Agency Operators Podcast

Description:

It’s one thing to grow on Amazon. It’s another to last.

In Episode 60 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Jessica Steele, a longtime Amazon seller and Business Advisor for Amazon Agencies, to talk about what it takes to build a business that endures.

Jessica’s been selling on Amazon since the early days, with over 19 years of hands-on experience across FBA, Retail Arbitrage, Wholesale, Private Label, and more. Her approach combines technical discipline from her time at General Electric with in-depth, hands-on Amazon expertise. She’s helped brands launch smarter, streamline faster, and avoid costly pitfalls.

We cover everything from AI-driven operations to how sellers can adapt as Amazon continues to evolve. Whether you’re just starting or scaling up, this episode is packed with practical advice from someone who's seen it all and stayed in the game.

About Jessica Steele

Jessica is a business advisor with nearly two decades of experience at Amazon. From GE’s leadership program to launching and managing her own Amazon brands, her career bridges the gap between process engineering and brand growth. She has spoken at top industry events, built relationships with leading platforms such as Walmart and eBay, and authored two advanced Amazon training programs.

Connect with Jessica Steele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hello-jessica-steele/ 

Main Discussion Topics:

• What sellers today can learn from Amazon’s early days
• How to streamline operations and decision-making with AI
• What it takes to future-proof your business in a fast-moving market
• Lessons from building systems that scale

Key Takeaways:
Jessica Steele brings nearly two decades of Amazon experience to the table, offering a rare perspective on what it takes to stay competitive over the long haul. From simplifying operations with AI to building systems that scale, this episode is packed with lessons on longevity, adaptability, and turning day-to-day selling into a sustainable 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.

Description:

Most sellers treat their listings like products. But what if the real leverage is building a brand?

In Episode 59 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Shawn Khorrami, serial entrepreneur and CEO of ePlaybooks, to talk about what it takes to turn an Amazon business into a real, lasting brand.

With a track record of building multiple 8- and 9-figure companies from scratch, Shawn brings a powerful operator’s perspective. He shares how sellers can navigate today’s growing challenges, from listing compliance issues to shifting policies, and why your long-term advantage lies in treating your business as a product.

Whether you're just getting started or trying to scale, this episode offers insight into what separates successful brands from short-term sellers.

About Shawn Khorrami:

Shawn is the CEO of ePlaybooks and a seasoned entrepreneur who has launched and scaled over a dozen businesses across various industries. With degrees in mathematics, computer science, economics, and law, and experience managing a wide range of functions, including sales and logistics, finance, and HR, Shawn takes a uniquely comprehensive approach to brand building. At ePlaybooks, he helps sellers take a strategic view of their business and create systems designed to drive growth.

Connect with Shawn Khorrami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnkhorrami/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Why treating your business like a brand, not a product, changes your growth trajectory
• How to navigate listing suspensions, compliance issues, and policy shifts
• Lessons from launching and scaling multiple 8–9 figure businesses
• What sellers often miss when trying to scale on Amazon

Key Takeaways:
Shawn Khorrami shares what he has learned from building real businesses within and beyond Amazon. From shifting your mindset to building better systems, this episode is about turning your Amazon hustle into a long-term brand.

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:

Most brands think better marketing is the key to growth, but what if the real challenges lie deeper?

In Episode 58 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Matt Snyder, Founder & CEO of Brands Excel, to talk about how operational issues—not ad performance—are often what hold brands back on Amazon.

With experience leading Amazon strategy for multimillion-dollar brands and building a team of ex-brand operators, Matt shares how agencies can go beyond media and SEO to solve root problems in catalog management, fulfillment, and internal processes. If your operations aren’t built for scale, no amount of marketing can fix it—and Matt’s here to explain what to do instead.

Whether you’re plateauing or just getting started, this episode is packed with real-world strategies for building a stronger, more scalable Amazon business from the inside out.

About Matt Snyder:

Matt Snyder is the Founder and CEO of Brands Excel, an agency built by former brand executives to help consumer brands grow profitably on Amazon. With deep expertise in 1P, 3P, and hybrid models, Matt helps clients improve everything from backend systems and catalog optimization to team operations and fulfillment. Before founding Brands Excel, he led Amazon's strategy for top consumer brands, which gave him a unique perspective on what it truly takes to scale.

Connect with Matt Snyderl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-snyder-amazon/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Why Amazon growth is often stalled by operations, not marketing
• Common operational challenges brands overlook
• How agencies can deliver real value beyond ads and SEO
• What scalable systems look like—and how to build them

Key Takeaways:
Matt Snyder shares why real Amazon growth starts with strong operations. From fulfillment issues to catalog structure, learn how to identify what’s slowing you down and how the right systems (and partners) can unlock sustainable, profitable 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:

Too many sellers are getting burned by overpromising agencies that underdeliver, and Blake T. Gale has seen it all.

In Episode 57 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we sit down with Blake T. Gale, CEO of BLAZON, to talk about the hard truths of working with Amazon agencies. From spotting red flags early to rebuilding after a bad experience, Blake shares what sellers need to know to grow with the right partner.

With over 8 years in the Amazon space and a proven track record of scaling brands 25–33% year-over-year, Blake also unpacks the upside of tariffs (yes, there is one) and offers bold predictions on where Amazon is headed next.

Whether you’re hiring your first agency or reconsidering your current one, this episode delivers honest insights to help you move forward with confidence.

About Blake T. Gale:

Blake is the Founder and CEO of BLAZON, a Utah-based agency focused on helping Amazon and Walmart brands scale with strategy and consistency. Since founding BLAZON in 2019, Blake has led brands to double-digit growth through hands-on operational support, creative thinking, and an honest approach to long-term success. He’s passionate about cutting through the noise and helping sellers avoid common traps in the agency world.

Connect with John Blake T. Gale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-t-gale-0341b6152/

Main Discussion Topics:

• How to identify (and avoid) bad agencies before they cost you
• What most sellers miss when navigating agency partnerships
• The surprising upside of tariffs for U.S.-based brands
• Blake’s predictions for what’s next on Amazon—and how to prepar

Key Takeaways:

Blake T. Gale shares how to choose the right agency partner to grow your Amazon brand, covering what to look for, common red flags, and how the proper support can drive long-term growth and avoid costly setbacks.

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:

“Amazon is a visual marketplace first, a search engine second. Your hero image isn’t just one part of your listing, it’s the gatekeeper to everything else you’ve built.”

Your hero image isn’t just the first thing shoppers see; it’s the deciding factor in whether they click or keep scrolling. Most sellers underestimate its impact, but it could be the key to unlocking serious revenue growth.

In Episode 56 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by John Aspinall, Founder of Aspi Creatives and Brand Evangelist at PickFu, to explore how top-performing brands turn simple product images into powerful profit drivers. With 15 years of Amazon experience and a sharp focus on hero image optimization, John shares why breaking outdated design “rules” and applying real data can dramatically improve click-through and conversion rates.

Whether you’re DIY-ing your creative or leading a whole team, this episode delivers practical strategies that help your visuals stand out and sell more.

About John Aspinall:

John Aspinall is the Founder & CEO of Aspi Creatives, an Amazon-first creative consultancy that helps brands transform product images into high-performing visual assets. Over the last five years, John has specialized in hero image optimization, utilizing A/B testing and proven merchandising tactics to drive improved CTR, CVR, and long-term growth. As Brand Evangelist at PickFu, he also empowers sellers with insights from honest consumer feedback to refine and outperform the competition.

Connect with John Aspinall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaspinall/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Why most brands are leaving money on the table with under-optimized images
• What makes a hero image convert (hint: it’s not just good lighting)
• How to challenge outdated design rules without risking suppression
• Building a test-and-learn strategy that scales, without a big creative team

Key Takeaways:

John Aspinall breaks down how to turn your hero image into Amazon’s hidden profit driver by combining bold creative strategy with real data to boost clicks, conversions, and 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.

AI-Powered Amazon Rank Optimization: Insights from Industry Experts

In this informative panel discussion, experts from the e-commerce industry share their insights on leveraging AI for Amazon rank optimization. Hosted by Pasha, CEO of AMC Optimized, the panel includes Danan Coleman from eComm Triage, Chad Rubin from Profasee, Brian R. Johnson from Deep M, Isabella Ritz of Ritz Momentum, and Timour from Ecomtent. The speakers discuss various topics, including backend keyword optimization, decoding Amazon's A9 algorithm, AI-driven product development, pricing strategies, and review removals. Each panelist brings a unique perspective and valuable tools to help Amazon sellers enhance their performance using AI.

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:

Are you struggling to scale your dev team without breaking the budget? You’re not alone, more U.S. companies are solving this by going south.

In Episode 55 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Roger Einstoss, CEO & Co-Founder of Braintly, to unpack how brands build high-performing engineering teams with top LATAM talent. Born and raised in Argentina, Roger shares what makes the region such a valuable resource for fast-growing companies and how to build a team that delivers.

Whether you're hiring your first engineer or scaling a dev team, this episode offers practical insight on finding world-class talent without the coastal premiums.

About Roger Einstoss:

Roger Einstoss is the CEO and Co-Founder of Braintly, a software development company helping U.S. companies access elite engineering talent from Argentina. With deep regional roots and a firm grasp of startup and enterprise needs, Roger has become a go-to resource for companies looking to scale smarter through LATAM hiring.

Connect with Roger Einstoss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogereinstoss/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Why U.S. Companies Are Hiring in Argentina
• What U.S. founders often get wrong about nearshore hiring
• Why LATAM engineers are a smart move for startups and scaling brands
• How to build and manage a remote engineering team that performs

Key Takeaways:

Roger Einstoss shares how U.S. companies can unlock growth by building high-performing remote engineering teams in LATAM—blending smart hiring strategy with access to top global talent.

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:

Amazon has evolved—but have your selling strategies kept up?

In Episode 54 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Phil Masiello, founder of CrunchGrowth and host of Crunching Growth on E360tv, to explore the evolution of Amazon selling—from its early days to where it’s headed next.

As one of the pioneers in e-commerce and the mind behind Raw Essentials and CrunchGrowth, Phil has seen it all. This episode is a must-watch for brand owners and operators seeking to learn from the past and apply timeless strategies that remain effective today.

Whether you’re new to the platform or scaling your brand, Phil shares hard-earned insights and marketing tactics that stand the test of time.

About Phil Masiello:

Phil Masiello is a veteran entrepreneur and founder of CrunchGrowth Revenue Acceleration Agency. A true innovator, Phil helped launch one of the first meal-based e-commerce platforms and the beauty brand Raw Essentials. Today, through CrunchGrowth and his show Crunching Growth, he helps brands maximize sales with data-backed strategies and a deep focus on customer connection. Phil is known for turning challenges into growth opportunities and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Connect with Phil Masiello: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/

Main Discussion Topics:

• How the Amazon marketplace has evolved over the years—and what it means for sellers today
• What early Amazon sellers understood that new brands often overlook
• Why building a strong brand and customer connection still wins in a pay-to-play world

Key Takeaways:
Phil Masiello shares a no-fluff, real-world perspective on how Amazon selling has changed—and how to succeed in 2025 by combining time-tested principles with modern 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.

Description:

Your data is more powerful than you think, especially when connected across platforms. In Episode 52 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Ali Babul, Chief Evangelist at Trellis, to unpack how brands can leverage first-party data to build smarter audiences, lower acquisition costs, and boost lifetime value on Amazon and beyond.

With a decade of agency experience and a deep understanding of multi-channel growth, Ali shares strategies that turn shopper insights into actionable results. Whether scaling a brand or managing multiple client accounts, this episode will give you a more innovative framework for cross-channel growth and customer retention.

About Ali Babul:

Ali Babul is the Chief Evangelist at Trellis, where he helps brands navigate the complexities of modern e-commerce growth. With a career rooted in digital strategy, Ali brings a unique ability to connect big-picture goals with immediate performance gains. He specializes in helping brands leverage data to uncover new audiences, reduce revenue leakage, and maximize long-term customer value across platforms.

Connect with Ali Babul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alibabul/ 

Main Discussion Topics:

The Data Advantage: Turn Shopper Insights into Lower CAC and Higher LTV on Amazon

Additional Talking Points:

• Cross-Channel Acquisition Strategy – Using first-party data to connect DTC platforms like Shopify with Amazon Ads to build high-intent lookalike audiences and retargeting flows.
• Revenue Leakage Prevention – Keeping DTC cart abandoners within your brand ecosystem instead of losing them to competitors on Amazon.
• Driving Incrementality & LTV – Using audience updates and cross-sell strategies to boost new-to-brand customers and increase LTV.

Key Takeaways:
Ali Babul shares a data-backed approach to smarter customer acquisition and retention. Learn how to plug revenue leaks, integrate your DTC and Amazon data, and grow your brand with greater precision.

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:

Amazon ads are getting more competitive—and more expensive. In Episode 52 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by George Meressa, Founder & CEO of Clear Ads, to talk about the biggest PPC mistakes brands make and what it takes to drive profitable growth with ads in 2025.

With 15+ years of experience running paid media campaigns across platforms like Amazon, Google, and Facebook, George has helped hundreds of brands scale while improving ROAS. Whether managing ads or overseeing an agency team, this episode offers practical advice to help you run leaner and smarter campaigns.

About George Meressa:

George Meressa is the Founder & CEO of Clear Ads, a UK-based agency specializing in Amazon PPC. Since 2009, he’s been helping brands of all sizes cut through the noise and maximize their paid advertising performance. With deep platform knowledge and a focus on real-world results, George is a trusted expert in Amazon advertising.

Connect with George Meressa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-meressa-30a87550/

Main Discussion Topics:

• How to identify and stop wasted ad spend
• What makes an Amazon PPC strategy scalable
• Smart tactics for improving ROAS in competitive markets
• Common pitfalls brands overlook in their ad accounts

Key Takeaways:
 In this episode, George Meressa shares what top-performing brands are doing differently regarding Amazon PPC. From tighter control on budgets to more innovative campaign structures, you’ll walk away with clear strategies to improve your ad performance and scale profitably—no fluff, just actionable insights.

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.