Ever wondered why so many tech companies struggle with legacy software while others seem to effortlessly leap ahead with user-centric designs? Join us as we learn from Makoto Kern, the founder of IIIMPACT, who shares his remarkable journey from electrical engineering to spearheading a digital design agency that's transforming the way companies think about their products. Mikado uncovers the secrets to tackling tech debt while focusing on the three crucial Ps—product, people, and process—to enhance user experience and gain a competitive edge, even with fewer features.

Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of product development and user experience. Mikado sheds light on the art of integrating AI thoughtfully, highlighting real-world success stories where AI addresses genuine user needs rather than just being a flashy add-on. From streamlining job application processes to revolutionizing customer service, AI's potential is vast. Mikado explains how automating repetitive tasks can free up experts for more meaningful work, championing operational efficiency and elevating the user experience in the process.

Navigating the corporate world isn't easy, especially when it comes to balancing innovation with stagnation. Through fascinating examples of companies like SpaceX and Tesla, we explore how continuous improvement can stave off stagnation, even in economic downturns. Mikado also shares insights into the delicate dance of managing team and client relationships, emphasizing the importance of putting the team first to build long-term success. Addressing challenges of remote work and the crucial role of communication, Mikado provides valuable lessons on leading a cohesive team while fostering strong, enduring client connections.

Here's what you'll learn:
❗ The three P's for a successful company are product, people, and process.
❗ Legacy tech companies often struggle with tech debt and maintaining outdated products.
❗ User-centric design focuses on the user's goals and pain points, rather than just features.
❗ AI can enhance user experience but should be implemented thoughtfully.
❗ Innovation should be a continuous effort, even during recessionary periods.
❗ Team dynamics are crucial; putting the team first leads to better client relationships.
❗ Soft skills often outweigh hard skills in long-term success.
❗ Ego can hinder progress; leaders must remain open to feedback.
❗ Companies should embrace testing and experimentation to drive improvement.
❗ Empathy is essential in understanding team and client needs.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Impact and Software Development
05:49 User-Centric vs Feature-Centric Design
10:49 The Role of AI in Modern Software Development
19:24 The Importance of Team Dynamics
30:50 Ego and Motivation in Leadership

Makoto Kern
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/productuxdesigner/
Website - https://www.iiimpact.io/

Brandon Amoroso:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/
Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/
X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon
Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

Discover the incredible journey of Anders Insett, a Norwegian-born keynote speaker, author, and former elite athlete, whose diverse career path spans from tech-savvy entrepreneurship to global philosophy discussions. Anders shares how his early curiosity in technology and his experience as a semi-professional Olympic handball player paved the way for a career that now bridges business and philosophical thinking. Learn how his insights into the popularity of European sports like handball in the U.S. and the influence of global sports icons have shaped local sports culture.

Join us as we explore the philosophy of progress and success with Anders, who believes that true fulfillment comes from focusing on the process rather than the outcome. He shares how intrinsic motivation and a love for learning contribute to the surprising success of Norwegian athletes across various sports. Discover his perspective on reframing goals, finding happiness in small, incremental progress, and eliminating inefficiencies to concentrate on what truly matters in life.

We also venture into the future landscape of innovation and education, examining the evolution of breakthroughs from AI and quantum technology to scientific advancements emerging from the corporate world. Anders and I discuss how these shifts impact the balance between academia and industry, emphasizing the need for education systems to adapt to the modern job market. With an increasing focus on generalist skills, critical thinking, and soft skills, this episode offers a compelling look at how to navigate a rapidly changing world with vitality and insight.

Here's what you'll learn:

❗ Success is often defined by external metrics, but true fulfillment comes from within.

❗ The journey of entrepreneurship is about progress, not just outcomes.

❗ In a rapidly changing world, learning how to think is more important than what to think.

❗ AI and technology are reshaping the landscape of education and business.

❗ The process of building is often more rewarding than the end result.

❗ Organizations should focus on activating human potential rather than punishing mistakes.

❗ Innovation today often involves optimizing existing ideas rather than creating entirely new ones.

❗ The future will see radical breakthroughs in science and technology driven by AI.

❗ A culture of performance is essential for organizational success.

❗ Understanding the underlying problems is key to finding effective solutions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Anders Indset

02:37 The Journey of an Entrepreneur and Athlete

06:32 Finding Meaning Beyond Success

11:52 The Process of Building and Growth

17:17 Innovation vs. Iteration in Business

20:51 The Future of Education and Learning

32:12 The Role of AI in Shaping the Future

39:05 Activating Human Potential in Organizations

Anders Indset

Website - https://andersindset.com/

Brandon Amoroso

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

In this episode of D2Z, Brandon Amoroso chats with Brendan Mahony, CEO of Sunset, about the critical yet often overlooked aspects of winding down a business. Brendan shares his journey from a Y Combinator alum to navigating business closures, offering a transparent look at the challenges and necessities of responsibly shutting down a company. This conversation sheds light on the legal, tax, and emotional intricacies involved in business dissolution, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage.

Here's what you'll learn:

🚪 The necessary steps and considerations for shutting down a business.

📈 The differences between asset sales and stock sales in acquisitions.

🛑 Common pitfalls in the dissolution process and how to avoid them.

🔄 The emotional journey of moving on from a failed venture.

📊 Insights on managing financial liabilities and investor expectations during closure.

Timestamps

🎙️ Introduction to Brendan Mahony (00:00:00)

🛑 Discussing the Importance of Proper Business Shutdowns (00:00:33)

🎢 Brendan's Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Sunset (00:00:51)

🤔 The Differences Between Asset Sales and Stock Sales (00:01:57)

🔍 The Role of Dissolution in Business Acquisitions (00:02:24)

🚫 Common Misconceptions and Challenges in Business Dissolution (00:03:07)

📉 Impact of Incomplete Dissolutions on Future Endeavors (00:03:42)

📊 Financial and Emotional Aspects of Closing a Business (00:04:51)

📚 Lessons from Failed Ventures and Importance of Closure (00:06:55)

🔄 The Process of Working with Sunset for Business Closure (00:27:58)

📈 Exploring Expansion and Future Directions for Sunset (00:29:34)

Brendan Mahony

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-mahony-72929385/

Sunset - https://www.sunsethq.com/

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

Brandon talks with Kausambi Manjita, Founder of Mason, an e-commerce conversion platform. They talk about the nuances of building a technology company, the need for conversion services for e-commerce brands, and solving the customer acquisition cost problem. They explore making effective promotions,  helping the customer as a driver of promotions, and missed opportunities for customer conversions.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com  and https://www.electriqmarketing.com.

Find Kausambi Manjita at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmanjita/ and Mason at  https://getmason.io/.

Brandon talks with Alexej Pikovsky, CEO & Co-Founder of Alphawell Brands and NUOPTIMA (formerly the Alphagreen Group), a global health and wellness e-commerce platform. They talk about building health and wellness brands online, how to determine what brands to acquire or pursue, the anatomy of product supply chain and distribution channels, and Health and Wellness trends. They explore authentic brands, social proof, and building a business.

 Links:

 Find Brandon Amoroso at  https://www.brandonamoroso.com and  https://www.electriqmarketing.com.

Find Alexej Pikovsky at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexej-pikovsky-9743701/ and Alphawell Brands at https://www.alphawellbrands.com/.

Brandon talks with Bill Boulden, a serial tech startup CTO who focuses on bringing products from the idea phase to launch. They explore Bill’s unique approach to building start-ups as a  fractional CTO, and they go into some common mistakes start-up founders will make. Brandon and Bill discuss building a minimum viable product, success strategies, and start-up trends.

 Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com  and https://www.electriqmarketing.com.

Find Bill Boulden at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/billboulden/  and 

https://www.billboulden.com/.

Brandon talks with Yash Chavan, founder of the DTC influencer marketing management platform SARAL. They talk about the pitfalls and issues around influencer marketing, nurturing influencer relationships, and aligning influencers with your brand. They also go into influencer marketing trends and building a business.

 Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and  https://www.electriqmarketing.com.

 
Find Yash Chavan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yctheman/ and https://www.getsaral.com/  

Brandon talks with Hiral Zalavadia, Founder and CEO at Stately, a men’s fashion subscription service and innovator in the space. They talk about entrepreneurship and Hiral’s journey,  growing a business, and getting past pain points and bottlenecks, how to assess and mitigate risks, and navigating toward the future. They explore the ins and outs of the online subscription model, leading with subscriptions, and structuring products for success.

 
Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com  and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 
Find Hiral Zalavadia at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ hiralzalavadia/ and Stately at  

https://statelymen.com.

Brandon talks with Billy McClennan, Director of Partnerships at customer service platform Gorgias. They go into Billy’s journey from chemist to e-commerce platform Gorgias, customer service platform, and the e-commerce industry. They explore driving revenue and retention with customer service, using automation for improving the customer experience, and building self-service processes. They parse the different modes of customer service, preferred methods and trends, and educating brands around the impact of customer service on business.

 Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and
https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Billy McClennan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-mcclennan-27bb3484/ and
https://www.gorgias.com/.

Find the Gorgias eBook The Support Performance Flywheel:
https://www.gorgias.com/ebook/support-performance-flywheel 

Brandon talks with Dan Sweeney, Chief Operating Officer of Torque Detail, a leading
automotive detailing product company. They talk about distribution in e-commerce and brick and  mortar, the benefits of brick and mortar for some products and getting into retail, using database segmentation for local activations and community building for retail, and e-commerce tactics that are working. They explore landing pages, building a good offer, email strategies, and copywriting.
 
Links:
 
Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and
https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Dan Sweeney at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweeneydaniel/ and
https://www.torquedetail.com/. 

Brandon talks with Matt Bahr, CEO of Fairing, formerly EnquireLabs, a marketing insights technology company. They talk about the potential of technology and consumer data, the shift to retention as a strategy, and using data to build a competitive advantage. They go into how to create effective segments, identifying what data to analyze, where to capture it, and what to do with it, building a customer profile, and the importance of understanding your customer and building personas.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Matt Bahr at https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbahr/ and at https://fairing.co/. 

 

Brandon talks with Zac Brandenberg, co-founder and CEO of DRINKS, the online leader in adult beverage who pioneered the world’s first Wine as a Service (WaaS) platform and now the parent company of Electriq Marketing. They talk about the DRINKS acquisition of Electriq and the need to bring innovation to a highly regulated and fragmented industry that hasn’t changed since Prohibition. Zac and Brandon dive into the need to bring the power of Shopify to wineries so they can apply the same efficiencies, data, and customer experiences as other D2C brands. They unveil the upcoming DRINKS app on Shopify that will provide tax and compliance in the check-out system for wineries. They also use alcohol puns.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Zac Brandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-brandenberg/ and http://www.drinks.com.

Brandon talks with Rich Watson, Founder of Augmented Hype an augmented reality ad filter technology. They talk about the challenges of customer acquisition, how AR can create connections with customers, the power of immersion for e-commerce, and how effective AR Is compared to traditional ads. They talk about use cases for AR, AR for NFTs, and elevating AR beyond standard marketing tactics.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Rich Watson at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-s-watson/ and at https://www.augmentedhype.com/.

Meta AR Ad Study:

https://www.facebook.com/business/news/insights/groundbreaking-ar-ad-study-quantifies-the-value-of-immersive-

In this episode of D2Z, Brandon Amoroso chats with Barada Sahu, the innovative CEO of Mason, a company at the forefront of AI-driven shopping experiences. They delve into the transformative impact of AI on e-commerce, exploring how Mason’s technology enables highly personalized customer journeys. Barada shares his journey from engineer to entrepreneur, revealing the challenges and triumphs of crafting cutting-edge solutions tailored to today’s dynamic e-commerce landscape.

Here's what you'll learn:

🤖 AI's Role in E-commerce: Insights into AI-driven transformations in customer experiences with Barada Sahu, CEO of Mason.

🧩 Integration Challenges: Learn about the hurdles of embedding AI into existing platforms.

🎯 Importance of Personalization: Discover why tailoring customer interactions boosts retention.

🚀 Entrepreneurial Journey: Barada Sahu’s path from engineer to CEO and key takeaways.

🔮 Future AI Trends: Predictions on evolving AI trends in e-commerce.

🛠️ Tech Stack Development: Tips on building adaptable and effective tech stacks.

⚙️ Scaling Strategies: Effective approaches for business growth and market adaptation.

Barada Sahu

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/baradas/

Mason - https://getmason.io/

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

Brandon talks with Calvin Lammers, SVP of eCommerce for premium hot sauce TRUFF. They talk about CPG online and retail, how to differentiate food products by using content to identify taste profiles and educate audiences, handling the shift from acquisition to customer loyalty, and
 tips on building a consumer brand. They also explore CPG business challenges and fulfillment, understanding TikTok, and building teams.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Calvin Lammers at https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinlammers/ and https://www.truff.com/. 

 

Brandon talks with Louis Amoroso, Co-Founder and President of DRINKS’ DTC marketplace Wine Insiders. Louis and Brandon talk about a newly launched program for adventurous wine lovers called the Ultimate Wine Insider, wherein the winner of the program will get 100k and four trips to four continents courtesy of Wine Insiders. They explore how and why the program was created, what they expect from it, how programs like this can build community engagement, and how to participate.

 Links: 

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and 
https://www.electriqmarketing.com 

Find the Ultimate Wine Insider Program at: 
https://wineinsiders.com/promotion/ultimatewineinsider 

Brandon talks with Ashland Stansbury, Founder, and CEO of Because Intelligence, a product page content automation platform. Ashland and Brandon talk about entrepreneurship, entering the e-commerce industry, and being a gen Z business leader. They explore the importance of the product page to improve the customer journey and the difficulties around personalization and customization of product pages at scale. They also dive into pricing strategies in the Shopify ecosystem and how to balance business needs and customer expectations. And some closing advice for entrepreneurs!

Links: Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Ashland Stansbury at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashland-stansbury-7b0a64b0/ and https://www.becauseintelligence.com/home. 

Brandon talks with Andy Cloyd and Anders Bill, the Co-Founders of Superfiliate, a new player in word of mouth. Superfiliate automates the creation of personalized storefronts for customers and creators. They talk about the problem with customer acquisition, the importance of diversifying the marketing mix and not relying on paid media, optimizing channels beyond traditional marketing tactics, and focusing on word of mouth. They explore how authenticity drives effective influencer marketing, aligning influencer and brand values, and effective loyalty programs that provide value.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com.

Find Andy Cloyd at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andycloyd/ and

Anders Bill https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-bill/ at and Superfiliate at https://www.superfiliate.com/. 

Brandon talks with Chathri Ali, Technology Partnerships for email/SMS and customer data platform Klaviyo, one of the most powerful technology integrators in the Shopify ecosystem. They talk about technology integrations, how integrations can make tech stacks more powerful, and how integration strategies should drive development. They also explore how SMS is becoming more important for partners and on Klaviyo’s Consumer Data Platform (CDP).

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com.

Find Chathri Ali at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chathri/ and https://www.klaviyo.com/. 
 

Brandon talks with Brett Bernstein, Founder, and CEO at Gatsby, the automated influencer marketing platform that scales communities by syncing Instagram and TikTok insights with Klaviyo, Gorglas, LoyaltyLion, Stamped, and a whole bunch more. They talk about the importance of building a community of advocates and using technology for automation, building loyalty programs, and influencer insights. They explore how integrations with tools like Gatsby give brands a complete understanding of customer profiles so merchants can customize, personalize and leverage the influence of their customers. They dive into the importance of
 patience when building communities and how to cultivate trust.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Brett Bernstein at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhbern/ and https://www.gatsby.ai/. 

Brandon talks with Lewis Schenk, an Australia-based entrepreneur and founder of three companies, including Boost Media Agency who focuses on personal branding and strengthening their online presence. Lewis and Brandon talk about entrepreneurship and cultivating a mindset that embraces and learns from failure, the correlation of business and
 sports, personal branding tips, building a team and culture. They explore the hiring process, remote and global teams, connecting people when remote, and growing business through referrals.

 Links: Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Lewis Schenk at https://www.instagram.com/lewisschenk/?hl=en, https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-schenk/, and https://www.boostmediaofficial.page.

Brandon talks with Lauren Schwartz, Owner & Creative Director at The Loft 325, a creative content company for DTC brands, about the importance of creative content in marketing. Lauren and Brandon talk about DTC trends, diversifying creative, testing channels and campaign structures, and user-generated content (UGC). They explore managing and working with clients, building teams, and how to delegate.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Lauren Schwartz at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-schwartz-07354312/ and https://theloft325.com/.

Brandon talks with Shanif Dhanani, the CEO of Apteo, a platform that helps ecommerce brands create hyper-personalized marketing from their customer data. They talk about collecting data and the importance of using it to make a good experience for the customer. Shanif and Brandon discuss educating customers on technology and how AI can grow the business and what is working these days on successful marketing strategies, including segmentation and personalization. They dive into team-building and the importance of working with people you trust, have different skill sets, and who have the right attitude..

Also Brandon decides to coin Retention as a Service (RaaS) and will use it enough that it will catch on!

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Shanif at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanifdhanani/ and https://www.apteo.co/.

Shanif has a special offer for D2Z listeners!

An extended free Apteo trial–just mention this episode and they’ll get you set up!

Brandon talks with Cameron Faist, Director of E-Commerce at Aura Bora the beverage company that wants you to drink weird water and who creates amazing herb, fruit, and flower sparkling water. Cameron and Brandon talk about e-commerce and CPG marketing, best practices and pitfalls in the beverage space, and how to take care of your customers. They explore making marketing natural and fun and building a good team culture.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Cameron Faist at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronfaist/ and https://aurabora.com/.

In this episode of D2Z, join Brandon Amoroso as he dives into the world of SaaS with Sam Chlebowski, co-founder of Motion.io —a transformative client portal and project management tool tailored for agencies and service professionals. Discover the genesis of Motion.io, how it’s revolutionizing client interactions, and gain insider tips on transitioning from service-based models to product-focused enterprises.

Here's what you'll learn:

🚀 The journey from concept to execution in launching a SaaS platform.

🛠 How to identify and solve persistent industry problems with innovative software solutions.

🔄 The benefits of transitioning from a service-based model to a SaaS product.

📈 Strategies for rapid growth and scalability in the SaaS space.

🤝 The importance of team continuity and leveraging previous work experiences.

💡 Practical tips for early-stage product development and customer feedback integration.

Sam Chlebowski

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-chlebowski-80041694/

Motion.io - https://www.motion.io/

Brandon Amoroso

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

Brandon talks with Gen Furukawa, e-commerce veteran and co-founder of Prehook, a leading quiz platform for Shopify merchants. Gen and Brandon talk about zero party data and leveraging it to its most potential, making a cohesive tech stack, and educating merchants on how to use apps. They explore how development works and how developers integrate customer feedback, Electriq and DRINKS new upcoming Shopify product, and experience-focused marketing. 

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Gen Furukawar at https://www.linkedin.com/in/genfurukawa/  and https://prehook.com/  and his podcast Cart Overflow https://www.cartoverflow.com/.

 Merchants that use quizzes in an effective way: https://teelixir.com/, https://addjoi.com/, https://spikeball.com/pages/spikeball-kit-quiz 

Brandon talks with Shray Joshi, CEO and Founder of Good Peeps, a digital marketing agency focused on brands that are both online and in store. Shray and Brandon talk about content strategies, building a brand, and what content means in today’s world. They explore the overlap between digital and brick and mortar retail, how to build a brand, and how to measure a brand beyond performance.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Shray Joshi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrayjoshi/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/good-peepss/about/.

Brandon talks with Ben Parr, co-founder and president at Octane AI, the zero-party data marketing platform for Shopify brands. Ben and Brandon discuss generations, all about Octane AI, and the best way to increase revenue through personalization. They go into building teams, TikTok and much more!

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Ben Parr at https://www.linkedin.com/in/benparr/  and https://www.octaneai.com/.

Brandon talks with David McCormick, Partner at Siddhi Capital, an investment firm focused on food, beverage, and food tech. David and Brandon discuss the importance of creating the right business strategies and the trade-offs when chasing only growth, why solving problems is critical for businesses today, and rising above features and attributes. They go into hiring for culture first, the biggest financial mistakes businesses make, and some new exciting trends.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find David McComrick at at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mccormick-9273bbb1/  and https://www.siddhicapital.co/.

Brandon talks with Blake Imperl, Head of Partner Community for text marketing leader Attentive. Blake and Brandon talk about the most powerful way to use SMS, the importance of customer relationships through personalization and conversations, and what’s coming next with conversational SMS. They discuss creating a strong customer experience and focusing on customer retention. Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Blake Imperl at https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakeimperl/ and https://www.attentivemobile.com/.

Brandon talks with John Erck, co-founder and CEO of Rebuy, an e-commerce omnichannel personalization engine. John and Brandon talk about the latest in e-commerce strategies including personalization and how to scale into multiple channels. They go into how a good shopping experience is key to success in the highly volatile DTC space.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find John Erck at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnerck/ and https://www.rebuyengine.com/.

Brandon talks with Chase Alderton from Recharge about Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) from the point of view of digital marketing in DTC. They discuss the importance of having a personalized and customized touch with customers through automation and flows, the fear of speaking to subscription customers, how to leverage zero party data, acquisition v. retention, and building a community.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

Find Chase Alderton at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasealderton/ and Recharge at https://rechargepayments.com/ listen to Chase on the Hit Subscribe Podcast.

Brandon talks with Eddie Cmehil and Jennifer McGowan from e-commerce platform Malomo. This is a special D2Z episode because they all dive deep into a particular success story that demonstrates the power of using transactional emails, like shipping tracking, to capture revenue and automated sales. Brandon, Eddie, and Jennifer talk about the importance of creating relationships with customers and taking advantage of every touch point you have with them. Links: Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.comFind Malomo at https://gomalomo.com/

Brandon talks with Steven Finn, Co-Founder and General Partner of food and beverage venture capital firm Siddhi Capital. Steven and Brandon talk about the food and beverage space and how to get funding and commercialize food products. They go into the difference between establishing a new market and entering an established one, retail versus DTC, managing margin for scale, and the emerging FoodTech industry, including the creation of new types of meats.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Steven Finn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-finn-bb206011/ and https://www.siddhicapital.co.

Brandon talks with Jordan Buckner, founder of Food and Beverage industry community and platform Foodbevy. Jordan and Brandon talk about the CPG space, solving food and beverage CPG problems, and what to consider when launching a new consumable brand. They go into industry challenges in DTC, the role of Amazon in CPG, and how to build an effective DTC team for your brand.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Jordan Buckner at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanbuckner/ and https://foodbevy.com/ and the Startup to Scale Podcast at https://podcast.foodbevy.com/.

In this episode of D2Z, Brandon Amoroso chats with Garrett Caudle, CEO of Influent, about the transformative power of LinkedIn for B2B leaders. Discover how strategic thought leadership on LinkedIn can significantly boost business growth. Garrett shares his journey from boosting a small e-commerce agency's presence to founding a top LinkedIn agency that helps leaders turn their expertise into expansive influence.

Here's what you'll learn:

🌱 The evolution of LinkedIn as a platform for thought leadership.

🔍 How niche expertise can vastly outperform broad content on LinkedIn.

🚀 Effective strategies for leveraging LinkedIn to boost business visibility and credibility.

📈 Real-world examples of LinkedIn driving significant business growth and pipeline.

🧰 Tips for adapting content across different social platforms without losing impact.

🔄 The importance of starting your LinkedIn journey today for long-term payoff.

Garret Caudle

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/garretcaudle/

Influent - http://www.influent.co/

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

Brandon talks with Jeremy Horowitz, Director of Marketing at e-commerce data leader Daasity and the host of the Messenger Mastermind Podcast. Jeremy and Brandon talk about scaling your business by coordinating messages across your channels. They unpack how to measure marketing when global events like the pandemic get in the way of baselines, diversifying channels and at one stage of growth should brands do so, as well as a deep dive in what unit economics are and how that is a better marketing metric.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Jeremy Horowitz at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyhorowitz1/ and https://www.daasity.com/ and at Messenger Mastermind Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/messenger-mastermind/id1437452282.

Brandon talks with Yaw Aning, co-founder and CEO of e-commerce platform Malomo. Yaw and Brandon talk about building teams and businesses, focusing on creating a solid internal culture with powerful feedback loops, as well as iterating business norms like the Four Day Work Week. They dive into creating strong consumer experiences in e-commerce with a focus on the buying and delivery experience. Also, how retention is key, over acquisition.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Yaw Aning at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yawaning/ and https://gomalomo.com/

Brandon welcomes Dane Baker, co-founder and CEO of an incredible company EcoCart who is on the frontlines of e-commerce sustainability. Dane and Brandon talk about how internet businesses can make a positive impact on the environment and the importance of giving consumers the choice to make net zero transactions. Also, what does it mean to be a young entrepreneur.

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Dane Baker at https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneaustinbaker/ and https://ecocart.io/business/.

Founder of Amora Coffee and e-commerce veteran Jim Fosina talks with Brandon about how the e-commerce space has changed as a result of the pandemic and what business owners need to do to adjust. They talk about how to differentiate, how to build solid teams through mutual respect, and Direct to Consumer marketing.   

Links:  

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Jim Fosina at https://amoracoffee.com/

Brandon debuts The D2Z Podcast with Rachel Tyers, e-commerce veteran and VP of Strategic Partnerships at Okendo. They discuss her journey from selling flash tattoos to building and leading Okendo partnership teams and then talk about the latest in e-commerce trends: zero party data, review tools, headless commerce, the metaverse, and NFTs.   

Links:

Find Brandon Amoroso at https://www.brandonamoroso.com and https://www.electriqmarketing.com

 Find Rachel Tyers at https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheltyers/ and https://www.okendo.io/

In this episode of D2Z, join Brandon Amoroso as he chats with Will Haire, co-founder and CEO of BellaVix, a leading agency known for skyrocketing brand growth on platforms like Amazon and Walmart. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing and a deep dive into marketplace dynamics, Will shares invaluable insights on evolving e-commerce strategies, navigating platform complexities, and capitalizing on advertising innovations. Tune in to discover practical tips on expanding your brand's reach and optimizing marketplace performance, making this a must-listen for entrepreneurs aiming to make a significant impact online.

Here's what you'll learn:

🚀 How to Scale Brands on Major Marketplaces

📈 What Changes in Amazon's Platform Mean for Sellers

🔍 Why Understanding Marketplace Evolution is Crucial

🌟 How to Effectively Launch and Grow Your Brand Online

🛒 What Strategies Work Best for Customer Acquisition and Review Generation

🚧 How to Navigate and Overcome Common Marketplace Challenges

Timestamps

🌐 Will's Background and Transition from Google to Amazon (00:00:00)

📊 Evolution of Amazon and Walmart Marketplaces (00:01:40)

📈 Strategies for Brand Growth on Marketplaces (00:03:33)

🎯 Effective Customer Acquisition and Advertising Strategies (00:08:09)

💡 Navigating Amazon's Complex System (00:10:56)

📅 Preparing and Strategizing for Q4 (00:21:26)

🤝 Connecting with Will Haire and Concluding Remarks (00:24:24)

Will Haire

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willhaire/

BellaVis - https://www.bellavix.com/

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

In this episode of D2Z, Brandon Amoroso sits down with Valerie Khayutin, CEO of Badesofa North America, to explore the innovative world of e-commerce. Valerie discusses her journey from launching a unique consumer product in North America to mastering the complexities of market expansion and product differentiation. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the challenges and strategies involved in introducing a novel product to a new market, navigating the intricacies of global market operations, and executing tactical maneuvers for e-commerce success.

Here's what you'll learn:

🌍 Valerie's transition from multinational corporations to spearheading a niche product in North America.

🛁 The backstory of Badesofa's flagship product and its evolution from a simple need to a market-leading innovation.

🚀 Strategies for navigating and setting up e-commerce and retail distribution in the competitive U.S. market.

📊 Effective tactics for enhancing product visibility and sales on platforms like Amazon.

🛒 Tips on bundling products to increase average order value and customer lifetime value.

📈 How to utilize real-time data to optimize marketing strategies during peak sales periods like Black Friday.

💡 The importance of agility in small business settings to capitalize on market opportunities and learn from consumer behavior quickly.

Timestamps

🎙️ Introduction to Valerie Khayutin (00:00:00)

🌐 Background of Valerie and VirusTotal's Expansion (00:00:34)

🛁 Origin of the Unique Bath Product (00:01:28)

🌍 Expansion into North America and Market Strategies (00:03:02)

🛒 E-commerce and Retail Strategies in the US (00:03:32)

🏭 Sourcing and Manufacturing Logistics (00:04:15)

💵 Market Challenges in the US vs. Germany (00:05:23)

📊 Importance of Bundling for AUV and LTV (00:06:06)

🛍️ Strategies for Encouraging Multiple Unit Purchases (00:07:55)

🎯 Customer Education and Discovery (00:09:28)

🚀 Challenges of Launching on Amazon (00:11:39)

📅 Seasonal Business Strategies and Preparing for Q4 (00:15:22)

🔄 Real-time Data Analysis during High Sales Periods (00:18:34)

📈 Benefits of Being Agile in a Small Business (00:20:53)

Valerie Khayutin

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-khayutin-30297123/

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

In this episode of D2Z, Brandon Amoroso chats with Zoe Kahn, VP of Retention at Audien Hearing and Founder of Inevitable Agency. Zoe shares her unique journey from retail to e-commerce and unveils how her experiences have shaped her approach to customer retention and service. Discover the critical role of customer education, the intricacies of managing a customer experience team, and the innovative strategies employed to enhance client satisfaction and loyalty in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Here's what you'll learn:

🛠 The transition from hands-on roles to leading a customer experience agency and the challenges involved.

🎧 Insights into Zoe's strategies for enhancing customer retention and experience in e-commerce.

📚 Importance of customer education to prevent product returns and increase satisfaction.

📈 How automations and AI are reshaping customer service and retention efforts.

🤔 The ethical considerations and strategic applications of handling negative feedback and reviews online.

🌟 Zoe's perspective on community building for older demographics and its impact on customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

🔄 Best practices for managing customer service teams effectively, especially during peak business periods.

Mentioned resources:

Audien Hearing

Inevitable Agency

Gorgias

Chomps

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

In this episode of D2Z, Brandon Amoroso converses with Bob Verlaat, the co-founder of Hears, a fashionable and innovative earplugs brand, and several successful direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. Bob shares his journey from launching innovative products like high-quality earplugs and luxury bedding essentials to mastering the complexities of international market penetration. This episode is packed with invaluable lessons on identifying market opportunities, crafting unique product propositions, and navigating the logistical challenges of global expansion.

Here's what you'll learn:

🚀 Strategies for identifying and validating new product categories within the DTC space.

🌍 Insights into managing international fulfillment and overcoming logistical hurdles.

📈 Techniques for combating rising customer acquisition costs and optimizing ad spend across various markets.

💡 The importance of brand differentiation and creating products that solve real-world problems.

🛠️ Best practices for assembling and managing a focused team dedicated to each brand's success.

🌐 The role of digital platforms and AI in enhancing content creation and marketing efforts.

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

In this episode of D2Z, Brandon Amoroso sits down with Elizabeth Greene, co-founder of Junglr, an Amazon agency known for its innovative advertising strategies that boost sales for Amazon sellers. From her early days as a homeschooling mother of six to spearheading a thriving agency, Elizabeth shares her journey into the world of e-commerce, detailing the trials and triumphs of advertising on Amazon.

Here's what you'll learn:

🚀 Transitioning from Home Life to Business: Discover how Elizabeth Greene transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to launching a successful Amazon-focused agency.

📈 Strategies for Amazon Advertising: Gain insights into effective advertising strategies that enhance organic market share and drive sales.

📊 Understanding Amazon's Evolving Platform: Learn about the complexities of Amazon's advertising platform and how it's evolved to offer more control and data to sellers.

🛠 Building and Scaling an Agency: Explore the challenges and strategies involved in scaling an Amazon agency and why focusing on a niche service can lead to greater success.

🌍 Remote Team Management: Find out how Elizabeth effectively manages a remote team, ensuring productivity and satisfaction in a distributed work environment.

Timestamps

🎙️ Introduction to Elizabeth Greene (00:00:00)

👩‍👧‍👦 Elizabeth's Transition from Homeschooling to E-commerce (00:01:11)

🚀 Starting and Scaling an Amazon Business (00:01:35)

📊 Insights into Retail Arbitrage and Private Labeling (00:02:16)

🔍 Finding Gaps in the Market for Product Development (00:03:15)

📈 Understanding and Leveraging Amazon Advertising (00:04:22)

🛠 Strategies for Building and Scaling a Remote Team (00:09:27)

💼 Managing Team Roles and Retention in an Agency (00:14:43)

🌐 Effective Product Strategies on Amazon (00:27:48)

📝 Importance of Knowing Your Business Numbers (00:33:44)

🔗 How to Connect with Elizabeth and Her Agency (00:36:53)

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

Mentioned resources

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/

Junglr - https://www.junglr.com/

In this episode of the D2Z Podcast, Brandon Amoroso sits down with Nathan Yeung, the fractional CMO at Find Your Audience, to delve into the intricacies of B2B marketing from an operational standpoint. With years of experience consulting for both startup and established companies, Nathan shares his unique journey from finance to marketing, offering a pragmatic approach to tackling the marketing challenges faced by businesses across Canada.

Here's what you'll learn:

🔄 From Finance to Marketing: Discover how Nathan's unique journey shapes his marketing tactics.

⚙️ Operational vs. Creative Marketing: Explore why operational skills trump creative ones in marketing effectiveness.

📊 Big vs. Small Company Dynamics: Learn strategies for tackling marketing challenges across various business sizes.

🏗️ Building a Marketing Agency: Key lessons on refining and scaling agency services.

🤝 Role of a Product Marketer: Understand how this crucial position connects product features with market needs.

🌐 Network Effects: Tips on using community influence to boost brand visibility and trust.

Timestamps

🎙️ Introduction and background of Nathan Yeung (00:00:12)

🔄 Transition from finance to marketing (00:00:40)

🏢 Experiences with large companies like Constellation Software (00:01:26)

🚀 Marketing in startups vs. large companies (00:02:47)

📊 Importance of product marketers in B2B SaaS (00:07:21)

📈 Building and scaling a marketing agency (00:14:50)

🌐 The power of network effects in marketing (00:21:32)

Nathan Yeung

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeungnathan/

Find Your Audience - https://www.findyouraudience.online/

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

What if you could transform your entire video production process with just your smartphone and the power of AI? That's exactly what Amer Tedayon, the innovative founder and CEO of LusaHub, is bringing to businesses worldwide. In this episode, we explore Amer's fascinating career journey from computer science and filmmaking to revolutionizing corporate video production. Discover how LusaHub empowers businesses with tight budgets and time constraints to create fast, high-quality video content. Amer shares his insights on the importance of aligning with the right investors and team members, and how these choices impact the success of any venture.

Join us as we delve into the challenges of building a thriving remote company culture, particularly in an ever-evolving industry like AI. Amer offers strategies on fostering community among geographically dispersed teams through creative tools and how empowering employees can lead to organizational growth. We also discuss the strategic shift at LusaHub towards scaling sales operations and the role of AI in enhancing efficiency, leading to the development of the new Creative Copilot feature. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to navigate the complexities of remote work and technological innovation.

Here's what you'll learn:
💰 Identifying the right market segment is crucial for startup success.
❗ Lucihub democratizes video production by enabling clients to film on smartphones.
🚀 Building a remote culture requires intentional engagement and communication.
💼 Empowering team members to make decisions fosters a proactive work environment.
🚀 Hiring the right people is essential for scaling a startup effectively.
🤖 AI tools can significantly enhance video production and marketing efficiency, but the balance between AI and human creativity is vital in video production.
📈 Sales strategies must adapt to the evolving landscape of technology and consumer needs.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Gen Z Mindset and AI in Video Production
02:31 Amer's Journey: From Software to Filmmaking
05:30 The Evolution of Video Production: Democratizing Access
09:01 Building a Remote Culture: Challenges and Strategies
11:31 Empowering Teams: Decision-Making and Leadership
14:51 Hiring Strategies: Scaling a Startup
18:08 Leveraging AI for Sales and Marketing Efficiency
22:11 The Future of Video Production: AI and Human Collaboration

Amer Tadayon
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amertadayon/
Lucihub - https://lucihub.com/

Brandon Amoroso:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/
Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/
X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon
Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

In this episode of the D2Z podcast, Brandon Amoroso dives into the entrepreneurial journey with Hamlet Azarian, CEO of Azarian Growth Agency. With a deep dive into the trials of starting and growing businesses, Hamlet shares invaluable insights from his decades of helping startups strategize and succeed. From the importance of initial market strategies to understanding the critical role of customer feedback and the nuances of remote team management, this episode is a trove of wisdom for entrepreneurs at all stages.

Here's what you'll learn:

🚀 The transformative impact of customer retention strategies in business growth.

🧭 How to navigate and influence company culture and processes in large and small firms alike.

💻 The role of technology in enhancing customer engagement and the strategic use of data for business evolution.

🔄 Insights on transitioning from traditional business roles to tech-centric positions and the opportunities it presents.

📈 Practical strategies for handling growth, scaling challenges, and the importance of aligning brand perception with reality.

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/

Mentioned resources

Asana - https://asana.com/

Google Meets - https://meet.google.com/

Slack - https://slack.com/

In this episode of the D2Z Podcast, host Brandon Amoroso and Eli Weiss, VP of Retention Advocacy at Yotpo, explore the dynamic interplay between technology, customer retention, and branding from a startup to corporate scale. Eli shares his unorthodox journey from a self-taught entrepreneur to an influential tech executive, revealing how a focus on customer experience and retention shapes successful business strategies.

Here's what you'll learn:

🚀 The transformative impact of customer retention strategies in business growth.

🧭 How to navigate and influence company culture and processes in large and small firms alike.

💻 The role of technology in enhancing customer engagement and the strategic use of data for business evolution.

🔄 Insights on transitioning from traditional business roles to tech-centric positions and the opportunities it presents.

📈 Practical strategies for handling growth, scaling challenges, and the importance of aligning brand perception with reality.

Timestamps

🎙️ Introduction and Podcast Theme (0:00:00)

🤝 Guest Introduction (Eli Weiss) (0:00:13)

🛤️ Eli Weiss's Background and Career Journey (0:01:15)

📈 Career Shifts and Lessons Learned (0:02:33)

🏗️ Brand Building and Customer Experience (0:04:03)

🔄 Insights from Brand Side to Software Side (0:04:20)

🎯 The Value of Branding Beyond Direct Response (0:05:08)

🚀 Comparing Experiences in Startups and Larger Companies (0:06:13)

🧗‍♂️ Challenges of Working in a Large Company (0:07:04)

🏢 Discussion on Corporate Culture and Process (0:08:16)

⚖️ Balancing Creativity and Structure in Business (0:09:19)

💡 The Importance of Understanding Customer Needs (0:10:02)

🌐 Benefits and Challenges of Consolidation in Software Ecosystems (0:18:16)

🌟 Future Directions and Changes at Yotpo (SaaS company Eli joined) (0:24:16)

📊 Discussion on E-commerce Trends and Industry Changes (0:29:14)

🚀 Personal Motivations and Future Aspirations (0:35:12)

📢 Closing Remarks and Where to Find Eli Weiss Online (0:45:34)

Brandon Amoroso:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonamoroso/

Web - https://brandonamoroso.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bamoroso11/

X - https://twitter.com/AmorosoBrandon

Scalis.ai - https://scalis.ai/