In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman sits down with Omer Nisar, Founder at Between Spaces and Growth Marketing Leader at Known, to unpack what actually moves the needle in modern marketing.

Omer breaks down the single most powerful operating principle he teaches: clarity. We explore why clarity (and knowing your tolerance) shapes budgets, creative, and long-term scale — not just chasing short-term ROAS.

We dive into real-world takeaways for founders and marketing leaders: how to balance brand and performance, when to lean into programmatic/CTV, practical attribution metrics (ROAS vs. payback vs. contribution margin), and how to make AI and “black-box” ad products work without losing insight.

Omer also shares his DTC origin story — launching one product, leaning on brand narrative, and uplifting makers from Pakistan — and why empathy and origin stories create a durable moat.

If you lead growth, run a marketing team, or are launching a product, this episode gives tactical frameworks and strategic questions to prioritize your next ad dollar.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 01:00: Introduction

01:00 - 02:10: What Known does & Omer’s role

02:10 - 03:30: Why Known’s approach and transparency stand out from other agencies.

03:30 - 05:10: The one rule: clarity

05:10 - 08:00: Omer explains “tolerance” and shares a personal story that shaped his drive.

08:00 - 11:00: How he launched slowly, tracked costs, and used metrics to decide next steps.

11:00 - 15:00: Why brand still matters

15:00 - 18:00: The origin story & cultural mission

18:00 - 21:00: How PMAX / Advantage+ change control, transparency, and testing.

21:00 - 23:30: When programmatic and streaming ads make sense for smaller brands.

23:30 - 26:00: Organic vs. paid social, what to spend on

26:00 - 29:45: Final Thoughts

 Connect with Omer Nisar

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/omernisar/

 http://omernisar.co/

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, Ranmay sits down with James Starkey, Director at Black Lab Digital, to unpack how he has built a stable, sustainably growing digital agency and the performance marketing strategies that genuinely drive results for automotive, finance, and multi-location brands.

James walks through his journey from early Shopify projects to leading Black Lab, why the agency doubled down on performance marketing and the automotive sector, and the operational frameworks that keep growth controlled and profitable.

He also breaks down two powerful client wins: eliminating wasted geo-spend for a national car retailer, and rolling out full-funnel HubSpot tracking that increased approved finance applications from roughly 37% to 68%.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

– Why SEO and PPC only work when they support each other.

– Why brand visibility is becoming the key metric in an AI/zero-click landscape.

– How geo data and local targeting can instantly improve paid media efficiency.

– Real AI workflows for agencies, transcripts, internal LLMs, and onboarding automation.

– Proven retention tactics built on relationship depth, communication, and strategic guidance.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:21: Introduction

00:21 - 01:00: Meet James, Director at Black Lab

01:00 - 02:25: James’ Early Journey Into Digital Marketing

02:25 - 03:35: From E-commerce to Shopify & Early Learning Curve

03:35 - 04:55: Transition to App Dev & Big Retail Client Work

04:55 - 06:10: Working With Nike, Lego & UK Supermarket Campaigns

06:10 - 07:10: Starting Black Lab & Early Operations

07:10 - 08:20: Building a Performance-Focused Digital Agency

08:20 - 09:40: SEO vs PPC: Why They Must Work Together

09:40 - 10:30: AI Overviews & The Power of Brand Visibility

10:30 - 12:00: Sustainable Growth vs Fast Scaling

12:00 - 13:00: Operational Discipline & Smart Processes

13:00 - 14:40: How James Approaches Client Retention

14:40 - 15:40: Why Face Time Strengthens Relationships

15:40 - 16:50: AI Storm: Tools, Usage & Agency Workflow

16:50 - 18:10: AI for Client Knowledge, Onboarding & Decision Support

18:10 - 19:15: Preparing Clients for Zero-Click Search

19:15 - 20:40: Key Metric for 2026: Brand Visibility

20:40 - 22:05: Client Story #1: Geo Targeting Saves Big Budget

22:05 - 23:25: Client Story #2: HubSpot Tracking Boosts Approvals

23:25 - 24:10: Full-Funnel Tracking & Data Feedback Loops

24:10 - 25:10: Rapid Fire Questions

25:10 - 25:45: What James Would Change at Black Lab

25:45 - 26:04: Closing Thoughts

 Connect with James Starkey

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starkey-bld/

 https://www.blacklabdigital.co.uk/

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, Austin Willman sits down with Carl Holden, CMO of Zellus, to unpack how modern agencies are using large language models to scale SEO, automate repetitive work, and protect company culture while doing it.

Carl shares practical steps for becoming AI-enabled (not just AI-aware): training + hands-on practice, building a “trust framework” for ethical usage, and keeping a human-in-the-loop to ensure quality on money pages.

Learn how RankBot automates off-page SEO and link placements so agencies can deliver predictable results to clients, plus real examples of internal workflows that 10x content output without sacrificing EEAT.

You’ll walk away with tactical ideas you can use this week:

– How to train teams safely and securely on AI tools

– Where automation makes sense and where humans must stay involved

– A playbook for raising revenue per employee and retaining talent

– Practical ways to keep content unique, useful, and Google-friendly

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 – 00:22: Introduction

00:22 – 00:50: Welcome + Starting the chat

00:50 – 03:19: Big lessons from MAICON

03:19 – 04:34: How AI is changing agencies

04:34 – 05:22: Automating SEO with RankBot

05:22 – 06:36: Using AI for content and social

06:36 – 07:47: Making unique content with AI

07:47 – 08:38: What Google really looks for

08:38 – 09:20: Balancing strategy and operations

09:20 – 10:42: Using AI to think through ideas

10:42 – 12:49: Steps to become AI-enabled

12:49 – 14:29: Advanced AI uses for teams

14:29 – 15:43: Why firing people for AI fails

15:43 – 17:34: Helping teams use AI daily

17:34 – 18:27: Rewarding efficiency and testing

18:27 – 19:56: How Carl runs a small team

19:56 – 22:20: What ethical AI really means

22:20 – 23:58: Questions leaders must ask

23:58 – 24:31: AI as a team multiplier

24:31 – 25:46: Cutting costs vs growing revenue

25:46 – 27:32: Layoffs and impact on morale

27:32 – 28:13: Why you need many skills today

28:13 – 28:50: Where to find Carl online

28:50 – 29:01: Closing

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlholdenmarketing/

 zellusmarketing.com

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions.

In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, host Ranmay sits down with Jeremie Durand, Founder / Business Development Manager at Beanstalk - Growth Marketing, to explore how he built a thriving remote-first digital agency from the ground up.

Jeremie reveals the challenges and breakthroughs of growing an agency without a physical office, how his team uses a virtual office system to foster collaboration and communication, and why company culture and core values have been key to client retention.

He also shares how Beanstalk integrates AI tools across SEO, content, and creative workflows—while keeping humans at the center of strategy. Jeremie’s take on AI is refreshingly honest: AI is a tool, not a replacement.

If you’re an agency owner, marketer, or entrepreneur aiming to scale sustainably, this conversation will show you how to balance growth, team management, and innovation in the fast-changing digital landscape.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:28: Introduction

00:28 - 01:34: What Beanstalk Growth Marketing Does

01:34 - 02:49: How Jeremie Started in Digital Marketing

02:49 - 04:20: Running a Fully Remote Agency

04:20 - 05:17: Challenges of Working Remotely

05:17 - 06:30: Early Days of Building the Agency

06:30 - 08:12: Importance of Company Culture

08:12 - 09:18: Saying No to Clients & Red Flags

09:18 - 10:54: How Their Full-Funnel System Works

10:54 - 11:33: Why the Middle of the Funnel Matters Most

11:33 - 13:52: The Rise of AI in Marketing

13:52 - 15:07: How AI Is Changing SEO Today

15:07 - 16:30: Jeremie's Favorite AI Tools

16:30 - 17:55: Advice for Young Founders

17:55 - 18:29: Final Thoughts & Closing

 Connect with Jeremie Durand

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiedurand/

 https://beanstalk-growth.com/growth-solutions/search-engine-optimization-seo/

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, Austin Willman talks with Scott Cohen, CEO at InboxArmy about the real, often-overlooked mechanics behind modern retention marketing, from deliverability and DMARC to channel hierarchy (email, SMS, push), automation, attribution, and how to make AI actually useful without losing your brand voice.

Scott breaks down why email is deceptively complex (copy, design, code, deliverability, analytics), what Gmail’s stricter authentication enforcement (SPF / DKIM / DMARC) means for holiday sending, and why “spiking” volume for Black Friday can tank long-term inbox reputation.

He shares practical guidance for smaller and mid-size brands: ramp up volume gradually, rely on automations (welcome flows, cart abandons) to keep consistent daily engagement, and use channel testing (email vs SMS vs push) to learn which audiences convert where.

If you manage growth, retention, or marketing operations, this episode gives tactical, operational advice to protect holiday revenue and scale responsibly.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:22: Introduction

00:22 - 01:00: Welcoming Scott Cohen

01:00 - 01:40: Is AI Taking Email Jobs?

01:40 - 02:20: Why Email Is More Complex Than People Think

02:20 - 03:00: Big Changes in Email Deliverability

03:00 - 04:20: What SPF, DKIM and DMARC Really Mean

04:20 - 05:35: Gmail’s New Rules and Why They Matter

05:35 - 06:20: Black Friday Email Problems

06:20 - 07:10: Why Google Is Cracking Down on Low-Quality Content

07:10 - 08:05: How Inbox Providers Judge Your Reputation

08:05 - 09:20: Biggest Mistake: Sending Too Much Too Fast

09:20 - 10:40: How Email Spikes Hurt Deliverability

10:40 - 11:50: How To Ramp Up Sending the Right Way

11:50 - 12:40: Using Automations To Keep a Healthy Baseline

12:40 - 13:20: Email, SMS, Push: How They Work Together

13:20 - 14:50: When To Use Email vs SMS vs Push

14:50 - 16:00: How Customer Behavior Drives Channel Choice

16:00 - 17:20: Can SMS Clicks Trigger Other Flows?

17:20 - 18:20: Why Opt-In Rules Really Matter

18:20 - 19:00: Building Flows Based on Engagement

19:00 - 20:10: What Metrics Actually Matter in Email

20:10 - 21:30: Why Opens Are Unreliable Now

21:30 - 22:30: Real Attribution vs Direct Attribution

22:30 - 23:50: How Email Drives Paid and Organic Search

23:50 - 24:40: Email’s Role in Customer Conversion

24:40 - 25:15: Why Clean Data Is the Real Advantage

25:15 - 26:10: The Right Tech Stack for 2025

26:10 - 27:15: CRM Mindset vs CRM Tools

27:15 - 28:10: Why Teams Need Shared Customer Visibility

28:10 - 29:20: Why Training Custom GPTs Helps Marketers

29:20 - 30:05: Keeping Brand Voice When Using AI

30:05 - 30:35: Where To Find Scott Cohen

30:35 - 30:53: Closing Thoughts

 Connect with Scott Cohen

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcohen13/

 http://inboxarmy.com/

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, host Ranmay sits down with George Kowalewski, Director of AI & Innovation at Brandnation and EXPRE, to explore how agencies can transform into AI-first digital powerhouses.

George breaks down his journey from a traditional web agency model to an AI-driven culture, revealing how his team built repeatable AI workflows to automate research, estimation, and web development — without losing the human touch.

You’ll learn:

→ How to identify AI use cases that deliver measurable results.

→ The best tools for building agent-tech workflows (like Make.com, N8N, and Lindy).

→ The real challenges of AI-generated websites — and how to fix them.

→ Why “AI won’t take your job, but people using AI will.”

→ What AI-augmented coding means for developers and clients.

→ The core skills that will define AI-driven marketers in 2026.

Whether you’re a founder, marketing leader, or agency owner, this episode gives you a practical playbook to turn AI enthusiasm into real execution.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:21: Introduction

00:21 - 00:50: Meet George and today’s topic

00:50 - 02:50: How George started in AI and digital marketing

02:50 - 03:11: Turning a traditional agency into an AI-first agency

03:11 - 04:51: First step to building an AI-enabled culture

04:51 - 06:01: Documenting and measuring AI workflows

06:01 - 08:02: Common mistakes in AI-generated websites

08:02 - 08:40: Why persistence matters when using AI

08:40 - 09:22: What AI agents and workflows look like

09:22 - 11:41: George’s go-to AI tools

11:41 - 11:49: Using AI to build workflows inside platforms

11:49 - 14:21: What “vibe coding” really means

14:21 - 15:10: AI time savings and client expectations

15:10 - 18:07: Skills marketers need to win in 2026

18:07 - 20:17: Rapid-fire questions with George

20:17 - 20:29: Closing thoughts

 Connect with George Kowalewski

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-kowalewski

 http://expre.co.uk/

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

In this episode of e-Coffee with Experts, Austin Willman sits down with serial entrepreneur Mike Horn, President at Burgschneider Group, a mastermind in transforming fandom into commerce.

From helping brands like Dungeons & Dragons expand into cosplay and costumes with Burgschneider, to launching immersive fan events and collectibles, Mike shares a 30-year journey at the intersection of licensing, product development, and fandom culture.

They dive into why super fans are the center of the merchandising universe, how niche passions have become global movements, and why authentic brand storytelling wins every time. Mike also discusses market research strategies, IP evaluation, and the future of creativity in a world shaped by AI.

If you’ve ever wondered how brands tap into geek culture and build products fans obsess over — this conversation is a must-listen.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 01:00: Introduction

01:00 - 02:35: What fandom means today

02:35 - 04:15: Turning games into products

04:15 - 06:10: Challenges making D&D merch

06:10 - 07:45: Why super fans buy expensive items

07:45 - 09:20: How brands reach super fans

09:20 - 10:40: How fans find new products

10:40 - 12:20: Using fandom to target buyers

12:20 - 14:05: Building new brands people love

14:05 - 15:45: How Mike picks good IPs

15:45 - 17:30: The story of Burgschneider

17:30 - 19:20: Growing the business in the USA

19:20 - 20:50: Starting live fantasy events

20:50 - 22:00: The Middle-earth event story

22:00 - 24:00: Mike’s first LARP experience

24:00 - 26:20: Why real merch matters

26:20 - 28:30: AI and the future of fandom

28:30 - 30:00: The problem with fake merch

30:00 - 31:18: Mike’s thoughts on authenticity

31:18 - 32:29: Where to find Mike + closing

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelghorn/

 https://burgschneider.com/

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions.

In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, we sit down with Elizabeth Carter, Account Director at RED66 Marketing, to explore the human side of digital marketing.

Elizabeth shares what it's really like to be on the front lines, translating client goals into actionable strategies and aligning internal teams around outcomes that matter. She dives into how Red 66 nurtures long-term client relationships, some lasting over a decade, and the key role in-person connection still plays in a digital-first world.

We discuss her process for onboarding, maintaining engagement during long SEO cycles, and why trusting relationships beat vanity metrics every time. Elizabeth also offers a look into how AI and automation are being integrated without sacrificing personalization.

Whether you're an agency owner, SEO strategist, or just want to understand what makes clients stay, this episode is packed with real talk, proven strategies, and a refreshing perspective on marketing in 2025 and beyond.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:39: Introduction

00:39 - 02:08: What It’s Like Leading a Marketing Agency Team

02:08 - 03:46: Why Every Team Member Learns SEO Basics

03:46 - 05:58: When Elizabeth Steps In With New Clients

05:58 - 08:35: How They Keep Clients Happy for 10+ Years

08:35 - 12:03: Why In-Person Meetings Still Matter in a Digital World

12:03 - 14:47: Turning Client Talks Into Team Actions

14:47 - 17:03: How AI and SEO Are Changing in 2025

17:03 - 20:42: Smarter Systems – Tools That Save Time and Energy

20:42 - 22:34: Her Best Advice for Marketers in 2026

22:34 - 24:01: Where to Find Elizabeth & Red 66 Marketing

 Connect with Elizabeth Carter

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-carter-a70631175/

 http://red66marketing.com/

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin sits down with Gints Gailis, Head of Marketing at Confect, a design-focused ad tech platform, to unpack what really works during Black Friday.

With access to 44.3 billion impressions and over 2,000 advertisers across 73 countries, Gints breaks down what makes Black Friday ads convert, why consumer behavior shifts so dramatically in Q4, and why most brand rules get thrown out the window.

They explore everything from price anchoring, discount thresholds, and why black design dominates social feeds in November, to creative tactics like showing prices upfront, bundling offers, and making use of novelty to drive impulse purchases. Gints also explains how smaller advertisers can outsmart big-budget brands during high-competition weeks.

If you're running E-commerce ads or preparing for year-end sales, this is the data-backed strategy guide you’ve been waiting for.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:40: Introduction

00:40 - 01:20: What Black Friday Means for Marketers

01:20 - 02:10: Why Black Friday Starts Earlier Every Year

02:10 - 03:00: How Consumer Behavior Is Changing

03:00 - 04:30: Turning Ads “Black” – What It Really Means

04:30 - 06:00: Why Black Design Works So Well

06:00 - 07:30: What Type of Ads Perform Best

07:30 - 09:00: Inside Confect’s Data – 44 Billion Impressions!

09:00 - 10:40: How Brands Spend During Black Friday

10:40 - 12:00: The Real Cost of Black Friday Ads

12:00 - 13:40: Are Higher Ad Prices Worth It?

13:40 - 15:00: What Discounts Work Best (and Why)

15:00 - 17:00: Creative Offers That Sell More

17:00 - 18:30: Best Regions and Countries for Black Friday Sales

18:30 - 20:00: Can Small Brands Still Compete?

20:00 - 21:30: What Happens After Black Friday Ends

21:30 - 23:00: Switching to Christmas Ads Overnight

23:00 - 24:00: What Consumers Look for in December

24:00 - 25:30: Why “Shipping Info” Doesn’t Always Help

25:30 - 27:00: What Data Surprised Gints the Most

27:00 - 29:00: 3 Things That Boost Ad Results

29:00 - 30:10: Advice for Marketers

30:10 - 30:49: Final Thoughts

 Connect with Gints Gailis

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gintsgailis/

 https://confect.io/learn/black-friday-2025

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, we sit down with Helga Zabalkanska, Co-founder and CMO at Solva, a SaaS company building multiple products without external funding.

Helga opens up about wearing many hats, from leading marketing to overseeing product development, and shares her no-nonsense approach to prioritization, delegation, and scaling efficiently with a lean team.

She discusses how her company identifies product-market fit, validates ideas through user interviews, and launches new features with precision.

Helga also dives deep into her cutting-edge SEO strategy for 2025, emphasizing AI search engines, brand-building, and link quality over quantity.

Plus, she reveals how she hires and cultivates A-players, the underrated power of long-tail keywords, and why building a brand can sometimes beat having the best product.

Whether you’re an agency owner, startup founder, or growth marketer, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration from someone truly in the trenches.

 Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:40: Introduction

00:40 - 01:30: Who Helga is and what her company does

01:30 - 03:00: Balancing CEO, CMO, and product roles

03:00 - 04:40: Handling “fires” and staying focused

04:40 - 05:50: Building trust and teamwork with her partners

05:50 - 08:00: Finding and growing A-players in her team

08:00 - 09:40: Creating a strong, no-micromanage company culture

09:40 - 10:30: How her team works with Agile and sprints

10:30 - 12:00: How they find and test new product ideas

12:00 - 13:30: Validating MVPs and using user interviews

13:30 - 14:30: Launching new products and go-to-market tips

14:30 - 15:30: Power of community, Reddit, and SEO for growth

15:30 - 17:20: Founder brand vs company brand discussion

17:20 - 19:40: How AI is changing SEO and link building

19:40 - 22:30: SEO for small brands with low domain authority

22:30 - 24:20: Using long-tail keywords to build relevance

24:20 - 26:00: Brand vs service quality — what really matters

26:00 - 27:30: Advice for startups and small teams

27:30 - 27:53: Final Thoughts

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zabalkanska/

 https://solva.io/

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions.