Busproof Podcast

Today I have my good friend Andy Slamans with me who is a not only a  fantastic public speaker; he's a successful Amazon private label specialist. Before his success as an entrepreneur, though, Andy was a parent with a college degree in social work, and he talks about how this experience helped his comfort level when he deals with his social media presence. So, on today's episode, we will hear valuable insights and solid advice about private label selling, viral videos, and social media and its culture.   Today's Episode Talks About: He talks about how people's engagement levels changed since the advent of social media. We talk about how his idea to do a video on a flight had both negative and positive results on social media, and we discuss various ways people monetize their Internet Andy shares a bit about how his personal experiences helped him become comfortable with social media. We talk about what Andy's thoughts on transparency in life and business. We talk about how he went from selling boo

Today I have my good friend Andy Slamans with me who is a not only a  fantastic public speaker; he's a successful Amazon private label specialist. Before his success as an entrepreneur, though, Andy was a parent with a college degree in social work, and he talks about how this experience helped his comfort level when he deals with his social media presence. So, on today's episode, we will hear valuable insights and solid advice about private label selling, viral videos, and social media and its culture.   Today's Episode Talks About: He talks about how people's engagement levels changed since the advent of social media. We talk about how his idea to do a video on a flight had both negative and positive results on social media, and we discuss various ways people monetize their Internet Andy shares a bit about how his personal experiences helped him become comfortable with social media. We talk about what Andy's thoughts on transparency in life and business. We talk about how he went from selling boo

Today I share my insights about the pros and cons of running a business without a plan, and touch on some of the things that hold entrepreneurs back from running their enterprise properly. I'll also impart inspiration and advice on how your e-commerce or brick and mortar business can get back on track so you can make your efforts count. So on today's episode, I'll tell you what I wrote on my white board that will help you get a handle on the ins and outs of running your business.   Today's Episode Talks About: Working on is better than in and I'll explain why there is a distinct difference in working in your own business and working on your business. Relationships can make a huge difference in your business. Don't let opportunities get away.  Stop being a perfectionist in your business– give up some of the control. Take one step at a time – doing too much at once accomplishes less than you think it will. Keep your focus because when you're distracted you lose out. Optimize your time and your schedu

On today's show, I have the distinct pleasure of talking with a good friend of mine, Karin Isgur Bergsagel. Karin was around in the early days of Amazon, and it is fascinating to hear her speak about the industry and e-commerce, how she made connections, and how she evolved as a seller.  She is passionate about helping her community and helping entrepreneurs become successful in their businesses.   In today's episode, Karin talks about her personal and business experiences and imparts her invaluable wisdom to us.   Today's Episode Talks About:   We talk about the importance of forging relationships in the community. She talks about how she found her tribe. Karin recounts how the $100,000 Challenge came about. She discusses the benefits of having relationships inspires sellers. We talk about how merit and drive are the keys to success. Karin shares her motto with us. We discuss antiquarian books and how their looks don't always reveal their value. Karin explains book printings and how to t

I'm happy to introduce my guest, a mentor to many e-commerce sellers including myself, who is also my very good friend Karin Isgur Bergsagel. Karin has been a bookselling entrepreneur since the early days of Amazon, and she brings with her a wealth of valuable insights about retail and online arbitrage.  So in today's episode Karin talks about how she started in the industry, her connection with her local library, and she shares a bit about her personal life.   Today's Episode Talks About: How Karin entered the world of book reselling. Karin reveals how you can fund your passion for books at a lower cost.  We talk about how technology changed the way sellers do business.   Karin talks about the benefits she brings to her local library. We share our experiences in dealing with other booksellers or dealers.   Karin talks about how she switched her style of bookselling.   We reminisce about the changes in bookselling procedures and processes.   Mentioned in This Episode: Gr

I'm with a good friend of mine today, Steve Raiken, who is an author and an e-commerce success story who started from humble beginnings. Steve wasn't satisfied with working menial jobs and wanted something more from life, so he explored the exciting world of electronic commerce.    Steve found a passion in online selling, learned everything he could about the business and various platforms, and became an avid reseller.  Today he shares his amazing story with you, gives you encouraging words of advice to help you find your passion for selling on the world-wide web, and helps you find out how to add value to people's lives so you can diversify your means of making money.   "Relationships are the key to life and success." Steve Raiken     Today's Episode Talks About:   Steve shares about his life before e-commerce. He details how he got interested in making money as a seller. Steve talks about his first adventures in online selling. He talks about his success as a YouTube vlog

I'm here today with my good Chris Green from ScanPower who is an internet marketer, designer, and all around entrepreneur. We met many years ago when Chris was just a guru vendor and I thought he was a rookie in the book business. I still remember I didn't take him to my favorite pizza place, Marion's pizza in Ohio because I didn't gel with him right away.   Chris has come a long way since I met him and he is now an expert in the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) selling program and he has helped many people understand its process.  He wrote Arbitrage: The authoritative guide on how it works, why it works, and how it can work for you which is still considered the bible for Amazon sellers. He inspired many people to become entrepreneurs and helped make Amazon into a community. ScanPower would never have been given life without help and Chris gives credit to his business partner Paul with helping to make this all-in-one solution a great success. Today Chris also shares some insights and valuable tips about

Missy Nickels, the heart and soul of the Dollar Bookswap, joins me on the show today. Missy not only runs the shop, she is my favorite aunt and I'm proud to say she is instrumental in making our customers feel at home when they walk through our door on Thursdays.  She loves what she does and I give her so much credit for developing such strong relationships with all of our patrons - especially teachers and teacher's groups. I'm excited to have her share her insights with you about her experience of running the Dollar Bookswap. We are a work in progress – Missy Nickels   Today's Episode Talks About: Missy lets us in on her background in the educational system. She talks about how the Dollar Bookswap's volunteer program helps schools. Missy speaks about how Dollar Bookswap has grown since its inception. Missy reveals her marketing strategy. We discuss what Missy is wearing as a costume for Halloween. We talk about some of the fun marketing events coming to The Dollar Bookswap.   Mentioned in Th

On today's episode, my good friend Travis Renn talks with me about his latest venture. Travis, creator of Food Revolt, a blog about food trucks, is also the non-technical founder of a new third party listing app called AccelerList. It's an alternative to sellers using Amazon's merchandizing interface. The road to AccelerList began with a scan gun and a dream of creating an app that would make his life as an Amazon seller easier. Since Travis isn't a developer he needed to find a rock star coder to bring this concept to life so he and other sellers could benefit from this time saving application. He found Jeff and together they are AccelerList. He's always had an entrepreneurial bug but he also loved software so with the addition of his listing software he has the best of both worlds. On today's show he talks about his journey and how he helps his fellow entrepreneurs save valuable time with AccelerList.   "You have to balance work and life or you won't be in it for the long haul." Travis Renn Today's Epi

Our guest today is Anitra Jump. Anitra and her business partner/husband Nick are the founders of a thriving e-commerce company called Book Frog.  They have been good friends of our family for years and the first people we met in the book business. They are an integral reason why Bus Proof Live is the success that it is.   Nick is the mastermind behind the business but Anitra learned her book chops at a textbook publisher called Thompson Learning, now known as Cengage. She worked in the warehouse packing books and then moved up to customer service and then to sales, skills which have proved useful in regards to running Book Frog. They have built up a good client base and referral service to make their venture satisfying.   Book Frog has been in existence for over ten years and both Anitra and Nick share responsibilities to make the business run smoothly. They have cultivated relationships with professors, students, and book stores so they can buy books that are surplus or not wanted. They then t

Robyn Johnson from Best From The Nest joins me on the show today. Robyn is a phenomenal speaker, coach, and Amazon seller who her business at an impressive rate. She is someone I turn to frequently for advice and really shows the people that she works with that she truly cares about their results. This week, I share the stage with her at Bus Proof live where she will share many valuable tips and insight on how small businesses can market and grow their businesses on a small budget. On today's episode, she gives you a sneak peek into what her keynote will cover, as well as her story on how she got started as an Amazon seller, why mastermind groups are so important for small business owners, and how a little friendly competition can help your business grow and prosper.   "Making sure your business is registered on Google Business and is mobile responsive is crucial." – Robyn Johnson   Today's Episode Talks About: Who is Robyn Johnson and how she got started on Amazon? The value of mastermind groups.

Angus McConnel, Supreme Overlord of Production at MurfBooks, joins me once again on today's episode of the Bus Proof Business Podcast to greet you all with his insane sense of humor and to give us an update on the status of his own bus proof business – Piano Pro Studio. Angus has been hard at work preparing for the launch of his new business and I'm excited to have him on the show to share it with you!    Today's Episode Talks About:  Angus explains why he cut back the number of hours he works at MurfBooks and what he's doing now with this "free time."  He updates us on where his business is at now, what he has been doing to prepare for the launch of his new business, and shares an exciting announcement!  He shares his perspective on why he believes children get "stalled out" when learning to play the piano.  We share what next steps Angus is going to take for his Piano Pro Studio business.  Angus' advice – "For anyone wanting to create a landing page or video for th

This week, I had a very interesting conversation with a fellow bookseller at the CES Convention in Nashville, TN. Nathan Bindschatel is a long-time solopreneur. Since 2006, he has been selling books on Amazon out of the basement of his home that he transformed into his home office. Nathan reminds me of – well, me – when I was just getting started as an Amazon book reseller. As I was chatting with Nathan at the CES Convention, he began to open up his story to me, and explained that he runs his business entirely by himself, and how he has been feeling alone. Let's face it, when you're running a business entirely on your own… it can be pretty lonely. As he described this feeling, I could completely relate to his story. His story is almost identical to how I started my business and how I felt while working alone. And today, he agreed to chat with our wonderful listeners about his journey, what brought him to the CES event, and how the event has helped him and his wife feel less alone in the world of ecommerce. &n

Stacie and David Today I want to introduce you to my good friends and members of the Bus Proof Community, Staci Risher and David Lamb. We first met Stacie and David after Staci contacted us – or, stalked, as she likes to call it – through Facebook. They are both ecommerce sellers on Amazon and were not only in attendance at the CES Convention in Nashville, but were also on the Book Panel at the event. We had the pleasure of chatting with them at the CES Convention and they agreed to let us record our conversation for our wonderful podcast listeners. Today on the show, Staci and David share their tips, strategies, and ideas on how to handle public relations and networking in your ecommerce business as well as explain how they got their start on Amazon. Staci also explains how Facebook Ads have really helped her grow her Amazon business while she was still "wet behind the ears" on the platform.   Today's Episode Talks About: How Staci and David started their reselling and ecommerce career. Why Staci got i

Angus McConnell Supreme Overlord of Production Today's episode is all about my brother-in-law, current shop manager, and former best friend Angus McConnell. (No, that's not a stage name, ladies and gentlemen!) Angus is the manager over the production department at my company, MurfBooks, and he has a desire to build a bus proof business. He has already developed the idea behind his new business by using his background in piano and forming a way to monetize his skills. Angus and I are working together to help him build his bus proof business and we are inviting you to follow along in his journey, learn what he is doing to take the steps necessary to grow a successful, and hands-off business. In addition to bus proof shop-talk, Angus also dives a little deeper into the behind-the-scenes look at MurfBooks with details about what it's like working at the shop as well as interesting stories of previous events and funny episodes that have happened over the years.   Today's Episode Talks About: Who is Angus McC

Welcome to the first episode of the Bus Proof Business Podcast! I'm your host, Greg Murphy. The Bus Proof Business Podcast was created to help you take your business to the next level by taking you out of the equation. I'm going to teach you the systems and processes that I used to create a successful bus proof business, MurfBooks, an ecommerce business selling used books on Amazon. On today's episode, you'll hear from some of my  business partner, Bryan Young, who helps create the content at Bus Proof while running his own successful business.   Today's Episode Talks About: Bryan helps create the amazing content for Bus Proof while running his own successful Amazon business Bryan is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker He explains how he got started in the ecommerce sector straight out of high school He explains what his business primarily focuses on today He explains when he realized his ecommerce business really began to take off – and how! We talk digits – how much is he really making by sellin