Ashley Wright

Social Tale - TikTok Shop Agency

Turning Attention into Community, Transforming Community into ROI - Building Your TikTok Empire. We help your favorite brands scale on TikTok shop.

Founder

MentorPass

1:1 video mentoring sessions with the world’s most in-demand startup mentors.

Mentor

Smash Cactus Media

Captivate your audience with our meticulously crafted ad creatives that seamlessly blend creativity and strategy. Elevate your brand's message with content that leave a lasting impression and drive tangible results.

MediaCom

Paid Social Associate Director

Adidas Group / / /
Digital Strategy, Planning, Execution, Analysis, Client/ Team Management, Branding and eCommerce.

Paid Social Manager

Jellyfish

Paid Social Media Specialist

Chalk Global

Clients: UGG, Universal Music, Creed, French Connection, Swarovski

Digital Account Manager

Upbeat Agency

Facebook Ads Manager

Studiospares Ltd

Ecommerce Marketing Manager

Want to scale your brand to $100k+/mo with TikTok Shop?👋

TikTok Shop Partner scaling 7-9 figure brands on TikTok Shop

Over the past two years, I've generated over $80,000,000 on TikTok for some of your favorite brands.

A few of our current and past clients include:
- Divi
- SNOW
- Stars + Honey
- Surreal
- Style Edit
- Thread Beauty
- PLIX

This success isn't just luck—it's about understanding the platform, pushing boundaries, and being unafraid to test what works.

Brands used to doubt TikTok's ROI potential, but that's never been the case. With TikTok Shop, the ROI is clearer than ever.

If you're ready to create a whole new revenue channel with TikTok, here's how I can help:

1. Follow me on LinkedIn for daily TikTok Shop insights (scroll up and hit the bell to get notified).

2. Download my FREE TikTok Shop Workbook (DM me "Workbook").

3. Want my agency to manage your TikTok Shop? (DM me "Support" and I'll share the details).

Glad you dropped by. 
To your success!

Most brands think the UK and the US behave the same on TikTok Shop.

They don’t.

And that misunderstanding is killing their growth.

UK brands are slower to adopt, slower to approve, and slower to scale.

Not because the platform is worse, but because the mindset is.

If you follow UK rules in a US-level opportunity, you lose.

Here is what actually separates the 2 markets right now:

US creators take TikTok Shop seriously,
UK creators treat it like a side quest.

US brands send 800 samples in a month,
UK brands debate 150 for three weeks.

US sellers build creator communities early,
UK sellers wait until they are “ready”.

US teams adopt Discord with no friction,
UK teams still think it is “too complicated”.

US brands commit real ad spend,
UK brands want proof before they invest.

US moves with speed,
UK moves with permission.

The platform is not what makes the difference, the behavior does.

We grew brands in both regions, and the gap is wider than most founders realise.

If you want the full UK vs US breakdown, comment “breakdown” and I’ll send it.

Helping 8+ Figure Brands Win on TikTok Shop | CEO of Social Tale | Speaker | Social Commerce Growth Expert | DM for growth, audits, or collabs

"Charge low until you prove yourself."

Worst advice I've ever heard in the agency space.

When you charge too low for pitching to bigger brands, they don't see the full value.

Then it's nearly impossible to raise your prices later.

You've locked yourself into low margins for years.

Maybe that's fine as a solo freelancer.

But when you want to grow, you're stuck.

Instead, charge what you believe you're worth.

Break down the components.

Show them exactly what they're getting for the cost.

Then let your delivery prove you were right.

This approach does something else, too.

It allows you to hire A-players from day one, instead of scrambling to find those who can "just get the job done."

Your pricing dictates your quality.
Your quality dictates your clients.
Your clients dictate your business.

Don't trap yourself at the bottom.

$165K in 7 days.

That's what one of our clients did in the first week of BFCM.

Everyone thinks BFCM is won in November.

It's not.

It's won in September.

BFCM on TikTok Shop isn't a sprint.

It's the finish line of a 90-day marathon.

The brands crushing it right now didn't start prepping last week.

They started in September when everyone else was sleeping.

Momentum takes time to build.

But when it hits, it compounds fast.

If you want your brand ready for Q1 (yes, Q1), DM me "2026" and I'll walk you through what to start doing today.

I’m excited to announce...

I’ll be taking the stage at Affiliate World in Bangkok

📍 Dates: December 3–4, 2025

My session: The Brutal Truth About What Actually Works on TikTok Shop 🚀

What you’ll learn:

✅ The “Reboot Campaign”
✅ Hidden Costs That Wreck TikTok Shop
✅ Why most brands fail on TikTok Shop (and how to fix it)

🔥 Why Affiliate World Conferences is a MUST-ATTEND:

• The #1 Performance Marketing Conference in the world
• 7,000+ attendees from 110+ countries 
• 35+ expert speakers (I’ll be one of them 👋🏾)
• 300+ exhibitors with the latest tools and tech
• Endless networking, learning, and fun with top marketers in the game

If you’re serious about scaling and want to stay ahead of where the industry’s headed…

You should be in the room.

I’ve got a few ticket discount links if you still haven’t grabbed yours yet

If you’re going, let me know so we can connect.

See you in Bangkok!

25 video hooks that drive TikTok Shop sales:

(Your next 7-figure month starts with the right hook)

1. POV: you just discovered a product that solves [daily problem]
2. Unboxing my [product category] haul from TikTok Shop
3. 5 must-haves under $50 that actually work
4. De-influencing [expensive product] (and what to buy instead)
5. POV: you're a [target customer persona] and this changed everything
6. My everyday essentials that are worth the hype
7. POV: this product just made your life 10x easier
8. You saw the [trending product] and now your cart is full
9. Things I didn't know I needed until TikTok showed me
10. This solves a problem you didn't know you had
11. [Product name] vs [cheaper alternative] - honest comparison
12. Watch me use this for a week straight (results)
13. POV: you finally bought the thing everyone's talking about
14. I tested viral products so you don't have to
15. This one thing replaced 5 products I used to buy
16. Before and after using [product] for 30 days
17. The [product] your FYP has been hiding from you
18. I was skeptical until I tried it myself
19. This is what [price point] gets you on TikTok Shop
20. POV: you stopped scrolling because this actually works
21. Showing my [partner/friend/mom] this viral product
22. I bought the dupe and here's what happened
23. The only [product category] you'll ever need
24. This did what [expensive brand] couldn't
25. POV: you're about to save this and forget to buy it

Bookmark this 🔖

I almost didn't post my first piece of content on LinkedIn.

I was worried about what people would think.

Friends from school. 
People I used to work with. 
Anyone who knew me before I started the agency.

I kept thinking:

“What are they going to think about this?”

In those first few posts, I was genuinely worried.

Rewrote it, then didn’t post it.

I was scared of the judgment.

But then I just said screw it and hit post.

And you know what happened?

I got over it really quickly.

Because I realized something important:

It doesn't really matter what they think.

The people who matter don't mind.

And the people who mind don't matter.

Once I understood that, everything changed.

I stopped worrying about old school friends scrolling past my posts.

I stopped caring if someone thought I was "too much" or "showing off."

I just focused on sharing what I know about TikTok Shop and helping brands 
scale.

And that's when things actually started moving.

If you're holding back from posting because you're worried about what people 
will think:

Just start.

You'll get over it faster than you think.

And the people who actually matter will support you.

Your first 3 seconds on TikTok Shop can break or make your product.

A high-converting video shows:

- The frustration (make them feel it)
- The product solving it (demo in action)
- A real person using it (not scripted)
- The transformation (satisfying result)

Brands that nail this formula are doing 6-7 figures on TikTok Shop.

Most brands think creating content that sells is a straight line.

Set a goal, create content, and make sales.

But here's what actually happens when you're building TikTok Shop content:

You set a goal to hit $100K on TikTok Shop.

1) You start reaching out to creators.

Half don't respond. The ones that do want samples.

2) You're learning what hooks actually work.

What you thought would convert doesn't.

3) You start doubting if TikTok Shop is even worth it.

Your first 20 videos get decent views but zero sales.

4) You're failing to get traction.

Competitors are posting similar products and crushing it.

5) You're practicing what works.

Different angles, Flash Sales.

6) You feel lost because nothing's consistent yet.

One video does $5K, the next 10 do nothing.

7) You're getting it.

You find 3 creators who actually move product.

They are not the easiest to work with, but when you find that 1% it’s all worth it.

8) Then you're struggling with a new problem.

Fulfillment can't keep up.

You're out of stock on your best SKU.

9) Finally, you achieve it.

Consistent daily sales.

A creator network that posts weekly.

Momentum that compounds.

The brands that win aren't the ones who avoid the mess.

They're the ones who push through it while everyone else quits.

And set the assigned budget for TikTok Shop for 12 months, not 3.

----

♻️ Repost, bookmark, or share with your network if you found this post helpful.

Follow me, Ashley Wright, for practical insights on TikTok Shop and eCom growth.

What content to create on TikTok Shop at each stage (to maximize sales):

TOFU (scrolling, not buying yet):

- product demos solving a specific problem
- “day in the life" content showing real use
- zero sales pitch in first 3 seconds
- hook focuses on the problem, not your brand
- soft CTAs like "wait for it" or "watch till the end"

These people aren't ready to buy today. 

Stop forcing the sale.

MOFU (considering it):

- comparison content (you vs alternatives)
- creator testimonials showing real results
- before/after transformations
- address objections directly (price, shipping, does it actually work)
- CTAs focus on "see it in action" or "check the reviews"

BOFU (ready to convert):

- product page tours showing exactly how to buy
- bundle breakdowns with clear pricing
- scarcity hooks ("only X left" or "sale ends tonight")
- creator codes and exclusive discounts
- Lives showing checkout process in real-time

Run cold traffic TOFU content. Retarget scrollers with MOFU. Convert warm audience with BOFU Lives and urgency posts.

Most brands push product links to cold traffic and wonder why their GMV is flat.

Everyone tells you to "take your time and don't rush."

Then you wonder why you're outperformed by your competitors and why they're taking your market share.

I've never agreed with this because I've always believed in the "just do it" approach like Nike.

You can fix things along the way.

But you can't fix momentum you never built.

When you're planning 3, 5, 10-year goals, ask yourself:

Why can't you condense that into one year?

The buffer you think you're creating is actually killing your business.

You want to be ahead of the herd.

Whether you're doing it right or wrong, you'll figure it out faster by moving.

Stop waiting for perfect.

Start building now.

One of our US beauty clients just cracked $100K in a single month.

$107K in GMV to be exact.

Up 15% from September.

1,828 orders.
2,515 items sold.
1,768 customers.

Most beauty brands think you need to go viral to hit six figures on TikTok Shop.

You don't.

You need consistent creator output and offers that convert.

This brand didn't have a single mega-viral moment in October.

Just steady volume.
Multiple creators posting daily.
Products that actually solve problems.

The algorithm rewards consistency.

If you're a brand stuck under $50K/month and want to break through to six figures, DM me "Scale" and I'll show you the exact framework we used here.

From award-winner to the top-selling body-care brand on TikTok Shop in 2024.

In late 2023, Maëlys, a premium body-care brand, entered a platform many assumed was built for cheap impulse buys.

By the end of 2024, they became the top-selling body-care brand on TikTok Shop, took home the 2025 Glossy Pop Award for Best Use of TikTok Shop, and ranked as a top-five earning Shop in the personal care category in Q1 2025.

During one campaign, they drove an 800 percent increase in total orders, with 87 percent of customers being first-time buyers.

Here’s how they pulled it off:

1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Most brands pay influencers for polished reviews.

Maëlys built a system around real women sharing their journeys.

They spotlighted creators documenting visible changes in stretch marks, loose skin, and other body-targeting concerns.

This wasn’t about curated aesthetics.

It was about proof, and proof converts.

2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆

Instead of relying on standard affiliate commissions, they rolled out an incentive program with prizes valued at up to $275,000.

Top creators weren’t just earning revenue.

They were competing for a Ritz-Carlton yacht experience and luxury handbags.

This turned creators into true partners and unlocked high-quality content at scale.

3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲

Maëlys built a three-part system documented in TikTok’s official case study:

• Organic content for trust
• Paid media to scale winning creatives
• Creator partnerships for social proof

Organic content de-risked ad spend.

Ad spend amplified creator performance.

Together, they created a growth flywheel.

4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺

Even while dominating TikTok, Maëlys expanded the moment offline.

They went live with a digital billboard in Times Square and ran a TikTok Shop-exclusive 30 percent discount to create urgency.

This wasn’t just a Shop strategy.

It was a full-funnel brand play.

---

Maëlys proved that premium, considered-purchase brands can win on TikTok Shop.

They understood that TikTok isn’t only a sales channel. It’s a community.

They didn’t sell body cream. They sold confidence.

And they built the system to scale it.

She went live on TikTok & made $2,000,000 in 1 day.

Meet Stormi Steele, founder of Canvas Beauty.

The woman who broke TikTok Shop’s Black Friday record.

Here’s how she did it (and how you can steal the playbook):

During Black Friday 2024, Stormi hosted a single TikTok LIVE that changed everything.

$2M+ in total sales. $1M in the first 2 hours.

TikTok's biggest LIVE shopping event ever, all from one stream.

Just her, the product, and people ready to buy.

The formula was simple:

Show, don't tell.

1. She demonstrated results live.
2. Answered questions as they came in.
3. Offered bundles you could only get right then.

Shopping stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like an event.

But here's what most people miss:

Canvas Beauty didn't get lucky.
They built a creator ecosystem.

Beauty creators earned commissions promoting Canvas on their own LIVEs.

Exclusive bundles only existed inside the TikTok Shop.

Every stream felt like a show, not a sales pitch.

This tapped into what TikTok actually wants.

People don't want ads.

They want authentic experiences that feel personal and fun.

Canvas mastered selling without feeling like they were selling.

When Black Friday hit, the system was already running:

• Creators promoting.
• LIVEs scheduled.
• Bundles ready.

One viral LIVE turned into millions.

From 2022 to now, Canvas has gone from a small, self-funded brand to one of TikTok Shop's top sellers.

TikTok Shop isn't about hoping something goes viral.

It’s about:

• Building trust.
• Going live consistently.
• Making every stream an event.
• Leveraging creators who move product.

It works if you know how to apply it.

Stormi didn't wait for ads to work.

She made TikTok Shop her storefront, and crushed it.

One of our UK clients in the beauty niche affiliate sales did over £50K in GMV in October.

Up 29% from September.

We doubled down this month:

• 927 videos posted.
• 539 LIVE streams.

The brands winning right now are the ones that went all in on creator volume.

If you want to see this kind of MoM growth for your brand, DM me "TikTok Shop" and I'll walk you through the exact process we used here.

3 weeks until BFCM — and if your ad strategy isn’t ready, this is your 
MakeUGC V.2 crash plan.

======

Week 1 (Nov 1–7): Build Creative Momentum

Forget new shoots — focus on what you can control.

Use MakeUGC V.2 (Sora2 Pro, Veo3.1, Kling) to generate UGC ads fast.

Post 3–5 videos per day on your brand account.

AI ads take time to train the algorithm, so what you post now will peak right before BFCM.

Test everything:

→ Different hooks
→ Product angles
→ Emotional storylines

Let the AI agents analyze performance and identify your early winners automatically.

======

Week 2 (Nov 8–14): Double Down on Winners

By now, you’ll know what’s driving clicks and conversions.

Feed that data into the AI agents — they’ll brief MakeUGC automatically.

Veo3.1 will refine pacing, Kling adds realism, and Sora2 Pro builds cinematic versions of your best ads.

Start running paid campaigns behind your top creatives ($100–200/day each).

Bundle products and tease BFCM drops with suspense-driven videos.

======

Week 3 (Nov 15–21): Full Send Mode

Post 3–5 videos daily minimum.

Scale spend on the top 10% of creatives.

Run daily countdown lives or short urgency clips.

AI agents will handle trend adaptation, fresh hooks, and real-time testing — so you can focus on fulfillment and scaling.


You won’t build a 7-figure funnel in three weeks.

But you CAN build a profitable one — if you start executing now.

RT + comment “V2” and I’ll send you the full BFCM ad playbook.

(follow for dm)

Most brands build TikTok Shop bundles wrong.

They throw products together and hope it works.

Here's the bundle structure that actually converts:

𝟭) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲

Pick your best-selling product.

Add 2-3 complementary items that make sense together.

Not your entire catalog.

Example:

• Skincare brand: Serum + moisturizer + face roller
• Supplement brand: Main product + travel size + shaker bottle

People buy bundles when they see clear value, not when you're dumping random products together.

𝟮) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Your bundle needs to feel like a deal without killing margins.

Here's what works:

• Individual products: $100 total
• Bundle price: $70-75
• 25-30% off is the sweet spot.
• Anything less feels weak.

Anything more kills your profit after TikTok fees and creator commissions.

𝟯) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸

This is what most brands miss.

Your bundle commission needs to be aggressive enough that creators want to push it.

30-40% minimum for BFCM bundles.

But would you rather do $10K at 40% margin or $100K at 20% margin?

𝟰) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲

Make it TikTok Shop exclusive.

Not available on your site.
Not available on Amazon.
Only inside TikTok Shop.

This gives creators something unique to talk about.

"You can only get this bundle here."

That's the angle that moves people from scrolling to buying.

𝟱) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿

Limited quantity or limited time.

Pick one.

"Only 500 bundles available for BFCM." or "This bundle disappears November 30th."

Scarcity drives action.

Without it, people save your video and forget about it.

What NOT to do:

• Build 10 different bundles.
• Pick 1-2 hero bundles max.
• Include products nobody wants just to clear inventory.
• Set the commission too low.

If your bundles aren't built yet, build them now.

---

♻️ Repost, bookmark, and share with your network if you found this helpful.

Follow me, Ashley Wright, for practical insights on TikTok Shop and eCom growth.

If I could talk to myself five years ago, I'd say one thing:

Just keep going.

It's going to happen eventually.

I followed Gary Vee from the early days.

"Keep going. Keep putting in the work."

My mentality was simple:

If I keep trying, I'll eventually get there.

Years later, Hormozi said the same thing:

"Just don't stop. If you don't stop, you'll find a way."

You might have to shift directions.
You might have to pivot.

But if you don't quit, you'll figure it out.

You're not out of the game until you decide you are.

The content you post this week will make or break your Black Friday.

Most brands think they can drop content on November 20th and watch the sales roll in.

They can't.

TikTok needs at least 30 days to build algorithm traction.

Content posted 30 days before a sale performs better than content dropped at the last minute.

The platform needs time to learn what converts.

By Black Friday, the algorithm already knows:

• Which videos drive purchases.
• Which creators move the product.
• Which hooks convert browsers into buyers.

This is what winning brands are doing right now:

• They're posting 1-2 times daily.
• Testing hooks.
• Testing offers.
• Testing creators.
• Building momentum.

When BFCM arrives, the algorithm knows exactly what to push.

If your content doesn't have 2-3 weeks of momentum behind it, you're invisible.

So start posting today.

By November 22nd, you'll have 3 weeks of data telling you exactly what works.

"I'm probably getting fired for this."

This hook works insanely well for Black Friday.

People love feeling like they're in on a secret.

When a creator posts your BFCM deal early with a "leaked codes" or "you didn't see this from me" angle, it doesn't feel like marketing.

It feels exclusive, like they're getting access to something they shouldn't have yet.

How to use this:

Give your top 3-5 creators early access to your BFCM bundles.

Tell them to post it with angles like:

• "I'm not supposed to show this yet, but..."
• "Black Friday deal leaked early."
• "Delete this before my brand partner sees it."
• "You didn't get this from me."

Try these and see your Black Friday sales explode.

I used to spend 70+ hours a month building decks and proposals.

Between client meetings, audits, and speaking gigs, I was drowning in slide design.

Then I started using Gamma's consultant prompts, and it's been a game-changer.

Now I'm delivering better work in a fraction of the time.

What makes it different from other tools?

Gamma studied 3.5 million presentations and built a library of 100+ optimized prompts specifically for consultants (plus sales, marketing, education, and more).

They follow a proven 30-word formula for clarity and visual storytelling, so every deck looks polished and professional without the manual work.

Now, I'm creating presentations in under an hour that used to take me a full day.

That's 85-90% time savings.

With 70 million users and 700K decks created daily, there's a reason Gamma works.

They've cracked the code on what makes presentations actually effective.

If you're still building slides from scratch, check this out: 

https://lnkd.in/emggCMRZ

#gammapartner

secret prompts

Acquisition Ace

President

Fit Pro Tracker

Co-founder & Chief Financial Officer

Alliance Defending Freedom

Sr. Director of Transformational Partnerships

• Experienced leader passionate about serving others and creating lasting relationships.
• Inspire others to collaborate and support ADF and its guiding principles.
• Reach and develop deep relationships to broaden support for ADF.
• Serve our ministry friends and be the conduit between support and results.
• Develop and build ADF's presence in the Northeast Region to ensure strong relationships and an increasing support base.
• Be the best team member, collaborator, and servant-leader.

Director of Transformational Partnerships

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Selected for a position with the top two Scottsdale private banker teams performing prospect research, strategy, and client investment portfolio consulting. Oversaw prospect selection and development during the entire life cycle from prospect to client.

Private Banking Associate

Hand Selected as one of the first three members of the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Military Officer Executive Development Program (MOEDP) in Phoenix, AZ. MOEDP selects top performing junior military officers and develops them into future business executives within JPMorgan Chase. I am currently serving in Phoenix Location Services Department.

Associate

US Army

Chosen over peers to lead and manage over 250 personnel in an arduous and results-oriented environment. Integrates multiple cross-functional teams to train, develop, and prepare civilian volunteers into Soldiers in a 10-week cycle. Responsible for over $3 million worth of equipment and the management and mentoring of 18 training personnel.

Company Commander

Project Manager for the daily training operations of 250 personnel. Utilized project management life-cycle principles for efficiency and scalable results. Coached and trained fifteen team leaders in order to share tools, techniques, and best practices. Ranked as #1 team out of 5. Developed local community partnerships through engaged leadership. Planned and led over 4-community school outreaches pairing military leaders with disadvantaged children in a local elementary school. Consistently ranked as #1 of 5 Executive Officers.

Project Manager/Executive Officer

Managed 5 intelligence analysts tasked with proving security analysis and consulting for local threats against the United States Military in Germany. Developed and implemented individual and team training programs. Created intelligence gathering program to gather, analyze and disseminate critical security related information, which led to the apprehension of 3 terrorists planning an attack on a local military base in Germany.

Consultant/Intelligence Officer

Coordinated training for all five units geographically dispersed throughout Germany, Italy, and Belgium. Supervised the training schedules and supply requests for all five Companies within our Battalion unit. Emplaced a maintenance program which increased equipment operational rating to over 90%. Received commendation from Senior officer for effectively coordinating 3 tons and 700,000 dollars of equipment during a 2,000 personnel exercise.

Project Manager/Training Officer

Acquired & scaled 7 businesses with little or $0 down. | Off-market deal sourcing fanatic. | Helping others do the same.

Hey! Ben here...

I help everyday people buy profitable businesses with little to no money down.

My journey started 6 years ago when I was working 60 hours/week at JP Morgan, dreaming of more time with my family.

Today, I own a portfolio of 6 businesses that generated $7M+ in revenue last year, and I only work 18 hours per week.

The secret?

I discovered how to acquire existing, profitable businesses using creative financing strategies and government-backed loans.

I've used this method to build a portfolio that includes:

• A SaaS company making $150k/year (bought for $5k down)
• An ATM route generating $40k/year (zero money down)
• A financial services company producing $450k/year
• 3 other businesses bringing in steady cash flow

The best part?

I never work more than 20 hours a week.

This gives me the freedom to spend quality time with my wife and three kids while still growing my wealth.

Here's what most people don't realize:

Right now, 10,000 Baby Boomers are retiring every day, many looking to sell their profitable businesses. 

This creates an unprecedented opportunity for those who know how to take advantage of it.

You don't need to start from scratch.
You don't need huge savings.

You just need to know how to structure the right deals.

Want to learn how to buy profitable businesses using other people's money?

📲 DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.
🤝 Follow me to stick around for more!

Thanks for being here!

Ben Kelly

The corporate dream is dead.

MBA students are turning down 6-figure salaries at McKinsey to buy small businesses.

As someone who did the same…

Here’s my take on the situation:

--

I used to work at JP Morgan.

Got the MBA... Got the 6-figure salary...

But when I realized I could buy a small business and make money on the side?

I pounced on an opportunity.

--

I found a small business (SaaS) on LinkedIn and invested $5k for 10% equity.

After that?

I acquired 2 more businesses:

1. Web Design Company
2. Nail Salon

Then I quit my job.

--

The numbers don't lie here.

75M Boomers will retire by 2030, and 10,000 are currently retiring every day.

Here's why these top graduates are choosing to profit from this opportunity:

--

💰 Earning Potential

All it takes is just one small business to earn more than a corporate salary.

I look for boring, established businesses (5+ years old) with strong cash flow and growing revenue.

If you're patient enough, you can find a business that allows you to take home 6-figures plus.

--

⏰ Time Flexibility

In total, I own 7 small businesses and work ~20 hours per week.

I buy businesses that already have systems and operations built so I can delegate tasks and be removed from the day-to-day.

I just need to hire smart.

--

❤️ Fulfillment

When you have a traditional job, you make more by increasing your hours.

But I buy businesses that don't need me there 9 to 5 to increase my income.

This means I have more time for my family as well as control over my earnings.

--

The best part?

Even if you're not a business major, you can still buy your own small business.

If you want to learn the method I used to scale my business portfolio to $800k/year...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

I know within 30 seconds whether or not I’m buying a business.

It’s not because I have an MBA…
It’s because I know what to look for.

Here are the 10 signs I need to see (before I buy):

--

1. The business is 5+ years old.

I never touch startups or new ventures.

By year 5, they've survived the initial growing pains, and proven their model works.

Most failures happen in the first 3 years.

--

2. The owner is retiring (not running).

This is my sweet spot.

I love buying from Boomers who built solid businesses but are ready to step back.

Red flag: Owners "escaping" a sinking ship.
Green flag: Owners who truly want to retire.

--

3. There's an existing general manager.

If I have to run daily operations…

I'm buying myself a job.

So, I always look for businesses that either have management in place, or are in a place where we can easily hire someone.

--

4. It passes the "Fax Machine Test."

This is my favorite filter.

If they still use fax machines, outdated websites, or paper-only systems…

That's pure gold.

It means I can add immediate value through simple tech upgrades.

--

5. The business is recession-resistant.

I stick to essentials people can't live without:

• HVAC (people need heating/cooling)
• Plumbing (pipes will always break)
• Accounting (taxes aren't optional)

Avoid luxury services that disappear when times get tough.

--

6. Revenue is recurring (not project-based).

One-time sales are stressful.

Monthly recurring revenue is beautiful.

I want businesses where customers pay regularly:

• Monthly service agreements
• Maintenance contracts
• Subscription tiers

--

7. The cash flow covers debt service + GM salary + my take.

Simple math:

If the business makes $30k/month, I need to see:

• $5k for my investor (if used)
• $12k for loan payments
• $6k for GM salary
• $7k for me

If the numbers don't work, I walk.

--

8. It's boring and unsexy.

I avoid "exciting" businesses.

The more boring, the better:

• Waste management
• Storage facilities
• Laundromats

Boring = Predictable.

--

9. The financials are clean and consistent.

I want to see 3 years of steady (or growing) profits.

No wild fluctuations.
No creative accounting.

Just boring, predictable cash flow.

--

10. I understand the business model completely.

If I can't explain how they make money in 2 sentences, I pass.

Why?

Because complex businesses have complex problems.

You need to be an absolute expert in this business, but you MUST understand the model.

--

These 10 filters have helped me acquire 7 businesses that now pay me $836k/year.

Most deals fail at least 3 of these criteria.

The ones that pass all 10?

Those are the deals that change your life.

--

If you want to learn how to find and acquire boring businesses using little to no money down…

DM me “Biz” & I’ll show you how.

This book changed my life.

It helped me:

• Escape the 9-5
• Buy boring businesses
• Have more time for my family

Here are my 10 favorite takeaways:

--

1) Leverage the existing assets.

The business you acquire should already have some infrastructure to it.

You can leverage the:

• Existing customer base
• Brand reputation
• Employees

This is vital for growth and longevity.

--

2) Think like an entrepreneur.

By building a portfolio of businesses, you could be considered an "investor."

But you need to think like an entrepreneur.

After you buy the business:

You need to keep it afloat.
You need to see opportunities.
You need to make improvements.

--

3) Focus on the cash flow.

Cash flow is a critical indicator of the financial health of a company.

The more the merrier.

If you can dial in the systems and delegate, you can earn cash flow on autopilot.

I am now a big fan of delegation.

--

4) Always do your due diligence.

The less research you do for an acquisition, the more stressful it will be.

If you don't uncover hidden:

• Bottlenecks
• Liabilities
• Issues

You're sabotaging yourself.

Trust me, the upfront hassle is worth it.

--

5) Take advantage of strategic financing.

There are many ways to buy a business.

• Seller financing
• Traditional loans
• Using an investor

The more creative you can be (within the limits of the law), the better.

Creative financing is a skill (learn it).

--

6) Maintain a long-term perspective.

Although you can build wealth quite quickly, you should still think long-term.

This strategy is very powerful.

And if you're in it for the long haul, you can build legitimate generational wealth.

Take the high ground and go for it.

--

7) Strengthen the staff.

If you don't want to be tied to your acquisition, hire amazing employees.

Delegation is vital.

If the business is "owner-operated," just know what you're about to walk into.

That's part of the due diligence.

--

8) Develop elite negotiation skills.

Closing deals is a skill.

The better deal you get from day 1, the more money you'll make overall.

You want the best deal possible, right?

So study negotiation.

--

9) Startups are too risky.

To go and start your own business, you're looking at a <10% success rate.

But buying a business that's up and running?

With existing cash flow.
With proof of concept.
With an existing staff.

That seems a lot safer (it is).

--

10) Develop an exit strategy.

While you do want to keep a long-term perspective, you also want an exit plan.

You can shut it down totally.
You can sell the businesses.
You can pass them down.

I recommend the latter two options.

But everyone's different.

--

This book truly did change my life.

After working 60 hours/week at JP Morgan, I just couldn't keep living that lifestyle.

And now?

My portfolio does ~$7M/year in annual revenue.

If you want to learn how to do the same...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

No alternative text description for this image

Why would you start a business from scratch in 2025?

• My Accounting Firm pays me $5k/month
• I bought 2 trucks making $5k/month
• My SaaS pays me $10k/month

The craziest part?

I’ve acquired 7 businesses in total.

Here's how you can do the same (with little to $0 down):

--

SMBmarket(.)com will be your best friend.

It has tons of listings for owners who are looking to sell their small businesses.

The listings will mention:

• SDE
• FF&E
• EBIDTA

–

Search for a business making $10K+/mo in cash flow & has been profitable for >5 years.

🔍 SMBmarket(.)com → Search: *Your Area* / Service Businesses → Price filter = $500k to $1M → More Filters → Cashflow = Min. $10k.

--

Some businesses to look at:

• Financial Services
• Pool Cleaning
• Laundromat
• Plumbing
• HVAC

Before starting the buying process…

–

Determine your goal.

For me, I hire a GM who runs day-to-day while I focus on increasing cash flow.

Some people enjoy working day-to-day.

--

You shouldn't make any offers until you've secured your financing options.

There are 4 financing options:

• Buying with your own cash
• SBA loan
• Private investor
• Seller financing

You can use multiple methods or just one.

–

When speaking to lenders (banks/investors)...

1) Position yourself as a "safe" bet.
2) Tell them the type of business you want to acquire & why.
3) Bring your last 3 years of tax returns & W2 pay stubs.
4) Prepare a statement that lists your assets & liabilities.

If you can do these things...

You'll be ahead of 99% of borrowers.

--

You'll want the tax returns & P&Ls from the last 3 years.

Profit should be increasing steadily and P&Ls should be relatively consistent with no crazy fluctuations.

Pro Tip:

Hire an accountant to audit the numbers.

–

They can review these KPIs too:

• SDE (Seller discretionary earnings)
• EBIDTA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization)
• FF&E (Furniture, fixtures & equipment)

Essentially, this means...

→ Total profit
→ Cash flow
→ Movable assets

--

For making an offer...

Take the average SDE from the last 3 years (ex: $450k)

Multiply it by 2.5x = $1,125,000 and round down to $1,000,000 (that's your starting offer).

–

We can purchase this for $0 down by talking to our SBA lender & asking for the business to be qualified on the 7a program.

This allows us to get a private investor to cover the down payment, so we're $0 out of pocket.

Let me explain...

--

You give a private investor 15% equity & in return, they pay the 10% down payment.

In effect, they’re getting an extra 5% equity for nothing.

On a $450k/yr business...

Your investor makes $5,250/mo passively, which is a 57% CoC return annually.

–

But you still cash flow $29k/mo...

→ Hire a General Manager ($5k/mo)
→ Your salary ($10k/mo)
→ $14k/mo for the business to grow

Congratulations!

You now own a small business.

–

If you want to learn exactly how you can acquire a boring business for yourself...

DM me "Biz" & I'll show you how.

7 Steps to Get Rich From The World's Largest Wealth Transfer:

1. Understand the Silver Tsunami:

• 75 million Baby Boomers are retiring by 2030
• They own 37% of all small businesses in America
• 10,000 Boomers retire every single day
• Most have no succession plan and just want out

2. Target Boring, Recession-Proof Industries:

• HVAC, plumbing, and accounting stay profitable in downturns
• Laundromats and car washes print money regardless
• People always need these services no matter what

3. Find Deals on SMBmarket:

• Search for $500k-$1M asking price
• Look for $10k+ monthly cash flow
• Must be profitable for 5+ years
• Filter for service-based businesses with existing teams

4. Finance 90% With an SBA Loan:

• The government backs these loans for business acquisition
• Banks love lending on established, cash-flowing businesses
• Bring 3 years of tax returns and explain your plan
• This is safer for banks than startup capital

5. Cover the 10% Down With OPM:

• Find a private investor to put up the down payment
• Give them 15% equity in return (win-win structure)
• They get passive returns without running the business
• You put in $0 of your own money at closing

6. Hire a GM to Run Daily Operations:

• Pay them $60k-$80k/year to handle everything
• Your role is strategy and growth, not day-to-day tasks
• Most retiring Boomers already have a manager in place
• This lets you stack multiple businesses over time

7. Use Cash Flow to Pay Everyone Back:

• Business revenue covers loan payments automatically
• Investor gets their 15% cut every month
• GM gets their salary
• You keep the rest while working <20 hours/week

--

If you want to learn more about how you can buy a boring business with little to $0 down...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

When I told my parents and colleagues I was quitting...

They thought I was crazy.

Leaving behind a job I’d worked so hard to get.

At a company that millions of people dream of working for because of its name.

But the truth is...

I “fell” for the American Dream.

I thought I wanted a shiny title, work travel, and the ability to climb the corporate ladder for 6 figures a year.

But in reality?

I just wanted enough time to spend with my family and money to fund our lifestyle without sacrificing my happiness.

I’d already started investing in businesses before I quit, so I had already replaced my income (and more) before taking the risk to leave.

This is my biggest piece of advice:

Try to work a job AND buy a business.

Once your business income replaces your salary, then quit.

Today, my business income is well over what my salary at JP Morgan was, and in fact, I’m earning a similar amount to most hedge fund managers.

But, I would never have quit before I had a steady income that would protect me and my family’s financial situation.

That’s why it’s more than possible to buy a business while working your W-2, and it’s why you also SHOULD do that.

--

If you want to learn more about how to buy a boring business that gives more time AND money freedom...

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how

The math on corporate life is broken:

• $60k after taxes = $45k
• $2k rent = $24k/year
• $500 car note = $6k/year
• Basic expenses = $10k/year

You're left with $5k for the year...

Unless you do THIS (10-step plan):
–

Step 1: Market Research.

Start with SMBMarket(.com).

It's the internet's most active business-for-sale marketplace.

You'll see terms like:

- Price (how much it is)
- Revenue (incoming cash)
- Cashflow (profit - expenses)

Adjust the filters to your liking.

–

Step 2: Discover Your Type.

There are 1,000s of businesses to choose from.

Ask yourself:

- What businesses do I visit often?
- Which industries do I like?
- What has longevity?

And you aren't limited to one type either.

–

Step 3: Determine Your Goal.

Every investor is different.

If you want a more "hands-on" experience, something like a parking lot might not be for you.

Determine what you're looking for.

Then get after it.

–

Step 4: Set Your Financing.

Let's figure out your acquisition strategy.

These questions will help:

- Are you buying outright?
- Do you need a bank to finance?
- Are you bringing an investor with you?

I like to structure deals with lending, seller financing, and investors to get as little down as possible.

–

Step 5: Start Making Calls.

The more calls, the merrier.

Steal these tips:

- Jot down as many notes as you can
- Know that you have the power
- Forget about the emotions

I promise this will ease the process.

–

Step 6: Make An Offer.

Now, you MUST look at the last 3 years of "owner's total profit" (SDE).

Multiply the average by 2x-4x (deal dependent).

- Round down
- Make your offer
- Negotiate and wait

Practice expectation management.

–

Step 7: Structure The Purchase.

So I just mentioned that I like to do these deals with little to $0 out of my own pocket.

(Yes, it is possible, but not easy).

Find an investor willing to put up the down payment and give them more equity in return.

The extra cash flow will cover you.

Don't worry.

–

Step 8: Do Your Due Diligence.

This is actually the most important part because you haven't closed yet.

Make sure you:

- Hire an accountant
- Talk to the employees
- Find a like-minded owner
- Check out their social media

Do NOT get lazy here, this is vital.

–

Step 9: Create a Post-Close Plan.

The first 3 months of ownership will set the tone for your success (this is huge).

You'll need:

• Insurance
• Email access
• Website control
• Employee contracts
• Social media accounts

Just to name a few things…

–

Step 10: Exhale and Close.

It's time to put the pen to the paper!

Congratulations.

You've done the due diligence.
You've done the research.
You've done the work.

Your generational wealth journey has begun…

–

Want to learn more about how I buy profitable businesses without using tons of capital?

DM me "Biz" and I'll show you how.

I haven't had a 9 to 5 in 4 years.

Why?

Because I own 7 boring businesses that pay me $800,000+ per year.

You can do the same (if you start now).

Let me show you how:

--

Step 1: Make a target list.

Head to SMBmarket(.com) & build a list of 20-30 businesses that you like.

Use these filters:

• 5+ years in business
• Service-based (no retail)
• Min. $10k/month cash flow
• Recession-resistant industries

--

Step 2: Start making calls.

Call every seller on your list.

Ask these questions:

• Why are you selling?
• How involved are you daily?
• What's your biggest challenge?
• Who runs things when you're away?

Good reasons to buy: Retirement, divorce, health etc.

--

Step 3: Build your A+ team.

You want 2 key people:

1. An M&A accountant to audit financials (offer 2.5% equity instead of paying cash upfront).
2. An industry professional who can assess operations (also 2.5% equity).

This team will pay for itself by catching red flags.

--

Step 4: Verify the numbers.

Request 3 years of:

• Tax returns
• Balance sheets
• P&L statements

Your accountant will check for:

• Reasonable owner compensation
• No suspicious expense spikes
• Consistent/growing revenue

You want to see steady cash flow of $200k-$400k annually over multiple years.

--

Step 5: Start your SBA pre-approval.

Contact these banks that specialize in small business loans:

• Truliant
• Huntington
• Live Oak Bank

Bring 3 years of W-2s and tax returns, plus a personal financial statement.

--

Step 6: Structure your offer.

Take the average yearly cash flow (SDE) and multiply by 2-4x.

Example: Business makes $300k/year → Offer $700k-$900k.

Then finance it like this:

• SBA loan covers 85-90% ($630k-$810k)
• Private investor covers 10% ($70k-$90k)
• You pay 0-5% out of pocket

Give your investor 15% equity for putting up that 10%.

--

Step 7: Execute due diligence.

You typically have 30-45 days before closing.

Your team should verify:

• Lease terms & transferability
• Employee turnover rates
• Equipment condition
• Customer retention
• Any legal issues

--

Step 8: Plan your first 90 days.

Before you close, map out exactly what you'll do:

Days 1-30:

• Transfer bank accounts & insurance
• Meet every employee personally
• Change passwords & access

Days 31-60:

• Identify quick wins
• Document all systems

Days 61-90:

• Hire or promote a GM
• Implement 1-2 improvements

--

The math on a $1M purchase:

• Business cash flow: $300k/year
• SBA loan payment: $100k/year
• Investor's 15% cut: $30k/year
• GM salary: $72k/year

You keep: $98k/year

That's $8,166/month for an asset someone else operates.

--

If you want to learn more about the process I’ve used to build my portfolio of businesses generating $7M/year in revenue…

DM me “Biz” & I’ll show you how.

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