Agency Operators Podcast

Description:

What if your Amazon sales didn’t depend on luck — but on a system that brings in customers on autopilot?

In Episode 69 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Travis Zigler, founder of Profitable Pineapple Ads and Freedom Brands, to uncover the secret behind what he calls the Perpetual Sales Machine.

A former optometrist turned 8-figure e-commerce entrepreneur, Travis shares how he built and sold Eye Love for a multimillion-dollar exit, and how he’s now helping other founders scale sustainably using Amazon PPC, AMC, and DSP.

If you want to drive unlimited external traffic, scale your brand beyond ads, and build something that funds real impact — this episode is your roadmap.

About Dr. Travis Zigler

Dr. Travis Zigler co-founded Eye Love, which scaled to $500K/month and made the Inc 5000 list before being acquired in 2021 for a multimillion-dollar exit. He’s now the co-founder of Profitable Pineapple Ads, helping brands grow with Amazon PPC and Google Ads, and Freedom Brands, a private equity firm acquiring and scaling healthcare brands.

Through the Eye Believe Foundation, Travis also funds free eye clinics to fight preventable blindness around the world.

Connect with Dr. Travis Zigler:

🔗 LinkedIn
📺 YouTube Channel
💬 Amazon PPC Pros Facebook Group
📘 Facebook Page
🎵 TikTok
📸 Instagram

Advice from Travis:

“Learn as if you were to live forever. Live as if you were to die tomorrow.” — Gandhi

Key Discussion Topics:

• How to build a “Perpetual Sales Machine” for your Amazon brand
 • The smart way to combine PPC, AMC, and DSP for compounding growth
 • How M&A can fuel long-term expansion
 • Turning profits into purpose with the Eye Believe Foundation

Why You Should Tune In

Travis brings a proven, no-hype approach to scaling brands that last. Whether you’re an agency operator or a brand owner, you’ll walk away with practical frameworks to create sustainable traffic, profit, and freedom — without chasing trends.

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.

Description:

What makes some brands thrive in competitive markets while others fade into the noise? In this episode of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Emma Schermer Tamir, CEO & Co-Founder of Marketing by Emma, to uncover the strategies behind building a brand customers can’t ignore.

Emma has helped over 2,500 businesses boost sales and establish unforgettable identities online. She’ll share how curiosity-driven marketing, clear messaging, and authentic growth can help agencies and brands alike cut through the clutter and win customer loyalty.

If you want actionable insights to elevate your branding and marketing approach, this episode is packed with strategies you can put to work immediately.

About Emma Schermer Tamir:

Emma Schermer Tamir is the CEO & Co-Founder of Marketing by Emma, where she and her team have worked with thousands of businesses worldwide to sharpen their messaging and boost sales. She’s also a sought-after speaker and consultant, known for making complex topics like e-commerce and branding accessible, actionable, and inspiring.

Quote:
 “Curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for building brands that connect and convert.”

Connect with Emma Schermer Tamir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaschermer

Key Discussion Topics:

• The anatomy of an unbeatable brand in competitive markets
• Turning curiosity into stronger conversions and loyal customers
• Scaling with authenticity: growth without losing your brand’s soul

Why You Should Tune In:
Emma doesn’t just talk about branding—she shares proven strategies that have helped thousands of businesses create meaningful connections, boost sales, and stand out in crowded markets.

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.

Description:

Why do so many agencies feel stuck even as they try to grow? In this episode of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Sean Lang, Co-Founder of Social Commerce Club and Founder of Agency Uplift, to unpack why most agencies waste time and resources solving symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.

Sean shares lessons from scaling his agency from $0 to $150K+ MRR with a team of 35, and how that journey led him to create proven frameworks for agency growth, fulfillment, and profitability. We’ll dive into his frameworks in depth and provide actionable insights agency owners can implement immediately to get unstuck and scale smarter.

If your agency is feeling chaotic, plateaued, or misaligned, this episode is packed with strategies to get back to a strong foundation and sustainable growth.

About Sean Lang:

Sean Lang scaled his agency from $0 to $150K+ MRR with a team of 35. Today, he helps agency founders implement proven frameworks for growth, fulfillment, and profitability. Sean is the Co-Founder of Social Commerce Club and Founder of Agency Uplift, helping agencies address root-level challenges instead of just symptoms.

Quote:
 "Most agency chaos isn’t caused by growth—it’s caused by skipping the foundational work."

Connect with Sean Lang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-lang-marketer

Key Discussion Topics:

• Most agencies are stuck for the wrong reasons—here’s why
• Sean’s journey and how it shaped his agency growth frameworks
• A deep dive into actionable frameworks for scaling smarter
• Insights agency owners can apply today to fix root-level issues

Why You Should Tune In:
Sean doesn’t just talk about agency growth—he shares the frameworks and actionable insights that make scaling with clarity, fulfillment, and profitability possible.

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.

Description:

What does it take to build real, scalable growth in 2025? In Episode 66 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Jason Katz, Founder & Principal of GMA Growth Engines, to unpack how businesses can transform fragmented ad systems and CRM stacks into powerful, compounding growth machines.

Jason shares lessons from leading growth at American Express, Shutterstock, and high-growth startups—along with insights from working directly with companies across ecommerce, real estate, hospitality, and tech. We’ll cover why most CRM tech stacks fail, what to do about it, and how to build a system that fuels long-term growth instead of chaos.

If your growth strategy feels scattered or you’re looking to scale with precision, this episode is one to tune in to.

About Jason Katz

Jason Katz is the Founder and Principal of GMA Growth Engines, where he helps startups and growth-stage companies turn messy, fragmented advertising and CRM systems into high-performance growth engines. With over a decade of leadership experience at American Express and Shutterstock, plus deep work with emerging brands like Bartesian, Neeve Smart Building Cloud, Silverstein Properties, and Hive Technologies, Jason brings a proven approach to scaling smarter and faster.

Connect with Jason Katz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonk78

Key Discussion Topics:

• Growth Engines Aren’t Optional—They Turn Chaos into Compounding Growth
• Strong Ads Aren’t Enough—Build the Data-Driven Engine Fueling Scalable Growth
• Why Up to 70% of CRM Tech Stacks Fail—and How to Make Yours Accelerate Growth

Why You Should Tune In

Jason doesn’t just talk growth—he builds the systems that make it happen. From high-performance marketing engines to CRM stacks that actually work, this episode will give you practical insights to take back to your business 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.

How to Outsmart the Amazon Search Game with AI

Host:
Pasha Knish - Founder & CEO @ AMZ Optimized

Speakers:
Pasha Knish - Founder & CEO @ AMZ Optimized
Amy Wees - CEO @ Amazing at Home
Ehud Segev - CEO @ Logie AI
Elizabeth Greene - Co-Founder @ Junglr
Alfonso Gutierrez - CEO @ Sellervate
Ben Mathew - Co-Founder @ Superfuel AI
Christian Umbach - Co-Founder @ CEO @ Autopilot

Agenda:

1. Pasha Knish - AI Powered Backend Keyword Optimization
2. Amy Wees - Rufus knows why people aren't buying your products.
3. Ehud Segev - Amazon Algorithm - from e-commerce driven to social-commerce.
4. Elizabeth Greene - The 80/20 Cheat Code for Amazon Ads (Powered by AI).
5. Alfonso Gutierrez  - Gaining Actionable PDP Changes Using AI for Review and Return Analysis.
6. Ben Mathew - Using AI Agents to Scale Your Amazon Business.
7. Christian Umbach - New AI capabilities to drive seasonal updates for Halloween, Thanksgiving & the Holiday Season.
8. Q & A session

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 does it take to win on Amazon in 2025? In Episode 65 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Jake Kosten, Co-Owner of 1o8 Marketplace, to talk about what’s working now and what brands need to focus on to keep growing.

Jake shares lessons from the front lines of marketplace management, insights into Amazon's strategy, and tips for scaling without losing control of your brand voice or margin.

If you're navigating the wild world of Amazon and want to build a lasting brand, this one's for you.

About Jake Kosten

Jake is the co-owner of 1o8 Marketplace, a performance-driven agency that helps brands succeed on Amazon and beyond. With hands-on experience scaling multiple 7- and 8-figure accounts, Jake knows what it takes to win in a fast-changing marketplace. His team helps brands navigate Amazon with smarter strategy, cleaner operations, and long-term vision.

Connect with Jake Kosten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakekosten/ 

Advice from Jake: “Don't quit, there is no telling how far you'll have to run while chasing your dreams.”

Key Discussion Topics:

• How to scale an Amazon brand in today’s competitive landscape
• When (and how) to bring in expert help
• Balancing brand-building with performance marketing
  
  

Why You Should Tune In

Jake brings a grounded, no-fluff perspective on what makes Amazon brands thrive. Whether you're just starting or fine-tuning a mature strategy, this episode will give you ideas 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.

Paid ads can only take you so far. What happens when your CAC spikes and scaling stalls? That’s where SEO becomes the most sustainable acquisition channel for Shopify brands.

In Episode 64 of the Agency Operators Podcast, Paul Hermanson, CEO of MonsterGrowth.com, shares how Shopify brands can unlock long-term, compounding growth through SEO — and how AI is transforming the way we approach search. From fast wins to domain authority that boosts valuation, Paul breaks down the strategies that shift ecommerce brands from chasing ads to owning their growth.

If you want to understand how AI and SEO can work together to drive scalable, lasting results, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

About Paul Hermanson
Paul Hermanson is the Founder and CEO of MonsterGrowth.com, an SEO agency dedicated to scaling Shopify brands through search. With over a decade of experience across performance marketing, SEO, and CRO, Paul has helped ecommerce companies lower customer acquisition costs and transition from paid traction to organic growth. His 3-part SEO flywheel — content, links, and conversion optimization — helps brands compound authority and increase their business valuation.

Advice from Paul:  “AI doesn’t replace SEO; it redefines it.”

Connect with Paul Hermanson:
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulhermanson

Key Discussion Topics:

• How AI impacts SEO for Shopify stores
• Why SEO becomes your most scalable acquisition channel after paid ads plateau
• The 3-part SEO flywheel for ecommerce: Content, Links, and CRO
  
  

Why You Should Tune In
AI isn’t here to kill SEO — it’s here to amplify it. Paul will share practical, battle-tested strategies Shopify brands can use to shift from “best pages” to “best answers,” optimize smarter, and build long-term growth that compounds. Whether you’re scaling a small Shopify store or running a large brand, you’ll learn how to future-proof your acquisition strategy.

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.

You can’t scale what you don’t understand, and that starts with knowing your numbers.

In Episode 63 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Fred McKinnon, Founder of eComCatalyst, to talk about what separates operators who guess from those who grow. With years of experience helping brands uncover margin leaks, optimize operations, and scale profitably, Fred brings a no-fluff perspective on what it takes to succeed on Amazon and beyond.

We discuss the importance of financial visibility, what most brands get wrong about performance metrics, and how Fred approaches growth with clarity and precision.

Whether you're running your brand or managing client accounts, this episode is packed with practical insight for building a business that’s not just growing, but growing profitably.

About Fred McKinnon

Fred McKinnon is the Founder of eComCatalyst, a growth consultancy helping ecommerce brands scale by identifying what’s working, what’s not, and what to fix next. With a background in brand ownership and operational strategy, Fred specializes in helping operators build more innovative businesses by understanding the numbers that drive success.

Connect with Fred McKinnon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmckinnon/

Main Discussion Topics:

Why understanding your numbers is the first step to scaling

• The most common margin-killing mistakes brands make
• How to simplify performance metrics to make smarter decisions
• What separates brands that scale from those that stall
  
  

Key Takeaways:

Fred McKinnon shares how successful operators create clarity in chaos by focusing on what matters most, the numbers. Learn how to audit your performance, find your blind spots, and build a foundation for profitable, sustainable 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.

Description:

What happens when an Amazon services agency evolves into a brand holding company?

In Episode 62 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Michelle Kartchner, CEO and Co-founder of Ascendant, to explore her journey from running client services to owning and scaling multiple ecommerce brands.

With over 15 years of experience across Amazon strategy, operations, and team leadership, Michelle breaks down how agency-brand relationships have changed, why she transitioned from service to ownership, and what it takes to build and lead in high-growth environments.

Whether you’re an agency founder, brand owner, or operator thinking about your next move, this episode delivers real-world insight on scaling smarter, structuring for growth, and leading with intention.

About Michelle Kartchner

Michelle Kartchner is the CEO and Co-founder of Ascendant, a brand holding company focused on scaling ecommerce businesses. She’s also the Co-founder of Skale Strategy, an Amazon services agency, and the founder of Fempower Wellness, a women’s health initiative. With a background spanning operations, marketing, and executive leadership, Michelle brings a unique perspective on what it means to lead, grow, and evolve in the Amazon ecosystem.

Connect with Michelle Kartchner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-kartchner-a26ab9a2/ 

Main Discussion Topics:

• How agency relationships have evolved in the Amazon space
• What shifts when you move from client services to brand ownership
• Leadership lessons from building high-performing teams
• The operational mindset that drives scale across multiple brands

Key Takeaways:
Michelle Kartchner shares what it takes to grow from servicing clients to owning the brands yourself. Discover how to adapt to shifting brand expectations, shift your mindset from agency to ownership, and cultivate resilient teams that can scale.

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.

Description:

Scaling your brand isn’t just about generating more revenue; it’s about achieving more profit.

In Episode 61 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by William Harris, Founder & CEO of Elumynt, to break down what it takes to scale profitably in today’s ecommerce landscape. From optimizing around EBITDA to rethinking how you structure your ad strategy, William shares a framework that has helped 13 companies exit, including one for nearly $800 million.

Recently ranked the 12th fastest-growing agency in the world by AdWeek, Elumynt has become known for one thing: profit over vanity metrics. In this episode, William brings clarity to what matters most in growth and how to get there.

Whether you're managing client accounts or running your brand, this is a must-watch for operators who want to grow smarter, not just bigger.

About William Harris

William is the Founder & CEO of Elumynt, an e-commerce growth agency named to the Inc. 5000 and Inc. Best Workplaces lists. He has helped 13 brands exit, including one to GoDaddy, and written over 200 articles on e-commerce, advertising, and leadership for Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Shopify, and more.

Connect with William Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmharris/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Why profit, not ROAS, should drive your strategy
• How to scale e-commerce brands without killing margin
• Optimizing ads around EBITDA and long-term growth
• Lessons from 13 successful brand exits

Key Takeaways:
William Harris shares how leading brands scale profitably by shifting focus from vanity metrics to real business fundamentals. Learn how to optimize your ad strategy around profit, structure your team for growth, and avoid common traps that erode long-term value.

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.