The Deal Closers Podcast

What does it look like to build a seven-figure business by accident and then use those lessons to build a $40 million company on purpose? Meet Dan Demsky, CEO of Unbound Merino. After building a successful service agency that left him feeling like a prisoner, Dan started over with a new vision - to create a profitable, scalable business that truly supported his freedom and lifestyle. In this episode, you’ll hear how he used a smart crowdfunding strategy, obsessed over product quality, and built a successful company with his best friends - all while working from wherever he wanted. In this episode: Timestamps 00:01:42 – From a childhood snow-shoveling hustle to a seven-figure agency 00:06:05 – The shift from a service business to a product-based brand 00:08:15 – The "Aha!" moment that led to Unbound Merino 00:14:40 – A breakdown of the wildly successful crowdfunding strategy 00:21:00 – The biggest challenges and lessons from early fulfillment 00:24:20 – Why Dan believes working with your best friends is an amazing way to live 00:34:50 – The surprising strategy behind building a lean, efficient company 00:38:00 – The philosophy of a "lifestyle business" and its benefits 00:43:00 – Why obsessing over product quality is the best marketing This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it look like to prepare a company for sale when you've just bought it? And what do buyers really care about when they’re looking to acquire? That’s what Michael Haase and his brother, through their firm Think Global, do. And after preparing countless businesses for acquisition, they had the opportunity to put their own advice into practice when they bought - and then recently sold (with Website Closers' help) - the tech staffing company Quantix. In this episode, you’ll learn: Timestamps 00:01:40 – From Air Force tech to seasoned entrepreneur 00:03:52 – Starting his first company and taking the leap 00:06:58 – The decision to buy a business with his brother 00:08:00 – Helping other founders prepare for an acquisition 00:18:00 – Why Michael decided to use a broker 00:19:30 – How a broken deal almost ended the sale 00:22:20 – Why Michael’s team was his first priority during the sale 00:32:15 – What made QuantX so attractive to buyers 00:34:00 – How Michael and his brother celebrated the sale 00:35:20 – How to connect with Michael and Eric This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a childhood business selling painted buckeyes to a multi-million dollar loungewear brand, Kelly Degnan has always been a creative entrepreneur. She built Skivys Femme from a simple idea during the pandemic into a seven-figure success story, only to face a domain hack and an inventory crisis that threatened to derail it all. In this episode, Kelly shares her rollercoaster journey, from bootstrapping her first business to making the tough decision to sell—even when her books weren't at their peak. You’ll learn: Timestamps: 00:01:00 – From a childhood side hustle to launching Skivys Femme 00:05:41 – Bootstrapping and finding the perfect overseas manufacturer 00:10:00 – How ad agencies and then a single expert helped drive massive growth 00:15:20 – The "Oh crap" moment: a domain hack and inventory crisis 00:20:41 – Why Kelly started exploring an exit 00:23:05 – Eric Pittman's initial advice on selling and when the timing is right 00:27:00 – The benefits of selling to a strategic buyer 00:28:03 – Staying on and focusing on the roles you love 00:29:19 – Kelly's advice for other business owners thinking about an exit 00:32:41 – Introducing her new brand, Vital Youth Blends (Vibe) 00:37:34 – How Kelly celebrated the sale with her son For 30% off from Kelly's new product, go to https://www.vitalyouthblends.com/ and use promo code VIBE30. This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're thinking about investing beyond the stock market, where do you even begin? What does it truly take to identify promising companies and founders? In this episode of Deal Closers, host Jason Gillikin welcomes Mahati Sridhar, Partner at Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund. With extensive experience in the venture capital ecosystem, Mahati shares invaluable insights for both aspiring angel investors and those looking to acquire an entire business. She reveals the critical factors VCs consider, common investor mistakes, and how to navigate the complexities of M&A from the buyer's perspective. You’ll learn: Timestamps: Connect with Mahati Sridhar and Revolution's Rise of the Rest: revolution.comMahati Sridhar Deal Closers is brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com and produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many Ecommerce brands believe their customer journey is optimized, but are they leaving significant revenue and trust on the table without even knowing it? From a clunky checkout to hidden technical debt, seemingly small issues can quietly erode profits and customer loyalty. In this episode of Deal Closers, we chat with Sarah Gallagher, CEO and Head of Strategy at Gamma Waves. Sarah has helped major brands like Nike and Airbnb, as well as fast-growing startups, build smarter Ecommerce foundations. She dives into how to create strategic checkout experiences, identify and eliminate hidden tech debt, and build scalable Ecommerce systems that drive growth. You’ll learn: Timestamps: Connect with Sarah Gallagher: gammawaves.ioSarah Gallagher Deal Closers is brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com and produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world of AI is moving fast, and for Ecommerce founders, it’s easy to get lost in the hype or paralyzed by the possibilities. How do you cut through the noise and leverage AI to drive actual results for your business? In this episode of Deal Closers, we sit down with Ashley Gross, a leading AI consultant who has been helping companies implement practical AI solutions long before it was a mainstream topic. Ashley shares her playbook for Ecommerce founders and executives looking to move beyond "shiny object syndrome" and truly integrate AI into their strategy - from optimizing ad spend to revolutionizing search. You’ll learn: Timestamps: Connect with Ashley Gross: theashleygross.comAshley Gross Deal Closers is brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com and produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it look like to build a business over two decades—with no outside investment, no years in the red, and no shortcuts? That's what Daniel Bower did, and today he shares his 23-year journey of growing a web development side hustle into a thriving digital marketing agency—and ultimately, selling it on his own terms. You’ll learn: really Timestamps: 00:01:4200:05:4100:13:3000:18:2200:24:4500:36:4800:45:1600:54:2601:00:02 This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Selling a business is a monumental decision. There's excitement, self-reflection, and yes, uncertainty. For Adam O’Leary, founder of encite branding + marketing + creative, the journey to a successful exit was sparked by a realization - it was time for change. After nearly two decades of growing his full-service marketing agency from a one-man operation to a thriving business, Adam partnered with Website Closers to navigate the selling process. Despite initial doubts about his company’s value, Adam discovered a wealth of interest—over 100 inquiries poured in, and multiple serious discussions followed. The end result? A sale that exceeded expectations and opened new doors for his future. In this episode, Adam reflects on his journey, from the entrepreneurial leap that started it all to the challenges that inspired his decision to sell. He shares how Website Closers supported him every step of the way, offering candid advice, patient guidance, and an expertly managed process. For Adam, the experience validated years of hard work and provided a meaningful exit. Tune in to hear Adam’s candid story about: This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building a business is an incredible journey, but what happens when your passion for that business starts to fade? For Ellis Achim, founder of Paddie Nails, success in the D2C e-commerce space wasn’t enough—he wanted to build something he truly loved working on every day. After years of growing Paddie Nails into a thriving, profitable brand, Ellis realized that while the business was doing well, he wasn’t personally connected to the niche. So he decided to sell, but it wasn't a simple process. After a disappointing experience with another firm, he found Website Closers and worked with broker Paul Volen, who streamlined the process and connected him with over 100 serious buyers, ultimately leading to a successful sale. In this episode, Ellis shares: This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between shifting trade policies, escalating tariffs, and unpredictable port delays, the political landscape is creating chaos for e-commerce businesses shipping internationally. What you could ship profitably yesterday might leave you stuck with massive unexpected fees today. In this episode of Deal Closers, we welcome Jason Brown, founder and CEO of Deliveri, a soon-to-launch platform aiming to give small and mid-sized e-commerce brands an edge. Jason shares how Deliveri helps founders navigate the volatile shipping environment — from skyrocketing costs to confusing customs processes — and why having a smarter logistics strategy isn’t just about saving money, it's about surviving. You’ll learn: Timestamps: 00:02:4500:05:0000:13:0200:16:0300:20:1300:24:3400:30:54 Resources & Links: ondeliveri.comWebsiteClosers.com This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Jason Gillikin, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pitching to investors isn’t just about having the next billion-dollar idea. It’s about energy, authenticity, preparation—and knowing your numbers. Today's episode of Deal Closers comes to you from recorded live at CED’s Venture Connect, where host Jason Gillikin sits down with two seasoned investors: Zakiya Alta Lee-HillNikin Shah Together, they share exactly what makes founders stand out in a pitch meeting—and what makes investors quickly say no. If you’re gearing up to raise capital or sell your company, this is essential listening. You’ll learn: don’t Timestamps: 00:00:0300:01:1500:04:0000:07:51every00:11:0000:13:5600:17:0900:22:31 Connect with the Guests: Nikin ShahFront Porch VenturesZakiya Alta Lee-HillIdea Fund Partners Deal Closers is brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com and produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Selling a business is more than a financial transaction—it’s a major life shift, filled with tough decisions, unexpected opportunities, and a lot of reflection. After 20+ years in the connectivity and physical cybersecurity space, Jeff Clark recognized that the industry was evolving faster than he could keep up. His company had pioneered a niche market with physical security locks that prevent insider data breaches, but he knew that in order to scale, it needed new leadership with deep expertise in today’s digital marketing and cybersecurity landscape. Here's his story. In this episode, Jeff shares: This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a startup founder, you need to wear all the hats. But according to Celi Arias, "You don't actually know how to wear all the hats. You don't know if you are a natural operator. You don't know what a good CMO would do. You don't know what a good marketer would do. You probably suck at sales." So what can you do? Celi is the CEO and founder of The Grown Ass Business, and she joins us to share her entrepreneurial journey, which spans from being an 11-year-old babysitting business founder to becoming a global fashion entrepreneur and renowned business coach. Her methodology emphasizes strong foundations, sustainable growth, and avoiding burnout by focusing on six key growth systems. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by wearing all the hats in your business or wondered why your efforts aren’t yielding results, here's how to build a business that works smarter, not harder. With Celi, we discuss: 00:00:04 – From homelessness to seven figures: Celi's journey 00:02:42 – Building a babysitting business at 11 years old 00:07:20 – Why failure is feedback, not the end 00:15:06 – Breaking down the six key growth systems 00:18:37 – The importance of understanding product-market fit 00:22:35 – Customer surveys and discovering what people will pay for 00:24:40 – Celi's ideal clients and sustainable growth 00:25:04 – Final takeaway: It’s easier than you think This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Selling a business can be a thrilling yet complex journey, and for Michael Zung, founder of Bloomist, it was a path filled with determination, challenges, and a commitment to sustainability. When Michael connected with WebsiteClosers' Jeff Hanson, buyers immediately had interest. Jeff sent out over 100 NDAs and had about a dozen serious discussions. Ultimately, they found the right buyer and Michael navigated his way to a successful exit, leaving behind a thriving brand and opening new doors for his entrepreneurial ambitions. Here's their story. ---- Previous How I Built and Sold This Episodes How Cristina Van Osten Revolutionized and Exited the Pigments Industry How a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her Business Breakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di Maio From Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company’s Austin Wright and David Shoham Laser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his Company Netpicks’ 7-figure exit in the day trading industry An ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements market Cryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds’ Successful Exit How this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figures A high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts’ Gregg Alper How RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real Ingredients How Adam Spiegel Built and Sold Ownloop This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to TJ Hudak, "It is an emotional roller coaster when you're selling a business." Recently, he worked with WebsiteClosers.com to sell his company, Paper Box SEO. Selling can be a tumultuous experience, filled with ups and downs that need to be managed skillfully. Emotions run high, but with the right approach, the process can be navigated successfully. So how did TJ and the WebsiteClosers team do it? And what advice can they give to those looking to eventually sell? Let's find out! Previous How I Built and Sold This Episodes How Cristina Van Osten Revolutionized and Exited the Pigments Industry How a Dog Training Guru Built and Sold Her Business Breakthrough in Hair Care, Overcoming Tragedy, and a Successful Exit, with Beth Di Maio From Kickstarter to Successful Exit, with California Beach Company’s Austin Wright and David Shoham Laser Precision: How Strikeman CEO Scott Hutchison Built and Sold his Company Netpicks’ 7-figure exit in the day trading industry An ecommerce exit in the $150B+ supplements market Cryptocurrency and Ecommerce: Brothers Bryan and Colin Aulds’ Successful Exit How this 22-year-old built his eCommerce brand and exited for 7 figures A high performance exit with GWA Auto Parts’ Gregg Alper How RARI Exited the Supplement Space by Rising Above with Real Ingredients How Adam Spiegel Built and Sold Ownloop This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The way we handle payments is crucial to the success of any E-commerce businesses. The payment solutions market is pretty fragmented, and sometimes we hear about potentially groundbreaking innovations like instant direct payments. But you've got a million things on your mind, so the 3% cost of processing isn't all that concerning. Except if you do $2M in sales, that's $60,000 to your payment processor. And what about the cost of any fraud you encounter? Typically, that's on you. So it's a serious topic, and to shed light on payments for E-commerce, we're joined by Marshall Greenwald, the founder of Ionia. With Marshall, we discuss: (00:00:42) Instant Funding and Fraud Protection: ionipay Revolutionizing Payment Processing (00:03:18) Streamlining Payment Processing for Merchants (00:08:36) AI Revolutionizing Payment Processing Efficiency and Security (00:13:06) Compatibility and Cost Analysis of Payment Upgrades This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The B2B E-commerce landscape is evolving rapidly with new trends and technology shaping how businesses interact and transact with one another. From advanced digital tools to shifting buyer expectations, staying ahead of B2B E-commerce requires understanding these changes and adapting effectively. Let's shed some light on the latest trends and strategies. With Jason Greenwood, we discuss: (00:04) - B2B E-commerce Consolidation (05:16) - Expanding into B2B for D2C Brands (10:43) - Digital Transformation in B2B (11:09) - Digital Tools in B2B E-commerce (21:41) - Consulting for B2B Technology Implementation This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Nate Lind, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most annoying parts of running an Ecommerce business is paying taxes. It's not so much that you have to pay the taxes (ok, that's not very fun). But oftentimes the bigger problem is making sure you're doing it the right way. And you're doing it on time. And you're paying enough taxes. But... This is a complex topic, and unfortunately we see taxes hold up a lot of transactions when we get ready to sell companies. Fortunately, we've brought on someone to the show today who can help with these questions - Lahari Neelapareddy, Founder and CEO of TaxHero. This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Bieker has successfully grown several businesses, such as Spiral Bible and Lume Cube, by emphasizing profitability, lean operations, and effective return on investment. Today, Alex shares actionable strategies for building scalable, sellable, and profitable e-commerce businesses, highlighting the importance of understanding financial metrics, maintaining a strategic approach to marketing, and continuously learning and adapting to the evolving digital marketplace. --- This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking about the power of targeted messaging and offers, and the secret to driving successful digital marketing and lead conversion. Davey Jones understands buyer personas, and why it's critical to address the question, "Can you really do that for someone like me?"—a query that reassures customers about the product's relevance to their needs. By effectively leveraging tools such as discount campaigns, in-cart bump offers, and A/B testing, Davey believes businesses can fine-tune their messaging to resonate deeply with their target audience and drive sales. And that's exactly what we all want - more sales and more profitability. So let's find out how! (00:03:46) E-commerce Lead Generation with Targeted Popups (00:06:41) Strategic Checkout Discounts for Increased Sales (00:09:19) Conversion-Boosting Exit Intent Strategies (00:17:10) Personalized Lead Generation with Interactive Quizzes (00:24:18) Leveraging Email Lists for Business Success (00:26:51) Boosting Cart Value with Bump Offers (00:36:53) Boost Conversion Rates with Badao's Pop-Up Tools --- Davey Jones is the CEO of BDOW and the co-host of the Brands that Book Podcast. This episode of Deal Closers is hosted by Izach Porter, brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com, and is produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.