Most Amazon sellers brag about revenue. But revenue doesn’t pay the bills… profit does. 

David Schomer, co-host of the Firing the Man podcast, breaks down what it really takes to build a sustainable Amazon business. From managing TACoS and uncovering hidden Amazon fees to choosing the right products and using accrual-based accounting, he shares hard-earned lessons from his own journey. David explains why most sellers misunderstand profit, the overlooked costs that cut into margins, and the product strategies that actually work in 2025.

✅Why profitability (not revenue) is the real measure of success
✅The difference between cash vs accrual accounting for Amazon sellers
✅How to calculate and manage TACoS (Total Advertising Cost of Sale)
✅The hidden Amazon fees (AFCoS) that erode margins and how to track them
✅Product strategies for choosing higher-ticket and oversized items that scale profitably
 

[00:00] Profitability Over Revenue. Why Amazon is getting harder and how to stay profitable.

[02:17] Cash vs. Accrual Explained: How inventory hits P&L versus the balance sheet.

[05:00] Your Financials Are a Report Card. Why treating Amazon like a real business matters.

[06:03] Using 4x landed cost and 30% margins to set yourself up right.

[06:58] TACoS Over ACOS: The ad metric that reveals if your sales are truly profitable.

[10:18] Amazon as a Media Company: Why PPC is now required to compete.

[11:10] Higher-Priced Products Win: How $50–$200 items create faster profitability.

[12:09] Oversized Products Pay Off: Why heavy, difficult-to-ship items are hidden gems.

[17:39] Cut the Duds: How dropping underperforming SKUs can boost account health.

[20:29] Customer expectations have changed.

[26:15] Launch, Then Refine: Use customer feedback to improve on the second order.

[29:18] AFCoS Uncovered: The hidden Amazon fees most sellers overlook.

[33:08] Benchmarks That Matter: What healthy AFCoS percentages look like.

[36:13] Final Advice: Just get started and stay committed to the process.

🚀  Guest: David Schomer 

Website: firingtheman.com

Podcast: Firing the Man (available on all major platforms)
 

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Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

Most entrepreneurs hit a wall when scaling past a few million. Phil Case has been there, AND he broke through. From 80-hour weeks to building multi-million-dollar agencies, Phil reveals the systems, leadership shifts, and client strategies that allowed him to grow from scrappy startup to powerhouse.

Neil Twa sits down with Phil to unpack what it really takes to scale agencies to $10M–$50M+, the hard leadership lessons, and how to balance work, life, and growth without burning out.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ How to build a core leadership team that drives real growth
✅ The role of mentors, networks, and surrounding yourself with the right people
✅ Lessons in capital, payroll stress, and sustainable client diversification
✅ Why Phil now works 35 hours a week and gets more done than ever
 

📍 Chapters
[00:03:36] Building Teams and Leadership that Scale
[00:07:57] Shifting from “Athlete” to “Coach” in Business
[00:10:23] Lessons from Founders Handing Over the Reins
[00:11:23] Capital, Payroll Pressure, and Sustainable Growth
[00:13:46] Work-Life Balance, Mentorship, and Redefining Success
[00:17:27] Confident Sales and Turning Down Wrong-Fit Clients
[00:21:41] Max Connect’s Ideal Clients and Expansion Strategy

🚀 Connect with Phil Case on LinkedIn

Follow Neil:
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🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?
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Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

Industrial real estate has exploded in value, fueled by e-commerce growth, onshoring, and shifting supply chains.

Neil Twa sits down with Joel Friedland, an industrial real estate syndicator, to talk about the surge in warehouse demand, why Chicago is a manufacturing powerhouse, and how no-debt investing keeps deals stable even in downturns. They cover the rise of onshore manufacturing, the countries replacing China in the supply chain, and the market forces driving record rent increases.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Industrial property values are up 50–75% since 2019
✅ How onshoring is reshaping U.S. manufacturing demand
✅ Mexico is now the largest importer to the U.S. (and its infrastructure problem)
✅ The no-debt real estate model that keeps investors safe in downturns
 

📍 Chapters
[00:02:11] How Joel Got Into Industrial Real Estate Syndication
[00:08:44] USPS Lease Renewal: From $6 to $19 Per Sq Ft
[00:13:27] Redevelopment of Chicago’s Fulton Market
[00:17:03] Onshoring, Manufacturing, and E-Commerce Growth
[00:21:18] Mexico’s Manufacturing Boom (and Its Grid Problem)
[00:27:45] Why Chicago is an Industrial Powerhouse
[00:37:22] Balancing Risk and Growth in Commercial Real Estate
[00:42:51] Typical Returns for Industrial Real Estate Investors

🚀  Connect with Joel Friedland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-friedland 

 

🚀 Want a Free Shopify Website Audit? Grab yours here: https://www.inspiresmallbusiness.com.au

Follow Neil:
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🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?
✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations with real founders
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Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

If you haven’t updated your website in years, it’s probably costing you more than you think.

Neil Twa sits down with Clayton, Shopify expert and DTC strategist, to unpack how AI is transforming e-commerce, what’s hype vs. what’s real, and how to protect your brand in a marketplace flooded with fake reviews and copycat stores. 

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ How AI is changing website design, marketing, and product reviews
✅ Why connection beats price in the DTC game
✅ How one site redesign delivered $25K in extra sales in just a week
✅ Pivoting fast when tariffs or market shifts hit your business

📍 Chapters
[00:06:39] Learning Web Design from Scratch
[00:09:22] Why Businesses Resist Change (and Lose Money)
[00:13:14] AI Marketing: Efficiency or Ethics Problem?
[00:15:22] The Rise of Fake Reviews and AI-Generated Content
[00:20:51] Turning Tariff Problems Into Global Sales Opportunities
[00:22:48] Building Authentic Connection With Customers
[00:24:00] Clayton’s Free Website Audit Offer

 

🚀 Want a Free Shopify Website Audit? Grab yours here: https://www.inspiresmallbusiness.com.au

Follow Neil:
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🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?
✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations with real founders
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✅ Drop a review to help others discover the show 

Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

You won’t lose your job to AI.

You’ll lose it to someone who knows how to use it.

Neil Twa sits down with John Gargiulo, AI entrepreneur and founder of AirPost, to unpack how AI is transforming video marketing, content creation, and business at scale. From gigawatt data centers to ugly ads that convert, they explore what’s real, what’s hype, and how you can actually use AI to grow your brand without losing authenticity.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Why AI is replacing knowledge workers first
✅ What industries will be hit hardest and fastest
✅ The future of video ad creation using AI + humans
 

Chapters: 

[00:01:00] Why AI Feels Like the Internet in 1994
[00:03:00] The Death of Knowledge Work as We Know It
[00:08:40] AI in Marketing: From Ad Targeting to Creative
[00:14:20] Human + AI = The Future of Video Ad Creation
[00:17:00] The Content Bottleneck Every Brand Faces
[00:18:25] Ugly Ads, Real People, and What Actually Converts
[00:20:00] How to Use AI to Scale Your Brand's Storytelling

🚀 Want to See How AI Can 10x Your Video Ads? Check out John's AI platform: https://airpost.ai

Follow Neil:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/

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

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

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?
✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations with real founders
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✅ Drop a review to help others discover the show

Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

You might think you’re making conscious decisions. But most of your reactions? They’re driven by your survival brain 

AND they’re sabotaging your success.

In this episode, Neil sits down with educator, author, and mindset strategist Mitch Weisburgh to unpack the science of mind shifting. Mitch reveals how to stop reacting on autopilot, build real resilience, and train your brain to make smarter, more strategic decisions.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✅ Why your brain makes decisions before you consciously think

✅ The science of self-sabotage (and how to stop it)

✅ What true resilience looks like in business and life

✅ How to shift your mindset using OODA loops

✅ Collaboration is a superpower most people misuse

Chapters

[00:05:40] What It Means to “Shift Your Mind”

[00:09:19] Survival Brain vs. Strategic Brain

[00:13:00] The 3 Tools to Access Your Resourceful Mind

[00:22:10] How to Build a Better Decision Loop

[00:26:15] From Conflict to Collaboration

[00:30:22] The Power of Humility and Beginner’s Mindset

🚀 Ready to Shift Your Mind and Stop Self-Sabotaging?

👉 Explore Mitch’s Courses & Resources: https://mindshiftingwithmitch.com

📘 Book: Mind Shifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success

Follow Neil:

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

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?

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✅ Drop a question or comment and keep the conversation going

Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

You don’t need 100 doors. You just need a plan and a 30-year fixed mortgage. In this episode, Neil sits down with Adiel Gorel, real estate investor and founder of ICG, who has helped thousands of people build wealth through single-family rentals. Adiel reveals how he went from a Silicon Valley engineer to buying 22 homes in a single year and why the key to long-term wealth isn’t timing the market… it’s owning it.

He also breaks down the one overlooked financial tool most Americans ignore: the 30-year fixed mortgage.

✅ The one decision that made Adiel financially free
✅ How inflation makes you richer (if you play it right)
✅ The power of buying one home at a time
✅ Why you should start before rates drop

[00:01:05] How Adiel Got Started in Real Estate
[00:06:05] Buying 22 Homes in a Year (While Working Full-Time)
[00:13:29] Remote Control Retirement Riches Explained
[00:20:33] The Greatest Financial Gift in America
[00:26:00] Real Investor Story: 19 Homes = $225K/year
[00:27:20] Why Overthinkers Stay Broke
[00:31:44] Stop Waiting. Start Now.
[00:34:15] Free Quarterly Event + Final Thoughts

🚀 Learn the Remote Control Retirement Strategy
👉 https://icgre.com
🎥 Watch Adiel’s PBS Special: Remote Control Retirement Riches
👉 https://adielgorel.com

Follow Neil:

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

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

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?

✅ Subscribe to the podcast for more stories from real entrepreneurs

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✅ Drop a question or comment and keep the conversation going

Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

Forget “growth hacks.” Understand your numbers.

In this episode, Neil sits down with Jeremy Reeves to break down the economic engine behind real business growth. Jeremy shares how he scaled a supplement brand to $1 million per month and helped 8-figure companies fix cash flow and profitability by mastering one thing: the math. From customer acquisition costs to lifetime value, he explains how to diagnose what’s actually holding your business back and how to fix it with systems that scale.

In This Episode, We Cover

✅ Mindset impacts your cash flow more than you think

✅ How to calculate CAC and LTV the right way

✅ Why some “profitable” businesses are actually burning cash

✅ When to launch your second sales channel

Chapters:

[00:01:05] What’s Happening in the Economy Right Now

[00:07:26] Why Revenue is Not the Goal

[00:15:00] Most Founders Misread Their Metrics

[00:18:41] When to Add Another Channel

[00:28:00] Designing a Life Beyond Business

[00:33:22] Final Thoughts: Focus Over Everything

🚀 Build a Brand That Scales
👉 https://www.voltagedm.com/

📘 Grab the book: Almost Automated Income with FBA
👉 https://www.voltagedm.com/booknt

Follow Neil:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiltwa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neiltwa/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?

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✅ Drop a question or comment and keep the conversation going

Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

A single fake review could tank your entire launch

In this episode, Neil sits down with Shane, founder of TraceFuse, to unpack the dark side of Amazon reviews and how sellers can legally and ethically fight back. With 500+ clients served, Shane breaks down what’s actually allowed under Amazon’s terms and what you can do to protect your listings from sabotage.

In This Episode, We Cover

✅ What kinds of reviews Amazon will remove (and which ones are stuck for life)
✅ How fake buyer accounts are used to attack competitors
✅ The biggest red flags Amazon looks for in review patterns
✅ A free tool to scan your reviews and file complaints yourself

Chapters:
[00:02:57] What Counts as a Removable Review
[00:08:46] Launch Protection: Why Reviews Matter on Day One
[00:10:19] TraceFuse’s AI Tool and How It Works
[00:13:16] What Not to Do When Filing a Case with Amazon
[00:17:45] Categories Most Targeted: Supplements, Beauty, and Pets
[00:21:20] How to Spot a Review You Can Fight

🛠️ Use the free review scanner → https://tracefuse.ai/amazon-review-checker

🚀 Build a Brand That Scales
👉 https://www.voltagedm.com/

📘 Grab the book: Almost Automated Income with FBA
👉 https://www.voltagedm.com/booknt

Follow Neil:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiltwa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neiltwa/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?

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✅ Drop a question or comment and keep the conversation going

Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!

Your brand doesn’t need more content… it needs more connection. In this episode, Neil sits down with Axel Arzola, a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist who has helped scale content for companies, influencers, and major YouTube channels like Impact Theory.

They unpack what’s really working in content today, from “FaceTime-style” ads and emotional storytelling to using data to drive massive reach on YouTube and beyond. Whether you're a founder, content creator, or brand builder, this episode will shift the way you think about audience connection and creative testing.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Why AI content can’t replace human storytelling
✅ The rise of FaceTime-style content and how it’s outperforming flashy videos
✅ Why you shouldn’t “fight the platform” when scaling content
✅ How to build brand resonance by understanding your actual buyer
✅ The value of running multiple creative angles—not just one big idea
✅ How data and narrative work together to scale brand reach
✅ Axel’s journey from Cuba to directing content for millions of viewers

Chapters:
[00:01:32] Axel Arzola: From Filmmaking in Cuba to Brand Storytelling
[00:02:00] AI-Powered Content Is Everywhere, but Is It Working?
[00:06:00] Are We Entering the Era of Deepfake Conversations?
[00:08:23] Can AI Be Useful Without Losing the Human Touch?
[00:15:18] Building a Narrative That Resonates With Your Real Customer
[00:18:00] The Secret to Better Product Research (Hint: Facebook’s Listening)
[00:22:00] Why Data Should Inform Your Creativity
[00:25:11] The Intersection of Filmmaking and Business Growth

🔗 Resources & Links:
🚀 Build a Brand That Scales → https://www.voltagedm.com
📘 Grab Neil’s Book: Almost Automated Income with FBA → https://www.voltagedm.com/booknt

Follow Neil:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiltwa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neiltwa/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/voltagefba
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbabusinessbuilders

🎧 Like This Episode?

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✅ Drop a question or comment and keep the conversation going

Ready to stop trading time for money and build almost automated income with FBA? Visit https://voltagedm.com to learn how you can buy back you freedom by building your very own ecommerce empire!