Episode 259: A Product Alone Won't Save You

Episode 259: A Product Alone Won't Save You (with John Grimshaw, Colleen Taylor, Adam Von Rothfelder & Parker Hilton) Episode Description You can have the best product in the world, but if you're not integrating it with the right brand identity, presentation, and customer insight, it's not going to win. In this behind-the-scenes episode from the Smart Business Systems course, you'll hear the real story of how the GigaLabs team launched a nootropic product in just 8 weeks, from nothing but a brand idea to standing out on the global stage. This episode features a dynamic conversation between Smart Marketer's John Grimshaw, Boom's Colleen Taylor, Strong Coffee CEO Adam Von Rothfelder, and Parker Hilton of GigaLabs. If you're looking to build products that actually sell, this one's a masterclass. "A product alone won't save you. It has to be about the integration of the product, the brand image, and the way you're presenting it, with a real understanding of the customer." – John Grimshaw You Will Learn: Why a strong product means nothing without the right branding and positioning How GigaLabs launched in just 8 weeks with an unforgettable customer experience The power of emotional connection and understanding your audience Real-world product launch lessons you can apply in your own business How visual branding, packaging, and even outfits helped GigaLabs go viral Why new products are the lifeblood of DTC brands Links & Resources: Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Product Creation Course – smartmarketer.com/smart-product-creation Adam Von Rothfelder – linkedin.com/in/vonrothfelder GigaLabs – gigalabs.com Strong Coffee Company – strongcoffeecompany.com OmniSend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off 3 months) Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Why product alone isn't enough 01:09 Ezra Firestone on why Smart Marketer uses OmniSend 02:23 Meet the Team: Parker, Colleen, John & Adam 04:05 From brand idea to live product in 8 weeks 05:20 Reworking the brand identity from "sleepy" to "vibrant" 06:48 The pivot: From nothing to GigaLabs 09:53 How GigaLabs targeted the D-gen crypto audience 12:21 Building emotional connection with your ideal customer 13:15 The power of physical presentation: The GigaBoy jumpsuits 15:41 What brands can learn from standout Expo activations 17:03 Attention to detail: From Pantone palettes to packaging 18:07 Why GigaLabs inspired this course 19:42 John Grimshaw's Golden Rule: A product alone won't save you 20:19 Building a brand flywheel & strong product feedback loops 21:03 Final thoughts on loyalty, purpose & what's next Call to Action If this episode inspired you to rethink how you bring products to life, let us know. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts – Click Here Share this episode and tag us @smartmarketer using the hashtag #WeOutHere Got feedback? We'd love to hear it: [email protected]

Episode 258: From Doer to Delegator – How to Build a Business That Scales Without Burning Out Episode Description What's the real secret to growth that doesn't lead to burnout? In this powerful conversation from our Smart Business Systems course, CMO John Grimshaw and BOOM! Beauty's Director of Operations Colleen Taylor unpack the mindset shift every entrepreneur must make to scale: letting go of doing it all. You'll learn how to build systems, empower your team, and transition from task-master to true leader. "If you get to the end of a project and you say, 'I did a great job, I can't name a single other person that worked on it [...] you're holding too much.'" – John Grimshaw Whether you're building your first team or stepping into a leadership role, this episode will help you grow your business and create more freedom for yourself. You Will Learn Why "A Players" aren't found, they're made through smart hiring and support How to delegate effectively without losing control Where to find the right people (hint: it's closer than you think) Simple onboarding and training tips that set your team up to win The mindset shift that allows leaders to grow without burnout Why giving away your "small" tasks opens up big opportunities Links & Resources Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Business Systems Course – smartmarketer.com/smart-business-systems BOOM! Beauty – boombeauty.com Omnisend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months) Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome: How to Scale Without Burning Out 02:01 – The Real Secret to Scaling: Recruiting People to the Cause 04:11 – "A Players" vs. People Who Bring Their A-Game 06:07 – Where to Find Great People (Hint: Weak Connections) 10:57 – Hiring for Growth: Promoting from Within 13:16 – Spotting Hidden Talent Inside Your Team 17:25 – Creating a Culture of Learning & Ongoing Education 21:35 – The 80/20 Rule of Growth: Input vs. Output 24:28 – Smart Onboarding: Building Connection from Day 1 26:02 – The Leadership Shift: From Doing to Delegating 29:04 – The Power of Giving Away Ownership 33:09 – Supporting Your Own Growth as a Leader 36:22 – Managing the Managers: Why John Gave Up His "Keys" 40:08 – Final Thoughts: Buy Help, Buy Freedom Your Engagement Matters If this episode helped you shift your mindset or think differently about leadership, we'd love your support: Follow and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social and tag us — use #WeOutHere Got feedback? Email us at [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

🎙️ Episode 257: How to Craft Offers That Convert in 2026 Episode Description Want to scale in 2026? It all starts with the right offer. In this never-before-released session from the Smart Ecommerce course, Molly Pittman, John Grimshaw, and Ezra Firestone break down the art and strategy of crafting irresistible offers that speak directly to your audience. Whether you're selling journals, leggings, or skincare, this episode is packed with proven tactics to increase conversions—without racing to the bottom with discounts. "Your product is not the offer […] it's the vehicle to get your customer where they want to go." – Molly Pittman You'll walk away with fresh clarity on what makes an offer work, how to structure bundles, bonuses, and price points for 2026, and why landing pages still reign supreme. You Will Learn: Why great offers go beyond just product features. How to identify the right "who" for your product (and why it matters). The difference between product pages and high-converting landing pages. How to structure bundles and promotions that boost AOV. Smart discounting strategies that protect your brand's value. Real-world examples of offer optimization that increased conversions by 30–50%. Links & Resources: 💡 Smart ECommerce Course – Learn how to build offers that actually convert: https://smartmarketer.com/smart-ecommerce 🚀 Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com 📷 Instagram – @smartmarketerig 📧 Omnisend – Try our favorite email & SMS platform and get 50% off your first 3 months: smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code: SMART) Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00 – Intro: Behind-the-Scenes From the Smart ECommerce Course 01:04 – Why Offers Are More Than Just Products 03:49 – Product Pages vs. Landing Pages 05:20 – The Importance of Knowing Your Customer Avatar 08:13 – Bundling Products for Seasonal & Niche Offers 09:47 – Scaling Through Landing Page Personalization 11:46 – Offers for Multi-Audience Products (Like Resistance Band Leggings) 12:14 – How to Build Your First High-Converting Offer 15:02 – Discounting: What's Too Much & Why It Matters 17:11 – Adding Bonuses, Not Just Subtracting Price 18:42 – The "Stuffed Duffle" Strategy: Why Creative Offers Win 20:23 – Offer Optimization: Messaging Over Micro Tweaks 22:13 – Real Example: From "Leggings with Resistance Bands" to "Burn 255 More Calories a Day" Your Engagement Matters! 💬 Love this episode? Help us spread the word: ⭐️ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode and tag us on Instagram using #WeOutHere 📧 Got feedback or questions? Email us at [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit 🚀

Episode 256: The Top 3 Lessons from 2025 (with Pep, John, and Molly) "These aren't random clips. Each one was part of a conversation that deeply resonated with you, our audience, and together they tell a story about how to build smarter, more resilient businesses in a changing landscape." – Anthony, Smart Marketer Podcast Episode Description As 2025 comes to a close, we're reflecting on the shifts that defined the year; the strategies that moved the needle across offers, customer acquisition, and paid traffic. In this special recap episode, you'll hear back-to-back clips from Molly Pittman, John Grimshaw, and Pep Hufen, each sharing insights that stood up to real-world challenges. If you're planning your next campaign or refining your offer stack, this episode will help you head into 2026 with clarity and momentum. You Will Learn • Why Self-Liquidating Offers (SLOs) are essential for scalability in 2026 • How low-cost digital products drive higher AOV and customer value • The Red Drop case study using education to drive conversions • What Meta's Andromeda update really changed and how to optimize for it • Why creative portfolios outperform individual ad tests • How to structure your campaigns for better results across the funnel Links and Resources • Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com • Instagram: @smartmarketerig • Omnisend for SMS and Email: smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50 percent off your first 3 months Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:40 Ezra on Why We Love Omnisend 02:43 Molly on Self-Liquidating Offers 06:45 Increasing LTV with Strategic Offers 08:56 John Grimshaw on Digital Bumps That Drive Revenue 10:44 Red Drop Case Study 14:04 Smart Marketer's $47 Front-End Offer 16:11 Pep Hufen Breaks Down Meta's Andromeda Update 17:57 Creative Portfolios vs One Winning Ad 20:38 Cleanie Case Study 22:25 What to Watch Out For with Andromeda 23:17 What to Focus on Going Into 2026 24:50 Final Thoughts and Outro Your Engagement Matters Thanks for listening to the Smart Marketer Podcast. If this episode sparked ideas for your brand or helped you think differently about scaling in 2026, here's how to support the show Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social media and tag us using #WeOutHere Send feedback or questions to [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit  

Episode 255: Inside Smart Marketer's Black Friday Strategy - Wins, Curveballs and Campaign Secrets Episode Description Black Friday may be over, but the insights are just getting started. In this behind-the-scenes breakdown, Smart Marketer's Director of Advertising, Denis Paskalev, joins Content Coordinator Zach Dampier to reveal what actually moved the needle during Cyber Week 2025. From Meta's surprise budget update to a Shopify outage on Cyber Monday, Denis shares exactly how the team prepped, pivoted, and profited; and what you can still apply to your end-of-year campaigns. They also dive into evergreen creative, first-click attribution, and how a smart lead gen strategy made all the difference. "The results that we're going to see during Black Friday Cyber Monday are always going to be highly impacted by what you have been doing throughout the rest of the year." – Denis Paskalev You Will Learn How to use evergreen creative for seasonal promotions What changed with Meta's budget controls (and how to adapt) The role of lead gen campaigns in doubling client revenue How to structure your ads using first-click attribution Smart ways to combine email and retargeting for higher conversions Why you should start your BFCM promotions early (and beat the CPM spike) How community support helped the team move faster and stay informed What to do if your BFCM didn't perform, and how to make your holiday sale count Links & Resources Mentor Table Mastermind: Mentor Table Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Instagram: @smartmarketerig Omnisend Email & SMS Platform: smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months Timestamps 00:00 – Intro - What Happened Behind the Scenes This BFCM 01:16 – Ezra's Favorite Email Tool (And an Exclusive Offer) 02:19 – Meta's Budget Update - Daily Spend is Now +75% 04:03 – Shopify Outage on Cyber Monday (and What They Did) 05:22 – Why Evergreen Ads Still Win 06:42 – The Power of Starting Promotions Early 07:49 – Younger Shoppers Drove Most of the Sales 08:51 – Client Wins - 20–30% YoY Revenue Growth 10:00 – Lead Gen Campaigns that Actually Worked 11:28 – Repurposing Creative From Previous Years 12:29 – Using Meta's Dynamic (Flexible) Creative Format 13:44 – Full-Funnel Thinking and Attribution with Triple Whale 15:14 – How to Adjust Copy for End-of-Year Promotions 17:06 – Where AI Helped (and Where It Didn't) 18:46 – Buy Now, Pay Later's Role in 2025 20:02 – Make It Scarce, Make It Smart - Crafting Better Messaging 21:57 – How Ads Supported Flooded Email Inboxes 23:56 – The Rise of Mobile and Why Desktop Still Matters 25:07 – Staying Agile Thanks to Community Slack Threads 27:23 – Final Thoughts - What to Do If BFCM Underperformed Your Engagement Matters If you enjoyed this episode, please support the show: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode with your team or on social media. Tag us and use #WeOutHere Got feedback or questions? Email us at [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Episode 254: From Support to Strategy: How Brittany Casella Helps Brands Unlock Hidden Revenue Episode Description What do eComm upsells and dog rescue have in common? More than you think. In this special live recording from Smart Marketer Live's VIP Mentor Table Day, Zach Dampier sits down with Brittany Casella, Head of Enterprise at Zipify's OneClick Upsell. Brittany shares how she climbed from support rep to strategic lead, helping top eCommerce brands boost revenue through post-purchase optimization. Then, the conversation shifts to something deeply personal: Brittany and Molly Pittman's shared mission of rescuing dogs through Fields of Freedom. "There's always more to be done. You can get higher conversion rates, optimize for more revenue." – Brittany Casella Whether you're here to grow your business or save some furry lives, this episode is packed with purpose and practical advice. You Will Learn Why "set it and forget it" is killing your upsell conversions How Zipify merchants are making $30K+ in just 60 days with optimization Brittany's journey from customer support to strategic enterprise leadership The biggest mistake eComm brands make with upsells How dog rescue became a mission of impact (and how you can help) The true cost and reward of saving a life Links & Resources Zipify OneClick Upsell: zipify.com/oneclickupsell Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue: fofdogrescue.com Instagram: @fieldsoffreedomrescue Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Omnisend for SMS & Email: smartmarketer.com/omnisend — Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: Growth, Grit & Dog Rescue 01:28 — Ezra's Favorite Email/SMS Tool: Omnisend 02:32 — Meet Brittany Casella: From Support to Strategy 03:51 — What Zipify Offers and Why Upsells Matter 05:18 — Case Study: $30K Upsell Revenue in 60 Days 06:58 — How Support Roles Prepare Future Leaders 08:11 — The #1 Mistake Brands Make With Upsells 09:43 — Why You Shouldn't "Set It and Forget It" 10:03 — From Ecomm to Dog Rescue: Fields of Freedom's Origin Story 12:18 — Foster Fails, Romeo the Rescue Dog & Garage Adoptions 14:27 — Zach's Dog Adoption Stories 17:19 — The Reality of Rescue: Choosing Who to Save 19:25 — First-Time Fosters and How You Can Help 21:31 — What's the Cost of Saving a Dog? 23:46 — Meet Crypto: From Chain Wounds to Wagging Tail 25:34 — Fan Favorites: Coco, Daisy, Susan and More 26:43 — Wrap-Up: From Kentucky to New York, Serve the World Unselfishly Your Engagement Matters If you enjoyed this episode, here's how you can support the show and our mission: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social media and tag us @smartmarketer using the hashtag #WeOutHere Send your feedback to [email protected] Support the rescue at fofdogrescue.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

🎙️ Episode 253: How to Win on TikTok Shop - Real Strategy Over Viral Hype with Ashley Wright Episode Description "People think, 'Okay, a video's gone viral or it's doing really well,' but then realistically you've got to say, has that actually turned into ROI?" – Ashley Wright In this behind-the-scenes episode from Smart Marketer Live, Content Coordinator Zach Dampier sits down with Ashley Wright, founder of Social Tale and one of the top TikTok Shop experts in the game. With over $80 million in sales under his belt, Ashley reveals what most brands get wrong about the platform and how to fix it. They dive into pricing psychology, organic vs paid performance, platform patience, and how building trust through content is the real key to social commerce success. If you're wondering whether TikTok Shop is right for your brand or how to scale it without chasing trends, this one's for you. You Will Learn: Why TikTok Shop isn't plug-and-play and what it really takes to succeed The #1 mistake brands make when launching on TikTok How to structure your social content for trust and visibility Why patience beats quick wins in today's attention economy What top brands get right before even touching TikTok The future of live shopping and social commerce LINKS & RESOURCES: 💼 Ashley Wright's Agency: Social Tale ✨ Ashley Wright on LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/ashleywright1 🎤 Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com 🧠 Smart Social Course: landing.smartmarketer.com/pages/smart-social 📩 Omnisend Offer 50% Off for 3 Months: smartmarketer.com/omnisend ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro: Behind the Scenes at Smart Marketer Live 01:21 Ezra's Tool Tip: Why He Moved His New Brand to Omnisend 02:25 Meet Ashley Wright: $80M+ in TikTok Shop Sales 03:28 What Most Brands Get Wrong About TikTok Shop 05:22 Views Don't Equal Revenue: Targeting & ROI Reality Check 06:35 Social Content Isn't Just Conversion, It's Identification 08:00 The Patience Game: TikTok Shop Requires a Long-Term Plan 09:47 Why Instant Gratification is Killing Your Strategy 11:50 You're Growing More Than You Think: Year-Over-Year Metrics 12:17 How Ashley Connected With Smart Marketer and Got Invited 13:43 Inside Smart Marketer Live: Energy, Vibes, and Jeopardy Music? 15:56 Ashley's Latest Win: $6M from a Single Brand on TikTok Shop 17:26 The Future of TikTok: Live Shopping, Retail Reinvented and AI Integration 20:29 Raising Prices and Letting Go of the Wrong Customers 21:50 What "Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit" Means to Ashley 24:32 Why Sharing Your Knowledge Is Smart Business 25:15 Long-Form Ads, Better Hooks and Better Consumer Experiences 25:59 Outro: Thanks for Tuning In! 📣 YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow: ⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here 📲 Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use the hashtag #WeOutHere 💬 Have feedback or guest suggestions? Email us anytime: [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit. 🚀  

Episode 252: Creative Shifts, Community, and the Realities of Modern E-Commerce with Kurt Elster Episode Description What keeps a Shopify expert motivated after 15+ years in the game? In this episode, Kurt Elster, creator of the Unofficial Shopify Podcast and longtime Smart Marketer collaborator, joins Zach Dampier live at Smart Marketer Live to share real talk about modern eCommerce, creative fatigue, and building community in an often isolating industry. "The thing I hang my hat on is two words: enable entrepreneurship. If I can do that with my content, with my efforts speaking or the work, then I'm happy." – Kurt Elster From actionable takeaways to a raw look at what it really takes to scale on Shopify, this episode is packed with insights for any DTC brand or digital entrepreneur. You Will Learn Why "enabling entrepreneurship" fuels Kurt's long-term success The #1 Shopify checkout mistake (and how to fix it in 5 minutes) What Amazon sellers need to know before bolting on Shopify How Smart Marketer Live helped attendees beat the isolation of online business The creative demands of Meta's new ad algorithm (Andromeda update) Why diverse ad creative matters Behind the scenes of a high-speed Shopify theme build for JomBoy Media Links & Resources Kurt Elster – Official Website – Learn more about Kurt's work, services, and speaking Unofficial Shopify Podcast – Weekly eComm insights with Kurt Elster Smart Marketer Website – Courses, strategy, and support for scaling your business Build a Perfect PDP Blueprint – Learn the exact structure Kurt used to help boost conversions by 87% Smart Marketer Agency – Get expert help growing your eCommerce brand Smart Marketer BFCM Sale – Save up to 60% before Dec 4 & support charity while you shop Omnisend for Email & SMS – Use code "SMART" for 50% off your first 3 months Timestamps 00:00 – Intro from Anthony + BFCM promo 01:11 – Ezra shares why he uses Omnisend 02:22 – "Enable Entrepreneurship": Kurt's mission 02:54 – Kurt's experience at Smart Marketer Live 04:02 – From podcasting to partnering with Ezra 05:39 – The power of product detail pages (PDPs) 06:09 – Why Amazon sellers want Shopify independence 07:35 – Ecomm is lonely: The power of in-person connection 08:21 – Meta's creative demands and audience fatigue 09:57 – The checkout mistake that kills conversions 11:24 – Success doesn't mean debt-free: The hidden pressure 12:23 – Custom Shopify build for JomBoy Media 14:05 – What motivates Kurt after 15+ years 15:49 – How Kurt lives "Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit" 18:25 – Outro + Smart Marketer BFCM deal reminder Your Engagement Matters If this episode inspired you, please: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share and tag us with #WeOutHere Got thoughts? Email [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

Episode 251: Shark Tank, AI & Social Impact: How Kreyòl Essence Scaled With Purpose Episode Description: In this powerhouse episode, Smart Marketer's Zach Dampier sits down with Yve-Car Momperousse, CEO & Co-Founder of Kreyòl Essence, the clean beauty brand that turned Haitian Black Castor Oil into a viral, purpose-driven movement. Yve-Car shares what it was like stepping into the Shark Tank spotlight, how she's leveraging AI to evolve her brand, and why poverty alleviation is her true North Star. "Don't feed into your own hype. What you did five years ago, what you did ten years ago; it matters. But what you do the next five years is critical." – Yve-Car Momperousse If you've ever wrestled with staying relevant while staying rooted in your mission, this one's for you. You Will Learn: How Kreyòl Essence blended culture, biotech & commerce to reach millions What really happens behind the scenes on Shark Tank A powerful mindset shift to avoid being replaced by AI Why inclusive marketing is both ethical and profitable How to use your founder story as your brand's superpower The real reason entrepreneurship is a "team sport" Links & Resources: Smart Marketer Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale – smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025  Kreyòl Essence Website  Watch Kreyòl Essence on Shark Tank: Season 11, Episode 11  Instagram – @yvecar Smart Marketer  Get 50% off Omnisend: smartmarketer.com/omnisend – Use code: SMART  Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome from Smart Marketer + Omnisend Promo 02:08 – Meet Yve-Car: CEO & Co-Founder of Kreyòl Essence 04:47 – How Ezra Firestone Discovered Yve-Car at a Conference 05:52 – Why Community & Collaboration Are Entrepreneurial Superpowers 08:45 – From Executive Assistant to CEO: Don't Minimize Your Experience 11:59 – Why Smart Marketer Events Feel Different 13:09 – Big Takeaway: Let AI Be Your Copywriter, Strategist & Soundboard 15:05 – Don't Feed Into Your Own Hype: Why Adaptability Is Everything 17:24 – Mindset Matters: Why Coaching & Therapy Aren't Optional 19:10 – Inclusion in Ecomm: Why Representation Still Lags 22:28 – Real Talk: Targeting Customers Multilingually 23:27 – Her True North Star: Poverty Alleviation, Not Product Sales 25:37 – Representation Wins: "Now I know I can do it too" 26:38 – Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank: What They Don't Tell You 29:24 – Best Ad Ever? How Shark Tank Helped Them Tell Their Story 30:53 – Final Thoughts + Why This Journey is Bigger Than Business Call to Action: If this episode inspired you, here's how you can support: 💥 Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode on social & tag us [@smartmarketer] 📧 Got feedback? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 💥 Take advantage of our biggest sale of the year – Save up to 60% during the Smart Marketer BFCM Sale + get two bonus gifts. Ends December 4, 2025. → smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025 Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 250:  Scaling Regulated Brands & Building What You Believe In Episode Description What happens when you mix a viral beverage, a high-compliance industry, and one of the sharpest minds in performance marketing? In this episode, recorded live at Smart Marketer Live 2025, Nick Shackelford joins Zach Dampier for a candid behind-the-scenes look at building BRĒZ a microdose beverage brand blending THC, functional mushrooms, and adaptogens. From navigating paid media challenges to retail expansion, Nick shares real talk on scaling products you care about, retention strategies that actually work, and why creative still trumps targeting on Meta. "Our mission is to reduce human suffering and maximize human potential through a better beverage." – Nick Shackelford You Will Learn: How to scale a product in a highly regulated category like THC The exact creative that outperforms for BRĒZ (hint: it's not what you expect) Why retail is still essential, even for DTC brands A smarter way to build LTV from first purchase to loyal customer Why "broad targeting" is Meta's new reality Nick's bold prediction about AI-generated content and Meta's next big move  Links & Resources Smart Marketer Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale – smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025 BRĒZ Beverage – drinkbrez.com Nick Shackelford on Instagram – @iamnickshackelford Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Instagram – @smartmarketerig – Follow Us Instagram – @mollypittmandigital – Follow Molly Omnisend (Email & SMS Tool) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend – Use code SMART for 50% off Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Nick Shackelford joins live at Smart Marketer Live 02:46 – Nick's journey & how BRĒZ was born 04:08 – From agency life to brand ownership 05:27 – Navigating compliance in regulated industries (like THC) 07:19 – Cultural shifts: The rise of non-alcoholic social beverages 09:35 – Why retail still wins: "Cans in hands" matters 10:42 – The creative that outperformed all ads: A real customer call 12:35 – LTV & retention: How to optimize post-purchase flow 14:21 – The most common mistake in paid ads (and what Meta reps say now) 16:25 – What fuels Nick's team: Mission, movement, and remote hustle 19:10 – Full-circle moment: How pirated Ezra content sparked Nick's career 22:51 – Purpose & product: Nick's take on meaningful business 24:38 – Bold prediction: Meta's new "Vibes" AI feed & where it's heading 27:28 – Closing thoughts: Reaffirmation bubbles, dual realities & what's next Call to Action Thanks for tuning in to Episode 249 of the Smart Marketer Podcast! 🎧 If this episode brought you value: ✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share it with your network and tag us – use #WeOutHere 💬 Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected] 💥 Take advantage of our biggest sale of the year – Save up to 60% during the Smart Marketer BFCM Sale + get two bonus gifts. Ends December 4, 2025. → smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025 And remember: Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀