OPERATORS - podcast cover

OPERATORS

OPERATORS9operators.com
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.

Episodes

E099: The 10 year overnight success with David Segal

00:00 Introduction 06:10 Transitioning to FinTech: Highbeam 14:49 Navigating Retail and E-commerce 20:57 The Future of Consumer Brands and AI 33:58 The Pros and Cons of Opening Physical Stores 41:54 Finding the Right Retail Locations 47:46 The Importance of Data in Business 51:25 Lessons from High-End Retail Experiences 01:02:35 Understanding Market Differences: Canada vs. U.S. 01:11:19 The Importance of Great Retail Staff 01:14:00 The Future of Retail: Who Will Survive? 01:21:14 The Challenge o...

Mar 05, 20252 hr 31 minSeason 1Ep. 99

E098: The LTV Trap: Escape Your Broken Business Model

00:00 Introduction 03:12 The Impact of Chargebacks on Businesses 08:57 The Nature of Chargeback Fraud 11:53 Strategies for Preventing Chargebacks 18:03 Building a Robust Data Infrastructure 35:07 Evaluating Technology Investments 40:12 Personal Branding and Business Identity 44:16 Cross-Company Networking for Leaders 48:20 Understanding Lifetime Value (LTV) in Business 54:50 The Uncertainty of Future Consumer Behavior 58:04 The Impact of Disruption on Business Models 01:06:55 Innovating Product ...

Feb 26, 20252 hr 46 minSeason 1Ep. 98

E097: Scientist to Entrepreneur

00:00 Introduction 03:08 The Science of Consumer Brands 05:57 Transition from Academia to Entrepreneurship 12:08 Launching a Science-Backed Beauty Brand 14:53 Acquisition and the Future of Beauty Brands 17:46 The Scientific Method in Entrepreneurship 21:04 Data-Driven Decision Making in E-commerce 24:05 Evan's New Venture in Allergy Solutions 36:07 Understanding the Market for Cat Allergy Solutions 39:57 Exploring Product Development and Pricing Strategies 44:52 Building a Lasting Brand: Les...

Feb 19, 20251 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 97

E096: Content Creation & Brand Storytelling

00:00 Introduction and Sponsorships 01:51 Navigating Natural Disasters and Personal Experiences 04:06 Transitioning to the Cannabis Industry 09:50 Challenges in the Cannabis Business 14:04 The Shift to Short Form Content Creation 20:08 The Rise of Short Form Video 26:06 Building a Community Through Content 29:59 The Value of Authentic Content Creation 36:45 Balancing Depth and Breadth in Content Creation 43:10 The Nuances of Selling Information and Courses 51:20 The Importance of Data in Busines...

Feb 18, 20251 hr 14 minSeason 1Ep. 96

E095: Tariffs.

00:00 Introduction 02:25 Understanding the Impact of Tariffs on Trade 05:43 The Reality of Tariffs: Perspectives from the Ground 09:25 Fentanyl Crisis: A National Security Concern 12:35 The Political Landscape: Canada vs. U.S. Tariff Strategies 17:50 Negotiation Tactics: The Art of the Deal 21:34 Manufacturing Decisions: The U.S. vs. Canada 25:55 The Future of Trade: E-commerce and Supply Chain Dynamics 36:21 Navigating Tariffs and Trade Regulations 39:07 The Impact of E-commerce on Domestic Sel...

Feb 07, 20251 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 95

E094: Big Business, Big Challenges: Mastering Resource Management.

00:00 Introduction 02:03 The Importance of Effective Communication 04:01 Luxury Beliefs and Societal Challenges 09:47 Understanding Second and Third Order Effects 18:53 Time Management Strategies for Leaders 31:11 Data Management and Decision Making 35:48 Coaching and Developing Young Talent 39:30 The Power of Multiplication in Leadership 46:33 Investing in Human Capital 49:53 Agency Dynamics and Challenges 59:51 Understanding Product-Market Fit 01:09:50 Navigating Agency Relationships and Loyal...

Feb 05, 20251 hr 19 minSeason 1Ep. 94

E093: Managing High Performance Teams.

00:00 Introduction 02:03 Cherene's Career Decisions and Work-Life Balance 05:47 Team Dynamics and Management Styles 13:21 Data Management and Decision Making 19:26 Building Effective Teams and Organizational Culture 31:06 Empowering Growth Through Inclusion 38:06 Building a Culture of Trust and Independence 47:23 The Journey of Personal and Professional Growth 57:02 Sustaining Success Through Adversity Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-...

Jan 29, 20251 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 93

E092: Markets, Conferences, Growth & Optimism.

00:00 Introduction 02:15 Insights from the ICR Conference 09:25 Market Sentiment and Tariffs 14:42 The Importance of Product Development 20:54 Shark Ninja's Unique Brand Strategy 25:51 Balancing OPEX and Future Investments 30:29 Consumer Sentiment and Growth Opportunities 38:54 Consumer Confidence and Market Trends 44:40 Mimetic Behavior in Business 49:27 The Importance of Independent Thinking 54:25 Data-Driven Decision Making 01:00:52 Optimism in American Economic Growth 01:06:05 Building R...

Jan 22, 20251 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 92

E091: Passport Acquires Brand Access

00:00 Introduction 02:26 Understanding the DTC SaaS Landscape 03:20 Brand Access: A Solution for Global Expansion 08:08 Passport: End-to-End Internationalization Solutions 12:21 Navigating Compliance in International Shipping19:15 Choosing the Right Partner for Global Sales 27:48 Breaking News: Acquisition Announcement 30:06 Navigating International Logistics Challenges 36:16 The Importance of Strategic Partnerships 42:49 Scaling Operations and Market Expansion 49:18 Future Trends in Global Trad...

Jan 15, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 91

E090: The Bentist - 7.42M Subscribers

00:00 Introduction 02:23 The Challenges of the DTC SaaS Landscape 05:09 Ben's Journey into Dentistry and Orthodontics 12:11 The Rise of Social Media in Dentistry 20:07 Building a Brand: The Bentist and TikTok Success 27:17 Transitioning from Employee to Entrepreneur 32:24 Innovative Business Model and Future Plans 34:44 Building a National Dental Brand 37:06 The Economics of Dental Practices 40:57 The Role of AI and Automation in Business 49:16 Deflationary Effects of AI on Industries 01:03:51 O...

Jan 08, 20251 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 90

E089: “The acceleration we’ve been waiting for” - Paul from BK Beauty

00:00 Introduction 02:00 BK Beauty's Journey and Background 03:04 The Rise of TikTok Shops 10:03 The Mechanics of TikTok Shops and Its Impact 13:53 The Power of TikTok's Algorithm for Commerce 17:46 The Future of Social Shopping and Influencer Marketing 27:37 The Rise of Omni-Channel Marketing 30:51 The Impact of Subsidies on TikTok Shops 34:29 Navigating the Challenges of Live Streaming 38:46 The Future of YouTube Shopping 43:53 The Uncertain Future of TikTok 50:41 Building a Cloud of Economic ...

Jan 01, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 89

E088: Thrive in '25

00:00 End of Year Reflections and Planning 02:14 The DTC SaaS Landscape: Building to Serve 06:33 Year-End Recap and 2025 Planning 10:49 Budgeting and Forecasting for the New Year 14:33 Balancing Growth and Margins 22:37 Inventory Management and Strategic Decisions 31:23 Navigating Demand Planning and Market Share 41:02 Understanding Category Share and Market Dynamics 48:17 Identifying Growth Capacity and Leadership Challenges Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_...

Dec 26, 20241 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 88

E087: Can you ever bet against Zuck?

00:00 Navigating the Evolving Landscape of E-commerce 07:45 The Impact of Regulatory Challenges on Business 17:13 The Future of TikTok and Its Implications for Marketing 29:57 The Digital Reformation: A Shift in Information Control 32:44 Impact of TikTok on Marketing Strategies 37:13 Meta's Performance and Advertising Challenges 41:44 Diversification in Advertising Spend 49:56 The Future of Advertising Platforms 55:02 Regulatory Changes in Pharmaceutical Advertising Operators Exclusive Slack: ht...

Dec 18, 20241 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 87

E086: Mike's New Brand: Introducing Trevi

00:00 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. I...

Dec 11, 20241 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 86

E085: AppLovin and TV ads

00:00 Introduction 03:49 Staffing Solutions and Temporary Agencies 10:13 Exploring New Marketing Channels 20:01 Comparing AppLovin with Traditional Advertising 29:53 The Future of Advertising and Data Integration 31:34 Integrating SMS and Email Marketing 32:26 Exploring the Evolving Landscape of TV Advertising 34:50 Navigating TV Ad Spend and Creative Strategies 38:23 Understanding TV Ad Targeting and Placement 43:14 The Role of Trust in TV Advertising 46:54 The Unique Dynamics of TV as a Market...

Dec 04, 20241 hr 3 min

E084: BFCM Pulse Check

00:00 Introduction 06:13 Black Friday Week: Strategies and Expectations 09:12 The Dynamics of Wholesale vs. E-commerce 12:04 The Importance of Communication and Forecasting 14:58 Managing Fulfillment and Operations Effectively 18:10 The Role of Roadshows in Brand Awareness 21:02 The Debate on All-in-One Solutions in E-commerce 35:20 Navigating Forecasting Challenges 37:41 Crisis Management: Nightmares in Business 41:02 Cash Flow Management in Wholesale 44:20 De-risking Your Business 50:30 Levera...

Nov 26, 20241 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 84

E083: Curtis Matsko: Operators X Portland Leather Goods

Curtis Matsko, Founder of Portland Leather Goods. 00:00 Introduction 05:01 The Move to Mexico and Manufacturing Growth 11:14 The Evolution of Portland Leather 16:51 Marketing Strategy and Product Development 22:32 Supply Chain Control and Efficiency 28:52 Future Plans and Business Growth 32:14 Building a Competitive Supply Chain 35:10 The Importance of Quality Leather 38:05 The Vegan Leather Debate 41:42 Marketing as a Core Strategy 46:01 Managing Growth and Operations 51:43 Innovative Marketing...

Nov 20, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 83

E082: 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 l...

Nov 13, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 82

E081: Business Debt

00:00 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 Ad...

Nov 06, 20242 hr 41 minSeason 1Ep. 81

E080: Boardroom to Playroom

00:00 The Chaos of Entrepreneurship and Parenting 06:14 The Balancing Act of Family and Business 19:56 The Myth of Work-Life Balance 28:01 Creating Supportive Work Environments for Parents 30:58 Balancing Work and Family Life 35:28 The Role of Caregivers in the Workplace 38:51 Intentionality in Life Management 40:47 The Wave Model of Life Balance 44:54 Setting Boundaries at Work and Home 49:51 Empowering Others and Personal Agency 57:30 Scarcity and Focus in Life Management 01:01:41 The Complexi...

Oct 30, 20242 hr 33 minSeason 1Ep. 80

E079: The Pro’s and Con’s of being a CEO

00:00 Introduction 06:01 Engagement with Sports Teams 09:49 Understanding Sports Audience Demographics 12:07 The Challenges of Sponsorships 15:49 Navigating College Sports and NIL Opportunities 19:57 The CEO Experience: Challenges and Responsibilities 23:50 The Pressure of Growth and Expectations 28:07 Managing People and Organizational Growth 31:50 The Complexity of Team Dynamics 35:05 Firing and Organizational Fit 35:35 Navigating Difficult Conversations as a CEO 39:15 The Hedonic Treadmill an...

Oct 23, 20241 hr 11 minSeason 1Ep. 79

E078: Going Global

00:00 Introduction 02:57 Leadership Retreats and Team Dynamics 05:53 Traveling for Business: The China Experience 09:04 Consumer Behavior Insights from Italy 11:48 Cultural Differences in Retail and Consumer Products 15:06 The Impact of American Brands Abroad 18:12 Navigating International Markets and Localization 23:56 Conclusion: The Future of Global E-commerce 38:10 Understanding Lululemon's Unique Market Position 41:03 Challenges of International Expansion 43:54 The Complexity of Diversifica...

Oct 16, 20241 hr 14 minSeason 1Ep. 78

E077: In Conversation with the Candy King

00:00 Introduction 06:06 From Swords to Candy: The Pivot 12:49 Innovating in the Candy Market 20:55 Challenges of Retail vs. DTC 29:52 Navigating Cash Flow and Retail Relationships 39:02 The Importance of Product and Market Fit 49:16 Consumer Behavior and Market Trends Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-20pd2eq4n-UVM6oTQkdltEwLINwkCWIA Powered By: Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vu The Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. ...

Oct 09, 20241 hrSeason 1Ep. 77

E076: Ecommerce Comeback

00:00 Introduction 02:26 Understanding System One and System Two Thinking 18:28 The E-commerce Landscape: Current State and Future Predictions 39:31 Strategies for Q4: Optimism and Discounting 01:01:54 The Role of TikTok Shops in E-commerce 00:00 Introduction 02:26 Understanding System One and System Two Thinking 18:28 The E-commerce Landscape: Current State and Future Predictions 39:31 Strategies for Q4: Optimism and Discounting 01:01:54 The Role of TikTok Shops in E-commerce Sean's References ...

Oct 02, 20241 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 76

E075: Purpose Driven Business

00:00 Introduction 01:25 The Power of Purpose in Attracting and Retaining Talent 08:04 Creating Focus and Guiding Decision-Making with Mission and Purpose 17:07 The Role of Margin in Fueling Positive Change 26:30 Authenticity and Trust in Communicating Purpose 30:23 Addressing Skepticism around Corporate Purpose 30:51 The Importance of a Clear and Focused Mission 38:17 Avoiding Mission Scope Creep 41:37 Balancing Mission and Diverse Perspectives 46:58 Endurance and Compounding Effects of Mission...

Sep 25, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 75

E074: Growth hacking profit with Mehtab

00:00 Introduction 02:04 Optimizing Supply Chain for Increased Profitability 08:01 Reducing Fulfillment Costs with a Better 3PL 10:51 Re-engineering Products to Eliminate Waste 14:39 Building Relationships with Suppliers for Cost Savings 20:04 The Power of Being Likeable in Business 21:31 Shrinkflation: A Profitability Hack 24:51 Finding the Optimal Price Point through Price Testing 28:58 Pricing Testing for Increased Profitability 30:23 The Power of Bundling 31:48 Optimizing Supply Chain and Sh...

Sep 18, 202457 minSeason 1Ep. 74

E073: How to Manage Your Wealth

00:00 Introduction 07:24 The Viral Tweet and Perspectives on Wealth Advisors 15:21 Promise 1: Control 16:14 Promise 2: Exclusive Access to Investment Opportunities 24:25 Promise 3: Access to Events 25:49 Promise 4: New Financial Instruments 26:48 Promise 5: Safety 27:15 Conclusion and Importance for Entrepreneurs 28:13 Borrowing Against Non-Liquid Assets: Benefits and Risks 31:34 The Controversy of Taxing Unrealized Capital Gains 39:17 The Importance of Having a Clear Sense of Purpose 44:03 The ...

Sep 11, 202455 minSeason 1Ep. 73

E072: Why You Shouldn’t Run a Sweepstakes, Holiday Season Advertising, Temu’s Earnings & More

00:00 Introduction 02:18 The Pros and Cons of Running Sweepstakes 10:09 The Impact of Sweepstakes on Revenue and Customer Engagement 13:30 Q4 Planning: Leveraging Gift-Giving for Increased Sales 18:16 TV Advertising and Other Marketing Channels 23:49 Q4 Sales: Gift-Giving vs. Gift-for-Self 30:45 Finding the Perfect Gifts 32:11 Advertising Strategies for the Holiday Season 34:38 The Power of Direct Mail in Marketing 49:30 The Risks of Publicly Traded Chinese Companies 54:12 The Impact of Personal...

Sep 04, 20241 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 72

E071: Catching up with Austin

00:00 Introduction 03:32 The Value of Time and Convenience 07:49 Bias to Impact and Velocity in Work 13:29 Leadership Styles and Kindness vs. Gentleness 19:12 Resilience and Embracing Failure as a Leader 26:21 Creating a Culture of Risk-Taking and Learning from Failure 31:48 The Importance of Being Anti-Fragile as a Leader 38:30 Longevity and Persistence in Business 44:34 The Key to Success: Duration and Self-Discipline 49:29 The Partnership Between Northbeam and Meta 52:43 Consumer Spending Tre...

Aug 28, 20242 hr 30 minSeason 1Ep. 71

E070: The Risks and Rewards of Hypergrowth

07:41 The Importance of Making Low-Impact Decisions 09:36 The Role of Leadership in Decision-Making 11:25 Learning from Mistakes and Allowing the Team to Make Mistakes 14:48 Identifying High-Leverage Decisions 16:44 Making High-Leverage Decisions in the Cookware Industry 21:14 Forecasting and Planning for the Future 31:06 The Advantage of Being in a Growing Category 34:21 The Significance of Intrinsic Growth Rate and New Customer Acquisition 38:37 The Role of Brand Equity in Expanding into New P...

Aug 21, 20241 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 70