How Denise Cruz Built a Nearly $2 Million Travel Business in Just 3 Years

Denise Cruz shares how she pivoted after Google's Helpful Content Update wiped out her travel blog traffic and income, forcing her to rethink her entire business. In this interview, she breaks down how she went from earning about $6,000 a month from blogging to building a travel advisor business that grew to nearly $2 million in commissionable sales in just a few years. She also explains the systems, sales funnel, client referrals, and EEAT-driven strategy that helped her gain traction fast with a service-based website. It's an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone wondering how to turn niche expertise into a more resilient business.   Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Links & Resources Learn more about Denise: https://denise.travel/   Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, Jared sits down with Corey Ganim to break down AI automation that drives results, starting with a simple ROI filter: effectiveness, efficiency, and customer experience. Corey shares his AOA sequence (Audit, Optimize, Automate) so you stop automating messy 12-step processes and start building repeatable systems with AI. You'll hear the difference between AI agents and reusable skills and "speed to lead" replies. Walk away with three clear takeaways: how to choose the right workflows to automate, how to simplify them before automating, and how to build repeatable AI skills you can reuse across your business.   Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Links & ResourcesTake the quiz to get your free AI action plan: https://returnmytime.com/quiz Learn more about Return My Time: https://returnmytime.com/ Connect with Corey: https://x.com/coreyganim   Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, Jared interviews Amy Aitman about what happened after Google's Helpful Content Update crushed their traffic and forced them to pause publishing and cut hundreds of contractors. Amy explains why Reddit now dominates so many search results, what brands should avoid doing there, and the steps she recommends taking right away. She also shares her "three-legged stool" for visibility: Reddit participation, YouTube (including 50+ channels her team has built), and third-party editorial mentions. The episode closes with a clear example of what a visibility campaign can look like when you put those pieces together.   Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Links & ResourcesConnect with Amy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyaitman/ Learn more about ScaleVisible - https://scalevisible.com/ Discover how ReddVisible can help - https://reddvisible.com/ Watch Amy's last interview with us - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQUNSUn1Pvw   Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, Jared sits down with Jamie I.F. for a brutally honest look at the Helpful Content Update and how a ~40% traffic and revenue drop torpedoed a $1.55M site deal mid-sale. He shares what it felt like watching peak months near $100K turn into a much smaller baseline, and why he stopped chasing an SEO recovery and chose focus instead. Jamie explains how a single customer saying they'd pay $2,500/month for an "affiliate finder" feature led him to spin it into affiliatefinder.ai, then grow with cold outreach (including ~1,000 emails) and paid ads. They cover metrics, pricing, 150 signups/week goals, and affiliate revenue.   Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Links & ResourcesCheck how AffiliateFinder works: https://affiliatefinder.ai/ Discover Answer Socrate and how it can help you: https://answersocrates.com/ Launch your SaaS affiliate program using Endorsely: https://www.endorsely.com/ Learn more about GainsApp: https://gainsapp.com/ Visit Jamie's free affiliate tracker for SaaS startups: https://increasing.com/ Watch Jamie's first interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7umFJyotZrY   Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

In this episode, Nick Loper of The Side Hustle Show shares how he grew his podcast from zero to over 35 million downloads and 100,000 monthly listeners. He breaks down his listener pyramid strategy, how to turn strangers into superfans, and the tactics that helped him build a $10K-$20K/month sponsorship business. Nick also dives into lead magnets, podcast SEO, paid promotion, and the email flywheel that skyrocketed his growth. You'll walk away with a full playbook for growing an audience, building an email list, and landing high-paying podcast sponsors. Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Links & ResourcesVisit the Side Hustle Nation: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/ Tune in to the Side Hustle Show - https://www.sidehustlenation.com/side-hustle-show/ Learn How to Monetize a Podcast - https://www.sidehustlenation.com/monetize-a-podcast/ Podcast Marketing Tips - https://www.sidehustlenation.com/podcast-marketing/ Answer this quiz to create your personalized playlist - http://hustle.show Enroll in the Podcast Growth Playbook - https://www.startmysidehustle.com/p/the-podcast-playbook/ Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

Therese Waechter joins the Niche Pursuits podcast to share how she accidentally built a $250K-per-year sticker business, starting with a single design and Facebook Marketplace sales during the pandemic. She dives into how she took production in-house, scaled across Amazon, Etsy, and Faire, and now earns 90% of her revenue from those platforms. Therese also breaks down her promotional-heavy strategies, talks about using AI for graphic design and product listings, and explains how she's automating her business to become fully remote. If you're in e-commerce or looking to scale a handmade or print-on-demand product, this episode is packed with real-world tactics and insights. Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!   Links & ResourcesOvercome technical barriers with Modular Technology Group: https://modtechgroup.com/  Learn more about Keywords Everywhere: https://keywordseverywhere.com/ Reach out to Therese via email if you have any further questions: [email protected]    Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

In this episode, Matthew James Davy shares how he went from working as a marine engineer on superyachts to building a £630K e-commerce brand, all starting as a side hustle. He walks through his journey from failed drop shipping attempts to launching a white-labeled pottery equipment line with 50% margins. Matt breaks down how he used SEO, smart marketing, and manufacturing control to 9X his profits. If you're looking for a real-world blueprint to escape the 9-to-5 and scale a physical product brand, this interview is packed with actionable insights.   Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!   Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

In this episode, Andrew Wilder, founder of NerdPress, shares how he scaled his WordPress support business from solo freelancing to a team of 22 managing over 900 websites. He opens up about the pricing decisions that fueled his growth, the hiring strategies that built his team, and the technical foundations every site owner should prioritize. From backups and security to Core Web Vitals and site speed, Andrew delivers practical, actionable advice for WordPress users. If you run a website, this interview will help you avoid costly mistakes and build a faster, more secure site.   Sponsor: Quiet LightGet a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!   Links & ResourcesCheck out NerdPress - https://www.nerdpress.net/ Visit Hubbub for more details - https://morehubbub.com/ Get the "25 Things You're Doing Wrong On Your WordPress Website" checklist - https://www.nerdpress.net/25-mistakes/ Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter  Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper  Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative 

In this interview, Andreea Matei shares her journey to earning over $180,000 from the Amazon Influencer Program. With 3,500 videos under her belt, she dives into the exact strategies that have helped her scale her income to $5,000-$6,000 per month. Andreea walks through her process for selecting the right products, filming efficiently, and juggling various earning opportunities. Tune in to learn how she built a successful system for creating content, landing brand deals, and maximizing earnings through Amazon. Sponsor: 201 Creative Get your FREE GEO Snapshot today! - https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/?utm_source=niche_pursuits_podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=geo_snapshot_launch&utm_content=show_notes   Links & Resources Connect with Andreea: https://kindlyconnected.com/ Learn more about Viral Vue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQtonnWxqvw Check our interview with Oink's founder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLNKDo-cm1o   Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

In this episode, Jayden Clark shares how he built a high-ticket dropshipping business from scratch, scaled it to over $1 million in revenue within 12 months, and sold it for nearly $700K just two and a half years later. He breaks down his exact paid ads strategy, his SEO playbook for organic growth, and how he kept margins around 15% while working full-time. Jayden also reveals what he wishes he'd done differently to increase his exit multiple. This is the playbook for building and exiting a high-ticket dropshipping brand from scratch.   Sponsor: 201 Creative Get your FREE GEO Snapshot today! - https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/?utm_source=niche_pursuits_podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=geo_snapshot_launch&utm_content=show_notes   Links & ResourcesGet the mentorship to scale your business: https://onepercentecomclub.com/ Join the 1% Ecom Club: https://www.skool.com/the-1-ecom-club  Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative