OPERATORS

OPERATORS
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In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The worlds biggest brands have denied its existence for years, until now. Three titans known as "Operators" are leaking the secret contents in an effort to share its wealth of knowledge with people like you.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    E145: From Affiliate Hustler to Hydration Empire: Inside Instant Hydration’s Growth Engine

    “You make your money on the customer, not the acquisition.” In this episode, Sean sits down with Jordan, the media-buyer-turned-founder behind Instant Hydration, to unpack how he went from affiliate marketer—only eating what he killed—to helping scale multiple 8‑figure CPG brands into 9‑figure powerhouses using Meta ads, tight payback models, and a true growth engine mindset. They talk about why red‑ocean markets like electrolytes are actually a signal of demand, how to think about LTV, subscriptions and time-to-second-purchase, what really happens when a founder tries to steal your team, and the wild IP and trademark journey that led to the Instant Hydration brand.Chapters:00:00 – Cold open: “You make your money on the customer, not the acquisition”02:40 – Jordan’s story: from almost-lawyer to Facebook affiliate marketer15:30 – Scaling 8‑figure CPG brands to 9‑figures with Meta ads28:10 – Why consumables, LTV and payback periods win over “one-and-done” products41:45 – The Instant Hydration origin story and trademark/IP battle55:20 – Building a true growth engine: subscriptions, email/SMS, and sending it on ad spendPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 9m

  2. 17 DEC

    E144: Do smaller teams = bigger wins?

    The operators discuss the critical balance between executing a high-stakes Q4 and planning for the upcoming fiscal year. They debate structured versus unstructured planning methodologies, with Sean and Matt favoring quarterly rocks and 18-month outlooks, while Jason relies on continuous, fluid strategic discussions driven by financial models. The conversation covers the specific role of the CEO during peak season, moving from the field to the budget office, and how to identify non-obvious growth levers like sweepstakes or wholesale expansion to diversify revenue. Finally, they compare internal communication frameworks, specifically contrasting Ridge's unique company-wide daily standups with more traditional departmental leadership cadences. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:17 - Managing Q4 Anxiety 00:16:05 - Annual Planning Timelines 00:27:12 - Prioritizing Strategic Bets 00:38:09 - Choosing Growth Levers 00:52:34 - Meeting Rhythms & Standups Powered By: Fulfil.io. https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam. https://www.northbeam.io/ Richpanel. https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc Saras. https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc Rivo. https://www.rivo.io/operators Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators Subscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 4m

  3. 10 DEC

    E143: Q4 Sales Are Wild!

    In this episode the operators break down their actual results from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, analyzing why some brands experienced record growth while others saw shifts in consumer behavior between the US and Canadian markets. They debate critical holiday strategies, such as the benefits of starting sales early versus maximizing profit during high-intent windows, and explore the theory that inflation is driving consumers back toward durable goods over expensive experiences. The discussion also covers the increasing reliance on "Buy Now, Pay Later" services, the potential risks of mounting consumer debt, and essential tactics for managing post-holiday returns and preventing e-commerce fraud. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:35 - BFCM Recap 00:18:36 - Regional Sales Trends 00:30:52 - Inflation's Impact 00:40:39 - Buy Now Pay Later 00:53:45 - Returns Management Powered By: Fulfil.io. https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam. https://www.northbeam.io/ Postscript. https://postscript.io/ Richpanel. https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc Saras. https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators Subscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 9m

  4. 3 DEC

    E142: Hedge Your Ad Spend

    The operators talk about the complexities of channel expansion, debating the strategic trade-offs between doubling down on digital ads versus pushing into physical retail. They discuss how pricing power acts as a form of marketing and why a $30 customer acquisition cost is becoming the floor for most brands. The conversation also explores the nuances of brand versus performance marketing, the hidden risks of international expansion into Europe compared to the US market, and how AI is reshaping creative production while potentially accelerating "peak screen time" and changing consumer behavior. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:28 - Channel Expansion Strategy 00:22:51 - Measuring Marketing ROI 00:42:22 - Managing Complexity in Channel Expansion 00:55:02 - The $30 CAC Floor 01:09:37 - AI's Impact on Brand Authenticity Powered By: Fulfil.io. https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam. https://www.northbeam.io/ Richpanel. https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc Saras. https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc Rivo. https://www.rivo.io/operators Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators Subscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 25m

  5. 26 NOV

    E141: Cash Flow Keeps Us Rich

    In this episode, the operators discuss the financial realities of scaling an e-commerce brand, discussing the discipline required to manage cash flow and the strategic decision-making behind reinvesting profits versus taking distributions. They explore the critical timeline for when a business can realistically generate free cash flow, debating the merits of allocating capital toward inventory, product development or team expansion. The conversation also covers advanced financial strategies like dividend recaps, the "Rule of 40" for measuring growth against profitability, and personal approaches to managing wealth and generational assets once liquidity is achieved. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:48 - Managing Cash Flow and Reinvesting for Growth 00:25:53 - Using Debt and Dividend Recaps for Liquidity 00:39:31 - Determining Cash Targets and EBITDA Margins 00:53:18 - Managing Personal Wealth and Generational Assets 01:05:30 - Understanding the Rule of 40 and P&L Mechanics Powered By: Fulfil.io. https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam. https://www.northbeam.io/ Postscript. https://postscript.io/ Richpanel. https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc Saras. https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators Subscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 19m

  6. 19 NOV

    E140: Black Friday Just Got Wild

    In this episode, the operators dive deep into the current holiday shopping landscape, analyzing Black Friday Cyber Monday strategies and the shifting behavior of consumers in a soft economy. They debate the merits of starting sales early versus waiting for the "Cyber Five," discuss the complexities of inventory management, and share insights on forecasting growth for 2025 and 2026. The conversation also explores the difference between "sexy" trend-based growth and durable long-term success, using case studies like Nike and On Running, before concluding with a candid discussion on the role of the CEO in prioritizing company initiatives and making high-leverage decisions Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:34 - Holiday Discounting & Consumer Sentiment 00:18:16 - Early Sales vs. Cyber Five Strategies 00:30:00 - Forecasting & Growth Targets 00:42:38 - Durable vs. "Sexy" Growth 00:54:53 - The CEO's Role & Priorities Powered By: Fulfil.io. https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam. https://www.northbeam.io/ Richpanel. https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc Saras. https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc Rivo. https://www.rivo.io/operators Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators Subscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 1m

  7. 12 NOV

    E139: The future is members only fashion brands.

    Jon Buscemi joins the podcast to discuss his journey from trend forecasting at DC Shoes to founding his iconic luxury sneaker brand. He shares the inside story of selling his brand to private equity and how their strategy to create an attainable luxury diffusion line was the "kiss of death", violating the rules of luxury pricing. Buscemi argues that fashion's monoculture is dead, replaced by micro-communities, and that social media has killed the discovery aspect of fashion. He details how his new members-only golf brand Redan, is built on scarcity and community, predicting that this "members-only" model is the future trend for fashion. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:31 - The $1000 Sneaker 00:18:00 - From DC Shoes to Tribal Fashion Trends 00:33:17 - Selling to Private Equity 00:45:14 - Networking, Signaling, & The "Members-Only" Brand 00:59:11 - Can a Monoculture Brand Still Be Built Today? Powered By: Fulfil.io. https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam. https://www.northbeam.io/ Postscript. https://postscript.io/ Richpanel. https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc Saras. https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators Subscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 12m

  8. 5 NOV

    E138: Why Winners Go Broke

    Cash is king, period. In this episode, the operators get real about why cash flow matters more than your P&L, EBITDA, or vanity revenue numbers. They share their worst "cash crunch" war stories, like pushing payroll or having to choose between buying inventory and paying taxes. To prove a hard lesson: even profitable businesses go bankrupt all the time. You'll learn the backward-sounding truth of e-commerce: rapid growth bleeds cash, while slowing down can actually fill your bank account. They get into the weeds on risky trend-based inventory, and how to get your suppliers to finance your growth by trading margin for better terms. They also cover the real cost of equity (why you should probably just take the money) and why you need a serious finance team and audits long before you ever think about selling. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:07 - Worst Cash Crunch Moments 00:18:26 - How Growth & Inventory Type Affect Cash Flow 00:34:50 - Tactical Ways to Protect Cash 00:46:26 - The Truth About Equity Financing 01:03:27 - Partnership, Paranoia, and Playing the Leverage Game Powered By: Fulfil.io. https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam. https://www.northbeam.io/ Richpanel. https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc Saras. https://bit.ly/9OP-Ytdesc Rivo. https://www.rivo.io/operators Subscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperators Subscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

    1h 17m
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About

In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The worlds biggest brands have denied its existence for years, until now. Three titans known as "Operators" are leaking the secret contents in an effort to share its wealth of knowledge with people like you.

Information

  • Creator
    OPERATORS
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    153
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © OPERATORS
  • Show Website
    OPERATORS

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