What if your business is growing… but your profits aren't?

Most ecommerce sellers know their revenue down to the dollar.

But ask them which SKUs are truly profitable, what their cash position will look like 90 days from now, or which products are quietly draining their margins—and many don't have a clear answer.

On this episode of the Agency Operators Podcast, Pasha Knish sits down with Oz Merchant, Founder & CEO of Futureproof, an AI-powered finance platform built specifically for ecommerce sellers and brands.

With more than two decades of ecommerce experience, Oz has worked alongside hundreds of 6-, 7-, and 8-figure sellers and discovered a common challenge: sellers are obsessed with growth metrics but often lack the financial visibility needed to scale sustainably.

In this conversation, Oz shares how AI is transforming ecommerce finance, why profitability matters more than revenue, and how sellers can gain the financial clarity needed to make smarter decisions.

→ Learn the three numbers that determine whether your business survives.

→ Discover why AI-powered growth requires stronger financial discipline.

→ Understand how to identify products that are quietly losing money.

→ Explore why the future of finance isn't more dashboards—it's getting the work done for you.

Packed with actionable insights for Amazon sellers, ecommerce operators, and brand leaders looking to build a more profitable business.

About Oz Merchant

Oz Merchant is the Founder and CEO of Futureproof, an AI-powered finance platform designed to help ecommerce sellers understand profitability, forecast cash flow, and make smarter business decisions.

Oz has been selling online since 2003, starting on eBay before expanding to Amazon in 2005. Before founding Futureproof, he worked with hundreds of ecommerce businesses across multiple business models, helping brands gain greater visibility into the numbers that drive long-term success.

"Everyone's using AI to grow faster. Almost nobody's using it to find out if they're actually making money."

— Oz Merchant

Connect with Oz Merchant

LinkedIn: Oz Merchant LinkedIn Profile

X / TikTok / Facebook: @runfutureproof

Key Discussion Topics

• The three numbers that determine ecommerce survival: true profit by SKU, real cash position 90 days out, and products that are quietly losing money

• Why sellers scaling with AI-powered growth tools need financial clarity more than ever

• The shift from dashboards to done—and how AI is changing finance operations

• How ecommerce operators can make better decisions with real-time profitability insights

Why You Should Tune In

Revenue gets attention. Profit keeps businesses alive.

Many ecommerce sellers invest heavily in advertising, inventory, and growth initiatives without fully understanding the financial impact of those decisions. This episode explores how AI can help sellers gain deeper financial visibility, make smarter operational decisions, and avoid the costly mistakes that often come with scaling. If you're looking to build a healthier, more profitable ecommerce business, this conversation delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

What separates Amazon FBA brands that scale profitably from those that stall out on ad spend? Often, it comes down to how well they understand — and optimize — the customer journey.

In this episode, we sit down with Pietro Mappers, Owner & Manager of Success Mappers, who's spent the last 9 years helping Amazon FBA brands grow revenue and profitability through smarter marketing and PPC strategy.

Here's what we cover:

• Why most sellers are optimizing the wrong parts of the customer journey
• How to identify the "1%" of levers that drive 90% of your results
• Practical PPC and marketing adjustments you can make this week
• A framework for scaling profitability without just scaling ad spend

Packed with actionable strategies you can apply to your own Amazon business — this is one you don't want to miss.

About the Guest

 About Pietro Mappers: Pietro is the Owner and Manager of Success Mappers, an agency that helps Amazon FBA brands scale revenue and profitability through optimal marketing and PPC. With 9 years of experience in the space, he's known for helping sellers cut through the noise and focus on what actually moves the needle.

 "Find the 1% that gives 90% of the results with the Amazon customer journey."

 Connect with Pietro Mappers:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pietro-mappers
• Instagram: @success.mappers
• YouTube: youtube.com/@successmappers
• Website: successmappers.com

Key Discussion Topics

• The Amazon Customer Journey — and how sellers can optimize it quickly and effectively
• Identifying the highest-leverage touchpoints most sellers overlook
• Aligning PPC strategy with each stage of the customer journey
• Practical, scalable tactics to lift revenue and profitability fast

Why You Should Tune In

 If you're running or scaling an Amazon FBA brand, this episode is your shortcut to years of trial and error. Pietro brings 9 years of hands-on experience distilled into practical, no-fluff advice — not theory. You'll walk away knowing exactly where to focus your energy in the customer journey, how to make your PPC spend work harder, and how to identify the small changes that create outsized results. Whether you're just starting out or already scaling, this conversation will sharpen how you think about growth.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

What separates ecommerce brands that scale confidently from those constantly battling cash flow?

It's not just revenue—it's knowing how to use capital strategically.

In Episode 87 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we're joined by Ben Kotch, Co-Founder of AccrueMe and Operating Partner at Acquis Capital. Having invested in hundreds of ecommerce businesses generating more than $100 million in annual sales, Ben has helped founders make smarter funding decisions that fuel sustainable growth instead of creating unnecessary financial pressure.

In this live conversation, we'll cover:

• The funding terms every ecommerce seller needs to understand before accepting capital.
• How to compare financing options—including bank loans, lines of credit, revenue-based financing, factoring, and Amazon-focused funding solutions.
• When funding accelerates growth—and when it becomes an expensive mistake.
• The financial metrics every seller should evaluate before borrowing, from inventory turnover to margins, cash flow, and advertising performance.

Whether you're preparing for your next inventory purchase or planning your next stage of growth, this episode is packed with practical frameworks to help you make better financial decisions.

About Ben Kotch:

Ben Kotch is the Co-Founder of AccrueMe and an Operating Partner at Acquis Capital. An entrepreneur, investor, and operator, he has invested in hundreds of ecommerce businesses and brings deep experience across ecommerce, finance, software, and consulting. Ben is known for helping brands access growth capital while building stronger, more profitable businesses.

"It's my job to be different than the rest." — Jimmy Buffett

Connect with Ben Kotch:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminkotch/

Key Discussion Topics

• How to evaluate the true cost of ecommerce funding

• Comparing bank loans, credit lines, revenue-based financing, and Amazon funding options

• Using capital strategically to improve inventory, cash flow, and profitable growth

Why You Should Tune In

Access to capital can accelerate growth—but only if it's used wisely. In this episode, Ben shares practical insights drawn from years of investing in ecommerce businesses, helping founders understand when funding creates leverage and when it creates unnecessary risk. If you're looking to scale without sacrificing profitability, you'll walk away with actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

What separates the brands that thrive on TikTok Shop from the ones that struggle to gain traction?

The answer isn't chasing viral moments—it's building a repeatable creator strategy.

In Episode 86 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we're joined by Dan Kriss, Head of Partnerships & Agency Growth at JoinBrands and former TikTok Shop business development leader. Drawing from his experience helping brands grow on one of the fastest-moving commerce platforms, Dan shares the systems that turn creator content into a scalable growth engine.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How brands use JoinBrands to build creator engines that accelerate TikTok Shop growth.
• The best practices for building long-term relationships with creators.
• The dos and don'ts of launching and scaling on TikTok Shop.
• Why scalable UGC has become one of the biggest competitive advantages for ecommerce brands.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to improve your TikTok Shop strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can put into practice immediately.

About Dan Kriss:
Dan Kriss is the Head of Partnerships & Agency Growth at JoinBrands, where he helps brands and agencies build scalable creator programs through user-generated content. Before joining JoinBrands, he spent two years at TikTok Shop leading seller acquisition and business development for the health vertical, helping brands grow during the platform's rapid expansion. Today, he specializes in helping businesses turn creator partnerships into sustainable growth engines.

"In today's market, content isn't optional. JoinBrands makes it scalable."

Connect with Dan Kriss:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kriss-68541a148/

Key Discussion Topics

• How JoinBrands helps brands build scalable creator engines for TikTok Shop
• Building long-term creator relationships that drive consistent growth
• The dos and don'ts of launching and scaling on TikTok Shop

Why You Should Tune In

TikTok Shop has become one of the fastest-growing ecommerce channels, but success requires more than producing viral content. In this episode, Dan shares practical strategies for building creator partnerships, scaling user-generated content, and creating repeatable systems that support long-term growth. Whether you're a brand, agency, or ecommerce operator, you'll walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your TikTok Shop strategy and build a more sustainable creator program.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Why do some DTC brands scale profitably while others burn through ad budgets chasing misleading metrics?

Many ecommerce brands rely heavily on platform-reported ROAS to make growth decisions. But the brands that scale sustainably understand that true profitability comes from focusing on unit economics, contribution margin, and overall business performance—not vanity metrics.

In Episode 85 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we're joined by Landon Gartner, Founder of Vanspec Marketing, a performance marketing agency helping DTC ecommerce brands build profitable Meta acquisition systems.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why MER is a more reliable growth metric than platform ROAS

✅ The critical unit economics check every DTC brand should run before increasing ad spend

✅ How smaller brands can build a profitable Meta acquisition engine before reaching $1M in revenue

✅ Practical strategies for making smarter scaling decisions without sacrificing profitability

Packed with actionable strategies and real-world insights, this episode will help ecommerce founders and marketers build a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.

About Landon Gartner:

Landon Gartner is the Founder of Vanspec Marketing, a performance marketing agency specializing in Meta-led paid acquisition for DTC ecommerce brands. He works with brands generating between $1M and $8M in annual revenue, helping them improve profitability through stronger unit economics, customer acquisition strategies, and scalable growth systems.

"DTC brands are scaling on a metric that's lying to them, and most don't know it yet."

Connect with Landon Gartner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/landongartner/

Key Discussion Topics 

• Why MER is a better north star than platform ROAS

• The unit economics framework every DTC brand should understand

• How to build a profitable Meta acquisition engine before reaching $1M

• Scaling ad spend without sacrificing profitability

Why You Should Tune In 

If you're investing in Meta advertising and wondering whether your growth is truly profitable, this episode is for you. Landon breaks down the metrics that matter, the financial checks brands often overlook, and the systems required to scale customer acquisition sustainably. Whether you're an ecommerce founder, operator, or marketer, you'll walk away with practical frameworks you can apply immediately to make smarter growth decisions.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

What if the biggest conversion lever on Amazon today isn’t your ad strategy—but how your product is experienced?

As eCommerce competition increases, brands are starting to realize that static images limit how customers interact with products. Attention and engagement are becoming the real differentiators in conversion performance.

In this episode of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Ganesh Singh, Co-founder and COO of 3Dimages.ai. Ganesh began his entrepreneurial journey at 19 building eCommerce brands, later moving into AI and SaaS for Amazon sellers. Today, he is focused on helping brands adopt 3D technology to create more interactive shopping experiences.

We explore how immersive product visualization is shifting buyer behavior and what this means for brands competing on Amazon and beyond.

About Ganesh Singh:

Ganesh Singh is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of 3Dimages.ai, based in London. He started his career building eCommerce businesses before transitioning into AI-driven SaaS solutions for Amazon sellers. His current focus is enabling brands to integrate 3D product experiences at scale and prepare for the next evolution of digital commerce.

“Engagement is becoming the new currency of conversion — and 3D is one of the most direct ways to increase it.”

Connect Links

Connect with Ganesh Singh:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganesh-singh-157565169/
Company: https://www.3dimages.ai/
LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dimages/

Key Discussion Topics 

• The behavioral shift in how customers evaluate products online
• Where 3D and AR fit into modern eCommerce infrastructure
• How platforms like Amazon are experimenting with interactive listings
• What early adoption of immersive assets means for brand differentiation

Why You Should Tune In

This episode is for operators who want to understand where eCommerce is heading—not just what’s working today. You’ll walk away with a clearer view of how customer interaction is evolving and why visual experience is becoming a competitive advantage in conversion performance.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Host: Pasha Knish - CEO @ AMZ Optimized

Speakers:

Gabriela Yero - Founding BD officer @ AVASK

Jérôme de Guigné - Group CEO @ eComas

Stephanie Khalikyar  - Strategic Partnerships Manager @Uncapped

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Most brands don’t have an agency problem.
They have a visibility problem.

They hire agencies without defining operational ownership, performance expectations, or accountability systems. Then they wonder why revenue grows while margin and cash flow deteriorate.

In Episode 83 of the Agency Operators Podcast, Drew Hart joins us to discuss how brands should actually work with Amazon agencies — from vetting partners properly to creating systems that keep performance measurable and operationally aligned.

In this episode, we cover:
— How to identify the right projects for agencies
— Why testing agencies on focused operational tasks matters
— The importance of outside audits and performance pressure
— How founder-led and PE-backed brands should evaluate Amazon partners

Packed with practical insights for operators who want Amazon to function like a real business unit — not just a collection of disconnected tactics.

About Drew Hart:
Drew Hart is the Founder & CEO of Vinculum Services, an Amazon-focused firm helping brands improve advertising performance, conversion, and marketplace operations through commerce intelligence and structured execution.

Before founding Vinculum, Drew spent 10 years in a Fortune 500 management rotation program across finance, marketing, operations, and strategy before building and exiting two Amazon brands in 2024.

“Amazon is a profitable platform, but only with the right partners.”

Connect with Drew Hart:
https://linkedin.com/in/drewhart

Key Discussion Topics

• Identifying the right projects for agencies
• Testing agencies through focused operational work
• Building a list of qualified agency partners
• Using outside audits to improve accountability and performance

Why You Should Tune In

This episode is especially relevant for founders, ecommerce directors, and operators managing growing Amazon businesses with increasing operational complexity.

Drew breaks down how strong brands structure agency relationships to improve visibility across advertising, conversion, inventory, and profitability — while avoiding the common trap of outsourcing responsibility without operational oversight.

If you want Amazon performance tied closer to revenue quality, margin health, and cash flow efficiency, this conversation delivers practical frameworks worth paying attention to.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

What makes some acquisitions actually work… while others fall apart after the deal is signed?

Most teams obsess over strategy.
Very few are prepared for the operational reality that follows.

In this episode, Jessica Wright — CEO of AO2 — shares what it really takes to navigate acquisitions successfully after going through two in just two years.

We cover:

• Why execution—not strategy—determines acquisition success
• How culture influences decisions more than most leaders expect
• What it takes to maintain client continuity during transitions
• The operational blind spots that quietly derail growth

Packed with real-world lessons and practical insights—this is a conversation for anyone thinking about scaling through acquisition.

About Jessica Wright:
Jessica Wright is the CEO of AO2, a full-service Amazon agency helping brands grow profitably while protecting long-term value. With nearly two decades of experience across brand leadership, partnerships, and agency operations, she brings a grounded, operator-first perspective to eCommerce.

Connect with Jessica Wright:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rene-wright/

Key Discussion Topics
• Why acquisitions succeed or fail in operations—not strategy
• The role of culture in post-acquisition decisions
• How to maintain client trust and continuity
• Lessons from navigating two acquisitions in two years

Why You Should Tune In

If you’re considering an acquisition—or currently in the middle of one—this episode gives you a clearer picture of what actually drives success after the deal closes. Jessica breaks down the operational realities most teams overlook, from aligning culture to protecting client relationships. You’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately, whether you’re scaling an agency or managing complex transitions.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

What’s actually slowing your agency down—and why can’t you spot it?

Many agency owners assume growth problems come from weak sales or inconsistent marketing. But more often, the real issue sits inside operations—hidden in unclear systems, broken processes, and blind spots no one’s tracking.

In this episode, Tiara Tragas, Founder of Tragas Consulting, shares how agencies can uncover and fix the operational gaps that quietly limit growth.

You’ll learn how to identify inefficiencies, simplify your internal systems, and build operations that actually support scale—not slow it down.

Packed with practical insights you can apply immediately to run a more efficient, scalable agency.

About Tiara Tragas:
Tiara Tragas is the Founder of Tragas Consulting, where she helps agencies improve their internal operations and streamline processes for growth. She’s known for identifying operational blind spots and building systems that make teams more efficient and scalable.

“You don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to operations.”

Connect with Tiara Tragas:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiara-tragas-55158b1b4/

Key Discussion Topics

• Why agencies misdiagnose their growth challenges
• The most common operational blind spots
• How to simplify systems without creating more complexity

Why You Should Tune In

If your agency feels harder to run than it should, this episode will help you pinpoint why. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how operations impact growth—and what to fix first to create a smoother, more scalable business.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.