"Smoke Break" is a weekly micro-podcast designed specifically for independent convenience store owners looking to maximize their business potential. In just 5-10 minutes – the length of a typical break – host Mike Hernandez delivers actionable strategies and practical insights to help you thrive in the competitive convenience store market. Each episode tackles essential topics like store layout optimization, visual merchandising, inventory management, competitive analysis, and building stron ...
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We are YDISTRI, and this collection of podcasts aims to revolutionize the retail industry by showcasing state-of-the-art strategies and technologies designed to enhance store efficiency and drive profits. The initiative zeroes in on refining all facets of retail operations, from how inventory is managed to the quality of customer service, to ensure that stores run more smoothly and profitably.
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The Optimized Store Owner Show is an Ecommerce podcast where successful Shopify and CommentSold industry leaders share real life strategies, growth hacks, proven marketing advice, and their inspirational stories. Each week, our hosts Aaron and Christian invite the experts to share their experience and practical advice for growing an online store while eliminating frustration and becoming the optimized store owner. Guests on the show come from a wide range of backgrounds and share insight int ...
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Smoke Break - Episode 21: Mastering Efficient Checkout Episode Duration: 9 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for transforming slow, frustrating checkout experiences into swift, memorable interactions that keep customers coming back. Learn how independent store owners have dramatically reduced wait times and improved cu…
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Episode 20: The Art of Greeting and Assisting Customers
4:33
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4:33Smoke Break - Episode 20: The Art of Greeting and Assisting Customers Episode Duration: 9 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares powerful stories and proven strategies for transforming customer experiences through effective greeting practices. Learn how independent store owners like you have significantly increased customer loyalty and sales…
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Episode 19: Building Your Store's Reputation Through Service
4:43
4:43
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4:43Smoke Break - Episode 19: Building Your Store's Reputation Through Service Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals strategies for developing and maintaining a stellar reputation that brings customers back again and again. Learn how exceptional service can become your store's most powerful competitive advantage in today's …
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Episode 18: Maximizing Sales Through Exceptional Service
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5:02Smoke Break - Episode 18: Maximizing Sales Through Exceptional Service Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals practical strategies for transforming good customer service into increased sales. Learn how to train your team in service techniques that naturally boost transaction values and create more profitable customer int…
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Episode 17: Word of Mouth - Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool
4:55
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4:55Smoke Break - Episode 17: Word of Mouth - Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals strategies for turning satisfied customers into your most effective marketing team. Learn how to create experiences that inspire customers to spread the word about your store without spending a fortune on ad…
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Smoke Break - Episode 16: The Power of Customer Loyalty Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals strategies for transforming casual shoppers into devoted customers who drive business growth. Learn how to build meaningful customer relationships that increase sales, encourage word-of-mouth marketing, and create a community a…
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Episode 15: Building a Culture of Compliance
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6:12Smoke Break - Episode 15: Building a Culture of Compliance Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez for the final episode in our compliance series as he shares strategies for transforming compliance from a set of rules into a core part of your store's identity. Learn how to create an environment where doing things the right way becomes …
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Episode 14: Regular Audits and Reviews - Your Path to Compliance Success
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5:38Smoke Break - Episode 14: Regular Audits and Reviews - Your Path to Compliance Success Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for implementing effective audit systems that protect your business and prevent compliance issues. Learn how regular reviews can transform from tedious tasks into valuable tools f…
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Episode 13: Training Your Team for Compliance Success
5:48
5:48
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5:48Smoke Break - Episode 13: Training Your Team for Compliance Success Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for developing effective compliance training programs that stick. Learn how to transform procedures from paper documents into daily practices that protect your business and customers. Episode Overvi…
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Episode 12: Navigating the World of Regulatory Compliance
5:57
5:57
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5:57Smoke Break - Episode 12: Navigating the World of Regulatory Compliance Episode Duration: 6 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he breaks down essential compliance strategies that protect your business, customers, and reputation. Learn how regulatory adherence can become a competitive advantage rather than just a necessity. Episode Overview Master …
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Episode 11: Balancing Short-Term Sales with Long-Term Success
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9:29Smoke Break - Episode 11: Balancing Short-Term Sales with Long-Term Success Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares essential strategies for finding the perfect balance between immediate sales boosts and sustainable business growth. Learn how to create promotions and pricing approaches that drive both today's revenue and t…
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Episode 10: Building Trust Through Honest Pricing and Promotions
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5:43Smoke Break - Episode 10: Building Trust Through Honest Pricing and Promotions Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares strategies for creating transparent pricing and promotions that build lasting customer relationships. Learn how honest business practices can become your store's most powerful competitive advantage. Episod…
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Episode 9: Using Data to Drive Pricing and Promotion Decisions
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5:53Smoke Break - Episode 9: Using Data to Drive Pricing and Promotion Decisions Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals how to transform your store's data into powerful pricing and promotion strategies. Learn practical approaches to analyze sales information and make data-backed decisions that boost your profits. Episode Ove…
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Episode 8: Mastering Promotions That Drive Sales
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6:03Smoke Break - Episode 8: Mastering Promotions That Drive Sales Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for creating promotions that boost sales while protecting profits. Learn how to design and implement effective promotions that build customer loyalty and grow your business. Episode Overview Master essen…
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Episode 7: Smart Pricing Strategies That Work
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5:45Smoke Break - Episode 7: Smart Pricing Strategies That Work Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical pricing strategies that help maximize your store's profitability while maintaining customer satisfaction. Learn how to implement pricing approaches that work for both your business and your customers. Episode Overv…
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Episode 6: Building Strong Communication and Supplier Relationships
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6:20
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6:20Smoke Break - Episode 6: Building Strong Communication and Supplier Relationships Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical strategies for developing effective communication systems and strong supplier partnerships that enhance your store's operations. Learn how to create robust networks that support your business …
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Episode 5: Mastering the Details in Inventory Management
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6:31Smoke Break - Episode 5: Building a Sales-Focused Store Culture Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares strategies for developing and implementing effective sales techniques in your convenience store. Learn how to train your team to transform routine transactions into valuable customer experiences that drive repeat busines…
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Smoke Break - Episode 4: Smart Inventory Management Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical inventory management strategies that help independent store owners maintain optimal stock levels and maximize profits. Learn how to balance customer demand with smart ordering practices while minimizing waste. Episode Over…
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Episode 3: Exceptional Service and Community Engagement
8:56
8:56
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8:56Smoke Break - Episode 3: Building Excellence Through Service and Community Connection Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez for insights on transforming your convenience store into a beloved community institution through exceptional service and meaningful local engagement. Learn practical strategies to create lasting connections with…
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Episode 2: Mastering Inventory Management and Pricing Strategy
8:24
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8:24Smoke Break - Episode 2: Mastering Inventory Management and Pricing Strategy Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez for essential insights on two critical aspects of running your convenience store: smart inventory management and effective pricing strategies. Learn practical techniques to optimize your stock levels and maximize profits…
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Episode 1: Understanding the Convenience Store Landscape
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6:41In this premiere episode of "Smoke Break," host Mike Hernandez explores the fundamentals of the convenience store industry landscape for independent owners. Learn essential strategies for standing out in a competitive market, optimizing store layout, and building strong community connections. Perfect for both new and experienced store owners lookin…
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Enhancing Flexibility in Retail: Mastering Dynamic Transfers in Adaptive Networks
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5:50By YDISTRI
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Advanced Tech in Retail Logistics: Unveiling the Core of Store-to-Store Transfers
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5:11By YDISTRI
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Revolutionizing Retail Through Innovation: The Future of Store-to-Store Transfers
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2:23The retail landscape is undergoing a significant shift, driven by technological advancements that are transforming traditional logistics into more connected, efficient, and responsive systems. At the heart of this evolution is the future of store-to-store transfers, which promises to redefine how retailers manage inventory, optimize supply chains, …
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Optimizing Retail Finance: The Strategic Edge of Intra-Network Transfers
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3:16Optimizing retail finance goes beyond operational considerations—it’s about making strategic financial maneuvers that can significantly influence a retailer’s bottom line. Intra-network transfers, when deployed strategically, offer substantial financial benefits by shifting excess inventory across different locations within a retail network.…
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Marketing, Community Building, and Personal Growth Tips with Samantha Kozuch
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39:27Strap in as Samantha shares her incredible journey from college to e-commerce success, highlighting her pioneering work with The Maniscripting Journal. You're going to learn these three things and more. ❇️ How to build a tight-knit community ❇️ How to nurture your email list for sales ❇️ And how to capture authentic reviews Connect with Samantha Ma…
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Transforming Excess into Excellence: Strategic Intra-Network Transfers as a Catalyst for Retail Revitalization
2:42
2:42
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2:42Retailers today often face a common but often underestimated challenge: overstock. Instead of viewing excess inventory as a liability, more retailers are beginning to see its potential as a valuable asset. By embracing strategic intra-network transfers, retailers can turn overstock into an opportunity for revitalization, improving operational effic…
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Redefining Retail: The Revolution of Store-to-Store Transfers in Modern Redistribution
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2:24Retail today is more dynamic than ever, requiring quick, efficient adaptation to changing consumer demands. Traditional inventory management methods, often slow and inflexible, are struggling to keep up in this fast-paced environment.By YDISTRI
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Empowering Retail with Digital Innovation: The Future of Smarter Redistribution
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2:31In today’s fast-moving retail world, digital innovation is reshaping how businesses manage their operations, especially in product redistribution. Adopting advanced technologies isn’t just a luxury anymore; it’s a necessity for retailers looking to boost efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and enhance overall performance.…
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Enhancing Retail Resilience: Advanced Networked Solutions for Optimal Stock Management
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3:02The way retailers manage inventory is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional, siloed approaches are giving way to more comprehensive, networked systems that unlock the full potential of retail networks. These advanced solutions offer unmatched efficiency, adaptability, and customer satisfaction.…
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The Future of Ecommerce with Mason: AI, Automation, and Strategic Insights
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17:49Today, we're joined by Kausambi Manjita, co-founder of MASON, a pioneering platform that specializes in leveraging first-party data to create tailored campaigns that resonate with consumers across various industries. ❇️ How to understand your current and potential customers better to buy faster ❇️ How to use AI and automation to personalize your cu…
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Smart Shifts: Enhancing Retail Through Tactical Store Transfers
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4:19
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4:19In today’s competitive retail world, having products readily available is more than just a goal—it’s a necessity. Product availability directly impacts customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and business success. One effective way to ensure products are always where they need to be is through tactical store transfers within a retail network.…
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Unlocking Retail Efficiency: A Strategic Approach to Smart Inventory Swaps
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3:05
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3:05In retail, where margins are tight and customer expectations are high, managing inventory effectively isn't just about logistics—it's a strategic imperative. Retailers are beginning to understand that deadstock and overstock do more than just occupy space; they represent lost sales, tied-up capital, and even potential damage to brand reputation.…
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Navigating New Normals: Retail Reinvention via Intra-Network Unity
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2:13The global health crisis has irrevocably altered the retail landscape, presenting a mix of daunting challenges and unique opportunities. This exploration focuses on the innovative shift towards intra-network collaboration, a strategic maneuver by retailers to convert pandemic-induced challenges into catalysts for resilience and growth.…
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Got Stuff That Won't Sell? Flip Them into Hits with Clever Redistribution!
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2:23
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2:23Let's face it, the retail world can be a rollercoaster ride with its ups and downs and ever-changing shopper tastes. There's a real challenge here: what to do with all that stock that just isn't moving. It's like having money tied up in things nobody wants, and that's tough for any business.By YDISTRI
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The Future of Retail: Live Selling, Video Commerce, and AI Integration with Jason Stoker (CommentSold)
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39:01
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39:01In today's episode we dive deep into the world of video commerce and one new tool called VIDEEO by CommentSold. We're going to get into the weeds on how you can leverage these new features to grow your brand online with Jason Stoker, VP of Customer Growth over at CommentSold. You're going to learn these three things and more. ❇️ How to create a dee…
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Maximizing Referral Revenue For Your Ecommerce Store with Raul from Referral Candy
38:10
38:10
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38:10The only area of your business that compounds exponentially is referrals. The more referrals you have the larger and faster your business will grow. On today's episode we have Raul from Referral Candy on to tell us exactly how to get more referrals and grow your ecommerce store. You'll learn these three things and more: ❇️ How to generate consisten…
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Mastering Google Ads: Advice and Best Practices from Sharon Park of Sage Digi
33:42
33:42
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33:42Sharon is an expert in search, display, and video advertising. In this episode you'll learn these three things and more. ❇️ Ideal size of a company to start using Google Ads ❇️ Customization options, and the power of YouTube ads. ❇️ And insights on revenue tracking, budget allocation, and setting goals for return on ad spend (ROAS). So, whether you…
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Mastering Amazon Sales: How to Optimize Your Ecommerce Success with Strategic Investments with Will Basta
32:00
32:00
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32:00Will Basta is a co-founder of a logistics company, a product wholesale distributor, and an Amazon management services company. This episode is a breath of fresh air if you're looking to invest in Amazon, but don't like the internet guru dropshipping hype. You're going to learn these three things and more. ❇️ How to find winning products on Amazon a…
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Boosting Ecommerce Conversions: Unleashing the Power of AI, Marketing Tactics, and Free Gifts with Anatoliy Labinskiy
39:08
39:08
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39:08On this episode you are in for an absolute treat! We had the pleasure of diving deep into the world of AI and advertising strategies with our guest, Anatoliy Labinskiy, a true master of the trade. You'll learn these three things and more: ❇️ How AI is a game-changer for conversion rates and can increase sales. ❇️ How using free gifts boost order va…
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Running Towards Success: Making the Leap from Side Hustle to Full-Time Entrepreneurship with Brad Miles
36:37
36:37
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36:37In today's episode we are joined by Brad Miles owner of Lever Movement. Brad shares his inspirational journey of starting a business right before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges he faced along the way. He provides valuable insights on navigating the fitness industry and offers tactical advice for business owners who are determ…
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How Data-Driven Marketing Can Transform Your Business: A Conversation with Jacob Baadsgaard
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27:30In today's episode, we have the privilege of chatting with Jacob Baadsgaard, a marketing and agency expert with over ten years of experience. Jacob has not only provided tremendous value to other businesses, but he also shares valuable insights and strategies on how to become a better entrepreneur. You'll learn these three things and more. ❇️ How t…
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Foreplay: The Game-Changing Tool That Revolutionizes Creative Workflows for Store Owners
26:49
26:49
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26:49On today's episode we have Zach, founder of Foreplay. We dive into the story of Foreplay, a platform that bridges the gap between performance advertising and creative teams. This episode is value packed for anyone looking to level up their creative. You'll learn these three things and more. ❇️ Best practices for creative and how to use Foreplay to …
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Human vs AI: Assessing Rankings in the Battle for Content Superiority
31:40
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31:40On this episode we're discussing the integration of AI writing to content strategy. This topic is evolving over time and one that should be paid attention to. You're going to learn these three things and more. ❇️ How to use AI to help write content and the strategy behind it ❇️ Best practices for ad creatives on Facebook ❇️ And where to start out w…
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Building a Profitable Company: The Journey of Krete with Jake Rosenberg
35:32
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35:32Jake is a resilient individual who embarked on an unexpected journey towards creating his own skincare brand. You're going to learn these three things and more. ❇️ Expansion to various advertising channels ❇️Scaling by increasing advertising budgets ❇️ An inside look at Efficient inventory fulfillment and shipment processes Krete's Website If you’r…
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Niche Audiences and Successful Product Sales: The New Truth in Influencer Marketing with Erin Chau
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35:31On this episode we have guest Erin Chau to discuss the ever-changing landscape of influencer marketing. You'll learn these three things and more: Niche vs. Large Following: The success of selling products depends on a creator's audience How to negotiate a successful brand partnership And the power of vulnerability and community support Connect with…
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The Importance of White Space: Building a Better Business through Reflection and Creativity
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25:13On this episode we're giving y'all advice on implementing "white space" into your business. W'ere sharing personal struggles with finding the time for creative reflection and how implementing white space has positively impacted our business. You'll learn these three things and more: - The importance of making time to work on the business, not just …
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Primal Storytelling: How to Connect with Your Audience Emotionally and Grow Your Business with Anthony Butler
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36:00
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36:00On this episode we dive into the world of storytelling with an expert who has discovered the power of primal emotions in marketing. You'll learn these three things and more: How brands that create valuable content with an emotional edge are most successful. Actionable steps to implement storytelling into your business today. And the biggest mistake…
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Direct Mail: The Old-School Approach to New Revenue with Dave Fink
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32:19
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32:19On this episode of The Optimized Store Owner, we explore the benefits of direct mail and how it can be used to generate revenue in a world where social media ads are becoming more expensive. Our guest Dave, talks to experts about how direct mail is an effective and proven media channel. You're going to learn these three things and more: What are th…
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The Power of Behaviorally Driven Automations: Boosting Conversions and Maximizing Revenue with Adam Robinson
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36:49
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36:49Adam Robinson is the founder and CEO of Retention.com. Prior to this, Adam was a credit default swap trader at Lehman Brothers. After being inspired by his roommates who founded Vimeo, Adam transitioned into the tech industry and built an email newsletter app. Despite being up against dominant competitors like Mailchimp and Klayvio, Adam developed …
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