Ecomm Breakthrough

Josh Hadley

Unlock the full potential and growth in your business. Join Josh Hadley, a successful 8-figure e-com business owner and investor as he interviews highly successful CEOs and business owners who share specific actions you can take today to help your business reach its full potential and leave a lasting impact on the world. Whether you sell on Amazon FBA, Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Walmart, ClickFunnels, or Etsy you'll learn what is working for the most successful business leaders in eCommerce. Each eCom breakthrough episode is filled with strategies you can implement to help you scale to 8 figures and beyond. Here's a small list of the topics we will cover: - How to find new products to sell - How to find good manufacturers - How to manage cash flow - Inventory management (shipping & logistics) - Optimizing sales pages for conversion - How to successfully launch a new product on Amazon.com - Product ranking & optimization - Amazon PPC management - Implementing business operating systems - Driving external traffic to Amazon - Preparing to exit - How to hire and build a team with A-Level talent - Leadership skills

  1. 5h ago

    Top 9 Lessons Learned After 10 Years in E-Commerce

    In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley shares nine vital lessons from over a decade of e-commerce experience, having scaled his own brand from zero to eight figures. He covers key topics including the difference between opportunistic selling and true brand-building, the importance of hiring top talent, Amazon's continued dominance, the challenges of omnichannel selling, cash conversion cycles, and return on invested capital. Josh also warns against comparing yourself to other brands. He closes with a bonus lesson reminding entrepreneurs that family and relationships ultimately matter more than business success. Bullet Points: Key differences between building a brand and opportunistic selling in e-commerce.Importance of hiring talented individuals for business growth and success.The dominance of Amazon in the e-commerce landscape and strategies for leveraging it.Challenges associated with building an omnichannel brand across various platforms.Significance of having a sustainable business money model, including customer retention strategies.Necessity of active management and adaptability in the fast-paced e-commerce environment.Understanding and optimizing return on invested capital (ROIC) for financial health.Dangers of comparing one's business to others and focusing on personal growth instead.Importance of cash conversion cycle in scaling an e-commerce business effectively.Emphasis on prioritizing family and relationships over business achievements for personal fulfillment.Timestamps: 00:00:54 Lesson 1: Brand Building vs. Opportunistic SellingDefining the difference between building a true brand with a customer journey versus being an opportunistic arbitrage seller on Amazon. 00:06:43 Lesson 2: The Best ROI is PeopleHiring talented people who are smarter than you provides the greatest return on investment and leverage in your business. 00:09:21 Lesson 3: Amazon is Still KingAmazon will continue to dominate e-commerce, so entrepreneurs should lean into its strengths rather than trying to diversify away completely. 00:11:42 Lesson 4: The Difficulty of Building an Omnichannel BrandBuilding a successful omnichannel brand is extremely difficult because each platform (Amazon, Shopify, TikTok) requires a completely different skillset. 00:14:49 Lesson 5: The Importance of the Money ModelA business model with compounding customers, like subscriptions, is ten times easier to scale than one focused on front-end acquisition. 00:18:17 Lesson 6: Active Management and Adaptability are RequiredE-commerce is not a "set it and forget it" business; it requires constant learning, adaptation, and active management to succeed. 00:21:13 Lesson 7: Understanding Return on Invested CapitalKnowing your return on invested capital is a critical, yet often overlooked, metric for making smart inventory and business decisions. 00:25:02 Lesson 8: Avoid Harmful ComparisonsComparing your brand to others is damaging because you don't know the financial reality or unique circumstances behind their success. 00:29:39 Lesson 9: Cash Conversion Cycle is EverythingThe time it takes to get your capital back after investing in inventory is the key constraint to scaling an e-commerce business. 00:35:57 Bonus Lesson: Family and Relationships Matter MostThe greatest fulfillment in life comes from family and relationships, not from the money or success achieved in business. Links and Mentions: Tools and Websites"Amazon": "00:00:00""Shopify": "00:00:00""TikTok Shop": "00:00:00""FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)": "00:10:48""AWS (Amazon Web Services)": "00:10:48""Meta (Facebook/Instagram)": "00:12:49" Podcasts and Videos"Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast": "00:00:00""Podcast on Building a Brand": "00:04:48""Podcast on Cash Conversion Cycle": "00:34:39" Summary of Lessons"Opportunistic Selling vs. Building a Brand": "00:00:54""People Over Everything": "00:07:51""Amazon's Dominance": "00:09:49""Omnichannel Challenges": "00:11:42""Compounding Customer Base": "00:15:55""Active Management": "00:19:04""Return on Invested Capital": "00:22:14""Avoiding Comparisons": "00:25:02""Cash Conversion Cycle": "00:29:39" Bonus Lesson"Family and Relationships": "00:36:32" Transcript: Josh Hadley 00:00:00 Today, I'm going to share with you the top nine vital lessons that I have learned while selling in the e-commerce space for over a decade. Welcome to the Econ Breakthrough Podcast! I'm Josh Hadley. I've scaled my own ecommerce brand from 0 to 8 figures, and I'm actively building towards nine figures in sales. This podcast is where I document that journey and share the systems, the strategies, and the lessons learned in real time so that you can learn what actually matters and scale your own business. My name is Josh Hadley. First and foremost, I'm a man of faith. I'm a husband to a beautiful wife and the father of four children. I've been selling in the e-commerce space for over a decade, doing over $20 million in annual revenue and selling multi-millionaire on channels such as Amazon, Shopify and TikTok. Shop. And last but not least, I am also the host to the number one business strategy podcast for eCommerce entrepreneurs, which is E-com breakthrough. As we dive in today, I'm going to be sharing with you the top nine lessons that I have learned that I wish I would have known and had. Josh Hadley 00:00:54  These lessons kind of taught to me prior to starting in the e-commerce space over a decade ago. These are going to go in ascending order. And so when we get to number nine, this is what I believe is one of the biggest lessons that I learned and the biggest lesson that I wish I would have understood. And the biggest thing that I'm trying to communicate to anyone that is starting in the e-commerce space here, brand new today. So here's lesson number one. Lesson number one is defining the difference between an opportunistic e-commerce opportunity versus actually building a brand. Those are two very, very different things. And honestly, in the number of conferences that I go t...

  2. 1d ago

    Throwback: E-Commerce Growth 101 - Keyword Research and Competitor Insights

    In this episode, host Josh interviews Eric Kooymans, an online marketing expert with 18 years of experience. Eric shares actionable strategies for e-commerce growth, including in-depth keyword research, competitor and paid ad analysis, and cost per acquisition estimation. He emphasizes the importance of product bundling, expanding sales channels, and leveraging tools like SEMrush and Facebook Ad Library. Eric offers practical tips on using Google and Facebook Shopping integrations and provides advice for building sustainable, scalable e-commerce brands that attract long-term investment. Chapters: Introduction to Eric Kooymans and His Expertise (00:00:00)Eric’s background, experience, and notable clients in e-commerce and online marketing. Starting a Growth Strategy: Self-Audit & Audience Analysis (00:01:34)Initial steps for developing a growth plan: self-audit, understanding target audience, and identifying customer problems. Keyword Research and Demand Analysis (00:02:05)Using tools like Keyword Keg, SEMrush, and Google Keyword Planner to analyze search volume, demand, and seasonal trends. Building a Demand Growth Strategy (00:02:56)Translating keyword research into a demand-driven business strategy, considering seasonality and cost per acquisition. Evaluating Cost per Acquisition and Product Bundling (00:03:52)Assessing average order value, cost per acquisition, and the importance of bundling products for profitability. Keyword Research Tools and Competitor Analysis (00:04:41)Comparing keyword research tools and introducing competitor analysis using SEMrush for deeper market insights. Deep Dive into Competitor Analysis (00:05:36)How to audit competitors, analyze their strengths, weaknesses, and identify cost-effective keyword opportunities. Paid Advertising and Ad Analysis (00:06:52)Conducting paid ad research using SEMrush, SpyFu, and Facebook Ad Library to understand competitors’ ad strategies. Estimating Cost per Acquisition with Industry Data (00:08:50)Using WordStream and industry benchmarks to estimate cost per acquisition and conversion rates before launching campaigns. Optimizing Product Assortment and Bundling (00:11:24)Developing product bundles and assortments that increase average order value and align with customer passion. Actionable Takeaway 1: Activate Shopping Channels (00:12:37)Quick win: Turn on Google Shopping, Facebook Shopping, and use plugins to expand product reach. Actionable Takeaway 2: Focus on Product Bundles (00:13:49)Group winning products into bundles or seasonal packages to improve ad ROI and scale growth. Actionable Takeaway 3: Expand to New Marketplaces (00:14:44)Leverage platforms like Faire and other marketplaces to increase exposure and test new channels with bestsellers. Closing Remarks and Resources (00:15:58)Eric thanks the host, offers to answer questions, and mentions show notes with additional resources. Links and Mentions: Keyword Keg: "00:02:05"  SEMrush: "00:02:05"  Google Keyword Planner: "00:02:05"  SpyFu: "00:07:14"  Facebook Ads Library: "00:07:14"  WordStream: "00:09:48"  Sales and Orders: "00:13:19"  Transcript: Josh 00:00:00  Today I am super excited to introduce you to Eric Kooymans. Eric is an online marketing expert with over 18 years of experience in e-commerce development, search engine optimization, Facebook ads, influencer marketing and much more. With a portfolio boasting over 180 different companies including the American Cancer Society, passion, passion, City Church and Chris Tomlin. Eric's specialties include WordPress, Shopify and Magento e-commerce, as well as various marketing automation tools like Activecampaign and HubSpot. Get ready to learn from the best of in this business on today's podcast. So with that introduction, welcome to the show, Eric. Eric 00:00:42  Thank you for having me. I appreciate your time. Josh 00:00:44  Every single listener is going to want to hear, like, what are those growth strategies that you implement? Right? What are those the tactical things that you do that help diversify, provide comfort. But I think it's not even just the aspect of diversification. I think it is building a comprehensive brand that private equity truly would be hungry to acquire, right? Because they don't just see you as a fly by night Amazon seller. Josh 00:01:14  You had success on that, but you can't repeat that success anywhere else. so Eric, let's let's dive into those strategies. Somebody comes to you, you know, how do you work them or how do you start to develop that 6 to 24 month, you know, growth strategy? I guess ramp up for them. Eric 00:01:34  Sounds good. Yeah. So the first off, before we do it, we basically have we want to ask the basic questions and we kind of we normally have a little questionnaire that we have that we'll provide in the show notes. But the big question that you always want to kind of do a kind of little self audit. And we need to be able to understand, you know, who you are, who is the target audience? You know, what specifically is their problem or what are they looking for? Like what's their big, you know, when they're looking for your products? Kind of. What is that? What are we think of that is kind of what's the keywords, what's the what's the the symptom or the problem that they're having. Eric 00:02:05  And then with that, also, when it comes to the types of gifts or ways that this product could be used in, if it were to be a, a type of a gift or a, you know, holiday type thing. We put together all the different audiences and we do what we call the keyword research around that. And that's basically using cool tools like, keyword keg. there's also, SEMrush. There's also Google, Keyword Planner, but these are tools that we put it in there. And that basically tells us over the last 12 months what is the search volume and not just what we think we want to offer, but what are all the other things that we never thought of. And from there, we're then able to kind of have a lay of the land of what's the demand? Then we put together what we call the demand growth strategy, which basically is a how do we build our business around where the opportunity is. We don't want to just go buy a whole bunch of products and hope it works. Eric 00:02:56  We actually have to plan for it. And so the way that we do that is, is we understand what's the demand and what how many people are searching for what. And then and that's not just only at what times of the year as well, because you want to know what our seasonal business is. And if you have something that's big and and at Christmas time, well, how do you get busy in the summertime? You know, how do you not have the slow months? And how do you build products in a company around a sustainable growth strategy with that? And so we really kind of look at the seasonal trends. and then lastly, when you look at the keyword research, we're then able to understand what's the average cost per click and, and what the key thing to note is that is that if we were to go say, let's go do this, let's go and put together, a strategy, what is the average cost per acquisition? And those are the things that really allow us to say, hey,...

  3. 3d ago

    The Shopify Playbook: How Brands Are Scaling from 6 to 8 Figures

    Joe Putnam is the founder of Conversion Engine, Conversion Engine is an eCommerce performance marketing agency that has helped Shopify stores scale from six figures to eight figures in as little as 12 months. With a background in direct-response copywriting and growth strategy, Joe specializes in crafting Meta ads, Google campaigns, and retention strategies that actually convert. He’s helped brands like Bogey Bros, No Rivals, Salt Mafia, and Back Down South Clothing Co unlock rapid growth, including scaling one store from $650k to $10M in a single year. Joe is passionate about demystifying marketing for entrepreneurs, sharing frameworks and real case studies that help brands build sustainable growth instead of chasing quick wins.  When he’s not helping brands scale, you’ll find him training for triathlons, exploring the outdoors, or investing in the next wave of business growth opportunities. Highlight Bullets > Here’s a glimpse of what you would learn….  Strategies for scaling e-commerce businesses from six to eight figures.The importance of bold branding that takes risks and appeals to ideal customers.Insights on the evolving landscape of Meta (Facebook) advertising and its impact on ad performance.The significance of creative diversity in ad campaigns, especially after Meta's Andromeda update.The necessity of understanding financial metrics, such as breakeven ROAS and contribution margins, for informed scaling decisions.The role of emotional storytelling in advertising and its effect on consumer purchasing behavior.The integration of AI tools in marketing processes and the importance of human oversight in utilizing AI-generated content.The need for brands to establish a clear growth strategy and a strong brand identity.The value of retention marketing and creating cohesive customer experiences for long-term loyalty.Case studies illustrating successful scaling strategies and the importance of data-driven insights in marketing.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Joe Putnam, founder of Conversion Engine, about scaling Shopify brands from six to eight figures. Joe shares advanced strategies for e-commerce growth, including bold branding, creative diversity in Meta ads, and leveraging AI for customer insights. He emphasizes the importance of emotional storytelling, data-driven decision-making, and retention marketing. The discussion features actionable advice, real-world case studies, and tools for understanding customer psychology, offering listeners a practical roadmap to achieve rapid and sustainable e-commerce growth. Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode: Choose Your Growth Strategy EarlyDecide whether you’ll prioritize aggressive growth (even at lower margins) or profitable customer acquisition from day one. You can’t do both—pick one strategy and track your numbers closely.Take a Clear, Polarizing Brand StandDefine the “hill you’re willing to die on.” Stand firmly for a specific belief or value so your brand resonates emotionally and your ad creative doesn’t try to appeal to everyone.Focus on Retention, Not Just AcquisitionBuild a real brand by creating repeat customer experiences across multiple products. The goal is to deepen trust and increase lifetime value—not just drive one-time sales.Timestamps: 00:00:00 Branding That Stands OutJoe discusses the importance of bold branding, taking risks, and not trying to please everyone. 00:00:18 Podcast Introduction & Guest BackgroundIntroduction to the Ecom Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley, and guest Joe Putnam’s credentials. 00:00:32 Scaling Shopify Brands: The MissionJosh shares his journey and introduces Joe’s expertise in scaling Shopify stores from six to eight figures. 00:01:57 Welcome & Episode FocusJoe is welcomed; the episode’s focus on strategies for seven-figure e-commerce sellers is introduced. 00:02:25 Meta Ad Creative & 2026 TrendsJoe highlights the importance of ad creative for Meta campaigns and adapting to recent changes. 00:03:07 Meta’s Andromeda Update & Creative DiversityDiscussion of Meta’s Andromeda update and the need for diverse ad creatives and angles. 00:04:41 Implementing Creative DiversityJoe explains how his agency researches and implements diverse ad angles to target different buyer personas. 00:05:35 Stitch Fix Example: Ad Angles in PracticeJoe uses Stitch Fix to illustrate the power of multiple creative angles in ad campaigns. 00:08:34 Case Study: Scaling a Six-Figure BrandJosh asks about rapid growth case studies; Joe details how a six-figure brand scaled to eight figures in 12 months. 00:11:58 Profitability & Retention StrategiesDiscussion on front-end profitability, launching email/SMS, and the impact of retention marketing. 00:12:46 Scaling Ad Spend & Knowing Your NumbersChallenges of scaling ad spend, understanding total addressable market, and the importance of knowing financial metrics. 00:16:13 Creative Strategy for ScalingJoe explains the importance of strategic, research-driven creative rather than just increasing ad volume. 00:17:09 Lightning Rod Strategy & Viral ProductsJoe describes using controversial products to drive engagement and lower ad costs. 00:19:17 Consumer Psychology & Emotional StorytellingThe importance of understanding customer psychographics and emotional storytelling in ad strategy. 00:21:30 Brand DNA & Emotional MessagingJoe discusses brand DNA research and customer sentiment analysis to create emotionally resonant ads. 00:22:20 Case Study: Country Lifestyle BrandA case study on using emotional storytelling to scale a country lifestyle brand rapidly. 00:24:29 Branding, Trust, and Competing on AmazonJosh and Joe discuss building brand trust to compete against overseas knockoffs, especially on Amazon. 00:27:56 Emotional Connection & Customer InsightsThe role of emotional connection in branding and tools for understanding customer psychographics. 00:28:24 Customer Sentiment Analysis ProcessJoe outlines his process for analyzing customer reviews and Reddit posts to inform ad angles and messaging. 00:29:38 Selling Through Ads & CopywritingThe importance of ads that sell, matching copy length to product complexity, and leveraging emotional triggers. 00:31:49 AI in Marketing & CopywritingDiscussion on how Joe’s agency uses AI (ChatGPT, Claude) for sentiment analysis, copywriting, and process optimization. 00:35:30 AI Best Practices & Data IntegrationJosh and Joe discuss the importance of feeding AI accurate data and integrating it with business metrics. 00:36:25 Three Actionable TakeawaysJosh summarizes three key takeaways: strategy selection, having a brand “hill to die on,” and building retention-focused brands. 00:39:33 Bonus Takeaway: Customer-Driven CreativeJoe adds the importance of basing creative decisions on real customer insights and research. 00:40:06 Rapid-Fire Questions: Book, AI Tool, InfluencersJoe shares his most influential book, favorite AI tool, and under-the-radar e-commerce experts to follow. 00:43:22 Where to Connect with Joe PutnamJoe shares where listeners can find him online and learn more about Conversion Engine. 00:43:48 Podcast ClosingPodcast outro and call to subscribe and leave a revi...

  4. Aug 13

    How to Build a Brand People Actually Care About (Step by Step)

    In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley, an ecommerce entrepreneur with over $20 million in annual revenue, delivers a comprehensive guide to building a true brand. He argues that most ecommerce sellers operate transactional "product acquisition machines" rather than genuine brands. Josh presents a 16-step framework across three phases: defining your brand identity, expressing it consistently, and compounding trust over time. He emphasizes that real brands drive customer loyalty, premium pricing, and long-term competitive advantage—ultimately shifting entrepreneurs from chasing short-term sales metrics toward building sustainable, generational business value. Bullet Points: Importance of branding for ecommerce businessesDifferences between building a brand and running a product acquisition or arbitrage businessChallenges faced by ecommerce sellers, such as increasing conversion rates and reducing customer acquisition costsThe misconception that having a trademark or storefront equates to having a brandCharacteristics of a true brand versus a product acquisition machineA comprehensive 16-step framework for building a brandPhases of brand development: defining, expressing, and compounding the brandStrategies for creating a recognizable brand identity and customer experienceThe significance of customer journey mapping and brand loyaltyMetrics and practices for sustaining brand equity and protecting brand integrityTimestamps: 00:00:00 The Power of BrandingThe host lists eight benefits of strong branding, such as higher conversion rates, repeat purchases, and lower acquisition costs. 00:01:01 What is Branding?The host introduces the topic of branding and a 16-step framework for building a brand for your e-commerce business. 00:02:11 Custom GPT and ResourcesThe host mentions a custom GPT and slides available to help listeners implement the 16-step framework discussed in the episode. 00:03:11 Host IntroductionJosh Hadley introduces himself, his e-commerce experience, and his podcast, E-com Breakthrough, for e-commerce entrepreneurs. 00:04:12 Brand vs. Product Acquisition MachineThe host differentiates between building a true brand and simply operating a product acquisition or arbitrage business, common on Amazon. 00:07:06 What a Brand IsA brand builds trust, optimizes for customer retention, focuses on long-term growth, and is difficult for competitors to copy. 00:10:53 How Brands CompoundThe host explains how brands create a compounding effect through customer trust, repeat purchases, word-of-mouth, and easier product launches. 00:12:43 The 16-Step Brand Framework IntroductionAn overview of the three phases of the branding framework: defining the brand, expressing it, and compounding its value. 00:13:43 Step 1: Choose Your Primary CustomerA strong brand serves a niche customer. Defining this avatar makes all other branding decisions much easier. 00:17:40 Step 2: Choose the Outcome You OwnCustomers buy products to achieve an aspirational identity. Brands must own the outcome their product provides, not just the product. 00:23:48 Step 3: Choose Your AssociationsA brand is built by repeatedly connecting your company to a small number of desirable ideas, words, or phrases. 00:26:54 Step 4: Write the Brand PromiseCombine your customer, outcome, and approach into a clear internal statement that serves as a decision-making tool for your business. 00:28:02 Step 5: Define What the Brand Is NotBrands become clearer through exclusion. Deciding what your brand refuses to be is as important as defining what it is. 00:30:06 Step 6: Choose Your Hero ProductYour hero product is the clear entry point that teaches customers what your company means and establishes your brand's identity. 00:33:05 Step 7: Make the Product RemarkableThe product experience earns the second purchase. A remarkable product builds durable trust and generates powerful word-of-mouth marketing. 00:34:25 Step 8: Create a Recognizable Brand IdentityDefine your brand's personality through one of three models: founder-led, a brand character, or a design-led identity. 00:39:34 Step 9: Build a Distinctive Visual and Verbal WorldDesign makes your brand's meaning easier to recognize. Your brand should be identifiable even without its logo. 00:40:26 Step 10: Audit the Current Customer ExperienceEvery customer encounter either reinforces or contradicts your brand promise. Audit all touchpoints, from packaging to social media. 00:47:34 Step 11: Reinforce Through Trusted AssociationsBorrow trust by deliberately pairing your brand with people, organizations, or communities that already represent your brand's core values. 01:02:29 Step 12: Repeat the Same Meaning ConsistentlyBrands are built through consistent repetition. While campaigns can change, the core meaning and message must remain recognizable over time. 01:05:36 Step 13: Build the Next Purchase into the BrandMap the customer journey to create a logical product ecosystem that guides customers from one purchase to the next. 01:08:23 Step 14: Align Every Customer TouchpointThe brand is the total experience. Ensure every interaction, from advertising to customer support, reinforces your brand promise without contradiction. 01:13:36 Step 15: Run a Monthly Brand ReviewConduct a monthly review to prevent brand drift, track key metrics, and ensure all activities align with your brand strategy. 01:21:16 Step 16: Protect and Compound the MeaningBrand building is ongoing. Use a brand extension test before launching new products to ensure they reinforce your core meaning. 01:24:41 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionThe host summarizes the framework, offers a custom GPT and slides, and asks listeners to share and review the podcast. Links and Mentions: Tools and Resources  "Custom GPT for Brand Building": "00:02:11"  "Ecomm Breakthrough YouTube Channel": "00:09:58"  Notable Concepts and Frameworks  "16-Step Framework for Branding": "00:12:43"  Brands and Examples Mentioned  "Boom Beauty": "00:14:45"  "AG1": "00:15:46"  "Liquid Death": "00:16:39"  "Patagonia": "00:22:41"  "Rolex": "00:22:41"  "Apple": "00:22:41"  Videos and Content  "

  5. Aug 12

    Throwback: Mastering Amazon PPC

    In this episode, host Josh interviews Mina Elias, a seven-figure Amazon seller and founder of The Trivium Group. Mina shares advanced strategies for Amazon PPC, emphasizing the integration of advertising with product optimization and the importance of main images, pricing, and reviews in boosting conversions. He discusses using custom analytics software, My Real Profit, to track key metrics, and stresses the need for continuous testing. Mina also shares his favorite book, productivity tools, and business inspirations, and offers listeners a free Amazon PPC audit through his agency. Chapters: Introduction to Mina Elias (00:00:00)Host introduces Mina, his background in supplements, Amazon PPC, and his achievements in the industry. Statistical Analysis & Analytics Tools (00:01:01)Discussion on using Google Sheets and custom analytics software for tracking PPC and sales data. Custom Software: My Real Profit (00:03:01)Mina explains their custom-developed analytics tool, My Real Profit, for streamlined data analysis. Main Image Optimization Tips (00:04:00)Mina shares what makes main images effective for conversion and how to showcase value propositions. Price Testing Insights (00:05:55)Analysis of how price changes can impact conversion rates and the importance of continuous testing. Three Key Takeaways for Amazon Sellers (00:07:49)Host summarizes actionable tips: integrate PPC with product optimization, optimize main images, and always test pricing. Centralized Analytics & Continuous Testing (00:10:30)Mina emphasizes the importance of a unified dashboard and ongoing, one-at-a-time testing. Most Influential Book: Who Not How (00:11:38)Mina discusses the impact of the book "Who Not How" on his mindset and business approach. Favorite Productivity Tool: Monday.com (00:13:09)Mina highlights Monday.com as a game-changing project and task management tool. Most Admired Figure: Grant Cardone (00:14:05)Mina explains why he admires Grant Cardone and lessons learned from his business approach. How to Connect & Free Audit Offer (00:15:32)Mina shares how listeners can reach him, learn more, and get a free Amazon PPC audit. Links and Mentions: Tools and Software  "Google Sheets": "00:01:28"  "Custom Analytics Software": "00:03:01"  "PickFu": "00:08:55"  "Monday.com": "00:13:09"  "Zapier": "00:13:25"  Websites  "Trivium Group (triviumco.com)": "00:15:32"  Books  "Who Not How by Dan Sullivan": "00:11:47"  "Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cardone": "00:14:19"  Influential Figures  "Grant Cardone": "00:14:05"  Social Media  "Instagram (@theminaelias)": "00:15:32"  "LinkedIn (Mina Elias)": "00:15:32" Transcript: Josh 00:00:00  Today I'm super excited to introduce you all to Mina. Mina is a multiple seven figure seller in the supplement industry. He's an investor, Amazon PPC expert, and the founder of the Tribune Group, an Amazon advertising agency. Mina excels at developing cutting edge supplements for different target audiences and combines his passion for supplements. His background in chemical engineering and chemistry, and his expertise in PPC to crush the competition on Amazon. He has spoken on every major stage in the Amazon industry, consulted over 400 brands, consulted three aggregators worth 1.2 billion combined, and has been on over 100 Amazon and e-commerce podcasts. To share his knowledge and continues to be a leader innovating the Amazon advertising space. His goal is to change the way people perceive Amazon PPC and empower them to take back, control and dominate their ads. So with that introduction, welcome to the show, Mina. Mina 00:00:59  Josh, thank you for having me. I'm excited man. Josh 00:01:01  Mina I'm also curious. I mean, you're talking about statistical analysis now, right? And not many Amazon sellers are known for their statistical analysis skills. Josh 00:01:11  where, like, are you doing all of this and just, you know, spreadsheets or Google Sheets or are you do you have a software that's helping, you know, run these numbers and statistically prove that this was a, you know, conclusive test? Yes. Swap it out. Mina 00:01:28  No, we we don't have any software. This is all standard. you know, I mean, this is all, like Google Sheets and stuff like that. We do have a software that. But all that software does is analytics software, and it shows us our PPC spend, our PPC sales, our total sales sessions, cost per session, cook rate, conversion rate, cost per click, and profit. Day by day across all of our different products. So having that view is really useful because you're no longer looking. you know, I was just talking to someone earlier, and, they use like a PVC software and stuff like that. And I'm like, show me how you're looking at things. And they're like really looking at like trends of conversion and trends of impressions. Mina 00:02:11  And I'm like, it's so hard for you to, you know, make a decision based on like looking looking at the data like that. So I think that's where our analytics software helps a lot is we can see the week on week changes and I can see, okay, the ad spend changed like increased by 10%. What happened to my sessions? What happened to my cost per session? What happened to my click through rate or my peak spend was the same week over week. I changed my main image. What happened to my click through rate week over week? Or like okay, here's all of the click through rates. Document them, here's all the sessions, document them, and then go look at like the you know, Google Sheets just do equals average and equals STD dev which is standard deviation. And then it gives you the average and standard deviation is. Josh 00:02:54  I love that. What software tool are you using to gather that data at a baseline right. On a daily basis. Mina 00:03:01  That's my real profit. Mina 00:03:02  So we did we did custom development. So if you want if you want to see our exact analytics, you know you can do it through us. They can sell it to you. It's because it's IP. But my real profit is amazing. And you know because of our size, like, you know, we have 130 something brands. So we decided to just custom develop everything that is like the most streamlined for us to be able to like see the data and very quickly take action. Josh 00:03:28  Yeah, yeah. Makes a lot of sense. I love that. All right, Mina, we've got just a few minutes left, but because you've statistically seen that the main image and price are your biggest needle movers for conversion rate. I'm curious if you can give us just some quick tips in terms of what type of images have you seen performing better than others, and is there kind of a general rule of thumb that you could point towards, although it may be kind of product specific, but any general rules of thumb of what continues to win? Mina 00:04:00  Yeah. Mina 00:04:00  Okay. I also want to say, like, I know I talked about the biggest needle movers. reviews. If you go from a four star to four and a half star, that's a massive needle mover, too. you know, obviously, if you're going from like 300 to 500 to 700 review, it's like a slow burn. But if you go from ...

  6. Aug 10

    Is Amazon Rigged? The Truth About Marketplace Fairness

    Shinghi Detlefsen, one of the Founders of theAmerican Ecommerce Business Alliance AEBA fighting free and fair marketplace, CEO and Co-Founder of ExpandFi, and President of Wholesome Story and one of the most successful supplement brands on the Amazon.Shinghi isn’t just another SaaS founder he’s a true operator who has built, scaled, and optimized real brands at a high level. His expertise goes deep into what really drives sustainable growth:money, systems, and people. Highlight Bullets > Here’s a glimpse of what you would learn….  Challenges of unfair competition from foreign sellers on Amazon, particularly in the supplement category.The importance of regulatory compliance for foreign sellers using U.S. infrastructure.Strategies for increasing Amazon advertising spend while maintaining profitability.Measuring customer lifetime value (LTV) and optimizing customer acquisition costs (CAC) on Amazon.Driving external traffic to Amazon product pages through targeted advertising on social media platforms.The significance of building a legitimate brand versus relying on short-term marketing hacks.Navigating Amazon's fee increases and the impact of a strong brand on pricing strategies.The role of AI in e-commerce, including its applications in data analysis and task automation.The importance of financial discipline and risk management in e-commerce operations.Key action items for e-commerce sellers, including advocacy for marketplace fairness and focusing on core business fundamentals.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley speaks with Shinghi Detlefsen, Amazon expert and founder of the American E-commerce Business Alliance. Shinghi discusses the regulatory disadvantages U.S. sellers face against foreign competitors, explains his data-driven approach to maximizing Amazon ad spend using customer lifetime value metrics, and emphasizes building authentic brands over chasing short-term tactics. The conversation also covers AI's practical role in e-commerce, financial discipline, and the importance of staying focused on core business fundamentals rather than distractions. Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode: Scale ads based on profit, not fear Track CAC vs. 12-month profit (LTV)—if it’s profitable, increase ad spend (even +50%) to capture more customers and defend your rankings.Build a real brand (your only long-term moat) Invest in product quality, content, and trust-building (reviews, influencers, external traffic) so you can charge premium prices and stay resilient.Use AI to save time, not replace strategy Automate admin and data analysis, but keep human control over ads, creatives, and growth decisions where nuance matters most.Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction and Setting the StagePodcast intro, host and guest introductions, and overview of the episode’s focus on e-commerce scaling and Amazon. 00:02:38 The ABA and Regulatory Disadvantages for US SellersShinghi explains the American E-commerce Business Alliance and the regulatory/tax advantages foreign sellers have on Amazon. 00:07:06 How to Get Involved with ABA and the Bigger PictureDiscussion on actionable steps for US sellers to support ABA and why regulatory change matters more than minor Amazon policy changes. 00:08:18 The Consequences of Losing US Brands and ManufacturingExplains the broader economic risks if US brands and manufacturing are lost to foreign competitors. 00:10:04 Doubling Amazon Ad Spend ProfitablyShinghi shares how he doubled Amazon ad spend without losing profitability, counter to common industry trends. 00:11:19 Why Amazon Remains the Best ChannelDiscussion on consumer shopping behavior and why Amazon is still the dominant platform for most buyers. 00:12:37 Optimizing Ad Spend with Customer AnalyticsExplains using data to determine optimal ad spend, focusing on maximizing 12-month contribution profit per customer. 00:15:32 Customer Lifetime Value and Profitability MetricsHow to track and use LTV and lifetime profit on Amazon, and why these metrics matter more than ACoS/TACoS. 00:17:23 External Traffic and Meta Ads Direct to AmazonStrategy of sending Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ad traffic directly to Amazon product pages for better results. 00:19:18 Brand Building vs. Short-Term HacksWhy building a real brand with solid fundamentals outperforms chasing short-term hacks or black-hat tactics. 00:20:14 Mindset Shift: From Transactional to Lifetime ValueEncourages Amazon sellers to focus on CAC:LTV ratios and long-term customer value, not just single-sale profits. 00:22:48 Education and Data-Driven Decision MakingImportance of learning business fundamentals and using customer analytics to drive growth. 00:24:25 Amazon Fee Increases and the Real Root ProblemWhy blaming Amazon for fee increases misses the point; the real issue is regulatory imbalance with foreign sellers. 00:28:43 Brand Power and Pricing FlexibilityHow having a strong brand allows for price increases and resilience against Amazon’s changing policies. 00:29:40 AI in E-commerce: Hype vs. RealityDiscussion on the current state of AI in e-commerce, what’s real, what’s hype, and where to focus your time. 00:30:07 Build vs. Buy: SaaS, AI Tools, and Time ValuePros and cons of building your own tools with AI vs. paying for SaaS; focus on time value and maintenance. 00:33:51 Where AI Delivers the Most ValueAI’s best use is interpreting large data sets, not replacing complex SaaS or business processes. 00:35:27 Avoiding FOMO and Focusing on High-Value TasksAdvice to avoid distraction from shiny new tools and focus on automating admin tasks to free up time for growth. 00:39:01 SaaS Innovation and Staying AheadWhy SaaS companies will quickly catch up to DIY solutions, and the importance of focusing on your core business. 00:40:07 Final Thoughts: Build a Brand and Give BackEncouragement to build a real brand, take care of customers, and use success to contribute positively to the world. 00:40:39 Three Action Items for E-commerce SuccessHost summarizes three key takeaways: fight for a fair marketplace, build a real brand, and avoid distractions. 00:44:40 The Myth of Constant Product LaunchesChallenges the idea that always launching new products is the best growth strategy; focus on bestsellers and distribution. 00:46:39 Risk Management and Financial AdviceAdvice on managing risk by investing conservatively outside the business and building a financial safety net. 00:48:03 The Value of Financial Security for Better DecisionsHow having a financial cushion leads to better business decisions and peace of mind. 00:48:42 Rapid-Fire Questions: Book, AI Tool, and E-comm LeaderShinghi shares his favorite business principle, AI tool (Claude), and recommends following Logan from Physician’s Choice. 00:50:10 Outro and Contact InformationHow to follow Shinghi, closing remarks, and end of the episode. Resources mentioned in this episode: Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCom...

  7. Aug 6

    My Exact Weekly Schedule as an 8 Figure Ecommerce CEO

    In this episode, ecommerce entrepreneur Josh Hadley shares his weekly operating system for structuring a productive business week. He argues that most business owners don't have a time problem, they have a calendar problem. Josh breaks down his weekday by day: Monday for KPI reviews and one-on-ones, Tuesday for deep work on growth initiatives, Wednesday for consolidated meetings, Thursday for strategy and product development, and Friday for planning and documentation. His core principles include protecting deep work, grouping meetings, reviewing before reacting, and using the calendar strategically to drive real business growth. Bullet Points: Weekly operating system for structuring business activitiesImportance of addressing calendar issues over time managementStrategies for protecting deep work and minimizing distractionsDetailed breakdown of a structured weekly scheduleFocus on reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs) and cash flow forecastingEmphasis on deep, uninterrupted work days for growth initiativesMeeting-heavy days for consolidating discussions and maximizing efficiencyStrategic planning and product development sessionsDocumentation of processes and decision-making frameworksCore principles for effective time management and productivity in businessTimestamps: 00:00:00 The Calendar ProblemMost business owners don't have a time issue, but a calendar problem, getting hijacked by distractions instead of focusing. 00:01:54 Introduction to the Weekly Operating SystemJosh introduces his weekly operating system for running an eight-figure brand, designed to protect attention and align leaders. 00:02:56 Monday: Grounding the Week in RealityMonday's focus is on reviewing KPIs, ensuring the team met goals, and identifying what is off track. 00:04:03 Monday: Cash Flow ForecastingThe second priority is reviewing the 12-month cash flow forecast to understand the business's financial health and available resources. 00:05:47 Monday: Auditing Personal TimeThe speaker audits his previous week's time to identify distractions and improve productivity, sometimes using a time-tracking app. 00:06:46 Monday: One-on-One MeetingsThe rest of Monday is for one-on-one meetings with direct reports to set strategy, solve bottlenecks, and provide direction. 00:08:37 Tuesday: Protected Deep WorkTuesday is dedicated to deep, uninterrupted work on growth initiatives, with a brief leadership huddle to start the day. 00:11:33 Tuesday: Structuring MeetingsAny necessary meetings on Tuesdays, like vendor calls or interviews, are scheduled back-to-back at the end of the day. 00:12:21 Wednesday: The Meeting DayWednesday is a deliberately meeting-heavy day, consolidating recurring discussions, including a 90-minute leadership meeting to solve business issues. 00:13:18 Thursday: Strategy and ProductsThursdays are for zooming out from daily operations to focus on strategy, future hiring needs, and new product innovation. 00:16:19 Friday: Planning and DocumentingFriday is for solidifying the week's takeaways, proactively planning the next week, and documenting knowledge to scale the business. 00:18:06 Key Principles of the ScheduleThe speaker outlines six key principles behind his schedule, including giving each day a job and protecting deep work. Links and Mentions: E-commerce Platforms Mentioned: "00:00:30" CEO Dashboard Podcast Episode: "00:04:03" Weekly Cash Flow Planning Podcast Episode: "00:04:58"  Timing App: "00:06:43"  Conducting a Two Week Time Study Podcast Episode: "00:06:46" Transcript: Josh Hadley 00:00:00  Most business owners don't actually have a time issue. They have a calendar problem. Today I'm going to be sharing with you how to structure your week properly so that you are focused on the right things so that you can scale not only an eight figure business, but a nine figure business and beyond. Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast. I'm Josh Hadley. I've scaled my own ecommerce brand from 0 to 8 figures, and I'm actively building towards nine figures in sales. This podcast is where I document that journey and share the systems, the strategies, and the lessons learned in real time so that you can learn what actually matters and scale your own business. My name is Josh Hadley. First and foremost, I'm a man of faith. I'm a husband to a beautiful wife and a father of four children. I have been selling in the e-commerce space for over a decade, doing over $20 million in annual revenue and doing multi-million on sales channels such as Amazon, TikTok, Shop and Shopify. I am also the host of the number one business strategy podcast for ecommerce entrepreneurs, and that is E-com breakthrough. Josh Hadley 00:00:57  Today, I want to share with you exactly how you should be structuring your week in order to ensure that your focus is on the highest priorities, rather than getting caught up in just putting out fires and basically dealing with the thick of thin things. So I'm sharing this with you from my exact like schedule, in my exact structure that I have in my own business. For you to be able to use that as like a framework to structure your own week. So here's the problem. Most founders don't have a time issue. You actually have a calendar problem. And the reason why is because, like you're just getting hijacked by slack email, reactive meetings, WhatsApp notifications, a bunch of different like mastermind groups that you're in that are slacking you or texting you, etc. and ask me why. I know that because like, I was the guy who used to have that happening to me all the time, but now I literally turn my phone on silent mode and do not disturb mode, and I ignore the WhatsApp messages that are happening throughout the day. Josh Hadley 00:01:54  And to be honest with you, I'm frankly amazed how much interaction is happening during the day when people theoretically should be working on their business. Instead, they're reaching out and asking questions or predictions about this. You know, travel hacks about that. All those things are good, and they are decent conversations to have. However, I'm not going to sacrifice my time in my deep work that's actually going to grow the business to go chit chat and have random side conversations. Because actually, the moment you like are distracted and turn your attention to something else, it's ten times harder to bring it back to the focus that you originally had. So this is the exact weekly operating system that I use to run our eight figure brand, and how I protect my attention, align my leaders, and carve out enough time to actually move the business forward, rather than just kind of like staying stationary and keeping up with just the regular admin of maintaining the business as it is today. Let's dive into Monday. Monday is one of the most important days in the entire business. Josh Hadley 00:02:56  And it's not only important for me, but this carries out through the rest of my leaders Their Mondays are structured very, very similar to mine, and Monday is about grounding the entire week in reality, not urgency. Right? It's this is where the strategic planning and prioritization really comes into play here. Okay, before anything else gets my attention, I review what happened this previous week. So let's talk about that. The very first thing that I do Monday mornings is I'm looking at my weekly KPI tracker. And if you're wondering, well, what KPIs does Josh actually track and look at? If you go check ...

  8. Aug 5

    Throwback: Affiliate Marketing 101 - How to Optimize Your Payouts and Drive Sales

    In this episode, Josh interviews Lauren Lee, ClickBank’s e-commerce and affiliate marketing expert. Lauren shares practical strategies for finding and recruiting affiliates, managing relationships, and setting commission rates. She highlights the benefits of affiliate networks like ClickBank and Shopify’s Dovetail, and offers tips for pitching offers, optimizing landing pages, and starting with best-selling products. Lauren distinguishes between influencer and performance affiliates, explains how to set sustainable payouts, and provides actionable steps for launching or improving affiliate programs. Listeners learn how to connect with Lauren and access additional affiliate marketing resources. Chapters: Introduction to Lauren Lee and Her Background (00:00:00)Lauren’s experience with top brands and her approach to scaling e-commerce through affiliate marketing. How to Find and Connect with Affiliates (00:01:11)Strategies for finding affiliates, benefits of affiliate networks, and leveraging marketplaces like ClickBank. Networking and Recruiting Affiliates Outside Networks (00:03:20)Tips for recruiting affiliates via Facebook groups, LinkedIn, and sharing campaign data to attract partners. Using Data to Attract Affiliates (00:03:42)Importance of sharing conversion rates and average order value to entice affiliates. Affiliate Offer Visibility on ClickBank (00:04:58)How ClickBank displays offer metrics and ranks offers for affiliates. Alternative Networks and Cold Outreach (00:05:24)Advice on finding affiliates for Amazon brands, using cold DMs, and other affiliate networks. Shopify’s Dovetail Platform for Influencer Affiliates (00:05:53)Overview of Dovetail for finding and messaging influencers at scale on Shopify. Other Affiliate Networks and Amazon Integration (00:07:35)Recommendations for entry-level networks like ShareASale and Amazon traffic facilitation. Determining Affiliate Payout Ratios (00:08:28)Guidelines for setting commission rates for different affiliate types and the importance of knowing your margins. Commission Structures for Different Affiliate Types (00:10:18)Typical commission ranges for influencers, publishers, and performance affiliates, and strategic considerations. Three Actionable Takeaways for Affiliate Programs (00:12:09)Summary of key steps: define affiliate type, start with best-selling products, and optimize landing pages for customer problems. How to Connect with Lauren Lee and ClickBank Resources (00:15:03)Ways to contact Lauren via LinkedIn and access ClickBank’s e-commerce resource hub. Links and Mentions:Affiliate Networks and Marketplaces  "ClickBank": "00:01:33"  "ShareASale": "00:08:20"  Influencer and Affiliate Search Tools  "Dovetail": "00:06:15"  Educational and Support Resources  "E-commerce Resource Hub at ClickBank": "00:15:14" Transcript: Josh 00:00:00  Today. I am super excited to introduce you all to Lauren Lee. Lauren is Clickbank s ecom expert who works with eCommerce brands to unlock new sales channels with affiliates. She believes that there is always a solution to scale brands, and you can always find a way to exceed your goals. Lauren has partnered with top fortune 100 companies like Walmart, Amazon and Apple, leading their affiliate marketing strategies and offer campaigns, and is helping brands like yours craft scaled affiliate channels. You can find her hanging with her husband and daughter when she isn't supporting clients traveling the PNW, aka the Pacific Northwest, and assisting in Buddhist meditation teacher training. So with that, welcome to the show, Lauren. Lauren 00:00:50  Thank you so much, Josh. It's nice to be here. Josh 00:00:52  Lauren. I kind of want to point our attention to how do I find these affiliates? It all sounds great, but how do I find these affiliates, how do I manage the relationship with them? How do I make sure that the offer I'm going to give them is enough percentage of the deal or of the revenue share? Right. Josh 00:01:11  So there's a lot that I think we need to dive into there. So let's start first with like so how in the world do I go find the right affiliates? If I've decided that with organic I, I've, I'm targeting more, let's say people that are trying to lose weight. Right. how do I go find the right affiliates that are focused on talking to an audience that's wanting to lose weight? Lauren 00:01:33  Yes. Great question. And basically, we're taking somebody through the whole journey, right? Of what? Of starting of starting from the ideation stages and just of interest. And now you're you're ready to connect with affiliates. And so you by joining in the network, you get access to the affiliates. And that's one of the benefits of joining a network. And outside of a network you can absolutely connect with people on like Facebook groups and maybe on LinkedIn. and it's kind of ad hoc, right? And it does take some manual effort. So that does exist that just natural facilitation of relationships. But once you're inside a network in a company like Clickbank or another network, what they allow you to do is to join a marketplace. Lauren 00:02:15  And the marketplace is not consumer facing. It's for affiliates. And affiliates are coming every single day to be able to see what offers are there and what they can begin to promote. And so you want to be in that marketplace. You want to be just like you're on Amazon, right? And you are in that marketplace. It's kind of very similar in the sense of what products can I promote as an affiliate. And so that's how you're really going to start to connect with affiliates. So pick up your offer. And so there's some strategies around there. You know you can get your offer and require that affiliates, you know, provide information so that you can start to create these this network of affiliates that you're connecting with by email by contact. And you also can learn what is their traffic source. Maybe one affiliate is really good at YouTube and one's really good at Facebook. And you can start to be strategic around that. that is the main facilitation, the main way that you are going to connect with affiliates. Lauren 00:03:07  There are other things like events and networking and like I mentioned, kind of this ad hoc relationship that does happen, but you want to ensure your, your, you're connected on the marketplace. Josh 00:03:20  Okay. Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. So the first thing would, you know, a network that you join in the marketplace would kind of do a lot. Help expedite things. Do you have any tips or strategies? If somebody is just, you know, they're networking with people or they're in Facebook groups, have you seen any good strategies that way to maybe recruit some affiliates that you're meeting personally? Lauren 00:03:42  Yes, absolutely. Okay, so I think one thing that often gets overlooked when you create your funnel and create your campaign, you're super excited, but you want to be able to have some data around your campaign, your offer. Is it converting? What is the conversion rate? You know, what is the average order value that you see people transacting with on your on your funnel, on your campaign? Those are going to be really attractive metrics to share with affiliates. Lauren 00:04:09  And so if you did go on a Facebook group or you go to a networking or a conference, right, you'r...

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About

Unlock the full potential and growth in your business. Join Josh Hadley, a successful 8-figure e-com business owner and investor as he interviews highly successful CEOs and business owners who share specific actions you can take today to help your business reach its full potential and leave a lasting impact on the world. Whether you sell on Amazon FBA, Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Walmart, ClickFunnels, or Etsy you'll learn what is working for the most successful business leaders in eCommerce. Each eCom breakthrough episode is filled with strategies you can implement to help you scale to 8 figures and beyond. Here's a small list of the topics we will cover: - How to find new products to sell - How to find good manufacturers - How to manage cash flow - Inventory management (shipping & logistics) - Optimizing sales pages for conversion - How to successfully launch a new product on Amazon.com - Product ranking & optimization - Amazon PPC management - Implementing business operating systems - Driving external traffic to Amazon - Preparing to exit - How to hire and build a team with A-Level talent - Leadership skills

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