Why This D2C Founder Walked Away from His Thriving Business
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:Why passion matters in long-term business success—and when to move on.The challenges of finding the right business broker (and what to avoid).How Website Closers' buyer network generated 106 NDA signings and 7 serious buyer calls.What it feels like to receive your first big business exit wire.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.
--------
28:06
Tariffs and Shipping in eCommerce, with Deliveri's Jason Brown
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:How the ever-changing tariff environment is reshaping global e-commerceWhat "demurrage costs" are and how they can quietly destroy your marginsWhy most e-commerce founders are dangerously underestimating shipping’s impact on conversionsHow Deliveri is leveling the playing field with enterprise-level shipping rates for small brandsWhat DDP vs DAP means — and why it could make or break your international salesTimestamps:00:02:45 – How rising tariffs and political uncertainty are disrupting e-commerce00:05:00 – What “demurrage costs” are — and why founders should be worried00:13:02 – Could Mexico become the next major shipping hub?00:16:03 – How Deliveri offers big shipping discounts to small businesses00:20:13 – Jason Brown’s unexpected path from photonics engineer to e-commerce innovator00:24:34 – Why logistics is the hidden killer of e-commerce conversions00:30:54 – DDP vs DAP: The key to winning (or losing) international salesResources & Links:Learn more about Deliveri: ondeliveri.comExplore how to sell your e-commerce business: WebsiteClosers.comThis 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.
--------
33:28
10 Tips to Win Over Investors, with Nikin Shah and Zakiya Alta Lee-Hill
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-Hill, Principal at Idea Fund PartnersNikin Shah, General Partner at Front Porch VenturesTogether, 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:Why VC money is like rocket fuel—and how it can blow up your business if you’re not readyHow much energy is too much energy in a pitchWhy authenticity and self-awareness beat hype every timeWhat to say when you don’t know the answerHow to prep for questions about your numbers, your tech, and your teamThe importance of targeting the right investors—and how to make it easy for them to help youTimestamps:00:00:03 – What VC dollars really mean for your company00:01:15 – First impressions and the importance of energy00:04:00 – Why excitement looks different for every founder00:07:51 – Know enough about every part of your business00:11:00 – Investors expect you to know your numbers00:13:56 – Is your market size actually realistic?00:17:09 – What problem are you solving, and why you?00:22:31 – Walk in saying, “I’m the company you’re looking for”Connect with the Guests:Nikin Shah – Front Porch VenturesZakiya Alta Lee-Hill, Idea Fund PartnersDeal Closers is brought to you by WebsiteClosers.com and produced by Walk West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
28:50
Selling Your Business So It Can Scale: 20-Year CEO's Exit Story
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:How an accidental discovery in physical cybersecurity reshaped his business.The moment he realized it was time to sell and why he sought out Website Closers.How his broker, Justin Harris, helped him navigate over 130 buyer inquiries and multiple offers.Why selling his business provided security for his family and peace of mind for the future.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.
--------
25:46
Why You Need Startup and Scale Coaching, with Celi Arias
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 journey00:02:42 – Building a babysitting business at 11 years old00:07:20 – Why failure is feedback, not the end00:15:06 – Breaking down the six key growth systems00:18:37 – The importance of understanding product-market fit00:22:35 – Customer surveys and discovering what people will pay for00:24:40 – Celi's ideal clients and sustainable growth00:25:04 – Final takeaway: It’s easier than you thinkThis 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.
Welcome to The Deal Closers Podcast - a show about how to build your ecommerce business to be profitable, scalable, and one day, even sellable.Hosted by Nate Lind from WebsiteClosers.com, and produced by Earfluence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Canada - english