Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

"It just seemed fun and easy—and I really didn’t have anything to lose." That moment of curiosity led Andreea Matei into the world of the Amazon Influencer Program, and two years later, she’s turned it into a six-figure revenue stream. In this episode, Andreea breaks down exactly how she did it—from shooting 30-second videos to building multiple income streams, all without ever needing to show her face on camera. If you’ve ever wanted a realistic and accessible side hustle (or full-blown business), this one’s for you. Andreea Matei is a seasoned Amazon Influencer who’s made over $140,000 in two years by reviewing products from her home (and her sister’s). A former marketer turned ecommerce expert, she now teaches others how to succeed with this surprisingly low-barrier income model. We Also Talked About: What the Amazon Influencer Program is—and why it’s different from affiliate marketing How to get approved (even if you don’t have a massive following) The types of videos that perform best (hint: you can stay behind the camera) Smart strategies for choosing which products to review Breaking into paid brand collaborations and free product offers How to leverage your influencer content across platforms like YouTube Common mistakes to avoid when applying and creating your first videos How Andreea’s course helps beginners accelerate their Amazon Influencer journey My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families. RESOURCES MENTIONED Six Figure Reviewer: Amazon Influencer Edition Course Launch Grow Joy (Andreea’s main site): launchgrowjoy.com Find Andreea on all platforms: @launchgrowjoy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I tell people: Google's a machine, not a person. You have to feed it the right signals."  In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Trudy sits down with SEO expert Brandon Leibowitz, founder of SEO Optimizers, who’s spent the last 15+ years helping small and medium businesses turn clicks into conversions. With his no-fluff approach to SEO, Brandon demystifies what it really takes to get your website found online, and why most entrepreneurs are spinning their wheels with outdated tactics. Brandon’s journey started with a job board internship, evolved into a side hustle, and eventually became a thriving agency. He shares practical, real-world strategies that don’t require a PhD in Google wizardry, just a little consistency, common sense, and a willingness to test and tweak. We Also Talked About: Why SEO isn’t about “tricking” Google—it’s about talking its language The biggest mistakes small businesses make with their websites How backlinks really work—and how not to get burned Why posting on social media is not a substitute for good SEO The long game of content marketing (and why most people give up too soon) What to look for (and avoid) when hiring an SEO consultant How Brandon scaled his business without going the agency route RESOURCES MENTIONED SEO Optimizers - Brandon’s website Ubersuggest – for keyword research Google Search Console – for tracking how Google sees your site MozBar – for checking on-site SEO and backlinks Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business? My newsletter is for business owners who miss having weekends — and sanity. Sign up here and start reclaiming both.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Steve Anderson — risk expert and bestselling author of The Bezos Letters — to explore how hidden friction points quietly drain momentum from your business. If you’re ready to clear the roadblocks standing between you and your customers, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you move faster, serve better, and grow smarter. Steve Anderson brings decades of experience at the intersection of insurance, technology, and business growth strategy. He’s the author of The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon, a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller that’s been translated into 20 languages. With a sharp eye for spotting the patterns of business success and failure, Steve helps founders build businesses that last. We Also Talked About: Why “obsessing over customers” is more than a catchphrase—it's a mindset shift The hidden cost of waiting too long to adopt new technology What Amazon’s “Day One” philosophy teaches us about staving off irrelevance Why 3rd-party sellers succeed—or get booted—on Amazon How to spot and remove friction points in your customer journey The real definition of a “successful failure” and why you need more of them Why innovation isn’t enough—and how invention powers real business growth How AI is changing the game (and why using it badly could be worse than not using it at all) RESOURCES MENTIONED Book:  The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon by Steve Anderson and Karen Anderson Steve’s website: thebezosletters.com Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: Steve Anderson - 👉 My newsletter is for business owners who miss having weekends—and sanity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"A community-first mindset means showing up for your people—even when they're just quietly watching." That’s how Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, defines decades-long success in the online space. What started as a college hobby has blossomed into a vibrant, multimillion-follower platform celebrating Native American culture and proving that niche communities can not only survive but thrive in today’s noisy digital world. Paul’s journey is a masterclass in staying true to your values, listening to your audience, and building engagement through heart, strategy, and the occasional well-placed email sequence. We Also Talked About: How Paul turned a college web project into a thriving, sustainable business The surprising power of "lurkers" in online communities Why email is still king (and how Paul uses Kit (was ConvertKit) to dominate it) The moment social media nearly killed his forums—and how he pivoted Using Group Leads to bridge Facebook groups and email sequences What a “community-first mindset” really looks like in action Hiring from your own community to build a rock-solid team How a mastermind and a coach helped him 10x his email marketing results Why the medium (Facebook, email, TikTok) is less important than the mindset RESOURCES MENTIONED Find a PowWow near you:  https://www.powwows.com/powwowsnearme Paul’s personal site:  https://www.paulgowder.com Behind-the-scenes look at his email toolkit: https://www.paulgowder.com/emailtools ConvertKit (now branded as Kit) – Paul’s go-to email platform (affiliate link) Tool to sync Facebook group signups with email sequences -https://groupleads.net/  Mediavine – Advertising partner for monetizing traffic - https://www.mediavine.com/  Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The world doesn’t happen to you — it happens through you." — Martin Salama What if losing millions, a home, a marriage, and a BMW all within a few months could actually be the best thing that ever happened to you? For Martin Salama, that's exactly what it was. In this episode, Martin shares how he transformed personal and financial disaster into a powerful coaching philosophy — one that helps entrepreneurs not just survive chaos, but thrive because of it. Martin is known as The Architect of The Warrior's Life, a coach who specializes in helping people live incredibly full lives — despite (or perhaps because of) the bumps in the road. After building and losing a multimillion-dollar business, Martin turned his own lessons into a seven-figure coaching program with a risk-reversal strategy that’s as bold as his personality. We Also Talked About: How Martin’s five-year dream project collapsed overnight — and why it was the making of him Why most people stay stuck in a “why is this happening to me” mindset, and how to shift to “through me” thinking What reading The Four Agreements unlocked for him about anger, people-pleasing, and personal responsibility His journey from being a people-pleaser and control freak to a confident, compassionate coach How he built the "Live Incredibly Full Every Day" (LIFE) framework The problem with "done for you" coaching programs — and how Martin’s model is different The power of guarantees in business (and why Martin’s guarantee is a true game-changer) The gift he gave — and received — by donating stem cells to save a life RESOURCES MENTIONED The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (affiliate link) Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (affiliate link) Who Not How by Dan Sullivan (affiliate link) Martin’s book: Worrier to Warrior (affiliate link) Connect with Martin: ConnectWithMartin.com Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"You can’t out-hustle burnout. Trust me, I tried." That’s the hard-earned insight from Dr. Victoria Mensch, who went from clinical psychologist to Silicon Valley high-achiever — and burned out in both. Now she teaches leaders how to create burnout-proof lives by mastering energy, not just calendars. In this episode, Victoria breaks down why traditional success so often leads to emotional exhaustion, and how you can build a life and business that leaves room for joy, not just productivity. With a PhD in psychology and an MBA from UC Berkeley, Victoria brings both brain science and boardroom experience to the conversation. Her approach to self-leadership, energy management, and redefining control will have you rethinking the way you work — and why. We Also Talked About: Why burnout isn’t always obvious — and how to spot the subtle signs The myth of “success = happiness” (and what actually creates fulfillment) How self-awareness is the first step in becoming a resilient leader The surprising power of intentionally scheduling joy How to relinquish control — and why it’s essential for avoiding burnout Moving from corporate life to entrepreneurship: the real risks and rewards What “languishing” looks like — and how to shift into a state of flourishing A practical framework for balancing time, energy, and values Why leadership always starts with self-leadership RESOURCES MENTIONED Silicon Valley Executive Academy – Victoria’s corporate consulting hub Victoria Mensch on LinkedIn – connect with her for insights and support Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Marketing hasn’t fundamentally changed in 150 years. The tools have — but the core principles? Still the same.” That’s Phillip Marzouk, branding strategist and marketing nerd (his words), explaining how modern business owners often get tripped up by tactics while missing the big-picture strategy. With a background spanning website development, airline marketing campaigns (hello, Hobbiton!), and helping mom-and-pop shops thrive, Phillip breaks down how solopreneurs can stop chasing every shiny tool and start focusing on what actually works. Phillip has over 13 years of marketing experience, starting out in film before transitioning to the digital world. He’s led campaigns for big names like Qantas and Warner Bros, but what really lights him up is helping small businesses and solopreneurs cut through the noise and find what works for them — not just what’s trending. We Also Talked About: The marketing truths that haven’t changed since Rolex used influencer marketing… in the 1920s What PPC (pay-per-click) and SEO really mean, and when you should use them Phillip’s journey from webmaster to high-level strategist (and why he left the Cannes Film Festival experience behind) How big-budget brands still rely on scrappy marketing strategies — and what solopreneurs can learn from that The critical moment when Phillip realized he preferred helping struggling small businesses over running blockbuster campaigns Why AI can’t replace your expertise — and how to use tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robot The exact process he uses to turn bland AI output into high-performing marketing content When to stop doing it all yourself and finally hire help (hint: it's when you're spending more time fixing than growing) Why your business is no longer “your baby” once you start hiring — and why that’s a good thing Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up to my newsletter here. RESOURCES MENTIONED Phillip’s website: https://digitalonbrand.com Sign up for Phillip’s newsletter and marketing tips via the website above Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business? Get them here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever faced a moment in life that completely changed your trajectory? For Alan Lazaros, that moment came in the form of a near-fatal car accident. Once a corporate high-flyer with a successful career in engineering and business, Alan found himself questioning everything he thought he knew about success, fulfillment, and purpose. That moment of reckoning led him to embrace podcasting as a vehicle for growth, connection, and impact. Fast forward to today, and Alan is the co-host of the Next Level University podcast, boasting nearly 2,000 episodes and a global reach. His journey is one of grit, reflection, and resilience, proving that real transformation happens when we align our work with our values and commit to daily self-improvement. If you're navigating the challenges of building a business or searching for a deeper sense of purpose, Alan's insights will inspire and motivate you to take action. We Also Talked About: The pivotal moment that made Alan re-evaluate his life and career Why he chose podcasting over other business models The journey from two guys having deep conversations to running a daily global podcast How core values shape business success and partnerships The key mindset shifts needed to sustain a long-term business The role of humility and work ethic in building a strong team Navigating conflict in a business partnership and why it’s essential for growth The difference between external success and internal fulfillment—and why both matter Why hiring from within your community can lead to a stronger, more aligned team Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up to my newsletter here. RESOURCES MENTIONED Podcast: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-university-podcast/  Alan’s Book Club:  https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/  Alan’s Website:  https://www.nextleveluniverse.com  The Conscious Couples Podcast Spotify Apple Books by Russell Brunson on entrepreneurship and sales funnel: Traffic Secrets Expert Secrets Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever felt stuck in a job you didn’t love and wondered if there was a way to break free? Carol Kabaale, a Meta-certified ad strategist, knows exactly what that’s like. She secretly quit her corporate job—without telling her fiancé. As Carol puts it, “I just knew if I told everyone around me, they’d talk me out of it, so I kept quiet and built my plan in secret. And it worked.” In this episode, Carol shares how she went from her first client to a full-fledged agency, the smart ad strategies she uses to help businesses grow, and insider tips on running Facebook ads without wasting money. If you’re looking for real talk on what it takes to succeed with online advertising (and a little courage to take your own leap), this is the episode for you. We Also Talked About: Why Carol walked away from a promising corporate career (without telling anyone!) How she got her first clients and replaced her salary in record time The biggest mistakes small business owners make with Facebook ads A breakdown of different ad types—and which ones actually work Why understanding data is the key to ad success (even if you hate numbers) How to know if your business is ready to run ads—and what to do first Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up to my newsletter here. RESOURCES MENTIONED Carol’s Ads Readiness Quiz: carolkabaale.com Book on overcoming procrastination:  Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy  (affiliate link) Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wanted to write a book but got totally lost in the complexities of trying to do it through traditional publishing channels? What if you could bring your manuscript to life, maintain full creative control, and keep more of the profits by self-publishing?  In this episode, I sit down with Michele DeFilippo, a publishing expert with over 50 years of experience, who shares her journey from traditional publishing to helping self-published authors create high-quality books that stand shoulder to shoulder with bestsellers. As Michele says, "Real self-publishing means you are in charge, you control your book, and you should get all the revenue." If you're ready to take control of your publishing journey, this episode is a must-listen! We Also Talked About: The major disruptions in the publishing industry and how Michele pivoted her business The biggest mistakes self-published authors make and how to avoid them The difference between self-publishing and working with a "publishing service" How to ensure your book looks as professional as traditionally published bestsellers The step-by-step process of getting a book from manuscript to finished product The importance of book cover design and why it's more than just aesthetics Why Amazon's print-on-demand model has changed the game for indie authors The truth about book marketing and what authors need to know RESOURCES MENTIONED: Michele DeFilippo’s website: 1106design.com Free resource: Publish Like the Pros (available on her website) or go to https://1106design.substack.com/  Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up to my newsletter - https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.