your business, the key legal areas that business owners typically neglect, and the number one reason a potential buyer would be turned off when they start looking into your business. David also provides some practical tips for what to do before hiring a legal firm. Listen, learn, and enjoy!

182

How to Master Communication at Work—with Dr. Ethan Becker

Sep 29, 2020

33:00

When you know how to harness the power of speech, you’ll be able to dominate any business environment—whether it’s negotiating with a client, a vendor, or managing employees. That’s why I’m excited to share my interview with Dr. Ethan Becker, the President of The Speech Improvement Company and a second-generation speech coach and trainer. Ethan has developed powerful, customized motivational training programs on communication and delivered them worldwide. Celebrity icons and major business leaders hire Ethan to control their fear of speaking, command greater attention and close larger deals. His book, Mastering Communication At Work, is an international bestseller and has been used by Harvard, Johns Hopkins, University of Texas, and many other schools. In this episode, we dive into the subject of public speaking, both on the stage and with your team, and discuss powerful techniques for having successful conversations with clients or prospects. Ethan explains the ABCs of why most people have a fear of speaking and offers practical advice on how to overcome that fear. Ethan teaches how to turn defensiveness into a productive, positive conversation, an essential life skill for both work and personal life.

183

The Three Secrets to Creating Wealth On Any Income—with Rennie Gabriel

Oct 13, 2020

25:06

184

Cold Calling: How To Make That Introductory Call Part 2—with Wendy Weiss.

Oct 19, 2020

32:22

In these trying times where networking events and conferences are not happening, where visiting office buildings and knocking on doors are almost impossible, what then are we left with than the old fashioned phone interview? The queen of cold calling, Wendy Weiss, comes back to the show to discuss the importance of the phone in today’s day and age in our sales process. Together with Meny Hoffman, they outline the entire process and what you should be saying, beginning from when they pick up the phone. They discuss the introduction you need to make that will entice them and the questions you need to be asking. On handling objections, they then go through the different possible scenarios to handle tough clients and how you can overcome them. Follow along to this great episode to get more of Wendy’s great advice on using the phone to effectively prospect and more.

185

How to Achieve Breakthrough Growth as an Amazon Brand—with Isaac Kuhlman

Oct 26, 2020

38:50

Are you struggling to get the sales you need for your Amazon brand? If you’re selling on Amazon or thinking of potentially selling on Amazon, you don’t want to miss this interview with my guest, Isaac Kuhlman. Isaac is a powerhouse Amazon brand developer whose brands have generated millions of dollars in revenue. Isaac is also the Cofounder of REAL Coaching, a company that provides coaching, support, mentorship, and accountability to dedicated entrepreneurs and has helped thousands of Amazon sellers grow their businesses to achieve financial freedom. In this interview, Isaac and I discuss the fundamental first steps you must take to maximize your Amazon brand’s success, how to analyze a product to see if it will become the next winning trend, and ideas you can implement immediately to grow your margins on Amazon. Isaac also shares some practical tips on how to negotiate with your vendors to get the best prices possible. There are so many golden nuggets in this interview, please listen and enjoy!

186

Make more money in less time, with less stress—with Adam Lean

Nov 2, 2020

32:24

We’ve all seen great companies suddenly fold because they didn’t grasp how to track their financials to achieve success. Do you know how to analyze your numbers for strategic growth? Sadly, most business owners think they do, but they don’t. That’s why I am excited to share my interview with Adam Lean. Adam is an accountant and multimillion-dollar business owner for many years. His passion is helping business owners grow and scale, and Adam is a partner at The CFO Project, an organization that provides small businesses with affordable access to CFOs (Chief Financial Officer) to guide them, to make sense of all the numbers and to give them a clear plan of action for their business goals. In this interview, Adam and I discussed the critical skill of interpreting financial data to navigate your company’s future. He explains the difference between an accountant, controller, CFO, and bookkeeper, and when to use each of these resources for your business. Pay close attention to Adam’s practical seven-step process for tracking your numbers to see where you are now in your business and how to achieve your dreams. There are so many golden nuggets in this episode that I know you will enjoy it. Without further ado, here is my interview.

187

What Investors Look For in Your Business—with Kevin Harrington

Nov 9, 2020

22:44

Many entrepreneurs fall in love with their product that they forget whether or not it is marketable. How then can you identify if what you have is investable? Inviting just the perfect guest to give the answer to this question, Meny Hoffman sits down with one of the original Sharks on the hit TV show Shark Tank and the creator of the infomercial and the pioneer of the As Seen On TV brands, Kevin Harrington. Here, Kevin reveals what we can do to find an investor and partner for our product and how we can evaluate it to make sure that it is the next winner. Plus, he also shares some tips for business owners out there on how to recoup from COVID-19, survive, and thrive in this uncertain environment.

188

Leverage Your Uniqueness for Business, Your Brand, and Beyond—with Joel Wolh

Nov 16, 2020

32:25

Each of us has something special that only we can offer. We have specific skill sets to help create a unique value, be it in business or life in general. Believing this, Joel Wolh is all about developing a skill set that we can use to add value not only to the company we are working for but also to service other people. Known as the Amazon Madman, Joel has uniquely leveraged his own skills to build his own company, Joel Media, and the brand-new networking platform, Bizfluence. He joins host Meny Hoffman to share his great insights from becoming an expert in his field to building a social presence where you can become the expert in your niche. He also shares some great tips on finding success in Amazon and how you can use your unique skills to stay on top of everyone else.

189

Simplify Your Business Plan for Dramatic Results—with Laura Posey

Nov 23, 2020

28:07

As if it was a contest, businesses tend to come up with the most enticing core values and strategies, usually with the purpose to impress. However, this typically leads to every business plan being neglected and not actually materialized, making them mere punchlines. Speaker and consultant Laura Posey aims to break this stigma. Presenting a unique strategy from her book, How to Plan Your Entire Year on One Sheet of Paper, she discusses how every business can go beyond their visions and make them a reality – all without taking the long, winding road of unnecessary work. Because if you can narrow down your strategies while producing better results, you can start maximizing your resources.

190

How to Grow and Scale Through Servant Leadership—with Naftali Tessler

Nov 30, 2020

32:26

Servant leadership is more than just a buzzword at Hamaspik of Kings County. As one of the organization’s core values, it reflects not only in the way they’re helping their beneficiaries, but also in the way their leadership team deals with their employees. An integral part of this amazing leadership culture is Naftali Tessler, the organization’s Chief of Staff. Joining Meny Hoffman for this podcast’s anniversary special, Naftali talks about the leadership culture and core values at Hamaspik. He also talks about how the Leaders Forum helped his personal development as a leader.

191

Inspire Team Accountability Through Financial Literacy—with Neville Joffe

Dec 7, 2020

32:54

Running a business is not just about strategic management. It also means dealing with a lot of financial numbers. From calculating your costs, checking your revenue, to accomplishing your tax returns, entrepreneurs have their hands full of paperwork that is all about numbers. But aside from monitoring how much you are making (and losing), how can this actually benefit your workflow? Meny Hoffman talks with Neville Joffe about using your financial numbers to educate your team and make them more accountable, why having a bookkeeper is not enough to maintain financial stability, and how every employee decision directly impacts your accounts.

192

How to Build a High-Performance Virtual Team—with Leah Faul

Dec 14, 2020

31:39

Even if the world is rapidly changing, businesses always find a way to cope with it. Innovations in digital marketing proved that to be true, particularly with the continuous globalization and ongoing pandemic. Meny Hoffman interviews Leah Faul, the Founder and Owner of 15000 Cubits, to talk about how company values must be applied to digital marketing strategies to yield better results, even in today's almost all-virtual setting. Leah also explains the current trends every digital marketer must take note of and why a well-designed website requires proper SEO techniques to work.

193

The Power of Joy to Transform Your Business—with Barry Shore

Dec 21, 2020

47:17

When you lead a purpose-driven life, you can go MAD—Make A Difference. This is just one of the acronyms guest Barry Shore from The JOY of Living has under his sleeves, helping people live a healthier, wealthier, and wiser life through his memorable wisdom and insights. In this episode, he joins Meny Hoffman to impart some of those with us by breaking down the three fundamentals of life and giving some tips on how to take care of them to live our best lives. Barry also shares with us his story, one that many would have given up on, but still, he managed to overcome. He talks about what caused that mindset shift and how he built and preached it to many. From the personal to the professional aspects of our lives, Barry digs up some great tips and tools about being profitable, overcoming stress, living inspirationally, and more.

194

How to Use Video to Boost Your Team's Productivity—with Matthew Pierce

Dec 28, 2020

28:01

Just because you own a business doesn’t mean you have to do it all. You need to learn how to delegate tasks to your team so you can go and do what you do best for your business. But how do you pass on your knowledge to your team in an effective and more efficient manner? Good thing we are living in the digital age! In this episode, Meny Hoffman sits down with Matthew Price, a highly experienced structural designer, training manager, speaker and multimedia creator who manages training and development at TechSmith Corporation. Here, Matthew discusses how you, as business owners, can start using video or visual training when looking to give information to your team. He breaks down the importance of taking advantage of this media, its benefits to your business, and more. Bringing a bit of the training in this conversation, he then shares the dos and don’ts of creating “screencasting” or videos for training purposes.

195

Trends In Philanthropy: Placing Money Strategically to Better the World—with Kristen-Putnam Walkerly

Jan 4, 2021

36:06

The role of philanthropy in the world is always best appreciated during crisis and everyone can agree that the whole of 2020 has been defined by an unprecedented crisis that has profoundly affected all aspects of global life. As the world experiences massive changes, philanthropy is similarly going through some radical shifts. Consequently, nonprofits advocating for various causes have also had to pivot to stay relevant amidst all this upheaval. Joining Meny Hoffman this discussion is Kristen-Putnam Walkerly, a widely-recognized philanthropic strategist and thought leader who has been a trusted advisor to some of the world’s leading philanthropists for over 20 years. Kristen walks us through the various trends in philanthropy that emerged or built up this year. She also discusses some of the common mistakes that philanthropists make when it comes to allocating funds and what they should do instead. To cap the episode, she gives some useful tips for nonprofits on how they can better position themselves to get funding for the cause they are advocating.

196

Overcome Your Internal Barriers to Success—with Naftali Mark Horowitz

Jan 11, 2021

43:35

We’re all capable of becoming more and reach our fullest potential. Yet, admittedly, this can be such a great and overwhelming feat that it can be so tempting to remain comfortable with what we are now. But what wasted potential that could be. In this episode, Meny Hoffman sits down with managing director, portfolio manager, and financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Naftali Mark Horowitz to share his wisdom on that. Having written You Revealed: A Torah Path to a Life of Success, Naftali has the advice and lessons from Torah sources that can help us discover our potential and purpose in life, as well as learning how to overcome the hurdles that keep us from being that person. They also talk about fear, the difference between calculated and non-calculated risks, and how you can build satisfaction and happiness by focusing on what you have versus what you don’t. This conversation will reveal a lot about the gifts we all have that need to be tapped so we can find the success we are looking for.

197

Discover the Career You Love—with Shaina Keren

Feb 1, 2021

32:39

Not many people can say that they are in a career they love. But is it really possible to find happiness at work? Shaina Keren thinks so. Shaina is a career consultant who specializes in helping people discover and create careers that fit their best talent, interests, and life goals. She also advises business owners on hiring and keeping the right people in the right seat, utilizing a win-win approach to growing businesses and careers. In this discussion with Meny Hoffman, they focus on how a person could evaluate themselves to see how they want to create their career path, how they could grow and add more value to the company so they could move up the corporate ladder, and how employers can make sure they’re interviewing and onboarding the right candidates. Are you ready to get career happy? Then don’t pass this show up.

198

SPECIAL EPISODE: An Exclusive Interview With Our Host, Meny Hoffman—Part 1

Feb 15, 2021

38:20

In today’s special episode, we turn the table on Let’s Talk Business host Meny Hoffman as Chava Shapiro puts him in the hot seat. As many in the business world know, Meny is the CEO of Ptex Group, an award-winning branding, and marketing agency, and the Founder of the Let’s Talk Business (LTB) platform, a movement to provide entrepreneurs with the powerful tools they need to grow and thrive. In the first part of this interview series, we will find out about the history of Ptex Group, as well as what Meny is all about and what his goals are. Are you ready to learn, grow, and lead? Be inspired by his story right here.

199

SPECIAL EPISODE: An Exclusive Interview With Our Host, Meny Hoffman—Part 2

Feb 22, 2021

34:26

Coming back to the interviewee’s seat in his own show, Meny Hoffman rejoins Chava Shapiro for the second part of their exclusive interview. In this episode, they talk about all things leadership – from its broad definition to the nitty-gritty of what every contemporary leader needs to be aware of as they play their role in today’s changed and changing world. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or a small business with fewer than five employees, these leadership principles are going to resonate with you and change the way you lead. Leadership certainly isn’t easy, but it’s significantly easier if you’ve got someone by your side teaching you the ropes. Listen in and let Meny be your guide for today.

200

How To Achieve Maximum Growth With A Simple Marketing Plan—with Mostafa Hosseini

Mar 1, 2021

28:42

Your marketing plan is one of the most important plans you will ever develop. A well-thought-through and executed marketing plan can make or break your growth ambitions. Joining Meny Hoffman in this episode is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and business coach Mostafa Hosseini. An expert in marketing, sales, business transformation, and strategic planning, Mostafa has been coaching and consulting entrepreneurs for over ten years, helping businesses in various niches and industries grow, scale, and become more profitable. Today, he shares how he helps coaches, consultants, and experts create and implement their one-page marketing plan in seven days or less.

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