Shows
OperatorsOur 2026 Ecommerce Audit: Wins, Mistakes, Lessons & What’s Next“Whoever can spend the most money is going to win.” Sean Frank (CEO, Ridge), Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi), Jason Panzer (President, HexClad), and Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern) audit the first half of 2026. The focus is a sound ecommerce growth strategy for Q3 and Q4. No guests, no fluff. Just what worked, what blew up, and where they’re placing their bets. Amazon leads the conversation, with Sean up over 100% year over year on full assortment parity and Mike beating Liquid IV on a $4 blended CAC. Wholesale gets a harder look, with Sean holding...
2026-06-241h 08OperatorsHow a $1.5B Pet Brand Wins at Ecommerce Marketing: Whisker’s CEOOperators Titans is brought to you by AppLovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits here: https://www.9operators.com/paid-growth Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://applovin.com/9operators “We built our iPhone before we built our Apple.” How do you scale a hardware brand from $7M to $1.5B without chasing cheap CPMs? Jacob Zuppke (CEO, Whisker) joins Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi) and Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern) to break...
2026-06-181h 35OperatorsHow Ridge’s Annual Revenue Hit +$250M & Sean Became a DadWhat does Ridge’s annual revenue growth 2025–2026 look like when you launch three new categories at once? Sean Frank (CEO, Ridge) joins Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi) and Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern) to get into what it looks like when a founder goes all-in on ecommerce product expansion while navigating new fatherhood, a tough M&A market, and a company that had to reinvent its growth story. Sean breaks down the Shark Ninja model. Ship fast, cut losers, never wait on a five-year roadmap. He walks through what made the Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) partne...
2026-06-171h 08OperatorsHow to Pick a 3PL Without Getting Burned: Red Flags, Green FlagsIs owning your own warehouse worth the headache? Or is it a siren song that will slow your growth? Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case and Lomi), Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern), and Curtis Matsko (CEO, Portland Leather Goods) dig into two of the most expensive decisions in ecommerce. Should you own your warehouse or outsource fulfillment to a 3PL? Can a founder ever truly step back from the company they built? They break down the owned warehouse versus 3PL debate, covering when flexibility beats cost savings, and why high-growth brands get burned by leases. From th...
2026-06-101h 14OperatorsHow Ecommerce CEOs Actually Pay Themselves (Real Answers)“The obtaining of money is a lot easier than stewarding that money well.” Sean Frank (CEO, Ridge), Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern), and Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi) dig into one of the most-requested topics from listeners: how do owner-operators pay themselves? And what should they be aiming for? The hosts walkthrough salary benchmarks, distribution strategies, and the honest math behind building long-term wealth in consumer. The conversation goes deep on the tension between pulling money out now versus betting on the asset long-term, creating a business that outlasts you as CEO, and why chasi...
2026-05-271h 05OperatorsHow Tim Doyle Built Eucalyptus to $450M in ARR & Sold It for $1.15BOperators Titans is brought to you by AppLovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits here: https://www.9operators.com/paid-growth Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://applovin.com/9operators How do you build a DTC telehealth platform from scratch and play the long game right? Tim Doyle, founder of Eucalyptus and incoming SVP International at Hims & Hers, joins hosts Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi) and Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern) for a wide-ranging conversation on...
2026-05-211h 40OperatorsEcommerce Founder’s Guide to Owning Your Manufacturing & FactoryCould one bad supplier decision bring your entire ecommerce brand down? Curtis Matsko (CEO, Portland Leather Goods) joins hosts Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi) and Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern) to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood decisions in consumer goods: vertical integration. Curtis built North America’s largest leather bag manufacturer in Mexico not by grand design, but out of pure necessity. The conversation covers why owning your factory can 10x your business or burn millions of dollars, and how China’s manufacturing dominance is being driven by robotics, not j...
2026-05-061h 17OperatorsMike’s Story, From Yeti Knockoff to Building New BrandsWhat do you do when you’ve already won, and still can’t stop building? Sean Frank and Matthew Bertulli sit down with Mike Beckham, (CEO of Simple Modern and Simple Ventures), to unpack what happens after you climb the mountain. Mike shares how Simple Modern grew from a bootstrapped “Yeti knockoff” to nearly $200M in annual revenue, paid off all its debt, and suddenly found itself generating more cash than it could reinvest — and what he decided to do about it. The conversation covers Mike’s framework for capital allocation when the obvious moves run out, inclu...
2026-04-151h 12OperatorsBillions in Ecommerce Deals & How to Build a Brand Worth BuyingSpecial episode on what billions in recent ecommerce exits, raises, and M&A mean for your brand. Curtis Matsko (CEO, Portland Leather Goods) joins hosts Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case & Lomi) and Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern) to dig into the wave of consumer deals. They debate whether strategic buyers and PE firms are truly back, why physical consumer brands are suddenly looking like the safest asset class, and what it takes to build something worth acquiring. The conversation covers LTV math behind consumables to TikTok shop’s role in driving $200K days at Portland Leat...
2026-04-131h 07Operators“It Was So Hard”: Operationalizing Scale With Spot & Tango’s Founder“We had no cash, no supply chain, high product market fit, and low CAC. There was this giant button flashing: hyper growth.” What does it take to build a profitable pet brand from a studio apartment to a nine-figure business with its own factory? Russell Breuer (Co-Founder and CEO, Spot & Tango) joins hosts Sean Frank (CEO, Ridge) and Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern) to trace the full arc of building one of DTC’s most quietly dominant pet brands. Russell shares how Spot & Tango launched Unkibble days into COVID with nearly no cash, sold out in t...
2026-04-011h 15OperatorsHow The Woobles Built a Cult Brand: Product, Not MarketingOperators Titans is brought to you by AppLovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits here: https://www.9operators.com/paid-growth Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://applovin.com/9operators Can you build a beloved consumer brand around the joy of making something with your hands? Matt Bertulli and Mike Beckham sit down with Justine Tiu and Adrian Zhang, Co-Founders of The Woobles — a crochet kit brand born from a personal journey thro...
2026-03-261h 27OperatorsYour $175B Tariff Refund Checklist With Ryan Petersen, Flexport CEORyan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, joins Mike Beckham and Sean Frank for an emergency briefing on the tariff landscape after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling. Specifically, what ecommerce owners need to do right now.They break down how to file for tariff refunds before entries hit liquidation, including the secondary market where brands are selling claims for cents on the dollar. Then the conversation shifts to the Iran conflict and what a closed Strait of Hormuz means for container shipping, airfreight capacity, and oil prices.They close out with a candid look at the AI...
2026-03-131h 01Operators8 Failed Businesses Before Kitsch’s Beauty EmpireHow did a married couple with $30k in savings and no business plan build one of the biggest beauty and accessories brands in America? Cassandra Thurswell (Founder & CEO of Kitsch) and Jeremy Thurswell (COO), join hosts Mike Beckham and Matt Bertulli for their first-ever joint podcast interview. Together, they unpack the full story of building a bootstrapped empire from a living room apartment to over 30,000 retail doors and more than 10 million ecommerce orders. Cassandra and Jeremy open up about eight failed businesses before Kitsch, cat...
2026-03-031h 36OperatorsKat Cole: From Hostess to AG1’s CEO With +$500M in RevenueBrought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits. https://www.9operators.com/paid-growth Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://applovin.com/9operators Matt Bertulli, CEO of Pela Case and Lomi, and Mike Beckham, CEO of Simple Modern, sit down with Kat Cole, CEO of AG1, to trace one of the most unconventional executive careers in consumer. From hostess at Hooters at 17 to vice president by 26, to leading a multi-billion dollar...
2026-02-261h 31OperatorsMastering Leadership Is Mostly Saying No (And Living With It)Leadership isn’t about being liked. It’s about making hard decisions, living with the consequences, and still winning. Mike Beckham, Matt Bertulli, and Jason Panzer sit down to talk honestly about what leadership really costs when the stakes are high. They dig into hiring and firing decisions, culture trade-offs, growth versus profitability, and the personal pressure that comes with running large, successful businesses. The conversation avoids motivational clichés and focuses on what actually works when real money and people are involved. The episode moves beyond strong opinions into t...
2026-02-1854 minOperatorsExecution Monsters: True Classic’s Ryan Bartlett & Ben DiamondBrought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits. https://www.9operators.com/applovin Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://applovin.com/9operators What does it take to build a ~$300M apparel brand from scratch? Matt Bertulli and Mike Beckham sit down with Ryan Bartlett, Co-Founder, and Ben Diamond, CEO of True Classic, for their first-ever joint interview. Together, they unpack how a professional poker player and a Meta executive became...
2026-01-291h 46Operators8 Practical Money-Making Tips for 2026 (Part 2)What’s the one thing holding your business back?Sean Frank, Jason Panzer, Mike Beckham, and Matt Bertulli reunite for part two of their 2026 predictions to deliver actionable money-making tips for ecommerce brands.The full squad shares why entrepreneurs have more opportunity than ever, then dives into tactics you can implement today: a corporate gifting platform generating thousands in daily passive revenue, the case for getting off Meta sooner than you think, why plain text founder emails crush designed campaigns, and how AI should be exposing the bottleneck in yo...
2026-01-221h 02OperatorsDanny Yeung, CEO of IM8 & Prenetics: Operators Titans E009What does it take to go from high-school dropout to building a $100M+ brand with David Beckham?Brought to you by AppLovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits (terms apply). https://9operators.com/applovin Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://applovin.com/9operatorsMatt Bertulli and Sean Frank sit down with Danny Yeung, co-founder and CEO of IM8. Danny shares his journey from immigrating to San Francisco at age...
2026-01-151h 19Operators2025 Ecommerce Data Exposed: DTC Spend, Revenue & Platform TrendsWhat do the real numbers from 1,000+ DTC brands reveal about who actually won? Find out by downloading the full report.https://www.northbeam.io/ebook/2025-year-in-review-data-reportSean Frank and Mike Beckham sit down with Austin Harrison, CEO of Northbeam, and Andrew Kaszuba, Northbeam’s media strategist, to break down exclusive 2025 ecommerce data that nobody else has access to.Spend trends, revenue growth, and efficiency metrics across every major advertising platform as well as by business category. The data tells a stark story about winners an...
2026-01-141h 08Operators2026 Part 1: Macro Ecommerce Predictions & Big BetsSean, Mike, Matt, and Jason share their bull and bear cases for 2026, debating the economic shifts reshaping ecommerce — from a potential AI bubble to the frozen housing market to consumer pullback in a hidden recession.Discover why this moment might be the most pivotal in history for small businesses while threatening large institutions. The hosts cover the deflationary power of AI, macro trends in consumer, and the specific levers each is pulling to win in an uncertain economy: (1) pricing strategies, (2) new product launches, (3) TikTok Shops, and (4) AI-generated creative.Powered By...
2026-01-071h 01
The Cancer ProjectLeadership, Faith, and Purpose: Mike Beckham's StoryIn this episode of The Cancer Project podcast, host David Raubach talks with Mike Beckham, co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern. Mike shares his journey from ministry to entrepreneurship, how he built one of the fastest-growing drink-ware brands in the country, and why generosity is the centerpiece of both his life and business. Hear the story behind Simple Modern’s giveaway of 50,000 mugs to cancer patients, how Mike plans to give away most of his net worth, and what it takes to protect company culture while scaling. This conversation will inspire leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who believes business can be...
2025-12-3054 minOperatorsOperators Titans E007: Utopia Deals (With CEO Jabran Niaz)How do you build one of the top-five Amazon businesses in the world? Matt and Mike sit down with Jabran Niaz, co-founder of Utopia Deals and Utopia Industries. From packing boxes by hand for less than $15 an hour to running a global manufacturing operation with $770M in annual revenue and +15k employees, all without outside capital or taking on debt.This is the largest brand we’ve ever had on the show. They get into the early days of Amazon, why Utopia focused on value instead of premium pricing, how product design and packaging be...
2025-12-261h 37OperatorsOperators Titans E003: Musely (with CEO Jack Jia)Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits. https://9operators.com/applovin Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://applovin.com/9operatorsJack Gia shares his expansive journey from enterprise technology to investing to founding Muesly, a prescription skincare brand with over one million customers and $100M in annual revenue.Along with hosts Matt Bertulli and Mike Beckham, they discuss the importance of innovation, learning from failures, and the challenges of building...
2025-10-091h 19
Building ExcellenceMike Beckham - Co-Founder & CEO Of Simple Modern On Ambition, Execution, & Generosity#220: Mike Beckham is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simple Modern, a global producer of premium drinkware and lifestyle products. Founded in 2015 and based in Oklahoma, Simple Modern currently generates a nine-figure annual revenue and is committed to generosity, donating at least 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations. Under Mike’s leadership, the company has grown into a category leader for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, serving more than 20 million customers worldwide.Mike is a teacher, leader, and entrepreneur at heart. Before founding Simple Modern, Mike began his career working for the worldwide Christian ministry CRU...
2025-07-1454 minOperatorsE113: £500M Exit. Behind The Curtain With Petfolk Founder Mike Wystrach.In this episode of the Operators Podcast, Mike shares his journey from founding Freshly, a meal delivery service sold to Nestle, to his current ventures in the veterinary space and venture capital. He discusses the challenges of the current economic climate for e-commerce brands, the naivety required for founders to disrupt markets, and the importance of operational efficiency. Mike also emphasizes the need for discipline in capital deployment and the complexities of strategic partnerships, particularly his experience with Nestle. The discussion also touches on the integration of AI in consumer businesses and the evolving...
2025-05-141h 37
the LOVE JUSTICE podcastEpisode 20 of the LOVE JUSTICE podcast with special guest: Mike Beckham/CEO of Simple Modern | hosted by Hannah Munn & Jason Dukes | LoveJustice.NGOThis week’s conversation on the Love Justice Podcast features an interview with Mike Beckham, the CEO and co-founder of Simple Modern, a company renowned for producing premium drinkware and prioritizing corporate generosity. Join hosts Hannah Munn and Jason Dukes as they interview Mike on the role of for-profit organizations and companies and how a posture of generosity can have a major impact in the nonprofit world. Included in the interview are insights from Love Justice International's Founder and CEO, John Molineux.
Mike Beckham is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simple Modern, a global producer of premi...
2025-01-151h 08
Witness BusinessBuilding a $50k/mo Vending Machine Business While Working a Full-Time Job with Mr. Passive Mike Hoffmann // EP. 42Passive income is all the rage. While many are looking for cashflow from real estate, Mike Hoffmann took a different angle. He bought his first vending machine in 2019 and struck a passive income gold mine. He has since grown this into 50+ machines that gross $50K+ every month, has left the 9-to-5, and now coaches others to follow in his footsteps.Whether you're looking for inspiration to get off your job, or just a side hustle to help offset some monthly expenses, have a listen to Mike's story in this episode, and discover if perhaps a vending machine side...
2025-01-081h 02OperatorsE086: Mike's New Brand: Introducing Trevi00:00 Introduction
04:03 Growth Metrics and Business Valuation
09:59 Launching New Ventures: Trevi's Journey
18:06 The Dynamics of Consumables vs. Hard Goods
26:06 Strategizing for Market Penetration
36:02 The Potential of High Adoption Rates
39:45 Valuing Business Performance and Product Extensions
43:03 Branding Strategies and Market Positioning
49:00 The Importance of Team Focus and Structure
51:25 Navigating Market Dynamics and Consumer Preferences
56:40 The Debate on Brand Integration vs. Independence
01:00:47 Long-Term Vision and Investment in Consumables
Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com...
2024-12-111h 10
Show Your Value with Lee BensonWhat You Should Know About Starting A Business with Mike BeckhamIn this episode of Show Your Value, I sit down with Mike Beckham, co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern, a global leader in premium drinkware and lifestyle products. Since 2015, Mike has grown Simple Modern into a category leader for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, serving over 20 million customers annually and donating at least 10% of profits to nonprofits.Mike’s entrepreneurial journey spans from leading e-commerce ventures generating over $1 billion in revenue to guiding Simple Modern’s nine-figure success,all with a mission rooted in generosity and impact. A teacher and leader at heart, Mike is also t...
2024-12-1158 minOperatorsE082: Election Tariffs?00:00 Introduction
04:23 Post-Election Implications for Business
10:57 The Future of Manufacturing
18:23 Automation and Robotics in Production
24:45 Manufacturing Shifts and Domestic Assembly
32:41 The Future of Global Supply Chains
39:34 The Balance of Globalism and Nationalism
46:43 Consumer Optimism and the Future of Building
Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw
Mike's Tweet:
This is what the future of manufacturing looks like. Plan accordingly
https://x.com/mikebeckhamsm/status/1854720690097623212
2024-11-1349 minOperatorsE081: Business Debt00:00 Introduction
03:07 E-commerce Challenges and Event Insights
05:50 Principles and Personal Values in Business
09:11 The Role of Debt Financing
12:00 Understanding Debt vs. Equity
14:52 Navigating Amazon and Alternative Platforms
21:00 Debt Strategies for Growth
27:10 Debt and Business Strategy
36:29 Understanding Debt Recapitalization and Its Mechanics
39:45 Liquidity Options and Their Implications
42:30 Building Relationships with Banks for Credit
45:21 Types of Debt: From Merchant Cash Advances to Equipment Financing
52:49 The Importance of Cash Flow in Debt Management
55:30 E-commerce Trends and the...
2024-11-061h 40
Midcon MarkupMidcon Markup Ep. 17: How Mike Beckham Sought Competiton and Won Big on AmazonTech exit to selling "commoditized" waterbottles on Amazon? Mike Beckham must be crazy! After 9 years of rapid growth with his company Simple Modern, Mike has proved his doubters wrong by leaning in to competion to eliminate market risk. Tune in to hear how Mike leveraged Amazon's customer pipeline, outcompeted 3rd party sellers for water Bottles, created a category for "Drinkware as a Fashion Accessory," and has built a sustainable empire with community contribution at the core.
2024-10-101h 17
POWERS#350 - Mike Beckham - Co-Founder & CEO @ Simple Modern - A Former Pastor Built One Of The Fastest Growing E-Commerce Businesses In The USMike Beckham is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simple Modern, a leading producer of premium drinkware and lifestyle products. Founded in 2015 and based in Oklahoma, SimpleModern currently generates a nine-figure annual revenue and is committed to generosity, donating at least 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations. Under Mike’s leadership, the company has grown into a category leader for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club.We discuss:
Building Simple Modern during the peak of Yeti’s domination
Hypergrowth strategies and living in a future with AI
The power of product licensing and bu...
2024-04-301h 43POWERS#350 - Mike Beckham - Co-Founder & CEO @ Simple Modern - A Former Pastor Built One Of The Fastest Growing E-Commerce Businesses In The USMike Beckham is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simple Modern, a leading producer of premium drinkware and lifestyle products. Founded in 2015 and based in Oklahoma, SimpleModern currently generates a nine-figure annual revenue and is committed to generosity, donating at least 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations. Under Mike’s leadership, the company has grown into a category leader for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club.We discuss:
Building Simple Modern during the peak of Yeti’s domination
Hypergrowth strategies and living in a future with AI
The power of product licensing and bu...
2024-04-301h 43Witness BusinessThe Baby Product Idea Machine with Mike Perry // EP. 2Mike Perry is a dad of 6(!) children. Between him and his wife, they have had their fair share of diaper changes. When one handsy child led to an idea for a new and improved diaper changing pad, they knew they had to act.Their willingness to act and create a new baby product ultimately led to an appearance on ABC's Shark Tank, and a line of baby products at their company SnoofyBee. Is Mike Perry an inventing machine? Maybe. But most definitely he is a guy who is willing to get up off the couch and turn an...
2024-03-1941 min
youngadulting.todayStart Ups, Generation Z and Entrepreneurship with Mike BeckhamMike Beckham is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simple Modern, a global producer of premium drinkware and lifestyle products. Founded in 2015 and based in Oklahoma, Simple Modern currently generates a nine-figure annual revenue and is committed to generosity, donating at least 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations. Under Mike’s leadership, the company has grown into a category leader for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, serving more than 20 million customers worldwide. Mike graduated with a degree from the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business, where he currently serves as the senior entrepreneur-in-residence.
This Janu...
2024-01-191h 00
Scaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 13: Simple Beginnings: Mike and Heather’s Entrepreneurial JourneyIn this season finale, Mike and Heather Beckham discuss their journey of starting Simple Modern and the challenges and joys of being married to an entrepreneur.
They share how faith has played a role in building the company and striving for excellence in all areas of life. They also discuss the importance of work-life balance and how they prioritize their marriage and family. Heather provides additional key insight and advice on supporting and challenging an entrepreneurial spouse.
Lastly, they open up on the impact of their giving initiatives and the motivation behind incorporating every employee...
2024-01-1650 minOperatorsE038: The Inventory Deep Dive.00:00 Introduction and Importance of Inventory Management
01:24 The Complexity of Inventory Management
03:20 Factors Affecting Inventory Risk
05:27 Time-Based and Seasonal Inventory Risks
07:23 Product Market Fit and Specificness as Inventory Risks
09:15 The Financial Engineering Aspect of Inventory
10:04 The Impact of Inventory on Lending and Credit
13:15 The Importance of Managing Downside in Inventory
15:32 The Risks of Overstocking and Understocking
19:09 The Impact of Macro Factors on Inventory
21:25 The Ideal Size and Growth of a Business
23:52 The Importance of Operating Paranoid and Planning for Risk
27:26 Considering the Competitive Landscape in Inventory Management
32:51 The Risks of High Growth and the Ideal Size for a Business
37:08 The...
2024-01-101h 05Scaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 12: The Story Behind Simple Modern’s Licensing TriumphsCorbin Wallace, Chief Growth Officer, played a key role in navigating the complex licensing landscape. Together with Mike, they explore the intricacies of building partnerships with iconic brands like Disney and the NFL, emphasizing the art and science of licensing.
The episode covers challenges faced in securing licenses, the creative processes involved in designing unique patterns, and the importance of understanding partners’ needs with a long-term mindset.
Beyond Disney, the conversation touches on partnerships with major sports leagues and media companies, mass retail challenges, and the impact of trust and reputation on industry opportunities.
...
2024-01-0946 minOperatorsE037: 2024 Planning, How Ridge Launched Watches, Move Back To Bootstrapping, CEOs Just Write & More00:00 Introduction and New Year's Celebration
01:29 Annual Planning and Quarterly Execution
03:17 Purpose and Use of Reporting
08:36 The Role of CEOs in Reporting
10:58 Expectations for 2024 in the DTC Industry
19:31 The Nature of Human Behaviour and Risk
24:47 Review of E-commerce Performance in 2023
29:23 Expanding Target Audience and Design
35:14 Targeting Niche Audiences
38:44 New Stuff, New Places, New People
41:10 Generating Demand and Acquiring New Customers
42:49 Conversion Rate for New Categories
44:13 Building a Product Line for Acquisition
47:05 Short-Term vs Long-Term Thinking
50:34 Launching Watches and Product Iteration
52:08 Expanding Global Presence
53:29 Stop Focusing on Exits and Run Your Business
55:10 Returning to Bootstrapping Principles
57:23 Reevaluating the Company's...
2024-01-031h 01Scaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 11: Goals Beyond Profit: Simple Modern’s Commitment to Giving BackJeff Hannam, the Chief Financial Officer and Mike discuss the challenges of recruiting Hannam, who had no prior experience in the consumer packaged goods industry but eventually joined as CFO.
The conversation delves into the strategic decisions made early in Simple Modern’s growth, emphasizing the importance of building a strong financial organization and making the business bankable. Hannam explains how they managed inventory, the nuances of the consumer product business, and the role of forecasting and planning in mitigating risks associated with inventory management.
Jeff discusses the company’s goals beyond profit, emphasizing a desi...
2024-01-021h 01
Exposing ScientologyTom Cruise & David Beckham: Behind the ScenesMike Rinder and Marc Headley talk about the history of Tom Cruise's efforts to woo David and Victoria Beckham into scientology, why this was considered so important and why Cruise failed so miserably. Mike and Marc were both in on the ground floor for much of this and share behind the scenes details. To see the documents and videos referred to in this episode, visit Mike's blog: https://www.mikerindersblog.org/tom-c...Support the showGet Mike's book: "A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology" on Ama...
2023-12-261h 04OperatorsE035: 2024 Marketing Predictions, December Sales Check, Marketing Mix, US Economy & MoreDecember Pulse Check
Peak Gift Giving Period
Measurement of ROAS & MER
Marketing Spend and Meta Ads
Cost Caps
Media Mix and Advertising Platforms
Google vs. Facebook Advertising
Different Advertising Strategies for Different Businesses
The Role of Demand Generation and Search
Factors Influencing Success on Facebook and Google
The Importance of Intent Capture and Creation
The Dominance of Meta (Facebook) in Advertising
The Influence of Facebook Ad Dollars on E-commerce
The Future of Measurable Word of Mouth
Using Transaction Data for Word of Mouth Analysis
The Complexity of Facebook's Ad Auction Software
The Advancement of AI and Compute Power
The...
2023-12-2058 minScaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 10: Building Trust Through TechCaleb Phillips, the Vice President of Technology at Simple Modern and Mike discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise when integrating technology into a non-tech company, the importance of understanding the business side of technical tools, and how building relationships plays a significant role in successful technology implementations.
Discover how effective communication and building pathways for collaboration can bridge the understanding gap and lead to successful project outcomes. The episode explores topics such as the intersection of credibility and trust, navigating complex projects, and the art of effective communication in leadership.
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSOR:Fr...
2023-12-191h 08OperatorsE034: Seans Skill Tree Framework, Personal Finance, Ad Efficiency at Scale, Avoiding Emotional bias00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
01:22 Twitter Game and Ecommerce Metrics
04:18 Using Logos on Websites
06:05 Opinions and Authenticity on Twitter
09:25 The Skill Tree Framework for Ecommerce
13:43 Taking Opportunities and Working at Growing Companies
19:19 The Nuances of Ecommerce and Individual Businesses
21:07 Personal Balance Sheets and Financial Security
25:20 The Impact of Personal Balance Sheets on Decision Making
31:51 The Role of Personal Balance Sheets in Entrepreneurship
35:09 The Impact of Personal Balance Sheets on Business Decisions
36:33 The Efficiency of Advertising and Customer Base Size
37:35 Customer Acquisition Channels
39:00 Importance of Scale and Total Addressable Market (TAM)
39:21 Measuring Repeat Customer Rate and Lifetime Value (LTV)
40:53 Analyzing Revenue...
2023-12-131h 00Scaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 9: How Simple Modern Forged Customer BondsChris Hoyle, CMO at Simple Modern, explores the challenges and growth of the brand. Mike and Chris discuss the importance of aligning the organization with a shared purpose and reminisce about the company’s early days.
They highlight the role of style in connecting with customers, emphasizing the magic of double vacuum insulation. The narrative unfolds the company’s journey on Amazon, positioning Simple Modern as a value brand.
The conversation touches on managing a creative team, qualitative and quantitative inputs, and the significance of constant experimentation in staying ahead in the dynamic market.
TH...
2023-12-1254 min
LEADING BRANDS® — Wavebreak PodcastSimple Modern's Mike Beckham on 2024 BF/CM Results and MoreMike Beckham joins the Wavebreak Podcast to talk about Simple Modern and their rapid growth to nearly $200 million in annual revenue. In this episode we cover:Breakdown of Black Friday/Cyber Monday results for 2024, including insights into Simple Modern's limited edition daily releases of 1,000 units.The importance of financing and how Mike was able to obtain a $50 million line of credit for the brand.Understanding how Simple Modern strategically created moats around their brand and practical tips on how you can implement similar strategies for your own brand.Mike Beckham is the co-founder and CEO o...
2023-12-1156 minScaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | The Fingerprint of Successful Culture: LIVE from the Main Street SummitEmbark on a 13-year entrepreneurial journey with Mike Beckham where he shares the highs and lows of building businesses. Beckham unveils the key to business success—cultivating a winning culture.
Live from his keynote at the Main Street Summit, Mike explores the intricacies of culture and introduces three underestimated pillars: trust, purpose, and ownership. Trust, the linchpin, is dissected through the Trust Equation, emphasizing the balance of interpersonal and performance dimensions. Purpose’s power in fostering exceptional teams is illustrated, aligning individual roles with a broader calling. The third pillar, ownership, takes center stage as he shares insig...
2023-12-0819 minOperatorsE033: Cyber Monday Results, Contract Manufacturing, Global Commerce Dynamics, Market Competition.00:00 Exciting holiday sales followed by January slowdown.
04:32 Demand pulled forward during sales?
06:47 Embrace competition; it's a lever.
15:31 Rise in national brand sales surpasses expectations.
18:45 Innovation and freshness drive marketing success.
21:49 Water bottle manufacturing builds billion-dollar industry.
23:50 Silicone lid production is cost-prohibitive compared to China.
29:32 We need capital and better incentives for manufacturing. Dependence on China is a business fragility.
30:38 Long-term mindset, diverse paths, wins, losses.
35:36 Understanding production leads to effective product design.
37:33 Prepare, protect, excel through manufacturing efficiencies. Inventory agility.
43:54 Automation trend prediction: Will production shift closer to customer locations?
48:57 US manufacturing vulnerability.
52:40 A strong America creates stable business...
2023-12-061h 00Scaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 8: Mike’s Story: From Finance to Simple ModernBryan Porter, co-founder of Simple Modern, takes over the host chair to interview Mike Beckham, the CEO of Simple Modern.
As Mike navigates the unfamiliar territory of being a guest on his own podcast, Bryan jumps into Mike’s background prior to Simple Modern, exploring his atypical journey from a finance undergraduate to the world of entrepreneurship and e-commerce. Mike reflects on the pivotal moments that led him to transition from the nonprofit world to the business world, emphasizing the importance of purpose and impact in his career decisions.
Mike sheds light on the CEO rol...
2023-12-051h 09OperatorsE032: Black Friday Results Show, Q5 Planning, Maximising December, Market Trends, OOH Ads & More00:00 Efficient preparations ease BFCM stress.
09:06 Focusing on DTC, working with retailers. Exciting results.
13:18 Inventory shortage, long lead times, monitoring closely.
18:16 Amazon's sales surpass other retailers during holidays.
22:33 Effective Black Friday strategy: volume over creativity.
28:50 Truck driver trolls authorities in the name of cheap ads.
35:31 $100 million spent to sponsor NFL game.
41:56 Negotiating with vendors in e-commerce relationships.
44:13 Striving for vertical integration in consumer distribution.
52:00 Shopify's GMV growth and industry state discussed.
55:07 Amazon outperformed Black Friday sales, peak closer to Christmas.
01:02:46 Challenges of managing seasonal inventory and sales.
01:06:19 Spotlight bias, big brands sell to TJ Maxx.
01:11:18 Refusing trouble. Special deep end...
2023-11-291h 12Scaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 7: The Role of Customer-Centricity in E-CommerceBryan Porter, the Chief e-Commerce Officer of Simple Modern discusses the company strategy for achieving initial traction on Amazon, emphasizing a channel strategy over a product strategy. Mike and Bryan describe the intricacies of succeeding on Amazon, emphasizing the importance of understanding the platform’s algorithm and customer behavior. The speakers share insights into building effective product listings, including the significance of customer clicks, conversions, and providing a unique value proposition.
This episode reflects on the longevity of their success on Amazon, attributing it to their willingness to iterate, test, and pivot based on customer data. They di...
2023-11-281h 06OperatorsE031: Black Friday Special: Deals, Customer Experience, Operations, Success Metrics, Trends & More03:28 Cautious optimism as sales already exceed expectations.
09:44 Group learning is valuable; spending and believing.
13:28 Late ad start, YouTube TV for awareness. Facebook lacks reach and knowledge. Create awareness ourselves. Scale up on peak hits, manage spend. Ex Roomba CMO advised against unnecessary spending.
19:33 Data suggests success of OOH billboard campaign.
22:49 Local focus crucial for building consumer brands.
27:33 Mixing digital and physical marketing is crucial.
38:18 Custom AI solution found unknown failure points. AI tools could reveal unseen issues. Potential for AI-powered chat-based support.
44:45 Teaching critical thinking in business decisions.
45:49 Advertising decisions require thoughtful consideration and trade-offs.
51:28 Control obsession, excel at...
2023-11-221h 09Scaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 6: How Relational Equity Built Strong PartnershipsLee Graves has played a pivotal role in scaling the company. He discusses the challenges and strategic decisions made during the process. Mike and Lee touch upon the critical aspect of finding the right partners for scaling operations, focusing on manufacturing, shipping, and fulfillment warehousing.
They navigate through the importance of humility, the willingness to learn, and the value of a partner’s track record in building a successful and scalable operation. Mike and Lee note the cultural differences, language barriers, and the importance of time in building strong relationships with international partners. Lee shares stories from nu...
2023-11-2136 minScaling for GoodScaling For Good Podcast | 5: Scaling Up: The Simple Modern and Target Partnership JourneyIn 2017, the company had one of its biggest days.
In this episode, you’ll hear the remarkable story of how Simple Modern, a company known for its stylish water bottles and lifestyle products, forged a multi-year partnership with Target, resulting in millions of dollars in product sales on Target shelves.
Mike Beckham, CEO and co-founder of Simple Modern, sits down with Kelley, one of the architects of the Target partnership, to discuss the intricacies of mass retail, salesmanship, and the importance of being incremental to the retailer’s goals.
Discover the behind-the-scenes planning and r...
2023-11-1453 min
Let's Talk Business(Re-Run) Building a Mission-Based Company Culture with Mike Beckham of Simple ModernEverybody knows that company culture is important, but that’s a lot different from actually building a culture that sticks, makes your business better, and gives your employees a sense of mission. How can you build a meaningful and deep-rooted company culture that will also make your business stronger and more successful? Mike Beckham, the co-founder, and CEO of Simple Modern has created one of the most successful drinkware companies on the planet while also fostering a mission-based culture. In this episode of Let’s Talk Business, Meny asks Mike about the secrets of his success, the ways we can...
2023-11-131h 00OperatorsE029: DSC Acquisition, ERP, Strategy, BFCM Tips. Plus Operators Are Joined by Sharoon CEO of Fulfil.[00:02:32] Non-disclosure of data indicates intentional misdirection.
[00:03:17] Shopify dominating the e-commerce industry confidently.
[00:09:51] Unilever holds minority stake of Dollar Shave Club, why?
[00:11:59] End of toxicity surrounding DTC industry acquisitions?
[00:15:36] M&A is difficult; deals often fail.
[00:20:07] "I wish I said 'I don't know' more." - Mike.
[00:22:01] Be direct when asking for a something.
[00:26:12] Brands buy multiple software pieces; integration fails. Sharoon.
[00:30:32] HexClad's success with Fulfill enables calmness.
[00:34:28] Don't implement ERP systems too early.
[00:36:29] ERP implementation failures due to being early.
[00:44:33] Results-driven manager sets financial objectives and defines success for team.
[00:48:07] Leaders need focus, competent teams, and guidance.
[00:54:02] Value of OKRs...
2023-11-081h 00
OperatorsE028: Future of Chinese Manufacturing, Hello Bello Breakdown, Celebrities as Partners, Luxury Brands[00:02:48] China: diversifying manufacturing class.
[00:03:47] China diversifying manufacturing location.
[00:08:52] HexClad considering steel requirement, exploring other manufacturing countries like Mexico, Vietnam, India for future expansion.
[00:14:04] Vertical integration, American-made claim, steel tariffs, selling in China; takeaways from Sean China trip.
[00:20:47] Hello Bello, just a restructure?
[00:22:53] Positive outcome: Resetting cap table benefits Hello Bello.
[00:25:23] Celebrity companies facing bankruptcy.
[00:29:00] Considering celebrity endorsement.
[00:33:44] Alcohol: Celebrity partnerships - worth the risk?
[00:37:02] Luxury brands leverage celebrities for desire.
[00:39:04] Luxury brands trade on mystique and appeal.
[00:44:08] Vibes, campaigns, and luxury fashion brands.
[00:45:59] Canada Goose overexposed?
[00:51:15] Panzerism: Why do it now? Eliminate distractions, decide better.
Operators Exclusive Slack:
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2023-11-0156 min
Für eine Handvoll PopcornFolge 90 - Krokodile im Wald und Schuldgefühle im Schlachthaus (Lake Placid, Wir und das Tier, Freddy vs Jason, Beckham, Lioness, Brawl in Cell Block 99 uvm)In unserer vorletzten Schocktober-Folge stellt sich Mike Hendriks Hausaufgabe und somit geht es heute um den 90er Tier-Horror-Streifen LAKE PLACID. Der Film besticht durch sein besonderes Genre-Flair und zudem ist unser Liebling Bill Pullman am Start. In der kommenden Woche erwartet euch ein brandneuer Dokumentarfilm im Kino, der in die Gedankenwelt jener Menschen eindringt, die tagtäglich mit dem Schlachten von Tieren konfrontiert sind. WIR UND DAS TIER - EIN SCHLACHTHAUSMELODRAM zeigt auf eindringliche Weise, wie der moderne Fleischkonsum oft dazu führt, dass wir vergessen, woher unser Essen wirklich stammt. Dieser Film gibt denjenigen eine Stimme, die am An...
2023-10-261h 25OperatorsE027: Building Houses, Price Sensitivity, Amazing Tech, Growth Teams, Strategic Planning & More[00:06:00] House building
[00:08:52] Price insensitive Canadians eagerly buy everything; friends seek bargains.
[00:10:05] Consumerism's paradox: price insensitivity and the deal. Relative happiness and wealth perception amidst inflation concerns.
[00:14:32] "Company values customers, rejects external funding - impressive."
[00:18:36] Brilliant move: from high street to high-end luxury.
[00:21:01] Planning 2024, expanding globally, growing cautiously.
[00:25:34] In down markets, control inputs, not outputs. Pay attention to leading indicators.
[00:27:11] Profitability concern due to skewed perspective and empathy.
[00:32:43] Profit model projects future, helps decision-making.
[00:34:03] Stress testing business for various scenarios.
[00:39:27] Patience is vital for entrepreneurs' success.
[00:43:04] Long-term view, value perception, successful partnership.
[00:46:12] Unpredictable future, long-term loyalty with people.
[00:49:12] Executive team...
2023-10-2557 minOperatorsE026: Consumer Takeovers, AI VS VC, Zuck's Digital & Physical Infusion, Q4, Alo IPO & More[00:02:20] Impending influx of consumer company takeovers.
[00:05:42] VC, SAAS: Destroyed by AI.
[00:11:35] Zuck: merging of physical and digital worlds.
[00:13:29] Chefs are like rock stars.
[00:18:23] Q4
[00:20:48] Unused credit line, positive balance sheet, tax filing.
[00:24:53] Dividend recap: profitable enough for large loan.
[00:32:19] Alo VS Lulu
[00:33:00] Alo IPO
[00:38:02] Black Friday to Christmas, consumer behavior compressed.
Operators Exclusive Slack:
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In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumored to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The...
2023-10-1840 minOperatorsE025: Q3 Results, Global Growth, Scaling 1-10, Consumer Landscape Speculation, Interest Rates & More[00:04:00] Q3 recap.
[00:15:45] HexClad expected to dominate Q4.
[00:26:51] 1-10M business growth.
[00:29:51] Scaling requires process, system, team, organization.
[00:38:24] Panzerism.
[00:47:07] Consumer behavior changes speculation.
[00:54:24] Political Predictions and Concerns.
[01:00:21] Canada, what's happening?
[01:05:34] People are emotional, not rational in consumerism.
[01:11:13] Collectables.
Operators Exclusive Slack:
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Operators Job Board:
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In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumored to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The world's biggest brands have denied its existence for...
2023-10-111h 17OperatorsE024: Aggregator Models Thrasio, Diversification, Ecom Acquisitions, Brand Value Longevity & More[00:03:09] Discussion on Thrasio and holdco model.
[00:03:42] Thrasio's business model: acquisition, consolidation, profit.
[00:07:36] Flawed aggregator investment thesis; only public markets.
[00:13:06] Leveraging media machine, scaling brands on Amazon.
[00:15:10] Value-driven growth on Amazon requires synergy.
[00:20:01] Holdco and conglomerates have valuable characteristic.
[00:23:09] Hesitant about holdco, distractions and lack of diversification.
[00:26:11] Leaders must avoid shiny object syndrome.
[00:28:26] Acquiring brands, liking consumers, admiring conglomerates.
[00:33:33] Leading, team, pioneer, models, human element, business.
[00:38:45] LVMH: European brands show patience, longevity.
[00:41:40] Technology enables quick scaling but also quick downfall.
[00:44:32] Limited revenue growth, questioning the pursuit of doubling.
Operators Exclusive Slack:
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Operators Job...
2023-10-0452 minOperatorsE022: Full House of Operators. Growth Targets, Differentiation, Role of a CEO, Trending News & More[00:05:17] Setting growth target, big partnerships, HexClad, expanding customer base
[00:10:38] Mayhem, slow hiring, key hires, delegating. Getting there.
[00:14:39] Digging into valuable MMM Media Mix modeling.
[00:15:33] Leading with empowered, talented individuals for success.
[00:20:13] Leadership has different layers and responsibilities.
[00:22:45] Scheduled days with themes for different tasks.
[00:29:07] Enterprise sales team in Lomi, unusual in DTC. Coach communicator, politician. Love consumer, retail. In the weeds. Small team, Seal team. Love product, visuals, culture. Love consumer.
[00:31:30] Teaching principles, abstraction, and leadership principles.
[00:34:37] Working on initiatives, being a shrink.
[00:39:43] No premium spices, go for HexClad. Ideas?
[00:43:06] Roadmap, optimization, brand, distribution, inconsistency, frustration.
[00:47:56] Shortage of competent...
2023-09-201h 00OperatorsE021: Operators Q&A: International Expansion, Pivoting & Adaptability, Organic Content & More[00:00:00] Unexpected encounter leads to golf opportunity.
[00:10:11] Perceived limit low, raising organic reach cap.
[00:14:41] Organic versus paid scaling: a dual challenge.
[00:18:36] Marketing and product need different approaches.
[00:27:57] Getting in front of customers is crucial. HexClad initially focused on demonstrations in Costco, then shifted to online ads. Media Mix modeling is valuable for growth.
[00:35:02] Expanding market internationally, starting with Amazon. Opportunity for growth in Europe, Canada, Mexico.
[00:39:12] Ridge has localized websites for international customers.
[00:47:08] Scale determines effectiveness of marketing strategies.
[00:53:20] Be skeptical, debunk everything, question conventional wisdom.
[00:57:44] Intelligence embraces being wrong and fluid.
[01:00:52] Ridge's LTV problem will be solved.
[01:06:31] Conflict in...
2023-09-131h 07
Small Business PivotsSimple Modern Drinkware: Scaling a Nine-Figure Business In Under A Decade With Mike BeckhamImagine building a nine-figure business from scratch in under a decade, all while prioritizing people and generosity. This isn't a fanciful dream, it's the reality of Mike Beckham, co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern. In this compelling chat, Mike pulls back the curtain on the highs, lows, and learning curves that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. From childhood lessons to transformative college experiences, and his transition from the non-profit sector to Simple Modern, Mike's story is a testament to the power of generosity, service, and tenacity.Our conversation doesn't stop at Mike's personal journey. We explore the integral...
2023-09-0644 minOperatorsEpisode 020: Mastering The Art of Product Licensing. A Deep Dive Conversation With The Operators.[00:02:56] Licensing: Mickey Mouse, NFL, big IPs. Structured how?
[00:04:29] Territories, channels, products, royalties: Licensing essentials.
[00:07:43] Licensing creates revenue and limits competition.
[00:11:53] 'PhD' levels discuss brand collaborations, licensing agreements.
[00:14:03] Two layers: IP in licensing agreements, risks.
[00:18:08] Licensing expands brand through partnerships and products.
[00:23:56] Look beyond obvious licenses for brand partnerships.
[00:27:40] Licensing intersects our business through relationships and influencers.
[00:35:17] Using targeted marketing to attract licensing agreements.
[00:41:15] Licensing risk is high due to inventory.
[00:46:34] Sales spike, infrastructure key for success. Licenses drive future...
2023-09-0659 minOperatorsE018: How To Price Your Products. A Deep Dive Special.[00:02:23] Close relationship with Callaway and Travis Matthew.
Topgolf is future of company.
[00:05:54] Late to market, focused on value.
[00:08:33] Cost Plus pricing: Calculate costs, add markup. Weaknesses: Customer perception, competition's pricing.
[00:13:32] Extensive price history, AOV increase, wallet market.
[00:15:02] Gucci wallet: affordable gift with high demand.
[00:18:39] Affordable premium product, strong email deliverability. Exceptional.
[00:21:44] Pricing strategy: gross margin, cost optimization, discounts.
[00:25:38] Failed auction website experiment reveals psychological pricing.
[00:29:49] Differentiation is key in pricing strategy.
[00:33:46] Audit costs and lack of systems explained.
[00:37:42] Price psychology and price buckets are important. A Dutch auction maximizes revenue. Consider industry-specific price buckets for better pricing.
[00:42:18] Supply and...
2023-08-2359 minOperatorsE017: How Do You Build Brand Equity? A Deep Dive Special With The Operators.00:01:44 Trade show booth laughter fuels brand motivation.
00:03:57 HexClad's successful brand building and growth.
00:11:02 TAM size: average; acquiring millions of new customers a year; need to go international, focus on repeat rate; think about true servable market; brand equals capital B brand; need a functional product, fashion game is cyclical; Dyson and Apple as examples.
00:13:52 Great brands start with superior functional improvement.
00:22:12 Brand emote, invest in functional over fashion.
00:27:40 Consistency is key in building a brand.
00:29:28 Affordable pricing, experienced team, good deliverability. Impressive trajectory, strong NPS score, organic growth.
00:36:05 HexClad redefined and dominates its category.
00:38:11 Defy gravity: Spend less, increase...
2023-08-1658 minOperatorsE016: Ridge's CMO Connor Joins, Using Agencies, Launching Products, Monetising Your Audience & More[00:03:57] Questioning the relevance of the media spend model.
[00:10:23] Innovative ad agency with flexible payment plans.
[00:13:23] Amazon advertising, agencies can be helpful, learn first.
[00:18:02] "Not a great salesperson, let's talk about work."
[00:24:41] Agency red flags, client tenure, trusted agencies.
[00:31:35] Partnerships with aspirational brands can be beneficial.
[00:38:54] Media-commerce combo: content and brands unite.
[00:49:13] Launching products
[00:59:53] Newness makes marketing easier and improves sales.
[01:07:24] Broad audience appeal, diversified marketing mix.
In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumored to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The world's biggest...
2023-08-091h 11OperatorsE014: The Operators Focus on Culture. Hiring Unconventionally, Paying Top Talent, Meetings, Values.[00:02:59] Unconventional hiring strategy: trust-based recruitment success.
[00:05:11] CEO Jeff runs the business day-to-day, while the Matt focuses on product and marketing. Trust is crucial for high-performance teams. Trust is built through interactions and time. Hiring someone in a leadership position requires trust.
[00:10:58] Recruiter found experienced operator for venture fund.
[00:13:19] Profits interest for celebrities, no shares. Need VP-level protege. Compensation and thoughts on 300k?
[00:17:02] Unique advantages attract top talent, not just money.
[00:22:24] Culture-driven team with focus on results. Hesitant about expanding meetings and remote work.
[00:30:52] Culture impacts meetings. Record them. No agenda, cancel the meeting.
[00:31:47] Work culture: meetings, time, collaboration, and...
2023-07-2653 minOperatorsE013: Prime Results, Hiring Execs, China, Ecommerce Health, Investing, Panzerism & More.00:02:17 Amazon's Prime Day exceeded expectations, with some sellers reporting significant increases in sales compared to normal days.
00:25:47 Factors affecting success: marketing, forecasting, costs, logistics. Favorable exchange rate benefits importing. American consumers healthier than China and Europe. E-commerce competition increasing.
00:31:53 Difficulties in China's business environment due to COVID-19 and currency exchange rates.
00:33:34 Retailers push back on price increases. China's impact on market and competitiveness.
00:40:17 China's reliance on food imports grows, manufacturing jobs shift to Vietnam and Mexico, challenging future ahead.
00:46:36 Real estate buyers ignore prices with Chinese money.
00:51:14 Time kills all deals; keep momentum.
01:00:50 My focus jumps around for urgency.
01:06:34...
2023-07-191h 23OperatorsE012: Twitter vs Threads, Prime Day Deal/No Deal, Definitive COGS, Margins, Profit Per Day & More00:02:53 Bet against Zuckerberg? No. Killed Snapchat and Twitter. Sean is bummed about rebuilding social graph on threads.
00:06:58 Twitter's alienation may lead to new communities.
00:13:19 June highlights: suffering and key metrics discussed. CAC target achieved, sales up 100% with 20% lower CAC. North Beam saved the business.
00:16:21 Approach to Prime Day has changed, no major discounts.
00:20:31 Prime Day: margins, discounts, customer behavior.
00:26:09 Million-dollar accounting costs lead to a failed audit.
00:32:47 Wholesale shipments, chargebacks, accounting nightmare, ERP, profit per day, optimize for dollars.
00:36:59 "Have a plan, avoid reckless spending."
00:44:12 Email and SMS are commodity services. SendGrid is commonly used for sending emails. Shopify...
2023-07-1259 min
OperatorsE011: Choosing The Right Business, Communication, AI Commerce, Entrepreneurial Experience & More[00:04:45] Returns fraud website exposed fraudulent refund practices.
[00:09:19] NetSuite as a fulfillment solution didn't work for us. We chose Fulfil.io.
[00:12:35] Alex had a successful exit selling Morning Brew. He started an outdoor game called The Plunge but decided to shut it down due to the small market size and the difficulty of the game.
[00:17:18] Expertise lines up, network successful. No consumer business.
[00:22:14] Evercore is a bad bank, Goldman is good. Love winning or love consumer? Choose wisely.
[00:27:23] Northeam gives us warm fuzzies with spending.
[00:36:58] Competitive advantage: brand, knowledge, teams, systems.
[00:38:17] Summarizing the need for effective communication in a growing...
2023-07-051h 07OperatorsE010: Katy Mimari Founder & CEO of Caden Lane in Conversation With The Operators & MoreKaty’s incredible story, Caden Lane. (02:16)
The problems with wholesale retail. (18:50)
Growing to 30m as the only executive. (23:30)
The C word bump (29:00)
Walking away from 100M (36:15)
Selling to PE (38:13)
Boosting LTV at scale (45:00)
Panzerism (51:45)
Dealing with negativity (54.00)
Identity TAM (01:13:00)
In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumored to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The world's biggest brands have denied its existence for years, un...
2023-06-281h 22OperatorsE009: Mehtab Karta, META Cheat Codes, Financing, Panzerism, Covid, 13-week Cash Flow Model & More.How to not pay your META creditors? (01.11)
Mehtab intro (02.27)
Financing eCommerce (17.40)
Was Covid actually good for business (37.57)
Value propositions (47.55)
13-Week Cash Flow Model (01.05.00)
Rules for Managing Your Business (01.08.00)
In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The worlds biggest brands have denied its existence for years, until now. Three titans known as "Operators" are leaking the secret contents in an effort to share its wealth of knowledge with people like you.
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2023-06-211h 12OperatorsE008: Meta Summit Recap, Marketing Complexity, Perfectionism, Action vs. Inaction Bias, & MoreIn the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The worlds biggest brands have denied its existence for years, until now. Three titans known as "Operators" are leaking the secret contents in an effort to share its wealth of knowledge with people like you.
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2023-06-1446 minOperatorsE007: Luck & Timing, Our Worst Investments, Product Diversification, Facebook Conspiracy & More(01:15) The role of luck in success
(04:25) Time in the game matters
(08:45) Worst things we've done as a business
(09:30) Sean- It got legal
(10:50) Matt - Shut it down
(16:15) Two hero products confuse pixels
(20:00) Jason - Driving garbage traffic
(25:00) HexClad product diversification
(27:30) Homepage takeovers suck
(30:30) Advertising diminishing returns
(33:50) Facebook scammers
(38:15) Facbook - BOF, MOF or TOF
(46:19) Amazon advertising inefficiencies
(01:05:21) Mike - Worst business bets
In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured...
2023-06-071h 13OperatorsE006: Marty Wholesome Goods, De-Risking Talent, Data & Testing, Gamers, Panzerism, Prime Day & More.Marty Sullens. Managing Partner at Wholesome Goods.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sumohax0r
(03:20) Intro
(04:16) Marty Story
(09:35) Wholesome Goods Structure
(18.30) Building your own data models
(25:26) Healthy abrasion
(32:20) Unicorn role
(41:53) Panzerism
(50.00) Hire Gamers
(59:00) Prime day knowledge drop
In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The worlds biggest brands have denied its existence for...
2023-05-311h 14OperatorsE005: Attribution Modeling, Branding, Panzerism, Company Acquisition, Ridge Regrets & More.Attribution modelling (MER, mixed media) (03:30)
Branding (Simple Modern) (19:00)
Klaviyo (25:00)
Panzerism (35:00)
How most brands are sold (38:00)
Ridge Regrets (51:00)
In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The worlds biggest brands have denied its existence for years, until now. Three titans known as "Operators" are leaking the secret contents in an effort to share its wealth of knowledge with people like you.
Powered By Northbeam.
https://www.northbeam.io/
Each of the 9 figure operators use Northbeam to measure everything...
2023-05-241h 07OperatorsE004: Organisational Structure, Taking Vacations, Panzerism, Negotiation, TV Advertising & More. (Listen until the end, it's worth it).Powered By Northbeam.
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Each of the 9 figure operators use Northbeam to measure everything and scale everywhere.
Show Breakdown:
Intro (00:54)
Org structure (02:09)
Panzerism (33:25)
Negotiation (36:36)
Taking vacation (39:11)
Buying TV Advertising (48:20)
Special Bonus (Stick around until the end. It's worth it)
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Sean (Host) https://twitter.com/SeanEcom
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2023-05-171h 04OperatorsE003: People Cost, Panzerism, Asymmetric Risk, Shopify Layoffs, Flexport & More.(2:13) Operators intro
(5:15) Revenue and People Cost
(18:00) Panzerism - work hard
(26:15) Asymmetric Risk
(40:18) Shopify Layoffs
(52:00) Flexport and Logistics
Powered By Northbeam.
Each of the 9 figure operators use Northbeam to measure everything and scale everywhere.
Visit Our Website: https://www.9operators.com/
Follow us on Twitter:
Sean Host: https://twitter.com/SeanEcom
Jason Host: https://twitter.com/jasonpanzer
Matthew Host: https://twitter.com/mbertulli
Mike Host: https://twitter.com/mikebeckhamsm
Finn Producer: https://twitter.com/finn_radford
Show: https://twitter.com/9operators
NorthBeam: https://twitter.com/nort...
2023-05-101h 09OperatorsE002: Should consumer brands be public, Strategy for 2023, When to use 3PL, Being a CEO & more(3:00) Strategy at HexClad for 2023
(7:00) Ridge. Are you pushing for growth or preparing for growth
(10:00) HexClad. What is your future of fulfilment and ops
(11:00) Ridge. Your experience with 3PL
(19:00) Proactive vs reactive strategy and action
(38:00) Digging into consumer IPOs
(01:01:00) 2023 strategy for Matt
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Each of the 9 figure operators use Northbeam to measure everything and scale everywhere.
Visit Our Website: https://www.9operators.com/
Follow us on Twitter:
Northbeam (Partner)
Show Twitter
Sean (Host)
Ja...
2023-05-031h 04OperatorsE001: Welcome to The Show, Bootstrapped VS Venture, Salary & Distributions, How Much Lawyers Make, The Value of Bankers, Sharing is Powerful. Featuring Our Fourth Host Mike Beckham.In the world of eCommerce, a legendary WhatsApp group is rumoured to hold the secrets to unimaginable success. The catch? You must have nine figures in revenue to gain entry. The worlds biggest brands have denied its existence for years, until now. Three titans known as "Operators" are leaking the secret contents in an effort to share its wealth of knowledge with people like you.
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2023-04-261h 09
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