284: Mastering the Art of Paid Media: Spending Over $85M on Facebook, With Structured Social Co-Founder Nick Shackelford

In this episode, Dan Martell shares his journey from troubled youth to building and exiting multiple SaaS businesses. Dan reveals the strategies behind his Buy Back Your Time framework, showing entrepreneurs how to scale efficiently without burning out. He also discusses his early business failures, the lessons he learned from selling companies, and why understanding leverage is the key to sustainable success. This conversation is packed with insights on hiring, leadership, and building a high-growth SaaS company while maintaining balance. Listen to Nathan and Dan discuss: - Dan’s journey from rock bottom to building successful SaaS businesses - The Buy Back Your Time framework and how to scale without burnout - The 1-3-1 method for decision-making and empowering teams - The four types of leverage every entrepreneur needs to scale - Bootstrapping vs. raising capital: when and why to take funding - How SaaS founders can optimize pricing, retention, and customer success - And much more business advice… Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders. If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

21 Maalis 41min

In this episode, Matthew Orlic shares how he built Qure Skincare into a $50M+ brand in just three years. After losing $5M when Dick Smith collapsed overnight, Matthew had to reinvent himself, shifting from wholesale to digital marketing and mastering a multichannel e-commerce approach. He dives into how he applied four key leverage points—product, audience, margin, and operating costs—to scale sustainably without relying on Meta ads. This conversation is filled with invaluable insights for entrepreneurs on mindset, resilience, and building a profitable brand in today’s competitive market. Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders. If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

14 Maalis 53min

In this episode, Rachael Wilde, founder of TBH Skincare, shares how she went from a marketing career in the medical devices industry to creating a leading skincare brand. She talks about discovering patented acne-fighting technology, securing licensing rights, and launching TBH Skincare with her mother as a co-founder. Rachael dives deep into how she leveraged influencer marketing, TikTok virality, and retail partnerships with Priceline to scale the business. Entrepreneurs will learn about bootstrapping, brand storytelling, and the power of community in building a product-based business. Listen to Nathan and Rachael discuss: - Rachael’s transition from corporate marketing to co-founding a skincare company - How she secured the licensing rights to a groundbreaking acne technology - The viral TikTok moment that turned TBH Skincare profitable overnight - Her approach to handling funding, from friends and family investments to equity crowdfunding - The process of merging TBH Skincare into York Street Brands and what’s next for the business - And much more business advice… Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders. If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

7 Maalis 1h 8min

In this episode, Nick Sharma, founder of Sharma Brands, shares his incredible journey from managing celebrity social media accounts as a teenager to becoming one of the most sought-after names in direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing. Nick dives into the strategies that helped him scale brands like Hint Water and Feastables, including the importance of building trust, leveraging content for conversions, and mastering customer retention. Entrepreneurs will gain actionable insights into creating standout DTC brands, understanding the power of creative content, and executing innovative marketing campaigns. Listen to Nathan and Nick discuss: - How Nick turned his passion for social media into a thriving career in DTC marketing - Scaling Hint Water’s online presence from 80 to 5,000 new customers a day - The secrets behind Feastables’ record-breaking launch on Shopify - Practical tips for building trust and creating organic content that drives sales - Nick’s “Grandma Test” and “Drunk Funnel Test” for ensuring seamless user experiences - And much more DTC business advice… Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders. If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

28 Helmi 54min

In this episode, Iris Smit, founder of The Quick Flick, shares her inspiring journey of creating a multi-million dollar beauty empire from her dorm room. Iris opens up about her struggles with self-doubt, turning down a Shark Tank deal, and hitting rock bottom before rebuilding her business from the ground up. Learn how Iris leveraged influencer marketing, radical transparency, and community engagement to grow her brand organically. This episode is packed with actionable insights on resilience, innovation, and building a standout brand in a competitive market.. Listen to Nathan and Iris discuss: - How Iris bootstrapped The Quick Flick with $10,000 - Leveraging influencer marketing to create viral moments - Turning down a Shark Tank deal and navigating the aftermath - The role of authenticity and storytelling in brand building - Scaling a beauty brand while maintaining a lean team - Expanding into new product categories and markets - And much more business advice… Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders. If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

21 Helmi 52min

✅ Want all-access to step-by-step training from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders? Start your Foundr+ $1 trial today → http://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial ✅ Prefer 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application → Already selling and want to scale? https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application What You’ll Learn in This Episode In this episode, Aimee Smale, founder of Odd Muse, shares how she went from designing £10 logos to building a £24M self-funded fashion brand. She reveals: ✅ How she launched Odd Muse with just £12,000 and no investors ✅ The pre-order strategy she used to scale profitably ✅ How she handled copycats like PrettyLittleThing ✅ The power of organic influencer marketing ✅ Her approach to community-driven brand building If you’re an entrepreneur looking to build a high-growth eCommerce brand, this interview is packed with insights on organic marketing, brand positioning, and scaling without outside funding. 📩 How We Can Help You Scale Your Business Faster 🔥 Want to learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+? Start your $1 trial today → http://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial 💡 Prefer a custom roadmap and 1-on-1 coaching? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application → Already have a store? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application 🔗 Connect With Nathan Chan 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan 💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/ 🔗 Connect With Aimee Smale & Odd Muse 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aimeesmalex 💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-smale-330565134/ 🎯 Follow Foundr for More Business Growth Strategies 📺 YouTube → http://bit.ly/2uyvzdt 🌍 Website → http://www.foundr.com 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/foundr/ 📘 Facebook → http://www.facebook.com/foundr 🐦 Twitter → http://www.twitter.com/foundr 💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/ 🎙️ Podcast → http://www.foundr.com/podcast

14 Helmi 1h 4min

In this episode, Mike Smith, founder of Zero Co, shares how a backpacking trip around the world turned into a mission to solve the plastic waste crisis. Mike walks us through the early days of bootstrapping the business with his last $100K, moving back in with his parents, and how he raised over $750K through Australia's most successful Kickstarter campaign. He dives deep into the challenges of supply chain innovation, the power of radical transparency, and the tough decision to completely overhaul Zero Co’s business model after discovering flaws in its sustainability approach. Entrepreneurs will learn firsthand how to balance purpose with profitability, navigate manufacturing setbacks, and use community-driven marketing to build a loyal customer base. Listen to Nathan and Mike discuss: - The journey from an 18-month backpacking trip to launching Zero Co - Bootstrapping with $100K and leveraging crowdfunding to raise $750K - The importance of radical transparency in customer communication - Scaling a product-based business while staying sustainable - The challenges of manufacturing sustainable packaging and evolving the business model - How Zero Co is expanding internationally and into retail - And much more business and personal growth advice… Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders. If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

7 Helmi 1h 6min

In this episode, Cassey Ho, founder of POPFLEX and Blogilates, shares her journey from rock bottom to building two eight-figure brands. Discover how Cassey combined her passion for fitness and design to create unique products that solve real problems. She opens up about overcoming toxic environments, handling copycats, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining authenticity. Listen to how Taylor Swift’s unexpected endorsement of her signature skort skyrocketed demand and why community trust remains her greatest asset. Entrepreneurs will gain actionable insights on building brands, creating viral content, and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Listen to Nathan and Cassey discuss: - How Cassey started Blogilates with a single YouTube video in 2009 and turned it into a fitness empire - The pivotal moment when Taylor Swift wore a POPFLEX skort, leading to 20,000 preorders - Cassey’s transparency about reaching rock bottom and how her husband’s encouragement led to a business turnaround - The importance of maintaining trust and authenticity with a loyal community - Practical advice on creating short-form viral videos that drive sales And much more business advice… Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders. If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

31 Tammi 57min