Firing The Man

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301

Latest episode

Apr 2026

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EN-US

About the show

THANK YOU TO OUR 25,000+ LISTENERS! We are so thankful to be one of the TOP E-Commerce Podcasts delivering high-quality authentic content to you! Serial Entrepreneur’s David Schomer and Ken Wilson share tips, advice, and insider knowledge about all things Amazon FBA, Walmart WFS, and E-Commerce. Discover how you can create multiple income streams by selling physical products online so that you can have the time and freedom to do what you love - whether that is spending more time with family or traveling the world. Ken and David have successfully created several six and seven figure online business ventures. During the journey, they have had major wins, losses, and lessons learned. This podcast will teach you about selling physical products online through platforms such as Fulfillment by Amazon, building a team, outsourcing, listing optimization, pay per click (PPC) advertising, driving traffic to your listings, and productivity tips / life hacks that will provide a path to be successful in building your online business. It’s a mix of interviews, special co-hosts and solo shows from Ken and David you’re not going to want to miss. Hit subscribe, and get ready to change your life.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 30548 min

Inventory Forecasting That Prevents Storage Fee Surprises with Chelsea Cohen

Amazon can take a shocking cut of your revenue before you even count product cost, shipping, and overhead, and that reality is forcing sellers to get far more disciplined about inventory and profit. We sit down with returning guest Chelsea Cohen to talk about what she’s learned as SoStocked moves through acquisitions and into a larger corporate ecosystem, and why that shift makes real-time visibility into fees, forecasting, and unit economics even more important for day-to-day decisions.We get specific about the hidden margin killers that sneak up on Amazon FBA brands: storage fees, aged inventory fees, capacity constraints, and mismeasured products that land in the wrong FBA fee tier. Chelsea shares how smart sellers build a regular overstock plan, move slow inventory without panic, and think in contribution margin terms so they can spot which SKUs are quietly draining cash. We also talk through the pricing trap, why raising prices doesn’t always work, and how to weigh profit dollars against the workload and complexity that come with higher volume at thinner margins.On the tactical side, we cover wasted ad spend audits, negative keywords, reimbursement opportunities (including AWD mistakes), and how Amazon Warehousing and Distribution can help with inbound and capacity when used as a lever instead of a full dependency. We close by looking at how AI is starting to move from “answer my question” to “recommend my next action” in inventory management, plus what needs to be in place so sellers can trust the numbers. If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with a seller friend, and leave a review telling us which fee or profit leak you’re auditing first.Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

April 28, 202637 min

What If Your E-Commerce Store Doesn’t Have a Traffic Problem? | DJ Sprague and Scott Brantley

You can pour money into ads all day and still feel broke. That’s the uncomfortable reality we dig into with Scott Branley and DJ Sprague, e-commerce veterans behind Shopper Approved and the new platform Cash Flow. They argue most stores don’t have a traffic problem, they have a profit leak problem, and those leaks can quietly cost tens or even hundreds of thousands per year while looking like “normal” operating expenses.We walk through the leaky bucket idea: you turn on the traffic faucet, but hidden holes drain the value before it ever becomes net profit. Scott and DJ break down the major revenue leaks they see across e-commerce and Shopify brands, including payment processing fees, fraud, false declines, chargebacks, returns, shipping losses, cart abandonment, and site abandonment. Then we get practical about the order of operations that actually works: fix margin first, optimize conversion rate and average order value next, and only then scale paid and organic traffic so growth doesn’t multiply inefficiency.From there we go deeper on conversion rate optimization using behavioral science and social proof. We talk store ratings, product reviews, video reviews, and why product Q&A is more than a widget. Done strategically, Q&A becomes an SEO and AI search optimization engine that brings in high-intent organic traffic and pre-sells shoppers before they land on your product page. We also cover Cash Flow Club, their weekly mastermind with live site teardowns focused on removing friction and improving the customer journey from homepage to checkout.If you want more profit without gambling on higher ad spend, listen through to the end, grab the free resources, and run the calculator with your real numbers. Subscribe, share this with an e-commerce founder who’s stuck at thin margins, and leave a review with the biggest “leak” you want to fix first.Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

April 21, 2026Episode 30334 min

The Systems Behind Predictable Amazon Sales And Margin with Jon Klein

Amazon can make your sales chart look healthy while your bank account tells a different story. We sit down with John Klein, CEO and lead Amazon strategist at Online Brand Growth, to get brutally practical about what it takes to scale profitably on Amazon without relying on hype, hacks, or endless ad spend. We dig into what separates strong Amazon brands from the ones that slowly fade: building demand beyond Amazon through omnichannel marketing, keeping a steady cadence of meaningful new product launches, and measuring the few metrics that actually move the needle. John explains why sessions and conversion rate are the early signals, how buy box loss and unauthorized resellers quietly drain revenue, and why stockouts and compliance downtime are margin killers you have to design systems around. We also talk about using business intelligence tools to see true SKU-by-SKU profitability, plus quick audit wins like reimbursements Amazon may owe you and inventory age management that avoids expensive storage and low-inventory penalties. On the paid side, we break down a lifecycle approach to Amazon PPC that keeps you from living on a breakeven treadmill. John shares the logic behind a healthier organic-to-paid mix, how Search Query Performance data guides smarter keyword decisions, and TACoS benchmarks that help you protect profit as you grow. We close with where AI is already useful in modern e-commerce operations, from research and listing optimization to reporting and automated account health checks. If you want a cleaner, more predictable path to Amazon growth, subscribe, share this with a seller friend, and leave a review so more operators can find it. What’s the one Amazon metric you’re going to start tracking weekly?How to connect with Jon?Website: https://www.onlinebrandgrowth.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlinebrandgrowthYTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlinebrandgrowth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Online-Brand-Growth/61579553361931/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-klein-5489724b/Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

April 7, 2026Episode 30238 min

Geofencing Turns Real-World Visits Into Targeted Digital Ads with Chris Seminatore

You can have the best product in the world and still lose to someone with decent offers and relentless visibility. That’s why this conversation with Chris Seminatore hit so hard for us. Chris is the founder of Get Geofencing, and he’s built a seven-figure geofencing agency by focusing on one unfair advantage most brands ignore: physical location as a signal of real buying intent.We break down geofencing in plain English, from putting a digital boundary around a place to using programmatic advertising to reach the people who actually visited that location later on the web and in apps. We also dig into practical ecommerce use cases, including how Amazon sellers can drive outside traffic to listings, why that matters as Amazon PPC gets more competitive, and how to pick the exact stores and venues that match your niche. Chris shares creative guidance that keeps ads simple and direct, plus how Connected TV advertising can build familiarity before you follow up with targeted display for clicks.Then we go deeper on the stuff most marketers won’t say out loud: competitor targeting that stays ethical, why “unsexy” industries like funeral homes and plasma centers can quietly outperform trendier markets, and how to validate fast with a $1,000 marketing test and clear performance benchmarks. Chris also shares hard-earned lessons on building a remote team, screening vendors, and protecting your business systems.If you’re serious about location-based marketing, geofencing, programmatic ads, and measurable customer acquisition, you’ll get a playbook you can apply this month. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who’s stuck on paid ads, and leave a review with the one location you’d fence first.How to Connect with Chris?Website: https://www.getgeofencing.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getgeofencingUSAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/getgeofencing/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisgetgeofencingLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisseminatore/X/Twitter: https://x.com/getgeofencingReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

March 31, 2026Episode 30151 min

The Hidden Ecommerce Revenue Killers Eating Your Margins with DJ Sprague

You can spend more on ads, push more traffic, and still feel broke at the end of the month. That’s the moment we wanted to tackle with DJ Sprague, co-author of Cash Flow: How to Save More Money, Make More Money, and Scale Like Crazy Online. We get into the uncomfortable idea that many ecommerce brands are leaking profit in places your P&L barely reveals, even when your revenue looks “healthy.”We walk through the 10 hidden revenue killers that quietly erode margins: payment processing fees, fraud and fraud management costs, chargebacks, false declines, returns, lost or damaged shipments, cart abandonment, security concerns, and site abandonment. DJ explains why payment processors can accidentally reject legitimate customers, how chargebacks can spiral into higher fees and cash reserves that crush ecommerce cash flow, and why simple trust signals like security badges can lift conversion rate and even average order value.Then we shift to the upside: revenue drivers that compound over time. We talk product reviews, store ratings, video reviews, reputation management, and a searchable Q&A system that helps shoppers answer high-intent questions while boosting SEO visibility through rich snippets and organic search. DJ also shares real-world results, plus what implementation looks like for Shopify and other platforms, including the tools and support they provide.If you run an ecommerce brand and want practical, margin-first growth, listen now, subscribe for more operator-focused conversations, and share this with a founder friend. After you listen, will you fix leaks first or buy more traffic?How to connect with DJ?Website: https://www.shopperapproved.com/Podcast: https://trafficandconversionpodcast.com/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanesprague/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopperapprovedYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrzQXyLiXhci0hw8FhnVC7ATwitter: https://x.com/shopperapprovedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopperapprovedReady to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

March 11, 2026Episode 30051 min

What Separates Breakout Amazon Brands From the Rest? | Steven Pope Reveals the Secrets

What actually separates a breakout Amazon brand from a forgettable one? We sit down with Steven Pope, founder of MyAmazonGuy, to map the playbook that scales—from a scrappy LinkedIn post that sparked his agency to the CTR-first mindset that turns search pages into sales. Steven has led a 500-strong team managing thousands of ASINs, and he’s generous with specifics: which images earn the click, why video is still underused, and how the ICAP model (impressions, clicks, add to cart, purchases) guides every decision.We start with the bedrock: operations and product quality. If sourcing, logistics, and reliability are tight, marketing ignites. Then we push to longevity—how to build a brand story that survives knockoffs and price pressure. Steven breaks down where messaging actually lands on Amazon: main images that make the benefit louder than the logo, secondary visuals that answer pre-purchase doubts, and fast, clear videos with a close-up in the first two seconds. He explains why improving CTR often lifts conversion, how to spot anxiety points in returns and reviews, and when pricing sharply is the honest path to momentum while reviews accrue organically.On the ad side, Steven’s stance is blunt: over-reliance on exact match starves discovery and inflates costs. He outlines a scalable structure where sponsored products dominate budget, autos and broad do the heavy lifting, and weekly negations prune wasted spend. We dig into time-based bidding, realistic TACOS ranges by category, and how Search Query Performance reveals the keywords you should flood with coverage—including video placements—for market share jumps. We also touch on AI creative: why Amazon rewards outcomes, not production methods, and how quick iteration beats perfection.If you want a practical roadmap to grow traffic, protect conversion, and build a brand that doesn’t crumble when copycats arrive, this conversation delivers clear steps and hard-won lessons. Subscribe, share with a fellow seller, and leave a review to tell us which tactic you’ll test first.Website:https://myamazonguy.comYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@MyAmazonGuyInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/myamazonguyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/myamazonguyLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-amazon-guy/Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

January 15, 2026Episode 29950 min

The New Rules of Selling on Amazon in 2026 with Neil Twa

Amazon’s rules changed—and that’s good news if you know how to play the new game. We sat down with Neil Twak, co-founder of Voltage Holdings and Cayman Data, to unpack why algorithm shifts have compressed launch windows to roughly 30 days, how structured data now acts like a prompt into Amazon’s Cosmo engine, and why intent beats keywords for ranking and profitable growth. Neil makes a clear case for relaunching weak ASINs over reviving old reviews, and he explains how to train the algorithm with PPC while optimizing for tacos, not ACOS.We dig into pricing strategy and brand defensibility in a world of rising fees and policy risk. The winning move is to build in tier two and tier three price bands—$50 to $500—protect at least $12 per-unit profit, target 40 percent ROI, and turn inventory four times a year. That math lets you buy customers aggressively while maintaining healthy margins. Neil also maps a practical channel sequence: capture demand first on Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok Shop, then graduate to Shopify demand creation when your numbers justify the lift. You’ll hear why TikTok’s GMV Max ads preview Amazon’s future, and how display and DSP can send qualified traffic to your DTC store without breaking terms.Data is the moat. Neil pulls back the curtain on Cayman Data’s intelligence engine that identifies the small set of customer needs driving most of Amazon’s revenue and greenlights product plays that slot into real demand. The big mindset shift: adopt portfolio thinking, validate fast with structured data and lean bundles, then double down only on the SKUs the market proves. If you’re stuck in mid six to low seven figures, the unlock is moving from micro-ops to CEO mode—deploy capital faster, tighten cash cycles, and manage by tacos, ROI, and inventory turns.Ready to future-proof your brand and grow profitably on Amazon in 2026? Follow the show, share this episode with a seller who needs it, and leave a quick review with your top insight. Your feedback helps us bring more sharp operators to the mic.Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

December 23, 202547 min

The Truth About Passive Income in Real Estate with Axel Meierhoefer

Want a clear way to replace your paycheck with rental income without turning your life upside down? We sit down with Axel Meierhoefer, founder of Ideal Wealth Grower, to unpack a practical, numbers-first system for building a cash-flow portfolio you can run in minutes a month. Axel shares how he went from Air Force officer to corporate executive to investor whose properties now cover his lifestyle—and the key pivot points that kept him from getting wiped out in 2008.We get specific. Axel breaks down the 1 percent rule as a fast screen for deals, then shows how to validate taxes, insurance, maintenance, and financing so you’re confident before you buy. He defines what a true turnkey provider looks like—integrated construction or renovation, real estate sales with lender relationships, and full-service property management with clean accounting—and why building clusters of four to six properties in a single market gives you leverage and simplicity. You’ll learn why distance doesn’t matter when your team and processes are tight, and how forming an LLC helps you show up as a business owner who sets standards and holds partners accountable.Market selection starts with purpose. If your goal is income replacement, target stable, mid-sized markets where price-to-rent ratios still cash flow; if your goal is asset growth, newer build-to-rent options with rate buy-downs might make sense even at breakeven. We dig into corridors like Dayton to Cincinnati, parts of Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio for cash flow, plus select Florida pockets where new-build pricing is temporarily depressed. Axel also tackles the timing question head-on: inflation and dollar erosion make fixed-rate debt an asset, so waiting for the “perfect” price can be more costly than buying a property that fits your plan today.By the end, you’ll have a blueprint: define your purpose, let the numbers lead, choose the right markets, and build a professional team that makes distance irrelevant. If you’re serious about replacing your W‑2 income with durable cash flow, subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a review telling us your investment goal for the next 12 months.Website: idealweathgrower.com Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

December 16, 2025Episode 29746 min

The Systems Every Growing Brand Needs with Lance Morgan

The college price tag keeps climbing, but draining savings or delaying retirement doesn’t have to be your only option. We sit down with Lance Morgan, founder of College Funding Secrets, to map out a step-by-step approach for turning smart real estate moves and tax strategy into a reliable engine that pays for tuition while protecting your future. Lance pulls back the curtain on why many high earners miss out on aid, how 529 plans can quietly work against you, and where short-term rentals can create the kind of “tax scholarships” that rival the cost of a private university.We get specific about the short-term rental advantage: active losses that can offset W‑2 income, the return of 100% bonus depreciation, and the FAFSA timing that makes junior year of high school a pivotal window. You’ll hear how to underwrite an STR with real data—occupancy, average daily rate, and seasonality—using tools like AirDNA, and why design, amenities, and ranking on page one are the difference between middling revenue and top-percentile performance. Lance shares practical operating tactics for a hands-off model with management baked into the numbers, so you’re not spending weekends washing sheets.We also dig into asset positioning to avoid common aid mistakes. Learn which accounts count against you, why retirement vehicles often don’t, how to value property conservatively for aid forms, and when the CSS profile changes the rules for private schools. For liquidity and resilience, Lance explains using a properly structured life insurance policy as a source of low-rate loans for down payments and slow seasons, so you preserve compounding while keeping your real estate plan moving. By the end, you’ll have a clear playbook to fund college through cash-flowing assets, reduce taxes, and keep your retirement on track.If this strategy guide helps, follow and subscribe, share it with a friend who’s staring down tuition, and leave a quick review so more families can discover smarter ways to pay for college.How to connect with Lance?Website: https://collegecostsecrets.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegefundingeducation/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-morgan-college-funding-secrets/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lance_CollegeFundingSecrets Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

November 25, 2025Episode 29647 min

Mastering Micro-Scale CNC with Winston Moy

Imagine turning a sketch into a sellable product without begging a factory for a slot or wiring cash for a risky MOQ. That’s the promise of CNC: computer-controlled cutting that gives you precision, repeatability, and creative freedom on your own schedule. We sit down with mechanical-engineer-turned-creator Winston Moy to unpack what CNC milling really is, how the workflow works, and why you don’t need an engineering degree to get real results.We start with first principles: CAD for design, CAM for toolpaths, and hands-on setup for safe, accurate cuts. Winston explains what a capable $3k–$5k machine can do with wood, plastics, composites, and aluminum, and how clear product ideas shorten the learning curve and speed up ROI. We talk through the practical economics—paying off a machine in months, launching with ten units instead of a thousand, and using your shop as a prototype and pilot plant. When a product pops, you can outsource batches and keep your spindle focused on the next winner.Support and community make the difference between tinkering and shipping. We highlight Carbide 3D’s training, cross-trained staff, and a “mistakes are on us” window that lowers fear and accelerates learning. Then we bridge art and engineering: choosing materials, toolpaths, and finishes that serve both function and feel. Winston also shares how storytelling turns process into marketing, from behind-the-scenes builds to niche product drops that customers can’t help but share.We zoom out to the future of digital fabrication, where CNC lives alongside 3D printing and fast-turn services to erase friction between imagination and inventory. If you’re tired of long lead times, high MOQs, and guesswork, this conversation gives you a clear roadmap: pick one product, learn the minimal workflow, ship a small batch, gather feedback, iterate, and scale with confidence.Enjoy the episode? Follow the show, share it with a maker friend, and leave a quick review—what would you build first with a CNC?Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show