Agency Operators Podcast

Pasha Knish

Welcome to Agency Operators Podcast, your refuge from the industry buzz! Join us as we spotlight genuine experts in the agency and e-commerce service provider realm, providing a clear path through the clutter of fake gurus. Hear real stories, connect with your community, and showcase your authentic expertise. A place where agency owners share their stories and nuggets of gold they've attained through the challenges of growing brands and operating teams. Welcome to the Agency Operators Podcast!

  1. 21H AGO

    The Hidden Operational Gaps Quietly Slowing Your Agency Down – Tiara Tragas on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 81

    What’s actually slowing your agency down—and why can’t you spot it? Many agency owners assume growth problems come from weak sales or inconsistent marketing. But more often, the real issue sits inside operations—hidden in unclear systems, broken processes, and blind spots no one’s tracking. In this episode, Tiara Tragas, Founder of Tragas Consulting, shares how agencies can uncover and fix the operational gaps that quietly limit growth. You’ll learn how to identify inefficiencies, simplify your internal systems, and build operations that actually support scale—not slow it down. Packed with practical insights you can apply immediately to run a more efficient, scalable agency. About Tiara Tragas: Tiara Tragas is the Founder of Tragas Consulting, where she helps agencies improve their internal operations and streamline processes for growth. She’s known for identifying operational blind spots and building systems that make teams more efficient and scalable. “You don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to operations.” Connect with Tiara Tragas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiara-tragas-55158b1b4/ Key Discussion Topics • Why agencies misdiagnose their growth challenges • The most common operational blind spots • How to simplify systems without creating more complexity Why You Should Tune In If your agency feels harder to run than it should, this episode will help you pinpoint why. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how operations impact growth—and what to fix first to create a smoother, more scalable business. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

    21 min
  2. APR 22

    How to Get Your Brand Seen Through Entertainment – Jack Connor on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 80

    Why do some brands get remembered, while others get skipped? In this episode, I sit down with Jack Connor, CEO of Almery Group, to talk about how brands are showing up differently by becoming part of the content people already watch. This isn’t about better ads. It’s about a different approach to visibility. We’ll cover: What narrative marketing actually looks like in practiceHow brands are getting placed inside entertainment and mediaWhy traditional marketing is losing attentionWhere storytelling fits into modern brand strategyPacked with practical examples on how brands are getting seen without relying on interruption. About the Guest About Jack Connor:  Jack Connor is the CEO of Almery Group, with a background in tech and film. He works with brands to help them break into entertainment and build visibility through storytelling instead of traditional advertising. “If you want to be seen you need to be in the entertainment, not an interruption to it.” Connect with Jack Connor:  linkedin.com/in/jackconnor Key Discussion Topics • Narrative marketing and what it means for brands today • How brands are entering entertainment and media • Why interruption-based marketing is losing effectiveness Why You Should Tune In  Most brands are still competing for attention in the same places. Ads, feeds, short windows to capture interest. This episode breaks down a different path. One where brands show up inside the content people already choose to watch. If you’re thinking about how to stay relevant as attention shifts, this conversation gives you a more practical direction. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

    24 min
  3. APR 15

    How to Know When Capital Actually Drives Growth – Stephanie Khalikyar on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 79

    What actually holds most Amazon brands back—lack of capital, or how they use it? In Episode 79, we sit down with Stephanie Khalikyar, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Uncapped, who brings over a decade of experience across e-commerce M&A, agency operations, partnerships, and brand growth—with both wins and hard lessons from failures. This conversation goes beyond the usual “raise more money” narrative and gets into the real decision-making behind capital. We cover: When capital is the right lever for growth—and when it isn’tHow margin constraints quietly limit scale more than budgetThe most common financing mistakes that hurt long-term growthHow to think strategically before taking on fundingIf you’re considering capital to scale your brand, this episode will challenge how you think about it. Packed with practical insights for operators who want to grow profitably, not just faster. About the Guest About Stephanie Khalikyar: Stephanie is the Strategic Partnerships Manager at Uncapped, with 10 years of experience in e-commerce spanning M&A, agency sales and operations, mentorship, and partnerships. She’s worked closely with brands at different growth stages and is known for her practical, experience-driven perspective shaped by both successful exits and real-world failures. “You can’t fail if you bet on yourself.” Connect with Stephanie Khalikyar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-khalikyar/ Key Discussion Topics • When capital is the right choice for your brand • When your margins—not your budget—are the real bottleneck • Common financing mistakes that hurt future growth Why You Should Tune In (Persuasive Paragraph) Most brands assume more capital will fix their growth problems—but that’s rarely the full story. This episode breaks down how to evaluate capital decisions with clarity, avoid costly mistakes, and focus on what actually drives sustainable growth. If you're an Amazon operator, ecommerce leader, or founder thinking about funding, this conversation will help you make smarter, more strategic decisions.  This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

    21 min
  4. MAR 25

    How to Turn “Random Acts of Marketing” Into Aligned Growth – Mari-Liis Vaher on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 78

    Why do some brands stay busy with marketing… but still struggle to grow? It’s not a lack of effort—it’s a lack of alignment. In this episode, Mari-Liis Vaher, Founder and CEO of Powerful Marketers and author of The Greatest Marketer, shares how founders and teams can move from scattered activities to clear, aligned strategies that actually drive results. You’ll learn: — What “aligned marketing” really means in practice — A simple 5-pillar framework to connect marketing to business goals — How to improve collaboration between founders, marketers, and agencies — Practical ways to create clarity, reduce burnout, and make growth more predictable Packed with actionable strategies you can apply immediately. About Mari-Liis Vaher: Mari-Liis Vaher is the Founder and CEO of Powerful Marketers and author of The Greatest Marketer. With over 20 years in marketing and 15+ years as an entrepreneur, she helps founders and teams move from disconnected marketing efforts to clear, aligned strategies that support sustainable business growth. “No one wins alone. When marketing is aligned, everyone grows.” Connect with Mari-Liis Vaher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vahermariliis/ Key Discussion Topics • What “aligned marketing” really looks like beyond theory • The 5-pillar framework: Mindset, Strategy, Marketing, Communication, Leadership • How to create better collaboration between founders, teams, and agencies Why You Should Tune In  If your marketing feels busy but disconnected, this episode will help you fix the root problem. You’ll walk away with a clear framework to align your strategy, improve team collaboration, and turn your marketing into a system that drives consistent, predictable growth—not just more activity. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

    25 min
  5. MAR 18

    How to Successfully Expand from Amazon US to Amazon UK — Matthew Howes on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 77

    What separates brands that scale internationally with confidence from those that stall after leaving the US marketplace? In Episode 77, we’re joined by Matthew Howes, Media Strategy Director at Melody, to unpack what it truly takes for brands to transition successfully from Amazon US to Amazon UK—from strategy alignment to execution across paid media and ecommerce channels. In this episode, you’ll learn: What brands often underestimate when entering the Amazon UK marketHow media strategy must evolve when expanding beyond the USKey operational and performance considerations for a smooth transitionHow omnichannel thinking supports long-term international growthPacked with actionable insights for operators and brand leaders planning their next stage of expansion. About the Guest About Matthew Howes: Matthew Howes is the Media Strategy Director at Melody, an Amazon agency focused on scaling brands through performance-led, omnichannel strategies. His experience spans Amazon, Criteo, and ecommerce platforms, helping brands build sustainable growth across international marketplaces. Quote Section “International expansion isn’t about copying what worked in the US — it’s about adapting strategy to how each market actually buys.” Connect Links Connect with Matthew Howes: 🔗 www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-howes-357838151 Key Discussion Topics • The biggest differences between Amazon US and Amazon UK • Media strategy shifts required for international expansion • Common mistakes brands make when launching in the UK • Building an omnichannel growth framework beyond one marketplace Why You Should Tune In If you’re an Amazon brand already performing in the US and considering international expansion, this episode provides a clear roadmap for what to do—and what to avoid. Matthew shares practical insights grounded in real-world execution, making this a must-listen for operators, founders, and marketers who want to expand globally without sacrificing efficiency or profitability. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

    22 min
  6. MAR 4

    How to Build & Scale TikTok Shop the Right Way – Tommy Lynch on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 76

    Why are some brands quietly printing revenue on TikTok Shop while others struggle to make a single sale? In Episode 76, we sit down with Tommy Lynch, Founder of Cult Content, who has generated over 100 million views and more than $500K in GMV through TikTok Shop systems that actually convert. This isn’t about going viral. It’s about building infrastructure. In this episode, we break down: — How to structure TikTok Shop operations for sustainable scale — What separates high-performing short-form video from content that just gets views — How to recruit and manage affiliates that consistently drive revenue — The backend systems most brands overlook Packed with actionable strategies for operators and brand owners ready to treat TikTok Shop like a real growth channel — not a trend. About the Guest  About Tommy Lynch: Tommy Lynch is the Founder of Cult Content and a TikTok Shop growth specialist obsessed with building scalable content ecosystems. He has generated over 100M views and half a million in GMV by combining short-form video strategy, affiliate systems, and operational execution for impact-driven brands. Quote Section “True change happens when you stop reacting to the environment and start creating from within.” — Dr. Joe Dispenza Connect Links Connect with Tommy Lynch: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-lynch-236baa253/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommy.lynch_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tommylynch_ Key Discussion Topics • TikTok Shop Operations — building backend systems that scale • Short Video Management — turning content into consistent conversions • Affiliate Management — activating creators that drive real GMV Why You Should Tune In If you’re an Amazon seller, brand owner, or agency operator looking at TikTok Shop but unsure how to execute — this episode gives you the operational blueprint. You’ll walk away understanding how to move beyond random posting and build a structured content and affiliate machine that drives measurable revenue. This is tactical, execution-focused insight from someone actively doing the work. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

    23 min

About

Welcome to Agency Operators Podcast, your refuge from the industry buzz! Join us as we spotlight genuine experts in the agency and e-commerce service provider realm, providing a clear path through the clutter of fake gurus. Hear real stories, connect with your community, and showcase your authentic expertise. A place where agency owners share their stories and nuggets of gold they've attained through the challenges of growing brands and operating teams. Welcome to the Agency Operators Podcast!