Stay Hungry

Matthew Malan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Business
  • Updated Daily

I sit down with people actually building in ecommerce — brand owners, agency operators, dropshippers, SaaS founders. Real stories from people in the trenches.

  1. Sep 3

    20 Downloads a Month. 5 Clients. Here's How | Nathalie Doremieux

    #podcastmarketing #leadgeneration #contentstrategy Most podcast hosts have no idea if their show is actually bringing in business. Nathalie Dorémieux hit that wall herself, and it's what pushed her to build a whole system around it. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Nathalie, creator of Podcast Lead Flow and Article Lead Flow, to talk about why she shut down her own successful podcast after 137 episodes when she couldn't tie it to results, and how that led to building tools that turn podcast episodes and articles into real lead generators. They cover the difference between a podcast built for downloads versus one built for leads, why she calls certain episodes "asset episodes," how to sell without feeling salesy, and her lean, one-platform-at-a-time approach to content and networking. If you have a podcast or content strategy and you're not sure it's actually growing your business, this conversation will change how you think about it. Key Takeaways A podcast is a tool, not a business or a strategy on its own. Decide upfront whether it's for downloads and sponsors, or for leads and clients. "Asset episodes" are built specifically to speak to a listener's pain point and give them a clear next step, and they can keep generating leads for months. Too many calls to action (follow, review, subscribe, check the show notes) usually means none of them convert. One focused call to action works better. Reframe selling as being of service: share the problem and the solution, and let people opt in on their own instead of chasing them. Retention comes down to delivering real results and staying proactive about the new problems that come up after you solve the first one. Growing a team should be tied to real ROI, not growth for its own sake. A new hire should be able to justify their own cost.About the GuestNathalie Dorémieux has spent 20 years running online businesses with her husband, including the Membership Lab, which has helped over 300 people build recurring income through membership sites. She's the creator of Podcast Lead Flow and Article Lead Flow, systems that help podcasters and content creators turn their content into qualified leads. ConnectWebsite: podcastleadflow.com/matthew #podcastmarketing #leadgeneration #contentstrategy #podcasting #onlinebusiness

    20 Downloads a Month. 5 Clients. Here's How | Nathalie Doremieux

  2. Sep 3

    The Man Behind Your Favorite Celebrity Brands | Paul Shrater

    #amazonfba #ecommerceagency #brandgrowth Most agencies say they'll "monitor" a problem on Amazon and let it sit for weeks. Joshua Lee built his whole agency around fixing that. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Joshua, founder and CEO of First Flight Studios, to trace his path from buying and reselling on eBay as a kid, through a risky first private label launch (5,000 units sitting in his apartment), corporate e-commerce roles, and finally building an agency focused specifically on legacy brands trying to crack e-commerce. They cover the real risk of over-ordering inventory, how they screen and test new hires before ever committing, why a 90-day trial period protects both sides of a client relationship, and the common operational problems (MAP violations, listing issues, stock outs) that most agencies let drag on for weeks instead of days. If you sell physical products or run a brand trying to figure out Amazon, this one's packed with hard-earned lessons. Key Takeaways Order the smallest test batch possible when launching a new product. Joshua's first big lesson came from over-ordering 5,000 units of an unproven product. Search volume is one of the clearest signals of real demand before committing money to inventory. Cost of customer acquisition applies to physical retail products, not just digital ones, and needs to be baked into pricing from day one. Culture and value fit are non-negotiable in hiring, but performance issues deserve real coaching if someone is showing genuine effort. A 90-day trial period lets both sides test a working relationship honestly before committing to a longer contract. Most problems on Amazon (MAP violations, listing issues, buy box problems) are fixable, but most agencies are too slow and manual to resolve them quickly.About the GuestJoshua Lee is the founder and CEO of First Flight Studios, an Amazon and e-commerce growth agency that has helped brands grow to over $100 million in revenue. He focuses specifically on legacy, already-trusted brands looking to build a lasting e-commerce presence. ConnectInstagram, LinkedIn: @onejoshualee #amazonfba #ecommerceagency #brandgrowth #amazonseller #productlaunch

    The Man Behind Your Favorite Celebrity Brands | Paul Shrater

  3. Sep 2

    I Grow Brands Past $100 Million on Amazon | Joshua Lee

    #amazonfba #ecommerceagency #brandgrowth Most agencies say they'll "monitor" a problem on Amazon and let it sit for weeks. Joshua Lee built his whole agency around fixing that. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Joshua, founder and CEO of First Flight Studios, to trace his path from buying and reselling on eBay as a kid, through a risky first private label launch (5,000 units sitting in his apartment), corporate e-commerce roles, and finally building an agency focused specifically on legacy brands trying to crack e-commerce. They cover the real risk of over-ordering inventory, how they screen and test new hires before ever committing, why a 90-day trial period protects both sides of a client relationship, and the common operational problems (MAP violations, listing issues, stock outs) that most agencies let drag on for weeks instead of days. If you sell physical products or run a brand trying to figure out Amazon, this one's packed with hard-earned lessons. Key Takeaways Order the smallest test batch possible when launching a new product. Joshua's first big lesson came from over-ordering 5,000 units of an unproven product. Search volume is one of the clearest signals of real demand before committing money to inventory. Cost of customer acquisition applies to physical retail products, not just digital ones, and needs to be baked into pricing from day one. Culture and value fit are non-negotiable in hiring, but performance issues deserve real coaching if someone is showing genuine effort. A 90-day trial period lets both sides test a working relationship honestly before committing to a longer contract. Most problems on Amazon (MAP violations, listing issues, buy box problems) are fixable, but most agencies are too slow and manual to resolve them quickly.About the GuestJoshua Lee is the founder and CEO of First Flight Studios, an Amazon and e-commerce growth agency that has helped brands grow to over $100 million in revenue. He focuses specifically on legacy, already-trusted brands looking to build a lasting e-commerce presence. ConnectInstagram, LinkedIn: @onejoshualee #amazonfba #ecommerceagency #brandgrowth #amazonseller #productlaunch

    I Grow Brands Past $100 Million on Amazon | Joshua Lee

  4. Sep 1

    He Lost His Job and Started a Warehouse Empire | Dave Gulas

    #3PL #ecommercefulfillment #warehousing Most people think of a 3PL as a pure logistics operation, but Dave Gulas built his around a completely different idea: treat fulfillment like a high-touch pharma sales relationship. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Dave, co-founder of Easy DC 3PL, to talk about leaving a 20-year pharmaceutical sales career after his company abruptly shut down, and turning frustration with big-box 3PLs into his own warehouse and fulfillment company. They cover the early mistakes of trying to do too much with too little, learning to say no to the wrong customers, how content creation and his own podcast became unexpected growth engines, and how to know when an e-commerce brand is actually ready to outsource fulfillment. If you run an e-commerce brand and are wondering whether (or when) to bring in a 3PL, this conversation lays it out clearly. Key Takeaways Relationships and high-touch customer service: Lessons from a cutthroat pharma industry translated directly into differentiating a 3PL in a crowded market. Early mistakes get expensive: Chasing every deal and taking on the wrong customers can be costly. Get clear on who you serve and who you don't as early as possible. Bring in experienced operational talent: Actually listening to experienced operators instead of just chasing the sale changes the quality of customers you take on. Customer retention: In the 3PL space, retention comes down to owning mistakes fast, over-communicating, and treating the relationship as a true two-way partnership. Content and personal branding matter: Even in traditionally old-school B2B industries, content can be a powerful growth engine. Dave went from never posting to running a podcast with over 300 episodes. Don't outsource fulfillment too early: If you don't have the order volume yet, outsourcing fulfillment usually costs more than it's worth.About the GuestDave Gulas spent 20 years in medical and pharmaceutical sales before co-founding Easy DC 3PL, a fulfillment company built around a high-touch, relationship-driven approach to e-commerce logistics. He also hosts the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, where he's interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs. Connect LinkedIn: Dave Gulas Website: easydc3pl.com Podcast: Beyond Fulfillment Podcast (YouTube and podcast platforms)#3PL #ecommercefulfillment #warehousing #entrepreneurship #logistics

    He Lost His Job and Started a Warehouse Empire | Dave Gulas

  5. Aug 31

    I Started My Fourth Company at 70 | Bob Labbe

    #productinvention #manufacturing #familybusiness A stained silk tie at his daughter's house turned into a full-blown consumer product business. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Bob Labbe, a 55-year engineer and founder of three air pollution control companies, who used his engineering background to invent the Ultimate Drink Coaster after years of frustration with coasters that just don't work. They cover how he went from idea to patent to manufacturing, the tricky decision between Chinese and US production once tariffs hit, how the business pivoted into promotional and branded coasters for companies and charities, why he's running the company as a family team with his daughter and son-in-law at the helm, and whether licensing the product internationally could be the smartest next move. If you've ever had a great idea for a physical product and wondered what it actually takes to bring it to market, this one walks through the whole process. Key Takeaways A specific, personal frustration (a coaster that keeps sticking or spilling) can be the starting point for a patentable, engineered solution. Getting from idea to patent pending can move fast with the right team: Bob went from a hand-drawn concept to a patent pending status in about five months. Manufacturing decisions aren't permanent. Rising tariffs pushed the business from Chinese to competitively priced US manufacturing. Selling branded, promotional versions of a product to companies, sports teams, and charities can open up revenue streams beyond direct consumer sales. Licensing internationally (in exchange for a smaller margin) can let a small team keep the business at a manageable scale while still capturing global demand. Growth is often logarithmic. Slow and shallow at first, but it compounds if you stick with consistent trade shows, social media, and word of mouth.About the GuestBob Labbe is a 55-year engineer who built and sold three air pollution control companies before inventing the Ultimate Drink Coaster, a patented coaster designed to actually stop condensate from spilling. He now serves as the inventor and spokesperson for the family-run business, which his daughter and son-in-law operate day to day. Connect Website: ultimatecoasterco.com Phone: 314-691-2669#productinvention #manufacturing #familybusiness #patentprocess #smallbusiness

    I Started My Fourth Company at 70 | Bob Labbe

  6. Aug 30

    SEO Is Dead. Here's What Replaced It | Ashley Smith

    Google is now an AI search engine, and most professionals have no idea how that changes whether people can actually find them. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Ashley Smith, founder of Show Your Proof and creator of the PROOF Framework, to talk about her pivot from 18 years in real estate to helping people (especially older, established professionals) become discoverable through AI search. They cover why traditional SEO tactics are losing power, how AI search tools decide who looks credible and trustworthy, the PROOF framework for building an authoritative online presence, and simple ways busy professionals can turn everyday conversations into content without becoming a full-time creator. If you've ever wondered what shows up when someone Googles you, or asks ChatGPT about you, this conversation will change how you think about your online footprint. Key Takeaways Google has become an AI-powered search engine, so ranking well the old way doesn't guarantee you show up in AI-generated answers and recommendations. AI search tools reward original, first-person expertise, not recycled or purely AI-generated content with nothing new added. The PROOF framework: Position (know and declare your specific expertise), Record (document it), Original (bring your own voice and nuance), Optimized, and Flywheel (repurpose and collaborate to compound your visibility). Being invisible online doesn't mean being unsuccessful. Many established professionals just haven't documented their expertise anywhere AI can access it. Podcasting, even informal Zoom conversations with a colleague, is one of the most underrated tools for building AI visibility because it captures real, original expertise. A simple two-minute test: search your own name in an incognito browser and see what the AI summary says about you.About the GuestAshley Smith spent 18 years in real estate before pivoting to help professionals become discoverable through AI and SEO. She's the founder of Show Your Proof and creator of the PROOF Framework, working primarily with established but under-the-radar experts who want to build real online authority. Connect Social media: @AshleySmithNow Website: showyourproof.co

    SEO Is Dead. Here's What Replaced It | Ashley Smith

  7. Aug 29

    I Sold My Pool Company for 7 Figures at 28 | Dallin Huso

    #homeservices #businesscoaching #entrepreneurship Most 21-year-olds are still figuring out college. Dallin Husso built a pool maintenance company from three clients (his parents, grandma, and in-laws) to over fifteen staff and five hundred accounts, then sold it and pivoted to coaching other home service business owners. In this episode, Matthew talks with him about the organic marketing strategies that got his business off the ground with zero budget, the seven-step framework he now teaches for scaling home service companies, how to hire and fire well (including the "three strikes" process), why he sold a business he loved, and what his ninety-day coaching model actually looks like. If you run a home service or local business and want a clear roadmap for growth, this one's loaded with practical steps. Key Takeaways Growth should follow a sequence: protect your time first, then build marketing foundations, set up a CRM, push organic marketing, refine sales, then hire. Your unique value proposition should shift as you grow. Being the owner who shows up personally works when you're small, but systems and dedicated staff become the selling point as you scale. Build company culture before your first hire so it filters people in or out from day one. A clear three-step warning process (verbal, written, final) makes it easier to let go of underperforming employees without endless procrastination. A business with real systems in place sells for more, since buyers don't want to feel like they're "just buying a job." Having a mentor or coach with direct experience can save years of trial and error compared to figuring everything out alone.About the GuestDallin Husso started a pool maintenance company at 21 with just three clients and grew it to over fifteen staff and five hundred accounts before selling it. He now runs a coaching business helping home service business owners grow their sales, systems, and culture. Connect Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: Grow with Dallin Website: coaching.dallinhuso.com#homeservices #businesscoaching #entrepreneurship #smallbusinessgrowth #salestips

    I Sold My Pool Company for 7 Figures at 28 | Dallin Huso

  8. Aug 28

    Most Supplements Are a Scam | Carl Pradelli

    ```html#supplementindustry #ecommerce #entrepreneurship Most supplement companies are chasing whatever ingredient is trending on social media. Nature City has spent over 20 years doing the opposite. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Carl Pradelli, co-founder and CEO of Nature City, to talk about leaving a 12-year investment banking career to start a supplement company with his wife, why they only use branded, scientifically studied ingredients, how their sleep product True Z works with the body instead of just knocking you out, and the marketing and customer lifetime value lessons that have kept the business alive through massive shifts from catalog mail to digital and now AI. They also get into what it's really like running a business with your spouse, and why passion is what gets you through the hard days. If you're building a consumer brand for the long haul, this one's packed with hard-won lessons. Key Takeaways The supplement industry is regulated in how products are made and what claims can be made, it just doesn't require pre-market approval, which is where a lot of confusion (and scams) come from. Nature City only uses branded, clinically studied ingredients rather than chasing trending or celebrity-hyped ingredients. Their sleep product addresses three separate problems (daytime overstimulation, cortisol/stress, and circadian rhythm) instead of just sedating you. A generous money-back guarantee actually increases customer lifetime value by encouraging people to buy multiple bottles and stick with a product long enough to see results. Chasing the lowest customer acquisition cost can backfire. A more expensive but better-matched customer often spends far more over time. Businesses that last decades usually have to reinvent themselves multiple times as markets and technology shift, catalog to digital being Nature City's biggest transition. Running a business with your spouse means setting real boundaries between work and personal life, or the business consumes everything.About the GuestCarl Pradelli is the co-founder and CEO of Nature City, a premium supplement company he started with his wife over 20 years ago after a 12-year career in investment banking. Nature City focuses on branded, scientifically studied ingredients and also runs an educational podcast on how to shop for supplements. Connect Website: NHCC.com Nature City podcast#supplementindustry #ecommerce #entrepreneurship #sleepscience #familybusiness ```

    Most Supplements Are a Scam | Carl Pradelli
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5
out of 5
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About

I sit down with people actually building in ecommerce — brand owners, agency operators, dropshippers, SaaS founders. Real stories from people in the trenches.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Malan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matthew Malan
  • Show Website
    Stay Hungry