Ben Arneberg began his career as a US Air Force satellite engineer and member of the Air Force Parachute Team where he learned to take calculated risks that end in success. He’s a serial entrepreneur with three exits. Founder of PetHonesty, a consumer brand improving pet health. He’s an investor, passionate about disruptive technologies, education, and helping others find and live out their dreams.

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> Here’s a glimpse of what you would learn…. 

• Transition from military service to entrepreneurship in e-commerce.
• Key business principles for successful brand building and exits.
• Growth strategies for scaling a brand, specifically Pet Honesty.
• Importance of cash flow management and financial strategies.
• Hiring top talent and the significance of a strong team.
• Building and leveraging an advisory board for guidance.
• Networking strategies to attract skilled professionals.
• The role of personal development in overcoming business challenges.
• Emphasis on having a clear vision and aligning goals with values.
• Iteration and continuous learning as essential components of success.

In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Ben Arneberg, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Pet Honesty. Ben shares his journey from a U.S. Air Force satellite engineer to a successful e-commerce entrepreneur with three business exits. He discusses scaling Pet Honesty from zero to $70 million in revenue in three years, emphasizing the importance of strategic hiring, cash flow management, and leveraging a strong network. Ben also highlights the value of having an advisory board and the significance of personal development and clear vision in achieving entrepreneurial success.

Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:

1. Focus on One Venture for Scalable Growth

   • Instead of spreading resources across multiple ventures, commit to one business with strong market potential. Prioritize product-market fit and allocate energy toward scaling efficiently.

2. Hire Strategically and Build a Strong Network

   • Invest in top talent early to delegate operational tasks and focus on high-level strategy. Leverage industry connections and referrals to attract skilled professionals who align with the company’s vision.

3. Manage Cash Flow Proactively for Sustainable Scaling 

   • Use creative financial strategies such as leveraging credit lines and optimizing manufacturing processes to maintain liquidity. Consider local production to secure better terms and reduce working capital requirements.  

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Here are the mentions with timestamps arranged by topic:

• Ecomm Breakthrough
• Josh Hadley on LinkedIn
• eComm Breakthrough YouTube
• eComm Breakthrough Consulting
• eComm Breakthrough Podcast
• Email Josh Hadley: [email protected]
• Amazon
• Kickstarter
• LinkedIn
• Essentialism by Greg McKeown on Amazon
• Who Not How on Amazon
• High Growth Handbook on Amazon
• The One Thing on Amazon
• Pet Honesty on Amazon
• Keith Cunningham

Special Mention(s):

• Adam “Heist” Runquist on LinkedIn
• Kevin King on LinkedIn
• Michael E. Gerber on LinkedIn

Related Episode(s):

• “Cracking the Amazon Code: Learn From Adam Heist’s Brand Scaling Secrets” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast
• “Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast
• “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast

Episode Sponsor

Sponsor for this episode...
This episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures. 

I started Hadley Designs in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years.

I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks.

If you’ve hit a plateau and want to know the next steps to take your business to the next level, then go to www.EcommBreakthrough.com (that’s Ecomm with two M’s) to learn more.

Transcript Area

Josh 00:00:00  Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm your host, Josh Hadley, where I interview the top business leaders in e-commerce. Past guests include Kevin King, Aaron Cordovez and Michael Gerber, author of the E-myth. Today I am speaking with Ben Arneberg, and we're going to be talking about timeless business principles that allowed him to exit three different brands, and how he's on a journey now where he doesn't even care about money because he is focused on the intrinsic value of what he's giving back to society. I think that's everything that we all want to strive to be as entrepreneurs, and he's going to show us how he's been able to achieve that in his life. This episode is brought to you by Ecomm Breakthrough, where I specialize in investing in and scaling seven figure ecommerce brands t...