What happens when a Canadian entrepreneur flips broken PlayStations into millions, gets a $10M buyout, then loses almost half to taxes and builds again? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Peter Kostandenou to uncover the highs, lows, and lessons of his unconventional journey from eBay hustler to tech exec. Peter shares how he: - Accidentally went viral on TikTok by falling asleep as a DJ 🎧 - Scaled Hostopia from $3M to $60M and sold to Deluxe for $124M 💰 - Built a full AI marketing suite (Mopro) for local businesses 📈 - Lost $4M from bad tax planning — and what he’d do differently 🧾 - Built an offline car club community to test real-world brand loyalty 🏎️ You’ll learn: - Why Google and ChatGPT rely on real reviews and social signals to rank your business - The critical difference between automation and AI agents - What GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) means for your SEO strategy in 2025 - How to build trust signals through structured data, social media, and review responses - What a roofing contractor can teach you about the power of a single bad review This episode is packed with branding gems, ecommerce evolution, and raw business truth. If you’re an entrepreneur, agency owner, or tech builder, you need this one. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:43 A Tech Entrepreneur's Journey 09:38 The PlayStation 2 Resale Success Story 21:38 The Rise of Hostopia 31:47 The Evolution of Small Business Marketing 34:04 The Future of Websites: AI and Social Media 35:14 The Role of AI in Content Consumption 40:06 The Importance of Reviews for Small Businesses 42:46 Effective Review Strategies for Local Businesses 49:35 Managing Negative Comments and Social Mentions 58:29 Automation vs AI: Understanding the Difference 01:01:27 Branding Stories: Car Club and DJing 01:09:48 Final Thoughts This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Misfits, documentary filmmaker and storytelling expert Rain Bennett joins Norm Farrar and Kevin King to unpack why authentic storytelling is more valuable than ever. With AI flooding content channels, your voice and human emotion are what set your brand apart. Rain shares: - The power of short-form storytelling (and what a 6-second story actually looks like) - Why over-leveraging AI will make your brand blend in - How storytelling builds trust, connection, and conversions - Frameworks to write more compelling brand stories - Real examples from marketing, newsletters, and public speaking - The truth about AI-generated content and how to use it right Whether you're launching an e-commerce brand, growing your newsletter, building a personal brand, or pitching on stage , storytelling is the skill that cuts through the noise. ⚠️ Don’t let AI strip your voice away. Learn how to inject your story back into your content strategy today. 📘 Guest: Rain Bennett - Author of Six Second Stories - Host of The Storytelling Lab Podcast - Creator of award-winning documentaries Learn more: rainbennett.com (http://rainbennett.com) 🎧 Listen. Learn. Misfit. Chapter 00:00 The Power of Storytelling in the AI Era 00:49 Introduction to Marketing Misfits 00:55 Kevin's College Football Anecdote 02:34 The Role of Storytelling in Marketing 03:13 Introducing Rain Bennett 04:55 Rain Bennett's Journey into Storytelling 09:00 The Evolution of Documentary Filmmaking 11:13 The Importance of Human Touch in Storytelling 16:12 The Art of Engaging Storytelling 30:48 The Six-Second Story Concept 36:42 Brand Storytelling and Authenticity 38:04 Serial vs. Episodic Shows 38:20 The Art of Storytelling in Branding 39:46 The Importance of Origin Stories 40:33 Storytelling for the Audience 44:19 The Ice Cream Anecdote 46:54 Effective Storytelling Techniques 56:01 Engaging Your Audience with Stories 59:27 The Power of Practice This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Is retail really dead? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with three powerhouse guests who prove otherwise, Doug Harding from Wholesaleretaildistribution.com (http://Wholesaleretaildistribution.com) , Kirk Hyust from Turbo Trusser (a Shark Tank deal with Kevin O’Leary), and GC Brown, founder of UpCup Koffee, a fast-growing functional mushroom coffee brand. You’ll hear how these brands are cracking into Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, QVC, and big-box retail, even in a world dominated by Amazon. From the truth about what retailers actually want to surprising insights about shelf space, product packaging, and the growing role of AI in retail decisions, this episode is packed with must-know info. 🚨 You’ll learn: - Why 90% of purchases still happen offline - How Kevin O’Leary helped close a deal the same day it aired on Shark Tank - What mushroom coffee brands must do to survive retail - How a single $50K PR mistake nearly sunk a startup - The power of predictive buying and how AI is changing retail strategy forever - Why most Amazon sellers are NOT ready for retail—and how to fix that - How to actually build brand equity off Amazon The mindset shift every seller needs to go from ecom to retail Whether you’re an Amazon seller, brand owner, or product inventor looking to scale into physical stores, this episode is your wake-up call. Retail isn’t dead—it’s just evolved. 📍 Want to go from Amazon to big-box retail? Learn what works, what doesn’t, and who can actually help you get on shelves. Timestamps 00:00 Is Retail Dead? 01:43 Retail vs. E-commerce 03:14 Introducing the Guests 04:27 State of Retail Today 06:44 The Turbo Trusser Story 08:00 UPC Cup Coffee Journey 13:48 Marketing Strategies for Retail 24:47 Shark Tank Experience 35:07 Building an Audience 39:36 Social Media and Influencer Marketing 41:03 Financing Challenges for Small Brands 47:09 Kevin O'Leary's Involvement Post-Shark Tank 59:00 Retail Trends and AI 01:09:09 The Value of Patience in Business This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From flipping used car parts to launching a viral Chrome extension, Kim Dang has done it all. In this episode of Marketing Misfits with Norm Farrar and Kevin King, Kim reveals how she built and sold multiple businesses including automating a wrecking yard, traveling the world while earning passive income, and building GroupConvert, a Chrome extension that turned Facebook group answers into a thriving SaaS funnel. You’ll hear how she turned a $380 Upwork job into $5M in revenue, the truth about scaling with integrators, how she avoids burnout with systemized execution, and her unique Shopify offer that’s changing the game for non-technical entrepreneurs. Kim breaks down automation, delegation, high-ticket funnels, and unconventional marketing with raw honesty and infectious energy. Whether you’re an Amazon seller, coach, course creator, or SaaS builder. This episode is PACKED with insights. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: - How Kim turned a Chrome extension into a recurring income machine - The importance of integrators in scaling online businesses - Bootstrapping vs. venture-backed tools - From car parts to coaching: Kim’s step-by-step evolution - Why masterminds + systems = momentum - B2C drop-shipping with a high-ticket twist - Tips for managing global teams while traveling - Rock climbing, Craigslist shoes, and living with freedom 📺 Watch if you’re into: Entrepreneurship, SaaS business models, Facebook groups, community building, Amazon FBA, Shopify stores, digital products, chrome extensions, high-ticket sales, automations, productivity tools, and lifestyle businesses. 🔔 Subscribe for more stories like this every Tuesday on Marketing Misfits! Chapters 00:00 Facebook Automation Hack 04:22 Organic Growth Funnel Strategy 08:41 High-Converting Email Blast Tactics 14:00 Ebook Offer That Drove Sales 19:52 Brand Storytelling With Hook Products 24:08 Passive Income With Automation 29:10 Risks of Building on Rented Platforms 33:13 Building a Chrome Extension Business 38:14 Live Demo: Instant Scraper Tool 42:22 Buying a Resort 47:29 Client Testimonials for Proof of Concept 52:34 Hiring an Integrator to Scale 56:38 Monetizing Communities for Growth 01:02:16 Offering Shopify Services 01:07:44 Selling Digital Assets Online 01:12:19 YouTube Ads for Course Creators 01:16:44 Join the Marketing Misfits Community This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What separates boring brands from billion-dollar breakthroughs? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Jesse Wroblewski, author of Marketing for Supervillains, to break down the art and science of true brand differentiation. Forget chasing trends. Jesse reveals how the best brands from Liquid Death to Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey break out of the commodity trap by crafting iconic offers, mic-drop moments, and emotional bonds with customers. You'll learn how to turn your product into a movement, build loyalty that drives referrals, and create content that makes customers say, "Finally... someone gets me." Whether you’re stuck in the race to the bottom, dealing with a crowded Amazon niche, or building a lifestyle brand from scratch. This is your playbook for standing out. What You’ll Learn: - Why “Red Ocean, Blue Offer” beats niching down - The 12 Differentiation Planets from Jesse’s book - How packaging & storytelling boosted a $16 knife into a $135 product - Liquid Death, Ginsu knives, Metallica whiskey & more case studies - When to focus on humor, heritage, lifestyle or process - Why less audience is often more brand power - How to make customers obsessed (tattoos included) - Where most Amazon sellers go wrong when trying to stand out Subscribe for weekly episodes on misfit marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship. Chapters 00:00 Boring Brand Mistakes 04:11 Jesse Braki Joins Show 09:13 Brand Differentiation Map 13:19 Amazon Sellerboard Tool 16:44 Aligning With a Cause 21:08 Building Lifestyle Brands 24:56 Smart Amazon Pricing Tiers 29:18 Lavanta Sponsor Spotlight 32:52 Creator Consulting Strategy 37:42 Made in USA Branding 41:49 Action Figure Branding 45:22 Influencer Tool Stack 50:48 Packaging for Profit 54:47 Liquid Death Packaging 58:24 Subscribe Callout 01:03:06 Marketing Misfits Recap This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jay Hunter, CRO at MaryRuth Organics, breaks down how they’ve scaled to over $500M/year in supplements, how their TikTok Shop strategy feeds Amazon sales through halo effects, and why most brands get everything wrong about influencer marketing and channel diversification. This is a masterclass in real-time execution. You'll learn: - The $35M Amazon boost from TikTok Shop - Why they target complementary, not competitive products - How J’s team reaches out to 3,000 creators daily using AI - How MaryRuth became the top supplement brand on Amazon - What not to do with retail expansion - Unconventional ad platforms like AppLovin & AI UGC tools 💬 Plus: Jay shares his personal brand strategy, the future of live selling, and how to win using scrappiness + smart systems. This is a deep dive for eCom founders, TikTok Shop sellers, and 7–9 figure Amazon brands looking to scale intelligently with AI, community, and content. 00:00 $70M TikTok Halo Effect? 03:31 Who Is Jay Hunter? 07:16 What Drives $500M Brands 11:33 How They Innovate Fast 16:12 Stealing Attention with Strategy 20:02 Retail Isn’t Dead, Unless... 23:56 Their Secret Sauce Revealed 27:39 Roblox? Yep, They’re There 31:54 3,000 TikTok Creators a Day 36:05 How AI Generates Viral Ads 44:07 Why Bilingual Content Wins 47:41 TikTok vs YouTube: Who Wins? 52:10 LinkedIn: Underrated Growth Weapon 55:45 How Top Brands Get Targeted 59:26 The Best “Start Now” Advice 01:02:43 Final Misfits Takeaways This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

AI is a tidal wave, are you ready for it? In this explosive episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with the brilliant Ritu Java (CEO of PPC Ninja) to expose why most Amazon sellers are marketing wrong and how AI is forcing a return to the fundamentals. Discover why targeting just one customer avatar is a costly mistake, and how mastering the Five Levels of Awareness (from Eugene Schwartz’s timeless framework) is now non-negotiable in 2025. Ritu breaks down how to: - Create content for every level of the funnel (even “unaware” shoppers) - Use AI for personalized ads, listing content, and retargeting - Train LLMs like Rufus and Google’s AI to recommend your product organically - Set up Amazon storefronts with intent-specific pages - Avoid the rookie mistake of relying solely on keyword stuffing - Future-proof your email strategy for multiple awareness levels This episode is a masterclass in persuasive marketing, AI content strategy, and conversion-focused ad funnels that will dominate the next era of ecommerce. What You’ll Learn - Why AI-powered suggestions convert 9x better than ads - How to create high-converting content for 5 different avatars - The mistake 90% of Amazon sellers make with their content - How to shift from keyword-based PPC to intent-based content - Why the best sellers will blend marketing psychology and AI - How Ritu uses GPTs to build tailored content and ad creative Plus: A sneak peek at her free GPT tool to create ads by awareness level! This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Chapters: 00:00 Ideal Target Audience 03:44 Kevin’s Fanboy Moment 07:58 Climbing Mt. Fuji Story 12:32 AI Content Shortage Crisis 16:31 5 Levels of Awareness 21:00 Solution-Aware Buyers Strategy 25:33 Most Aware Conversion Tactics 29:41 Organic Marketing that Converts 37:57 High-Converting Amazon Landing 41:52 Timing Your Marketing Right 46:41 Building Long-Term Brand Moats 50:33 Comparing Product Solutions 54:40 Email List Growth Stages 59:32 Email Focus Best Practices 01:03:26 Solving Buyer Problems Fast 01:07:53 Mastering Marketing Fundamentals 01:12:13 Action Steps to Implement Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if you could turn anything into a must-have product... Just by how you pitch it? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, we’re joined by the legendary Forbes Riley, the Queen of Pitch herself, who’s sold over $2.5 billion in products through infomercials, live TV, and now, social commerce. Forbes breaks down the psychology of effective selling, the power of storytelling, and why people never buy based on need, they buy because they want. Whether you're an Amazon seller, TikTok Shop creator, or SaaS founder, this episode will reframe how you think about persuasion, pitching, and product-market fit. 💥 You’ll learn: - Why describing your product is the wrong way to pitch - The secret to creating emotional buy-in within seconds - Her three-yes pitch rule that converts viewers into buyers - The difference between features vs. benefits—and why most sellers mess this up - How her daughter turned down $100K and helped scale a funnel to $1M+ - The rise and fall of infomercials—and how to apply those lessons to TikTok Shop & Amazon Live Why authenticity is the most powerful sales tool in 2024? This is one of the most story-driven, tactical, and motivational episodes of the year. Stick around to hear Forbes’ wildest moments, the invention that changed her life, and how a painful low point led to a multimillion-dollar fitness empire. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits 00:00 –  Intro 04:20 – Forbes’ Horror Film Debut 08:58 – Why She’s the Misfit Queen 12:49 – Winning Miss New York 17:21 – Daughter’s Viral Business Win 21:33 – Forbes Predicts Entrepreneur Future 25:55 – The Perfect Pitch Formula 29:43 – Mastering Digital Marketing Influence 34:01 – Merging Fitness with Business 38:29 – Human Nature & Sales Psychology 42:39 – Speaking to Millions on Stage 46:40 – The Viral Treadmill Story 51:29 – Selling Fitness Products at Scale 56:32 – International Debut: What Happened? 01:00:41 – Gymshark’s Surprising Backstory 01:10:10 – Free Tools via Forbes.com (http://Forbes.com) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when you combine private equity, AI automation, and CRM mastery? You get an unforgettable conversation with Amara Omoregie, a growth operator who just sold her agency and is now running CRO, CMO, and CTO strategy across a $400M portfolio. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Kevin King and Norm Farrar sit down with Amara to talk about: - Why AI will replace you if you don’t adapt - The real difference between growth vs scale - How to train your AI (and team) to deliver results - Why schema is the SEO foundation no one's using right - The truth about CRMs like HubSpot and how most businesses misuse them - Her 30-page AI manifesto and how to futureproof your team If you want to survive 2025 as a founder, marketer, or brand operator — you need to hear what Amara has to say. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Chapters 00:00 AI’s Real Evolution Begins 03:10 Who is Amara? 04:39 Schema: The Secret Weapon 10:26 She Sold Her Agency 19:49 Human Experience Over Funnels 25:21 CRM Tips for Small Brands 37:30 Growth vs. Scale: Explained 40:56 AI’s Role in Scaling 41:10 Custom AI Tools Anyone Can Build 41:49 Rise of Agentic AI 43:20 Tool Stacking Like a Pro 45:23 AI Use Cases That Matter 52:41 Can AI Stay Human? 58:54 AI & Future of Work 01:08:45 Final Thoughts 🔥 Bonus: Learn how she built a fully functional AI org chart app in 2 hours, and why she's not impressed by 90% of AI use cases. Subscribe to never miss an episode of Marketing Misfits — the show for eCommerce operators, AI marketers, and serious builders. 👉 Subscribe: Marketing Misfits YouTube 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📩 Newsletter: MarketingMisfits.co (http://MarketingMisfits.co) 🎥 Clips Channel: Marketing Misfits CLIPS 🧠 AI tools, SEO, CRM, newsletters, funnels, growth Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Marketing Misfits, Steve Chou from My Wife Quit Her Job dives deep into the psychology behind high-converting eCommerce marketing, why most Amazon sellers are missing the mark with branding, and how the Life Force 8 framework can revolutionize your ads and brand messaging. 💡 Learn how Steve built a 7-figure DTC brand selling personalized handkerchiefs, navigated away from overreliance on Amazon, and used real emotional triggers to build a lasting brand moat. He shares the truth about TikTok Shop, why Google Search is dying, and the power of personal storytelling to dominate in a crowded eComm world. Whether you're selling on Amazon, Shopify, or building your first brand, this episode is a masterclass on sustainable growth, emotional marketing, and why community and connection are the future of commerce. ✅ What You'll Learn: - What the Life Force 8 is and how to use it to boost ad conversions - The real reason TikTok Shop is dying for most sellers - Why events and podcasts still matter in 2025 - How AI is helping sellers with content, fulfillment, automation, and more - The secrets to direct-to-consumer storytelling and repeat customer success - The importance of authenticity and personalization for future-proof brands This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits If you're tired of chasing hacks and want to build a business that lasts — this one’s for you. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly insights from the world’s top brand builders, marketers, and misfits. Chapters 00:00 Intro 04:13 My Wife Quit Her Job... 9:10 Events Lose Money 16:18 Monetizing Podcasts for Profit 21:13 Are You Really Profitable? 24:58 Website vs. Amazon Sales 30:08 TikTok Paid Ad Pivot 33:59 Marketing That Moves People 38:03 Find Winning Ads Fast 42:00 AI Will Reshape Search 46:16 Why Chinese Brands Struggle 50:46 Ask Method Explained Simply 56:07 8fig: Cash Flow Tool 01:00:52 Why He Wrote the Book 01:05:11 Living Below Your Means 01:09:02 The Next Misfit is... Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.