INspired INsider Podcast

Steve Chou is the founder of Bumblebee Linens and MyWifeQuitHerJob.com. With a bachelor's and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, it's pretty clear Steve is a smart guy.

He not only runs multiple six-figure businesses but he's also a hardware engineer by day and an entrepreneur by night. If that wasn't enough on his plate, Steve's also a husband and father of 2 kids.

• [0:37] Jeremy's introduction of Steve Chou, founder of Bumblebee Linens and MyWifeQuiteHerJob.com
• [1:38] What's the hardest part about balancing your 2 businesses, your job as a hardware engineer, and your family?
• [5:44] Creating space for everything in your life.
• [6:56] What's a must for eCommerce sellers to boost sales?
• [9:41] Getting your customer to be emotionally invested in your products.
• [10:50] What's working the best for your business in terms of paid services?
• [14:18] Targeting methods that work.
• [15:15] Facebook ad targeting surprises that Steve found in his campaigns.
• [16:36] Why target B2B customers?
• [19:48] Dealing with inventory management via Amazon, eBay and other channels.
• [21:08] The customer cycle from A to Z.
• [27:04] The biggest challenge in targeting customers.
• [28:56] What software do you use to run your business?
• [35:35] Using Pinterest in a marketing campaign.
• [39:33] Getting insight into Google Adwords.
• [40:55] How did you come up with the name Bumblebee Linens?
• [41:51] How do you establish your name in order to grow your business?
• [44:20] Networking with vendors to ensure you get the best quality products from them.
• [48:12] What are your best sellers and what are the surprise best-sellers that you didn't expect to sell?
• [49:37] What's next for Bumblebee Linens?
• [50:47] Why are you so open with sharing all of this?
• [54:26] The biggest mistakes you see people making?
• [55:23] The course in My Wife Quit Her Job.
• [58:22] What keeps you up at night?
• [1:00:36] What's your ultimate dream?
• [1:02:55] How to connect with Steve.
• [1:03:44] Some actionable tips to improve your ecommerce business.

For Steve, it's all about finding balance in his busy life. From his flourishing businesses to his busy career as a hardware engineer to his family, Steve discusses how he manages to make time for it all. He gives insight into how he maintains focus on his main objective: spending time with his family. Throughout this chat with Jeremy, Steve shares with great openness how he's managed to grow his businesses into the multiple 6 figures and some of the strategies that helped Bumblebee Linens become a thriving ecommerce store.

Steve offers tips to help ecommerce business owners understand how to grow sales by standing out from the crowd. He shares insight into how he targets customers and some targeting methods they use to connect with their market. Steve also discusses some of the challenges they face in targeting, and how they manage to stay on track and continue to grow their reach.

Steve goes on to share some of his top software choices to help manage his business, and a few tips to help new businesses thrive. Steve chats with Jeremy about how they grew the Bumblebee Linens brand in the beginning and why it's key to stand out from the very start. He shares a story about a last-minute order from a bride early in the company's history and how they went out of their way to make sure her order was filled in time.

As they close out their chat, Steve talks about the role of content in a strong marketing plan and why it's so important to put out great content in order to attract new customers and build sales. He shares the biggest mistakes he sees ecommerce businesses make and how to avoid them as you start out. Steve offers a final tip for ecommerce business owners who are ready to see growth: put out content regularly.

• My Wife Quit Her Job - visit the site to get your FREE 6-Day Mini Course on How to Start Your Own Online Store
• Bumblebee Linens
• Shopify
• Big Commerce
• AWeber
• Shipping Easy
• Klaviyo
• Panjiva
• Trello

Gary Nealon is the founder of RTA Cabinet Store and has built an 8-figure eCommerce business. Gary is also the owner of the Rox Group, a collection of eCommerce sites in the home improvement niche. Rox Group includes one of the largest online distributors and importers of kitchen cabinets in the United States.

They have been featured one over 80 shows on popular networks like HGTV, A&E, and many others. Gary has been featured on the Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 as well as being listed as one of Philly's 100 fastest-growing companies in the past 3 years. Gary also runs WineTrailAdventures.com and Nealon Solutions, which is a marketing company.

• [0:37] Jeremy's introduction of Gary Nealon, founder of RTA Cabinet Store and The Rox Group.
• [1:32] What's been the lowest and proudest eCommerce points?
• [3:49] The lesson you want to leave us with today?

Like all business owners, Gary faced his fair share of struggles. He managed to go from bankruptcy to 8-figure eCommerce business by implementing marketing strategies that allowed him to truly connect with his market. In this chat, Gary shares the high point and the lowest point of his eCommerce business, as well as a final piece of advice for fellow business owners.

The lowest point was quite easy for Gary to pinpoint: filing bankruptcy in his previous business. He talks about why it was so difficult and what it was like to tell the investors that the business just wasn't going to work. Gary shares how it felt to realize it was time to accept defeat and move forward, in spite of how hard he'd worked to get the business to succeed.

For Gary, the high point has come in the last few years, when he feels like all of the hard work is really starting to pay off. He talks about how it feels to finally get recognition for doing this right, especially after having faced a bankruptcy with the previous business. Gary talks with great pride about building the successful businesses he runs today and why it's important to never lose sight of the low points.

In closing, Gary offers a final thought to business owners: get to know your customer. He talks about the value of direct marketing and truly understanding who your customer is in order to make the connection you need. After facing bankruptcy and building flourishing businesses, it's clear Gary understands how to truly connect with the market in order to stay ahead of the competition.

• RTA Cabinet Store
• Wine Trail Adventures

John Ruhlin is the founder of the Ruhlin Group and the author of Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention. He's the #1 all time distributor of Cutco Knives in its 65+ year history.

John is a master gift-giver, who forges lifetime relationships while generating huge returns for his clients. His impressive list of clients includes the Chicago Cubs, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bears and many top entrepreneurs including Darren Hardy, Cameron Hould, and many more.

The true essence of John Ruhlin can be summed up in this quote from a very important person, his daughter: John helps people love on people.

• [0:37] Jeremy's introduction of John Ruhlin, founder of the Ruhlin Group and author of Giftology.
• [2:03] How John's daughter describes what he does.
• [4:16] A fun fact about John.
• [5:27] Growing up in large family and how it taught him work ethic.
• [7:44] The importance of standing out.
• [8:31] John's aspirations as a kid.
• [9:27] How John discovered sales and started selling knives.
• [11:42] The learning curve of getting into sales.
• [12:48] What worked well with learning to handle objections?
• [14:57] The transition from going into people's homes to going into businesses.
• [17:45] John's college experience.
• [18:58] Landing the Chicago Cubs as a client.
• [22:07] The first big sports team he landed.
• [25:28] The most outrageous gift he's ever done.
• [27:26] The most exciting client ever landed through the gifts.
• [29:58] Some of the biggest mistakes people make when gifting.
• [33:57] What stories didn't make into the book?
• [36:50] Coming up with new ideas to keep gifts fresh for repeat clients.
• [38:53] Landing Caesar's Palace as a client.
• [41:15] Gifts that backfire.
• [46:42] The hardest part about writing the book.
• [48:58] The important points in the book.
• [50:44] The craziest thing John convinced a client to do.
• [53:02] The low point of John's journey.
• [54:02] How did you get out of that "funk"?
• [56:34] How did your wife help you get through that low point?
• [58:21] One of the proudest moments in your journey.
• [1:00:38] Some of the perks John and his partner give to the team.
• [1:01:28] John explains his connection to The Bubble Banks Company.
• [1:04:44] How to connect with John.
• [1:05:26] Who are some of the companies and entrepreneurs you want as a client?

There's a reason John is seen as the master gift-giver. He understands the value of giving and discusses why it's so important to make gifting a core value of any company. From the highs and lows, through the high-profile clients, to the most outrageous gifts he's given, John gives us insight into how he's become so successful by mastering the art of gifting.

As one of 6 kids growing up on a farm, John learned early that he had to work for whatever he had. His parents taught him a strong work ethic, which has served him well as he built his business and wrote a successful book. As a child, John envisioned being a doctor because he wanted to work with his head and not his hands. He discusses how that all shifted when he discovered sales and found himself truly enjoying the process of connecting with clients. His first selling gig? Knives. John would go on to be the top seller in the 65-year history of Kutco knives, so it's pretty clear he had a knack for it.

Once John discovered his passion for sales, he would leave his dreams of going into medical school behind. He would take selling from residential to businesses and would find himself at the helm of a quickly-growing business. John discusses how he made that connection and why he decided to start pitching to businesses. He also talks about how he handles objections and why he believes objections are a good thing.

From working with businesses, John bridged the gap into gifting and would soon be known as the best in the business. John goes on to discuss some of the biggest clients he's ever worked with, including the Chicago Cubs, and how he wowed them with the first gift he was hired to create. He also shares some of the top mistakes people make in gifting, including the top mistake - making the gift about you, instead of the recipient. John discusses the most outrageous gift he's ever gifted and why it made a huge impression. In closing, the discuss John's book, Giftology, and the highs and lows of his journey.

• Giftology
• Ruhlin Group

Wes Grudzien is co-founder of Lullaby Lane. Wes helped grow the company's Amazon sales to over 7 million dollars annually in less than 3 years.

He is also the founder of Ezonomy, where he teaches the exact methods used to grow a 7-figure business and consults with large-scale sellers.

• [0:47] Jeremy's introduction of Wes Grudzien, co-founder of Lullaby Lane.
• [1:11] What's been the lowest point?
• [3:29] What's been the highest point?
• [4:08] Celebrating the high points.

Finding success in a highly competitive market certainly comes with its fair share of challenges. As Wes and the Lullaby Lane team sought success in their Amazon storefront, they learn to tackle those challenges head on. Wes shares the high point and low point of the business, as well as the lessons learned along the way.

Wes discusses the low point of Lullaby Lane, which came following a misunderstanding about shipping weights. He shares how the issue evolved, and what it was like to face suspended selling privileges when they were really starting to flourish. Although it was difficult to overcome this challenge, Wes talks about the lessons learned and how it made them better in the end.

As Lullaby Lane continued to grow, there was much to celebrate. Wes gives insight into one of the high points of the business, which came when they hit $4m in sales. He shares how it felt to reach this milestone, and how he celebrated with his team. For Wes, it was about continuing to strive for more and realizing the formula he had truly worked.

This short episode gives insight into how a successful business can overcome challenges and continue to flourish in spite of them. It's clear Lullaby Lane is a huge success and Wes shares his formula with others through Ezonomy.

• Lullaby Lane
• Ezonomy

Craig Ballantyne has helped over 1.5 million people with his Turbulence Training and Home Workout Revolution exercise programs.

He has been a fitness expert to Men's Health magazine since 2000, and is co-owner of the popular success newsletter, EarlytoRise.com, where they reach hundreds of thousands of people daily with success, fitness, and self-improvement advice.

He is the author of The Perfect Day Formula: How to Own the Day and Control Your Life.

• [0:37] Jeremy's introduction of Craig Ballantyne, founder of Early to Rise and author of The Perfect Day Formula.
• [1:19] What's The Golden Ticket?
• [2:27] Craig's morning routine after he gets up at 4am.
• [4:48] How do you come up with new material to write?
• [7:02] What inspired your interest in health and fitness?
• [8:25] Craig's dreams of being in the NHL and how it led him to his career in health/fitness.
• [9:52] The influence of Craig's father.
• [11:38] Some of the unconventional things Craig did.
• [13:19] Learning discipline and hard work from his parents.
• [16:50] Craig explains Turbulence Training.
• [20:43] One of the most memorable transformations with Turbulence Training.
• [22:18] The 5 pillars of transformation.
• [34:51] The decision-making process to find his first mentor.
• [36:29] A breakthrough, courtesy of his coach.
• [38:24] What led to being the owner of Early to Rise?
• [41:38] What's the most rewarding thing about Early to Rise?
• [45:55] Craig's connection with Toys for Tots.
• [46:46] What's the most challenging thing about Early to Rise?
• [47:48] How did you have a breakthrough as a manager?
• [49:14] The evolution of the Perfect Day Formula title?
• [54:27] Some of the rules Craig lives by.
• [56:26] The Not To Do List in the book.
• [58:26] The 3 Most Important Rules.
• [59:30] What's been the lowest moment, and how did you push through it?
• [1:01:44] Dealing with severe anxiety and overcoming it.
• [1:02:14] One of Craig's proudest moments.
• [1:02:58] The inspiration behind The Perfect Day Formula Book and the kit.
• [1:04:58] What is The Golden Ticket?
• [1:05:51] Some flaws Craig has discovered when people follow the Perfect Day Formula.
• [1:08:13] Where to find The Perfect Day Formula and get more information about it.
• [1:09:11] What else do we need to know about The Perfect Day Formula?

From his morning routine to his dedication to helping others, it's clear Craig Ballantyne has found his purpose. His focus on health and fitness goes back to his childhood, when Craig dreamed of being a strength and conditioning coach in the NHL. Over time, this passion evolved into a new purpose via a job writing for Men's Health. In his chat with Jeremy, Craig shares the challenges, triumphs, and some key advice to help you re-focus and find structure in your day.

Craig discusses the inspiration he found at a young age from his hard-working parents. He shares why this helped him understand the value of structure and why it's so important to find structure in order to create the "perfect life". Craig talks about his Turbulence Training program and the countless life-changes he's seen from clients over the years. He also discusses the 5 Pillars of Transformation and why having a deadline is the most important pillar of all.

Craig goes on to give insight into his coach/mentor and why he recommends hiring a coach right away. He talks about some breakthroughs that came from working with his coach, Tom, and how his guidance helped Craig find his way to Early to Rise. He also shares the most rewarding and most challenging things about Early to Rise, and why he values his team more than anything.

In closing, Craig gives insight into some rules he lives by, the "Not To Do List", and the Perfect Day Formula, Kit, and The Golden Ticket. Craig also shares some obstacles he faced early on, and how he overcame the crippling anxiety from which he suffered. His final piece of advice: creating more structure in your life will actually create more freedom.

• www.PerfectDayFormula.com
• www.EarlyToRise.com
• The Perfect Day Formula Book
• www.TurbulenceTraining.com

John Ruhlin is the founder of the Ruhlin Group and the author of Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention. He's the #1 all time distributor of Cutco Knives in its 65+ year history.

John is a master gift-giver, who forges lifetime relationships while generating huge returns for his clients. His impressive list of clients includes the Chicago Cubs, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bears and many top entrepreneurs including Darren Hardy, Cameron Hould, and many more.

The true essence of John Ruhlin can be summed up in this quote from a very important person, his daughter: John helps people love on people.

• [0:37] Jeremy's introduction of John Ruhlin, founder of the Ruhlin Group and author of Giftology.
• [1:58] The low point of John's journey.
• [2:58] How did you get out of that "funk"?
• [5:30] How did your wife help you get through that low point?
• [7:17] One of the proudest moments in your journey.
• [9:34] Some of the perks John and his partner give to the team.
• [10:24] John explains his connection to The Bubble Banks Company.
• [13:40] How to connect with John.
• [14:22] Who are some of the companies and entrepreneurs you want as a client?

Listening to the master gift-giver makes it clear that giving should be a core value of companies large and small. John discusses the evolution of his company, including the all-important highs and lows along the way. From his days as a struggling entrepreneur to the success he enjoys today, John has maintained a focus on the core value of his company: giving.

John shares insight into his lowest points, which included tragedy, heartache, and shock. He talks about the lessons learned from these low points and how he managed to bounce back. John also talks about how he found support during these struggles and why the low points helped to make him an even stronger entrepreneur, and person. He gives insight into how his wife's support helped him persevere in the darkest times.

John goes on to discuss the proudest moments of his journey. From launching his book, Giftology, to the honor of being asked to speak at Google, John has enjoyed many high points throughout his journey. He goes on to discuss some of the perks he and his partner give to the team, and why it's so important to find ways to give back to the people that make it all happen.

In closing, John goes over his "dream list" of clients he'd love to work with, including Gary Vaynerchuk, Tim Ferris, Michael Hyatt, and Seth Godin.

• Giftology
• Ruhlin Group

Ethan Anderson is the co-founder of MyTime, an online scheduling software that allows you to book appointments online with businesses ranging from haircuts to oil changes to dental exams – with over 2 million businesses to choose from.

Previously, Ethan founded Redbeacon, raising over $7.4million and growing the team to over 20 people before being acquired by Home Depot.

Ethan has a diverse background, going from Duke Economics to Harvard MBA, and working at McKinsey, Buy.com, Starbucks, Clorox, and Google to then founding 2 companies, one with a successful exit.

• [0:40] Jeremy's introduction of Ethan Anderson, co-founder of MyTime.com.
• [2:13] The most stressful part of Ethan's journey so far.
• [3:53] A trademark battle Ethan faced and the stress involved.
• [5:09] Mentally coping with the stress of things like the trademark battle.
• [7:14] Launching a POS product and dealing with stolen credit card issues after the launch.
• [8:33] How to remedy issues like the fraud issue they faced after launching the POS product.
• [10:48] The importance of bringing scheduling online for small businesses.
• [16:32] The objections Ethan faces when dealing with small businesses.
• [20:40] Protecting domains and how MyTime approaches that.
• [21:58] Success stories of people that were once resistant but ended up choosing MyTime.
• [23:47] The beginning of MyTime and the features they included.
• [30:13] Some discoveries of having one on one conversations with customers.
• [36:45] Dealing with features customers want, but Ethan knew it wasn't the right direction for the company.
• [40:47] Falling off a glacier.
• [45:59] Other thrill seeking adventures Ethan has been on and how that influences his approach to business.
• [47:59] Ethan's first passion and the path he saw for his life.
• [51:09] The best advice Ethan's father gave him.
• [52:28] Ethan discusses one of his early businesses.
• [56:39] The opportunity at Buy.com.
• [1:00:31] Ethan's greatest memories of working with Google.
• [1:05:33] The sale of Redbeacon and how they celebrated.
• [1:08:53] How winning TechCrunch50 helped Redbeacon catch the attention of Home Depot.
• [1:09:54] How soon after Redbeacon sold did you start up MyTime?
• [1:10:35] How to connect with Ethan.

After the resounding success of Redbeacon, Ethan knew he was equipped with the know-how to tackle a new venture in MyTime. Putting his diverse background to work, Ethan and the MyTime team worked tirelessly to refine the product into a flourishing online scheduling software with elite customer service and an array of offerings suited to businesses in just about any industry. From the stress of growing the business to a few mistakes along the way, Ethan shares the journey of MyTime in the hopes that it can enlighten fellow entrepreneurs as they seek the same success.

Ethan discusses the stress involved in being an entrepreneur and growing a new business. From team-building to raising capital to lawsuits, MyTime has seen it all. Ethan shares how stress has impacted him, and how he approaches the business, as well as how he dealt with a trademark lawsuit. He goes on to discuss a few key learnings that came shortly after the launch of a POS product, when faced $25k in credit card fraud right out of the gate.

Ethan talks about the resistance MyTime has faced when dealing with small businesses, as well as how they've managed to overcome that resistance. He shares one success story in particular, which came from a small-town barbershop with strong resistance to making any changes at all. After trying MyTime, this shop only allows online appointments, which is a huge win for the MyTime team.

As they close out their chat, Ethan shares a glimpse into his thrill-seeking leanings, including an adventure that ended with him falling from a glacier. He also offers insight into his background, from being a budding politician to a successful entrepreneur, and how he found his way to entrepreneurship, after following some solid advice from his father.

• https://www.mytime.com/
• https://www.mytime.com/merchants/
• TechCrunch50 2009

Today we have Amine Khechfe who cofounded Endicia with Dr. Harry Whitehouse in the 1980's. Endicia is a leading provider of eCommerce shipping technologies with more than $12 billion in postage printed. They help send over 500 million parcels of mail per year and account for over 60% of all online postage printed in the US. They help businesses run their shipping operations by printing shipping labels or online postage right from your desk.

• [1:02] Jeremy's introduction of Amine Khechfe, cofounder of Endicia.
• [1:27] The low point and the high point of Endicia.
• [2:33] How to get through the low points.
• [3:02] The high point for Endicia.
• [4:10] The process of getting approval from USPS.

For any business, there are highs and lows along the way. For Endicia, the low points helped to keep them focused on their core values and continue to grow the business in the right direction. Amine shares the lowest points and the highest points in the evolution of Endicia.

The low points came in the 1990s during the earliest days of Endicia. Amine discusses what was at the core of most of their challenges and how the managed to move past these obstacles. He discusses the difficulties of not knowing what the future would hold and if anyone would even take their business seriously, and why they maintained a focus on the customer through it all.

Amine goes on to share the proudest moments for Endicia, which came when they finally gained approval from the USPS. He talks about the process of getting the approval and why it was essential to the future of the business. Amine also discusses why they continued to focus on their ability to meet the needs of the customer, no matter what.

As they close out their chat, Amine discusses one of the key factors to their success: having the right people around them. He shares why it's so important to have the right people on the team and in your circle in order to stay focused on your goals and keep working towards them.

• Endicia

Today we have Laura Roeder, Founder of MeetEdgar.com, which is a social media automation tool designed to prevent updates from going to waste. Basically you don't have to keep feeding in posts because it recycles them for you!

Since Edgar's launch they have grown to 16 employees and have more than $2.8 million in annual recurring revenue AND they've bootstrapped the entire way.

• [0:47] Jeremy's welcome and introduction to this episode with guest Laura Roeder, founder of MeetEdgar.com.
• [1:25] Some of Laura's favorite business books.
• [2:35] Laura's journey and what she wanted to be when she was growing up.
• [3:43] What did you learn from your parents early on?
• [5:00] Balancing parenthood with running a business.
• [5:46] Why Laura decided not to wait, but to go ahead and start the business while she was pregnant.
• [7:36] How do you create boundaries to make sure you have balance with family time?
• [9:05] What was your first hire for Meet Edgar?
• [12:06] Laura discusses her key hires through the growth process.
• [15:46] Laura's journey from her design job into entrepreneur.
• [21:41] What you keep and what you leave out when building a course.
• [26:37] How did Meet Edgar come from the process you teach in Creating Fame?
• [28:25] Launching Meet Edgar.
• [32:24] What are the toughest parts about running the business?
• [34:01] What was in the initial version of Meet Edgar that you decided not to include?
• [36:40] Some things in the pipeline and new products they've launched.
• [38:47] The decision to go with a "Get Your Invitation" button on the website.
• [40:55] Pricing options and the decisions behind those options.
• [43:28] How do you respond to common questions you get from people considering other software?
• [45:30] Some advantages and disadvantages of starting a business with family.
• [46:38] One of the lowest points and how you got through it.
• [50:20] What has been the proudest moment?
• [51:25] Keeping a positive work culture with a team that works remotely.
• [52:48] Some of Laura's mentors.
• [54:18] How to connect with Laura.
• [54:37] The time-saving benefits of using Meet Edgar.

When it comes to success stories, Laura Roeder stands out from the crowd. Her belief in the power of Meet Edgar before it launched is inspiring, and it's clear she knew it was something that needed to be accessible to the public. Laura shares everything from her decision to launch while pregnant to the highs and lows along the way in this enlightening chat with Jeremy.

As a child, Laura was inspired by her entrepreneurial parents. After spending time in a design job, Laura realized she needed to branch out on her own - so she decided to follow in her parents' footsteps. With several businesses under her belt, including Creating Fame and LKR Social Media, it's obvious Laura knows how to be a successful entrepreneur. She talks about the evolution of her businesses and the inspiration behind Meet Edgar.

Laura goes on to discuss some of the challenges of running a software business and how they overcome obstacles as they arise. She also talks about the process of building the team and some of the tactics that maintain a positive work environment with a remote team. Laura gives insight into how the team stays connected, including a daily video chat to maintain a strong team environment.

In closing, Laura shares some of the highs and lows of the evolution of Edgar. She shares insight into what it's like to start a business with her husband, as well as how they maintain balance as a family. Laura discusses some of her top business books and a few mentors that have helped her along the way. The journey of Meet Edgar to a 7-figure SaaS is paved with determination, teamwork, and a desire to create the best product on the market.

• Edgar On Air
• www.MeetEdgar.com
• Creating Fame
• LKR Social Media
• Laura's Favorite Business Books:
• • Scaling Up
  • Double Double
  • Decisive
  • Debt
  • The Customer-Funded Business
• Connect with Laura on Twitter

Today we have Travis Romine, Founder of Sharp Commerce. His company is a group of ecommerce ninjas helping with customer engagement, retention and advanced marketing.

He took sales from $100/day to $15,000+/day over 10-year period at Paradise Fibers that he cofounded, which grew to one of the top performing businesses in the needle-craft industry.

• [0:45] Jeremy's introduction of Travis Romine, founder of Sharp Commerce.
• [1:24] Advantages and disadvantages of various ecommerce platforms.
• [5:23] What level would someone have to be at for you to tell them to try Magento?
• [7:00] Other ecommerce platforms to consider.
• [9:11] The main differences between BigCommerce and Volusion.
• [11:05] Why would you recommend BigCommerce over Volusion?
• [12:38] Travis discusses Shopify.
• [17:45] At what level would it be a no brainer to choose Magento?
• [19:36] Travis compares the major ecommece platforms, discussing the pros and cons of each.
• [22:30] What is it about Magento that makes it a worthwhile investment?
• [24:04] The role of reporting in ecommerce platforms.
• [28:19] Comparison shopping engines and other tips.
• [31:01] How to connect with Travis.

With over a decade of experience in the ecommerce industry, it's clear Travis is a guru. He's the go to guy for insight into the business, tips on selecting the right platform, and so much more. In this chat with Jeremy, Travis offers insight into the top ecommerce platforms, including how to choose the right one for your budget.

When it's time to select an ecommerce platform and you aren't sure which way to go, there's no better guy to ask than Travis. As an innovator in the field, Travis has a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of each platform, including (perhaps most importantly) which one is best for your budget. He shares tips on his top 3 platforms - Magento, BigCommerce, and Volusion - including what's great and not so great about each one.

Travis starts with an in-depth analysis of Magento, including why it's not the right choice for fledgling businesses with a smaller budget. He also shares insight into some of the things that make Magento stand out from other ecommerce platforms in terms of ease of use, functionality, and versatility. Travis goes on to share the main issue with Magento: an absence of scalability. The solution? Take a look at BigCommerce and Volusion.

When comparing BigCommerce and Volusion, it's clear that some of the things that make Magento great are missing. But what's also clear is that these are 2 great options for smaller businesses without a monster budget. Travis discusses the pros and cons of each platform, in order to simplify the selection process for companies in search of the right platform. Travis closes by offering tips on reporting, search, and other essential functions - including how each platform performs.

• Sharp Commerce
• Magento
• BigCommerce
• Volusion