Building a Profitable eCommerce Business with Ben Leonard, Co-founder of Ecom Brokers

In this episode of The eCommerce Profitability Show, host Dan Little is joined by Ben Leonard, Co-founder of Ecom Brokers.

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Join them as they:

Talk about why the Brand-First Approach is essential for an e-commerce brand
Explain why it's crucial to employ the right people
Discuss the relationship between marketing, branding, and business
Examine the usefulness of time management in business growth
Elaborate on why it's essential to build relationships with customers and other brands

Ben Leonard is the Co-founder of Ecom Brokers, the eCommerce brokerage by eCommerce people. He is also the Head of Amazon at Bluegem Capital Partners. Ben was previously the owner of Beast Gear and served as an Environmental Engineer and GIS Specialist for Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants.

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Episode Highlights:

04:16 - 06:50 - Brand-First Approach: Ben's brand-first philosophy underscores prioritising quality products and genuine experiences over technical intricacies. By focusing on creating a compelling brand identity, he avoids getting lost in the trivial details of SEO or PPC campaigns. This approach reflects a commitment to long-term success through brand loyalty, emphasising the lasting impact of authenticity and customer-centric values in the dynamic world of Ecommerce.

08:11 - 10:06 - Time Management and Growth: Ben prioritises time management for business growth. He segments tasks into protection, creation, relationships, and growth buckets. By dedicating substantial time to design and change, he ensures the continuous evolution of the business. This strategy allows him to focus on innovation, development, and brand expansion, emphasising the crucial balance between day-to-day operations and strategic, forward-looking initiatives for sustainable growth.

21:36 - 24:00 - Successful Brands Recruitment Strategies: Recruiting the right individuals and agencies is vital for business growth. Ben highlighted the strategic importance of outsourcing tasks to the Philippines, emphasising the country's skilled workforce. His structured recruitment process ensured the selection of competent professionals. Outsourcing and careful recruitment allowed him to scale operations efficiently, demonstrating the significance of thoughtful hiring in building a successful Ecommerce venture.

27:19 - 30:44 - Distinguishing between Marketing, Branding, and Business: Ben distinguishes marketing, branding, and business as integral yet separate entities. Marketing is telling the brand's story, branding is about how people feel about it, and the company itself addresses specific audience problems. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative, building brand sentiment, and delivering products or services that genuinely resonate with the audience—a strategic trifecta for sustainable success in the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship.

31:50 - 33:27 - Relationship Building: Ben emphasises that it's essential to cultivate a robust relationship with one's customers for sustained success. A brand's strength is in building trust and fostering a sense of connection. This can be achieved by consistently delivering quality, maintaining a cohesive brand identity, and engaging with customers. Create an environment where customers become advocates, defending your brand passionately. A brand that connects with customers on a personal level builds trust, attracts more customers and keeps them coming back, setting the stage for long-term success and growth.