This year is speeding by as we're already in March! Hello from Irvine, California and Happy March everybody!  A few episodes ago, I put out an episode saying that I was interested in buying a business, and one of the interested sellers is today's lucky guest. Our guest is Jake Starr, the owner of Recycled Firefighter -- a brand that makes everyday carry items out of recycled firefighter gear, taken across America.  We talk about several things; how the business was born out of a need to support his family, and how that business quickly took a life of its own. As crazy as it sounds, he's looking to sell his business or looking into getting a partner and we get into the reasons why he feels like it's time to either loosen his grip, or let go.  Don't miss out on our free webinar on March 11th 10am PST, where Dave and I will be talking about Importing from China in 2020. We'll be addressing the elephant in the room -- the Corona virus, and how it's affecting the businesses of millions around the world, Amazon Dragonboat and the updates on tariffs as the new year picks up the pace. Register now!  

E304: Losing the Fire with Jake Starr

An eCommerce podcast for store owners, hosted by 7-figure store owners Mike Jackness and Dave Bryant. We cover everything in eCommerce from Shopify, to Amazon FBA. From email marketing, to Facebook Ads. Never before has there been a podcast with store owners who are so candid. Subscribe to the Ecomcrew podcast today!

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Jeff Oxford joins us on the podcast today to talk about the most recent Google Update, who the winners were, and how search is going to look like with AI in the horizon.   Jeff Oxford is the Founder and SEO Director of 180 Marketing, a marketing agency that specialises in SEO strategies which cover everything from keyword research to webpage optimization.   Today, he's on the podcast to talk about the most recent Google update that happened in March. Specifically, we'll dive into the criteria that Google uses to rank websites, the winners of the most recent update, and why brand metrics plays an important role in search.    The big takeaway here is that no matter what, keep playing the long game. When it comes to content, it's only a matter of time until your content starts making its way through the algorithm and to the audience that you're targeting.    It really is just a matter of time. It might be an overnight viral success, or it might be a crawl towards the goal, but it's a matter of when it happens instead.    Timestamps:    Podcast Start - 0:00 Catching up with Jeff - 0:31 Google's March Core Update - 2:14  Why Mike was excited for this update - 4:30  Playing the long term game - 6:03 Google's update patterns - 7:40 Mike Jackness History Lesson - 9:31  How Google finds cheaters - 12:23  Why Reddit and Quora won the last update - 14:43  Why Brand Metrics matter for SEO - 15:58 How do you get started in building your SEO? - 18:13  Stick with it! - 20:31  What is Search going to look like moving forward? - 22:38 How will Google incentivise making good content with AI in the future? - 28:11 Learn more about Jeff Oxford - 30:39    Jeff, thanks for coming on the podcast! It was nice seeing you again, although through a virtual screen instead of in person but we'll take what we can get!    If any listeners would like to have a discussion about this, let me know by emailing us directly at support@ecomcrew.com.    Also, if you have any questions or any topics you’d like us to discuss on the podcast, you can email us directly as well! We would really appreciate it if you would leave us a review on iTunes.    Thanks for listening!

E549: How To Get Started in Building Your SEO in 2024

In the world of ecommerce, opinions on starting a dropshipping business really differ. Some people say it's an unprofitable business model while others swear by it.    Well, dropshipping is still very much around. But as Amazon moved into a position of dominance, its appeal has waned. The fact that some so-called “gurus” who sell dropshipping as an “easy” way to earn millions hasn’t helped either.   However, there are those who own sustainable dropshipping businesses.    Pat Haggerty, owner of Right Channel Radios, is one of them.   I’ve asked Pat to join me in this podcast episode to talk in detail about his business, Right Channel Radios.    I hope our discussion didn’t only prove informative but encouraged you to look at dropshipping businesses in a different, albeit more positive light.   Pat, thank you for accepting the invite to record a podcast together. I really appreciate it, and I look forward to seeing you again in the next events.    If any listeners would like to have a discussion about this, let me know by emailing us directly at support@ecomcrew.com.    Also, if you have any questions or any topics you’d like us to discuss on the podcast, you can email us directly as well! We would really appreciate it if you would leave us a review on iTunes.    Thanks for listening!

E548: Making Dropshipping Work in 2024 with Pat Haggerty

Dana Jaunzemis joins the EcomCrew podcast today to talk about how she evaluated businesses before purchasing them, why she chose to sell her businesses, and ultimately chose to retire.    Dana Jaunzemis and I met for the first time years ago during my eCommerce speaking circuit and has since become a great friend of mine. She's the killer combination of having a really interesting background, while also being incredibly intellectual business-wise and philosophically too.    She's been a good friend that's always been helpful when I've run into troubles of my own, especially those regarding burnout, identity and the end goal as an entrepreneur.    Today, I wanted to pick her brains on the podcast about what it's like to have been recently retired from eCommerce, how she still finds a sense of fulfilment and the factors she considers before buying a business, which may or may not have been on my mind lately.    "E-commerce, while easy, is the highest risk type of business [in my opinion]." - Dana Jaunzemis    Timestamps:   0:00 - Podcast Start 0:31 - Introduction 2:49 - Dana's Career Timeline 4:54 - The Appeal of E-Commerce for Introverts 6:28 - Is E-Commerce Difficult?  9:19 - The Difference Between Successful and Failing Businesses 11:44 - How lessons in life can apply to your future 15:40 - Factors to Consider When Buying A Business 16:31 - Factor #1: Profitability 16:46 - Factor #2: Where Your Skillset Fits In 24:24 - Why Dana chose to sell her business 30:01 - Risks of e-commerce 31:41 - Factor #3: Inventory Costs  34:19 - Finding Fulfilment in Retirement 38:14 - Knowing when 'enough' is enough 41:53 - Moving Goalposts  46:30 - What was it like buying a business with friends?     Dana, thank you for accepting the invite to record a podcast together. I really appreciate it, and I look forward to seeing you again in the next events.    If any listeners would like to have a discussion about this, let me know by emailing us directly at support@ecomcrew.com.    Also, if you have any questions or any topics you’d like us to discuss on the podcast, you can email us directly as well! We would really appreciate it if you would leave us a review on iTunes.    Thanks for listening!   

E547: Finding Fulfilment in Retirement with Dana Jaunzemis

John Di Giacomo joins us on the podcast today to talk about the most common lawsuit claims that he's personally seen in the past few years in the ecommerce industry, and how you can avoid them.    John Di Giacomo is the founding partner of Revision Legal, a law firm with expertise in Internet law, copyright & trademark law, and related areas.    Today, he's on the podcast to talk about the most common cases that have been on the rise recently. Specifically, we'll be talking about ADA Cases and CIPA claims, and how ecommerce sellers can protect themselves from these claims.    The big takeaway here is to make sure that you're protected from these false claims.    Because it's not a matter of if it happens, but a matter of when it happens. The best way to protect yourselves is to take preventive action before these claims ultimately kill your business, because it can definitely happen.    John, thanks for coming on the podcast! It was nice having you back on after several years since your last episode and I hope to hear good news from you in the future.    If any listeners would like to have a discussion about this, let me know by emailing us directly at support@ecomcrew.com.    Also, if you have any questions or any topics you’d like us to discuss on the podcast, you can email us directly as well! We would really appreciate it if you would leave us a review on iTunes.    Thanks for listening!

E546: The Most Common Lawsuit Claims in Ecommerce and How to Avoid Them

Dave and I discuss the delays to the New "Low Inventory" fees, how you can be exempted from those fees, and the impending FTC Investigation into Amazon.   After months of complaints over the new fees, it seems like Amazon's heard (or read, in this case) the message that people aren't happy about being charged for having too little in FBA Warehouses. To gain some brownie points, they've decided to delay the effectivity date of these new fees. But what does this mean in the big picture?    We all know that Amazon's being investigated by the FTC for their monopolistic practices. With that being said, why would Amazon choose to apply new fees that effectively erodes profit margin from third party sellers?    We discuss that, and more in today's episode. Here's some timestamps below to get you started:   Intro - 0:00  Going to China and experiencing sandstorms - 0:31  The Great Wall of China - 1:53 Big Amazon News & Official Announcement - 2:46  Exceptions for AWD Users - 5:46  "There are nuances to every business..." - 6:55  Amazon's Monopoly - 8:59  Investigating Overseas Sellers on Amazon - 10:52  FTC's Investigation into Amazon - 13:03  Why would Amazon announce new fees while being investigated by the FTC? - 16:32  The FANG Companies vs. TikTok - 22:02 Making sure you're still profitable - 26:04  The big takeaway here is to make sure that you're still profitable.    Go into your Amazon account, check out how much you are going to be charged in April for these fees, and adjust your pricing accordingly to make sure that you're still having a healthy and profitable business.    If any listeners would like to have a discussion about this, let me know by emailing us directly at support@ecomcrew.com.    Also, if you have any questions or any topics you’d like us to discuss on the podcast, you can email us directly as well!   Also, we would really appreciate it if you would leave us a review on iTunes.    Thanks for listening!  

E304: Losing the Fire with Jake Starr

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