The operators talk about the complexities of channel expansion, debating the strategic trade-offs between doubling down on digital ads versus pushing into physical retail. They discuss how pricing power acts as a form of marketing and why a $30 customer acquisition cost is becoming the floor for most brands. The conversation also explores the nuances of brand versus performance marketing, the hidden risks of international expansion into Europe compared to the US market, and how AI is reshaping creative production while potentially accelerating "peak screen time" and changing consumer behavior.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:28 - Channel Expansion Strategy00:22:51 - Measuring Marketing ROI00:42:22 - Managing Complexity in Channel Expansion00:55:02 - The $30 CAC Floor01:09:37 - AI's Impact on Brand AuthenticityPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/
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1:24:31
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1:24:31
E141: Cash Flow Keeps Us Rich
In this episode, the operators discuss the financial realities of scaling an e-commerce brand, discussing the discipline required to manage cash flow and the strategic decision-making behind reinvesting profits versus taking distributions. They explore the critical timeline for when a business can realistically generate free cash flow, debating the merits of allocating capital toward inventory, product development or team expansion. The conversation also covers advanced financial strategies like dividend recaps, the "Rule of 40" for measuring growth against profitability, and personal approaches to managing wealth and generational assets once liquidity is achieved.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:48 - Managing Cash Flow and Reinvesting for Growth00:25:53 - Using Debt and Dividend Recaps for Liquidity00:39:31 - Determining Cash Targets and EBITDA Margins00:53:18 - Managing Personal Wealth and Generational Assets01:05:30 - Understanding the Rule of 40 and P&L MechanicsPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Postscript.https://postscript.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/
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1:18:30
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1:18:30
E140: Black Friday Just Got Wild
In this episode, the operators dive deep into the current holiday shopping landscape, analyzing Black Friday Cyber Monday strategies and the shifting behavior of consumers in a soft economy. They debate the merits of starting sales early versus waiting for the "Cyber Five," discuss the complexities of inventory management, and share insights on forecasting growth for 2025 and 2026.The conversation also explores the difference between "sexy" trend-based growth and durable long-term success, using case studies like Nike and On Running, before concluding with a candid discussion on the role of the CEO in prioritizing company initiatives and making high-leverage decisionsChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:34 - Holiday Discounting & Consumer Sentiment00:18:16 - Early Sales vs. Cyber Five Strategies00:30:00 - Forecasting & Growth Targets00:42:38 - Durable vs. "Sexy" Growth00:54:53 - The CEO's Role & PrioritiesPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/
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1:01:23
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1:01:23
E139: The future is members only fashion brands.
Jon Buscemi joins the podcast to discuss his journey from trend forecasting at DC Shoes to founding his iconic luxury sneaker brand. He shares the inside story of selling his brand to private equity and how their strategy to create an attainable luxury diffusion line was the "kiss of death", violating the rules of luxury pricing. Buscemi argues that fashion's monoculture is dead, replaced by micro-communities, and that social media has killed the discovery aspect of fashion. He details how his new members-only golf brand Redan, is built on scarcity and community, predicting that this "members-only" model is the future trend for fashion.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:31 - The $1000 Sneaker00:18:00 - From DC Shoes to Tribal Fashion Trends00:33:17 - Selling to Private Equity00:45:14 - Networking, Signaling, & The "Members-Only" Brand00:59:11 - Can a Monoculture Brand Still Be Built Today?Powered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Postscript.https://postscript.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/
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1:11:36
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1:11:36
E138: Why Winners Go Broke
Cash is king, period. In this episode, the operators get real about why cash flow matters more than your P&L, EBITDA, or vanity revenue numbers. They share their worst "cash crunch" war stories, like pushing payroll or having to choose between buying inventory and paying taxes. To prove a hard lesson: even profitable businesses go bankrupt all the time. You'll learn the backward-sounding truth of e-commerce: rapid growth bleeds cash, while slowing down can actually fill your bank account. They get into the weeds on risky trend-based inventory, and how to get your suppliers to finance your growth by trading margin for better terms. They also cover the real cost of equity (why you should probably just take the money) and why you need a serious finance team and audits long before you ever think about selling.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:07 - Worst Cash Crunch Moments00:18:26 - How Growth & Inventory Type Affect Cash Flow00:34:50 - Tactical Ways to Protect Cash00:46:26 - The Truth About Equity Financing01:03:27 - Partnership, Paranoia, and Playing the Leverage GamePowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.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.
New Zealand