The Smart Marketer Podcast
The Smart Marketer Podcast

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Smart Marketer

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Join hosts Molly Pittman, Ezra Firestone, and John Grimshaw as they share their proven paths to success (for your business, brand, and personal life). These Veteran marketers and educators have taught thousands of business owners how to build, manage, and scale successful companies (while growing their own multi-million dollar brands). This weekly podcast will blend tactical marketing tips and strategies with helpful insight and personal stories. This podcast will help you 'Serve the world unselfishly and profit.'

Recent Episodes

Episode 253: How to Win on TikTok Shop - Real Strategy Over Viral Hype with Ashley Wright
DEC 10, 2025
Episode 253: How to Win on TikTok Shop - Real Strategy Over Viral Hype with Ashley Wright

πŸŽ™οΈ 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: ⏱️ 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!

πŸ“£ YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS!

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow:

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here πŸ“² Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use the hashtag #WeOutHere πŸ’¬ Have feedback or guest suggestions? Email us anytime: [email protected]

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit. πŸš€

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26 MIN
Episode 252: Creative Shifts, Community, and the Realities of Modern E-Commerce with Kurt Elster
DEC 3, 2025
Episode 252: Creative Shifts, Community, and the Realities of Modern E-Commerce with Kurt Elster
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 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!

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20 MIN
Episode 251: Shark Tank, AI & Social Impact: How KreyΓ²l Essence Scaled With Purpose
NOV 26, 2025
Episode 251: Shark Tank, AI & Social Impact: How KreyΓ²l Essence Scaled With Purpose
Episode 251: Shark Tank, AI & Social Impact: How KreyΓ²l 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 KreyΓ²l 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 KreyΓ²l 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: Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome from Smart Marketer + Omnisend Promo 02:08 – Meet Yve-Car: CEO & Co-Founder of KreyΓ²l 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:

πŸ’₯ Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts πŸ“² Share this episode on social & tag us [@smartmarketer] πŸ“§ Got feedback? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

πŸ’₯ 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. β†’ smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! πŸš€

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33 MIN
Episode 250: Scaling Regulated Brands & Building What You Believe In
NOV 24, 2025
Episode 250: Scaling Regulated Brands & Building What You Believe In
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 BRΔ’Z 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 BRΔ’Z (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 Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Nick Shackelford joins live at Smart Marketer Live 02:46 – Nick's journey & how BRΔ’Z 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:

βœ… Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts πŸ“² Share it with your network and tag us – use #WeOutHere πŸ’¬ Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]

πŸ’₯ 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. β†’ smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025

And remember: Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! πŸš€

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30 MIN
Episode 249: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy - Part 2
NOV 19, 2025
Episode 249: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy - Part 2
πŸŽ™οΈEpisode 249: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy – Part 2

(with Ben Bennett)

πŸ“ Episode Description

Want more winning ads with less guesswork? In Part 2 of this creative strategy masterclass, Smart Marketer's Director of Creative, Ben Bennett, takes you behind the scenes of a real ad campaign to show how small, intentional changes to your message and creative experience can lead to major performance gains on Meta.

Forget pumping out 20 random creatives a week. Ben shows you how to scale creative purposefully by testing strategic variables like persona, tone, and setting instead of scrambling to change formats.

"With the right variables, small changes become big changes. That's real creative strategy." – Ben Bennett

This episode is packed with examples, frameworks, and a fresh way to approach Meta's evolving algorithm by focusing on people first.

βœ… You Will Learn

  • How to turn one winning hook into multiple high-performing ads

  • Why Meta's algorithm rewards creative diversity based on experience

  • What variables matter most: persona, setting, tone (not just format)

  • How to create "purposeful volume" instead of creative noise

  • Why human-first strategy beats algorithm-chasing every time

  • A repeatable system for long-term creative testing & scaling

πŸ”— Links & Resources ⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 – Welcome back: What You'll Learn in Part 2 01:00 – Ezra Firestone's Omnisend Shoutout: "That's how much I trust that platform." 02:04 – Ad Case Study: 3 Winning Ads, Same Hook, Different Experiences 03:54 – How Changing One Variable (like persona) Unlocked Higher Performance 06:52 – From Winning Image β†’ UGC Video: Building Iterations with Confidence 07:41 – Persona Shift: Human Activity vs. Human Connection 08:58 – Why Format Isn't Strategy (And What Actually Is) 10:05 – Why People First > Algorithm First Creative 11:01 – The Real Director of Meta's Algorithm? Humans. 12:08 – Purposeful Volume: How to Test Strategically 13:02 – Final Thoughts: Real Creative Strategy is Human-First 14:01 – Outro & YouTube Shoutout

πŸ“£ Your Engagement Matters!

Thanks for listening to The Smart Marketer Podcast! If this episode helped shift your thinking, do us a favor:

βœ… Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts πŸ“² Share this episode on social & tag us with #WeOutHere πŸ’Œ Got feedback or a question? Email us at [email protected]

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! πŸš€

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14 MIN