Uncomplicated Marketing

In this episode, we're joined by Jeff Umbro, founder and CEO of Podglomerate, a company that has been pivotal in redefining podcast production, monetization, and marketing. Jeff oversees all of Podglomerate's service departments, driving both strategy and innovation as the company expands its IP slate and revenue initiatives. Before launching Podglomerate, Jeff worked at Goldberg McDuffie Communications, leading online campaigns for some of the biggest names in literature, including Ben Horowitz, Ariana Huffington, and Stephen King. He has been featured in major outlets like Bloomberg and Morning Brew and has spoken at events like SXSW and Podcast Movement.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The Aha Moment Behind Podglomerate: Jeff reveals how his passion for podcasting, sparked during his time as a book publicist, led to the creation of Podglomerate. He shares the journey of identifying a gap in the market, which he first envisioned as an ad agency for smaller podcast publishers, and how this eventually evolved into a full-service podcast company.

2. Navigating a Rapidly Growing Industry: Jeff discusses the challenges of building a podcast agency in an industry that was rapidly growing and changing. He explains how Podglomerate transitioned from working primarily with individual podcasters to supporting larger firms, all while navigating the evolving landscape of podcast advertising and content production.

3. Referral Marketing as a Growth Engine: Learn how word-of-mouth marketing and strong networking played crucial roles in scaling Podglomerate. Jeff emphasizes the power of building authentic relationships in the industry and how client referrals helped the company grow from just one person to a team of 10 full-time employees.

4. Knowing When to Scale and Bringing in the Right People: Jeff shares insights on recognizing the need for help and scaling the business responsibly. He talks about the importance of hiring operational minds to grow a company and how bringing in a chief operating officer helped streamline Podglomerate's processes and made its growth sustainable.

5. Marketing Tactics for a Niche Business: Jeff opens up about Podglomerate's marketing strategy—from leveraging organic marketing and relationship-building in the early days to now exploring paid campaigns as a more established business. He provides a candid look at the challenges and opportunities that come with scaling a marketing approach in a niche industry.

6. Advice for Entrepreneurs and Founders: Jeff offers practical advice on building a business from scratch: focusing on word-of-mouth marketing, consuming everything you can about your industry, and learning how to compartmentalize work in a healthy way as an entrepreneur.

This episode provides an in-depth look at the journey of building a podcast company from the ground up, highlighting the importance of scaling responsibly, the power of community, and practical marketing tactics.

Valerie Khayutin, the CEO of North America for BADESOFA, a company revolutionizing the bath and wellness experience. Originating in Germany, BADESOFA is known for its innovative and comfortable bathtub cushion that transforms an ordinary bath into a spa-like retreat. Valerie shares the journey of bringing this European wellness brand to the U.S. market, discussing the challenges and triumphs along the way.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The Aha Moment Behind Bade Sofa: Valerie shares the story of how the founders of BADESOFA identified a gap in the market for a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing bathtub cushion. Tired of oversized, uncomfortable tubs, they engineered a solution that’s now disrupting the bath pillow category.
2. Navigating the U.S. Market: Valerie delves into the complexities of launching in the U.S. after the brand's success in Europe. She explains how product-market fit was key in determining if the cushion’s appeal in Germany would translate to North American consumers.
3. Marketing in a Crowded Wellness Industry: Learn how BADESOFA educates consumers on the benefits of their premium product and stands out in a category full of low-cost competitors. Valerie highlights the importance of brand identity and storytelling in differentiating from the rest of the market.
4. The Challenge of Competition and Copycats: Valerie opens up about the realities of entering a new market with a high-end product and the looming possibility of copycat products. She shares how BADESOFA plans to maintain leadership by focusing on their brand values and premium quality.
5. Growth and Future Plans: Valerie discusses BADESOFA's plans for expanding beyond bath cushions, including their latest product, the Pool Sofa. She emphasizes the importance of listening to customers, adjusting product offerings, and executing flawlessly to ensure long-term success.

This episode offers a deep dive into the strategy behind bringing an innovative wellness product to a new market, while balancing customer education, competition, and brand building.

Nathan Yeung, founder of Find Your Audience, a dynamic marketing agency with a deep focus on B2B SaaS. With over 18 years of experience in SEO and more than nine years as a performance digital media buyer, Nathan has driven growth for over 50 clients, including high-profile organizations like Constellation Software and Popcom. His experience ranges from working with top Canadian companies to being engaged by Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The Importance of Marketing Foundations: Nathan emphasizes how many companies struggle with marketing because they don't fully understand its role in their organization. He discusses the importance of building a solid marketing function rather than just reactively filling gaps, ensuring that marketing efforts align with overall business goals.
2. Challenges in Marketing Across Different Industries: Nathan highlights that marketing isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. While a general strategy can help set a framework, the tactical execution varies significantly across industries. He delves into the nuances of marketing for B2B SaaS companies and the importance of understanding the company's product-market fit.
3. Hiring Internally vs. Externally: One of the key takeaways from Nathan’s insights is the consideration of when to hire internally versus outsourcing to an agency. He explains that for businesses with limited marketing budgets, it’s often more effective to outsource key functions until they have the resources to support a robust in-house team.
4. Nathan’s Unique Approach with Find Your Audience: Nathan shares how his business model fills the gap between strategy and execution. Rather than just delivering a marketing plan, Find Your Audience provides a full team of experts — from content writers to media buyers — who ensure the strategy is executed properly and efficiently.
5. Successful Campaigns & Case Studies: Nathan shares some creative and bold marketing campaigns, including vinyl-wrapping buses and organizing a police motorcade for a major B2B event. He also discusses the effectiveness of upside-down billboards in generating buzz for a local campaign.
6. SEO Insights: Nathan emphasizes that SEO is a mid to long-term strategy that can drive significant growth if executed consistently. He advocates for producing multiple articles per week, optimizing for search engines, and revisiting content to improve performance over time.

Nathan also offers key advice to startup founders about finding the right marketing partner, whether it's an industry specialist or an agency with broad experience across different verticals.

In this episode, we feature Hamlet Azarian, founder and CEO of Azarian Growth Agency, a data-driven full-funnel growth agency with over 20 years of experience. Hamlet specializes in growing B2C and B2B businesses, particularly in venture-backed startups from pre-seed to Series A and B stages. The agency has helped raise over $250 million for innovative tech SaaS companies through creative and analytical growth strategies. They excel in designing custom growth engines and consumer-centric marketing strategies using rapid experimentation and data-driven insights.

Hamlet shares his journey, from his early experiences in the dot-com era, where he learned the tough lessons of startup failure, to his transition into retail and e-commerce. He dives into his passion for growth marketing, his entrepreneurial spirit, and how he founded Azarian Growth Agency to help startups scale faster by providing them with a dedicated team of experts, rather than a single marketing director.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The importance of building a flexible and scalable growth strategy: Hamlet explains how his agency tailors teams and strategies for each client, ensuring they can test and adapt quickly.
• The challenges of startup marketing: Hamlet breaks down the struggles founders face, from tight budgets to limited resources, and how his agency helps overcome these hurdles.
• The value of hiring internationally: Hamlet shares his experiences building a talent pool in Armenia and how hiring internationally can help startups access skilled professionals while staying within budget.
• Real-world success: Hamlet discusses how his agency helped companies like orders.co scale quickly and efficiently, achieving impressive growth metrics while remaining bootstrapped.

Hamlet also provides valuable advice for startup founders, emphasizing the importance of persistence and not letting fear or uncertainty hold them back.

To learn more about Hamlet Azarian and his work, visit Azarian Growth Agency’s website or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how growth marketing can be the key to startup success!

PR takes the spotlight in this episode featuring Linda Zebian, Senior Director of Communications at Muckrack. With over a decade of experience, including a significant tenure at The New York Times, Linda brings a wealth of knowledge in internal and external communications. As a top PR leader recognized by PR Week and Reagan Communications, she’s here to share her journey and insights on how PR can be a game-changer for small businesses.

Linda discusses the often overlooked value of PR, emphasizing that it’s more than just getting a story published—it’s about building lasting relationships and understanding the metrics that truly matter. She dives into the challenges PR professionals face, particularly in proving ROI, and how tools like Muckrack are transforming the way businesses approach public relations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The importance of PR metrics: Why traditional measurements might not tell the full story and how advanced analytics are reshaping PR.
• Earned vs. paid media: Linda breaks down why earned media creates trust in ways that paid media can’t.
• Leveraging PR for small businesses: How Muckrack is empowering small businesses to take control of their PR without needing a big budget.
• Efficiency in PR: The role of technology in streamlining PR efforts, saving time, and ensuring impactful results.

Linda also shares a real-world example of how Muckrack helped Betches Media secure major media coverage, proving that with the right tools, even small teams can achieve big results.

Tune in as Linda offers her no-nonsense approach to PR, packed with strategies that can help your business gain the recognition it deserves. Want more insights? Connect with Linda Zebian on LinkedIn or explore what Muckrack can do for you. 

Paid social media marketing takes center stage in this episode with Karleen Scarlett, a digital marketing powerhouse and social media coach with over a decade of experience across the hottest industries—CPG, hospitality, retail, fintech, and nonprofits. As the founder of Social Blessings LLC, Karleen is all about empowering small business owners to take control of their social media game with one-on-one coaching that cuts through the noise.

Karleen drops gems on crafting killer social media strategies, stressing that for small business owners, knowledge is power. She’s all about giving them the tools to not only understand what their social media gurus are doing but also to steer the conversation and create campaigns that actually move the needle.

In this episode, you’ll get:

• The lowdown on launching your social media presence: Picking the right platform and making sure those clicks lead somewhere valuable.
• The real deal on repurposing content: Why it's a go in the beginning but needs a serious upgrade to keep your brand sharp.
• B2C vs. B2B social media strategies: When to tell stories and when to get straight to the point with your audience.

Karleen also goes all-in on paid social media, sharing the inside scoop on budgets, targeting, and A/B testing. She breaks down why paid social is the secret weapon every small business needs and how to set up campaigns that actually work. Whether you’re dipping your toes in paid ads or leveling up your current strategy, Karleen’s got the playbook to help you dominate.

Tune in as Karleen dishes out her no-BS approach to social media marketing, packed with real-world strategies to help small businesses thrive in the digital age. Want more? Connect with Karleen Scarlett on LinkedIn or hit up her website at socialblessingsllc.com for all the goods.

Accessibility, inclusion, and responsibility take center stage in today’s conversation with Claudio Luis Vera, a thought leader in digital accessibility with over 20 years of experience in UX design and front-end development. Claudio's journey, from working in interactive design to becoming an advocate for accessibility, demonstrates his deep commitment to creating digital spaces that work for everyone, regardless of ability.

Claudio shares eye-opening stories from his experience, including his transition to focusing full-time on accessibility and the challenges that small and mid-sized businesses face in meeting accessibility standards. His insights highlight the crucial need for businesses of all sizes to prioritize inclusive design, not just for compliance but to ensure equal access for all users.

In this episode, you’ll discover valuable takeaways such as:

• Claudio’s path to accessibility advocacy: How he shifted from traditional UX design to making digital accessibility a core focus in his work.
• Key lessons in digital inclusivity: Understanding the legal landscape of accessibility, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and why businesses can’t afford to overlook these requirements.
• Practical advice for businesses: Tips on how small and mid-sized companies can implement accessibility without breaking the bank, and why starting with accessible themes and tools is critical.

Claudio’s insights are rooted in the belief that accessibility is a fundamental right, not just an add-on. He shares actionable strategies that businesses can implement today to create more inclusive digital experiences and avoid costly legal pitfalls.

Join Claudio as he delves into the complexities of accessibility, offering practical solutions and guidance for business owners and developers. Whether you’re just beginning your accessibility journey or looking to refine your practices, this episode is packed with essential lessons that will help you create a more accessible online presence.

You can connect with Claudio Luis Vera on LinkedIn or visit his website at www.claudiovera.com to learn more about his work in digital accessibility.

Tenacity, creativity, and determination are at the heart of today’s chat with Chris Baden, CEO of FlowChat.com. Chris’s journey, from his early days in commission-only sales to building multiple successful companies, including FlowChat, highlights his unwavering commitment to finding solutions and pushing through obstacles.

Chris shares candid stories from his early struggles, like making just $800 in his second month of sales, to becoming an entrepreneur who knows how to create businesses that thrive. His experience spans from insurance to high-ticket sales and, eventually, to software development. Along the way, he’s learned the importance of focusing on what customers really need and constantly tweaking his approach to get results.

In this episode, you’ll pick up some great insights, like:

• Chris’s path as an entrepreneur: How he went from scraping by to founding and selling several businesses, leading to his current venture, FlowChat, which helps automate client acquisition through social media.
• The core values that drive his success: Listening to what customers say, practicing empathy, and thinking outside the box to solve problems.
• Practical tips for growing your business: Using social media, especially Facebook groups, to connect with the right people, and the importance of hiring experts to help fill in your skill gaps.

Chris’s advice is grounded in the belief that hard work should lead to real results. He shares actionable tips that you can start using right away to grow your own business.

Join Chris as he breaks down the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re just starting out or already running a business, this episode is packed with helpful lessons that can guide you along the way.

You can connect with Chris Baden on LinkedIn or shoot him an email at [email protected] to learn more about what he’s up to with FlowChat.

In this episode, Rob Napoli, the Chief Commercial Officer at Omniboost, explores his dynamic career journey and insights into marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship. Rob shares his experiences of moving from coaching American football in Italy to founding successful agencies and eventually leading Omniboost's global strategic growth. He discusses the importance of curiosity, embracing failure, and the power of building a strong professional network.

Discover how Rob's multifaceted career and commitment to personal and professional development have shaped his approach to leadership and business growth. Learn valuable lessons from his story, including the significance of aligning sales and marketing, the impact of company culture, and the benefits of fostering a growth mindset.

Key Takeaways:

Personal Journey and Motivation: Rob shares his unconventional path from Italy to New York City, founding his own agencies, and eventually joining Omniboost. His story highlights the importance of curiosity and seizing opportunities. Aligning

Sales and Marketing: Rob discusses the necessity of integrating sales and marketing teams to ensure cohesive strategies and better results, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration.

Embracing Failure: Insights on how failure is a crucial part of success, with Rob sharing his own experiences and the lessons he has learned from setbacks.

Building a Strong Network: The value of creating and maintaining a robust professional network, with Rob offering tips on how to build a "board of advisors" for career growth and support.

Culture and Growth: Rob explains how a company's culture can significantly impact its growth and success, sharing Omniboost's focus on accountability, transparency, and a growth mindset.

Practical Strategies: Rob provides actionable advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders on testing marketing strategies, iterating quickly, and staying adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

Make sure to connect with Rob on LikedIn.

In this episode, Sacha Awwa sits down with Kamilla Pinel, a certified leadership coach and speaker with over 12 years of experience in global corporations, to discuss how her unique approach to leadership and personal development can revolutionize workplaces and lives. Kamilla shares her journey from corporate life to founding You Dream, You Do coaching, offering insights and practical strategies for fostering a culture of authenticity and self-actualization. Discover how Kamilla’s actionable techniques can improve leadership, communication, and personal well-being, and learn how anyone can unlock their untapped potential.

Key Takeaways:

1. Personal Journey and Motivation: Kamilla shares how her personal experience in the corporate world led her to discover a gap in authentic leadership and self-discovery, ultimately founding You Dream, You Do coaching to address these needs.
2. Changing Workplace Dynamics: Kamilla discusses how shifts in workplace culture and dynamics have increased the importance of balancing professional and personal fulfillment, and how individuals can navigate these changes effectively.
3. Embracing Authenticity: Insights on how individuals can bring their true selves to both their professional and personal lives, breaking down the traditional barriers of corporate expectations.
4. Energy Coaching: Kamilla explains her core energy coaching methodology, which involves discovering one's true desires, reflecting on costs and benefits, elevating energy, creating actionable plans, and maintaining momentum.
5. Fear and Uncertainty: Addressing the common fears and uncertainties that hold people back from making changes, Kamilla provides strategies for overcoming these barriers and embracing personal growth.
6. Client Experiences: Kamilla shares stories and examples of how her clients have navigated their own journeys of self-discovery and leadership transformation.
7. Practical Exercises: Kamilla offers a practical exercise to help individuals identify what they don't want in their lives and careers, and how to use that information to discover their true desires and take actionable steps toward their goals.
8. Maintaining Momentum: Emphasizing the importance of consistency and momentum in personal development, Kamilla discusses techniques to keep moving forward even when faced with obstacles.
9. Future Vision: Kamilla shares her evolving journey and future aspirations, highlighting the importance of staying open to change and continually seeking new opportunities for growth and impact.

Kamilla can be found on Instagram at @youdreamyoudo, on LinkedIn under her name Kamilla Pinel, and through her website. She welcomes any questions about the episode and is happy to chat with anyone interested in her work.