Lucas Bean

CEO @ Social Proof | Leader, Ai, Adtech, Analytics, AiO, Fintech, Games, Entertainment, Web3, Creator Economy | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition Expert | speaker, advisor, ENTP

I’m a seasoned tech executive with deep entrepreneurial experience ready to help you build, scale and win.

I'm top 3 globally in:
• User acquisition
• Retention
• Community building
• UX optimization

20+ years in marketing, data science and product leadership
Author of Community Market Fit - Published April 2025 
Ex-Atari, Sony Pictures, Experian, Deloitte
Founder, CEO, GM, CMO, COO, SVP of Marketing & Ops

I specialize in scaling businesses fast through:
• User acquisition & retention strategy
• Data-driven marketing
• Product development
• P&L management
• Advanced automation
• Consumer experience design
• Growth operations

Proven wins:
✔️ Helped raise over $50M in venture capital
✔️ Built & exited a solo venture at $500K+/year
✔️ Took an adtech company public (founded in 2008, IPO in 2017)
✔️ Executive roles at 3 companies that exited for $1.4B+ combined

Marketing expertise:
• Copywriting
• SEO
• Email marketing
• Content creation
• Influencer strategy
• Video & display ads
• Marketing automation
• Flywheel effects
• Full-stack paid media (desktop/mobile)

Industry experience:
Fintech, Adtech, Gaming, Entertainment, Dating, Web3, Creator Economy, Social E-commerce

Leadership style:
I’ve built scrappy teams from scratch and turned underperforming teams into high-output machines.

I believe complex systems can be distilled into simple, marketable messages that resonate deeply with customers, fans, and stakeholders.

Now? I’m focused on helping others build fast, scale smart and stand out.
Open to clients, partnerships, and strategic opportunities.

GM & Head of Product 

Strategic Consulting to startups, founders, executive management of fortune 1,000 companies. Providing expert advice and execution on Web3, NFT, Operations, General Management, digital marketing efforts, Web3 onboarding, core operational issues, Data Analysis, Strategy, P&L Management, Product Development, Product Innovation, User Experience, User Acquisition & Retention. 

I help turn new and existing businesses into finely tuned digital powerhouses by auditing current 
 internal processes. I then use analytics, acquisition, retention, mentoring & media management to determine KPI's and hyper improve performance metrics with precise strategic tactics. 

Channels Leveraged: Analytics, Influence Marketing, Community Building, Social, Display, Search Paid + Natural, email, mobile.

Current Business fields of expertise (no one is an expert, always learning):
NFTs
Web3 (P2E Gaming, Metaverse etc.)
Gaming and esports 
Mobile Gaming
Fintech
Influence Marketing
e-commerce (social selling)
Entertainment 
Mobile Apps
Digital Products
Digital & IRL Events

Increase your luck surface area by showing up

90% of success is literally just showing up.

So create your own luck 

How many:

days
weeks
months
decades

were they showing up consistently? 

They showed up everyday and you call it luck?

It only takes that one time to land an opportunity of a lifetime or to miss it. 

Be consistent.


Follow me Lucas Bean for more

Lucas Bean 

20 years Marketing, Data Science & Product Executive | Author of Community Market Fit | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition & Retention Expert | consultant, speaker, advisor, Ai Automation Expert

How to practice extreme ownership:
(and say sorry less often) 

People say 'sorry' way too much in life

The value of a sorry means nothing now

You know what does have value? Owning it 


I used to say sorry for everything.

Even when it wasn't my fault:

↳ I'm sorry you have to get up
↳ I'm sorry you didn't like your choice
↳ I'm sorry you have to restart your computer 


 🚩 Over-apologizing hurts our credibility.

Here's how high performers handle apologies and maintain respect:

Asking Questions
❌ Sorry if this is stupid
✅ I'd like some clarity on...

Can't Attend
❌ Sorry I can't make it
✅ I have a previous commitment 

Making Requests
❌ Sorry to bother you
✅ When you have a moment...

Setting Boundaries
❌ Sorry, but I need...
✅ Here's what works for me

Running Late
❌ Sorry I'm late
✅ Thanks for your patience

Small Mistakes
❌ Sorry about that
✅ I'll fix this right away

Following Up
❌ Sorry to bug you
✅ I'm following up on our discussion

During meetings
❌ Sorry to interrupt
✅ I have something to add

Asking for Feedback
❌ Sorry if I did this wrong
✅ I'd like your feedback on this

Getting Feedback
❌ Sorry I messed up
✅ Thanks for the feedback

Getting Attention
❌ Sorry for talking so much
✅ Thank you for listening

Missing A Deadlines (don't miss deadlines is easier) 
❌ Sorry for the delay
✅ I appreciate your flexibility


Save "sorry" only when its truly needed. 

Your words have meaning. 
Your words shape how you are perceived 
Choose your words wisely.
_____

P.S. Which phrase would help you grow your career?

♻️ Repost to help your network elevate their performance!

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No alternative text description for this image

I’ve learned not to hold people hostage 
to who they used to be.

We all carry outdated versions of ourselves: 

mistakes we’ve made
ignorance we’ve acted on 
pain caused before we knew better 

I’ve seen how one bad chapters can become someone’s whole story in the eyes of others 

But people grow
They stumble
They learn 

They often try to make things right. 

We all have regrets
but that doesn’t mean we can’t begin again.
I’ve watched friends become softer,
more grounded. 

Change isn’t always dramatic
it’s often slow and quiet. 


But it’s real. 


When we dismiss someone for who they were
we miss who they’ve worked to become.

No one should be forever judged
by a version they’ve outgrown.

If we offer ourselves grace
we should offer it to others too.

in 2026 let's all try to do a better job at this. 

♻️ Share this with someone who inspires you 
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10 things to ask in your next Job Interview,
(And what NOT say):

Interviews are like any first meetings,
Awkward and uncomfortable.

They only give you 60 minutes to:

✅ See if you’re a fit.
✅ Sell your strengths.
✅ Show your enthusiasm.

To do your research is to be prepared
Practice what you'll say and how you'll say it

Avoid saying these 10 things:
(And what to say instead)

1/ "I don't have any questions."
↳ Why: Shows zero preparation or interest
↳ Instead: Ask specific questions about the team's current projects or culture

2/ "I’ll take any job right now."
↳ Why: Signals desperation, kills your negotiating power
↳ Instead: Highlight skills that match specific role

3/ "I don't like taking direction."
↳ Why: Makes you seem un-coachable
↳ Instead: Share how you've grown from feedback

4/ "I don’t have any weaknesses."
↳ Why: Sounds unrealistic and arrogant
↳ Instead: Share a real weakness and how you're improving

5/ "I hate my current boss."
↳ Why: Raises red flags about professionalism
↳ Instead: Focus on your career growth goals

6/ "I'll figure it out as I go."
↳ Why: Suggests you don’t prepare
↳ Instead: Emphasize your (proven) ability to learn quickly

7/ "This is a stepping stone for me."
↳ Why: Companies don't want to invest in short-term employees
↳ Instead: Share your interest in growing with the company

8/ "What's your work-from-home policy?" (too early)
↳ Why: Makes work flexibility seem like your top priority
↳ Instead: First discuss role, fit and get them interested

9/ "What time do people leave?"
↳ Why: Implies you're just watching the clock
↳ Instead: Ask about daily workflows and responsibilities

10/ "I don't handle stress well."
↳ Why: Suggests you'll crack under pressure
↳ Instead: Describe how you organize work to manage deadlines

Remember:
Be Prepared and be positive, they go a long way.


P.S. What's your #1 interview tip? 👇



♻  Repost toinspire your network 
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This is why most people quit.

When
it takes
more work
than we thought
it would.

It’s way easier to:

- quit
- make excuses
- get discouraged
- go watch Netflix
- grab a bottle of booze
- go and smoke weed and zone out 


Instead, set yourself up to win by:

- setting time blocks
- setting expectations
- setting up exact tactics
- setting up a realistic timeline


Our aspirations are always greater
then the reality of how much work it is.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 > 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Don’t let 2025 get away from you 


share this to help others in your community 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more
We miss you Mr. Obama

Be brave enough to suck at something new 


Scared to:

→ write that article 
→ publish that video
→ post that comment 
→ send that DM to someone
→ Just do it and figure it out later


Your goals should be that of action:

→ have a sense of urgency
→ take action instead of overthinking
→ Focus on the future, not on the past 
→ plan 20% and execute 80% of the time

A ship does not sail on yesterday's wind. 

________________________________

♻️ share to help others take the leap

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10 Signs You're Emotionally Intelligent:
(and you might not know it)

First how do you define emotional intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, 
understand and manage emotions in yourself and others.


The pros: 
These powerful skills help you bring out the best
in both yourself and others.


The cons:
They can leave you feeling drained and exhausted
having to manage peoples emotional state to get the best out of them. 


10 signs you are an emotional intelligent powerhouse:

1. You sense what people need
↳ You can tell when someone needs to talk
 vent or just be left alone.

2. You read between the lines
↳ A short “okay” in Slack tells you everything you need to know.

3. You absorb emotional tension
↳ People naturally calm down when talking to you
 even if you don't say much.

4. You speak everyone’s language
↳ You know exactly who needs all the details 
 and who just wants the headlines.

5. You catch unsaid questions
↳ You notice when someone wants to speak but stays silent.

6. You feel others' stress
↳ Deadlines, tough meetings you feel nervous for your coworkers 
 even when you’re not involved.

7. You notice fake enthusiasm
↳ You can tell the difference between genuine excitement
 and polite agreement.

8. You're everyone’s reality check
↳ People often ask, "How did that really go?" 
 because they trust your judgment.

9. You sense when meetings go off track
↳ You recognize the moment people start checking
 their phones more.

10. You spot hidden burnout
↳ You notice when colleagues aren’t themselves
 even if they try to hide it.


♻️ Repost to inspire someone.
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9 ways to keep great employees for good: 
(without having to worry)

Your team is your greatest asset.
They keep the machine running.

To earn their loyalty they need to be:

1. Paid Well
↳ A well-compensated team is a motivated team.
↳ Make sure your pay rates are competitive.


2. Mentored
↳ Mentoring helps them learn and evolve.
↳ Invest in their professional development.


3. Challenged
↳ Stagnation causes boredom. Keep them challenged!
↳ Level up their tasks to keep them engaged.


4. Promoted
↳ No one likes to be stuck. Promote deserving employees!
↳ Use this to show you value their contributions.


5. Involved
↳ Transparency is key. Involve them in decision-making.
↳ Use this to create a sense of ownership.


6. Appreciated
↳ Recognition fuels motivation. Show them they're appreciated
↳ Celebrate their achievements, big or small.


7. Trusted
↳ Trust fosters loyalty. It makes them feel valued.
↳ Delegate tasks and show faith in their abilities.


8. Empowered
↳ Empowerment leads to innovation.
↳ Encourage them to take on new projects.


9. Valued
↳ Everyone wants to be valued. Show them they matter!
↳ Valuing them creates a productive environment.

____

Remember, It's not just about keeping your crew.
It's about helping them grow. 

Leadership is not about being in charge. 
It's about taking care of those in your charge. 


Which one of these is your favorite? 


♻️ Repost to help others 
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7 Simple Rules to Live an Amazing Life: 
(number 2 is my favorite) 

1. Let it go
↳Don't take yourself too serious 
↳ Don'r ruin a good day by thinking about a bad day

2. Ignore them 
↳ Don't listen to what other people think of you
↳ People want you to succeed but not more than them

3. Give it time
↳ Give it time, time heals all 
↳ People act out of emotions, don't let them affect you

4. Don't compare 
↳ Don't compare you act 1 to another act 13
↳ The people you compare yourself to are only human

5. Stay Calm
↳ Stay calm, its ok to not have everything figured out
↳ It's a super power to be calm when others are are upset 

6. It's on you
↳ You are 100% responsible for your life 
↳ Harsh truth, no one is coming to save you

7. Smile 
↳ You will never be as young as you are now
↳Life is short, enjoy the moment, this time right now


Which is your favorite? 
Tell me below  ↓ 



♻️ Repost this to help your community!

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7 simple rules for an amazing life 

Hard truth: every relationship is transactional
(here's how to make it work for you)
 
Every connection runs on exchange.
Some trade trust, others trade time or attention
The flow is always there.


Work is clear.
You get paid. You perform.
The deal is direct and defined.

Friendship is quieter.
No terms, but the contract exists.
Support, loyalty and time are traded.


Scarcity mindset
When you meet someone for gain,
you think short term.
You ask before you give.
Trust fades before it grows.


Growth mindset
See people as long term partners.
Invest first. Listen first. Give first.
That is how trust compounds.


Here are 8 ways to build social capital:

1. Play long term games
↳ Act like every bond will last decades.

2. Build before you need
↳ Offer help early, without a return.

3. Make introductions
↳ One link can create years of value.

4. Stay in touch
↳ Send notes. Celebrate wins. Show up.

5. Invest in depth
↳ Spend real time when it matters most.

6. Earn reputation
↳ Do work that speaks when you are silent.

7. Be patient with asks
↳ Quick favors reveal short term thinking.

8. Think in decades
↳ What if this person stayed for 40 years?


Charisma can open doors fast.
But trust keeps them open.
Short term charm fades.
Consistency endures.


Strong relationships are built slowly.
They outlast opportunity.


P.S. Do you agree? 

P.P.S. which is is your favorite? 


♻ Share if you believe real trust compounds.
🔔 Follow me Lucas Bean for more leadership

Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing:

“Preparing to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.

Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on yourself for not doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on other people who have done the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how other people did the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading this essay isn't doing the thing.

The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.” 

— Strangest Loop

Now go do the thing

I’ve mistaken movement for momentum.
Being too busy, as if that’s winning.

It isn't.

I’ve seen teams sprint nonstop:

endless activity
new projects
new goals

And yet months later,
they wonder why nothing has changed.

Because motion isn’t momentum.
And being busy isn’t progress.

Speed is exciting.
It makes us feel like we’re ahead.

But without direction,
 you’re just running in circles, faster.

True momentum requires:

✅  Clear goals
✅ Aligned priorities
✅ Consistent execution

The ones who live their dreams
aren’t the fastest.

They’re the most focused.

💡 Progress isn’t about speed.
 It’s about moving forward with intention.


👉 Do you ever confuse busy with progress?


♻ Share this with someone chasing clarity

🔔 Follow me (Lucas Bean) leadership + growth

Rules to be 500% better at networking:
(In 5 minutes or less) 


People remember how you made them feel, not what you said


Follow these rules and you’ll win:


1. Do Your Research First
↳ Look them up on Google, YouTube, LinkedIn.
↳ Know their past jobs, passions, and recent content.


2. Know Your Goal
↳ Be clear: are you here to make friends, get a contact, or land a client?
↳ No wrong answer but clarity wins.


3. Listen to Actually Listen
↳ Don’t wait to talk—pay attention.
↳ Repeat what they said, then add value. 
They’ll feel heard.


4. Find Common Ground Fast
↳ Talk about the venue, their drink, a mutual interest.
↳ Bonding happens when there’s shared joy.


5. Lead with Humor
↳ Make a tasteful, self-deprecating joke.
↳ Confidence is being able to laugh at yourself.


6. Don’t Overshare
↳ Keep your mess to yourself.
↳ Stay positive. No one needs your trauma dump at a networking event.


7. Add Real Value
↳ Buy a drink, make an intro, or offer a solid compliment.
↳ Over-deliver, even in small moments.


8. Respect Their Time
↳ Keep your ask short and clear.
↳ Know when to leave, exit on a high note.


9. Exit Smoothly
↳ “It was great meeting you, I’m off to [X]. Hope we connect again soon.”
↳ Always leave them smiling.


10. Follow Up Like It Matters
↳ Your follow-up is your brand.
↳ Treat every one like it could change your life.



Which one are you going to use at your next event?

#3 changed the game for me.

—

♻️ Share this with someone trying to level up.
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How to be great at networking in 5 minutes or less 

What’s Michael Phelps secret to success? 
 It’s these 3 things:


1.  Show up everyday 


2.  Especially on the days you don’t 
want to, put in the work anyway. 


3.  Do this for 5 years without missing a day. 


This is what it takes to be successful.


Is today is today the day you start? 



Share this with your community ♻️ 


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Two things that hold most people back:

1. Fear of failure.
2. Fear of embarrassment. 

Everyone has to climb cringe mountain 
to make it to the land of cool. 
Easy to say right?

The only true way to beat the thing
is by doing the thing. 

So just start doing it.

don't think about doing it
don't write about doing it 
don't say you're gonna do it tomorrow
don't tell someone else you're doing it 

just do the thing. 

when you find one path that doesn't work
take another path.

You're aloud to change course 
anytime you want to, 
as many times as you want. 

who cares what anyone thinks. 


When I ran marketing for a fortune 500 brand
I had major restrictions on me

→ My job
→ My boss
→ The optics 
→ The company I worked for

You're not aloud to be an online person
when you worked at a fortune 500 company
and anytime you're speaking anywhere
you are speaking for that brand

today, its different. 

brands are looking for:

→ people that have audiences already. 
→ that can articulate and communicate well. 
→ That aren't scared to talk to people or the camera. 
→ That think fast on their feet. 

Today you have access to the biggest stage in the world
You don't need a Tedtalk

You need your smart phone and thick skin. 

Thats it. 

Use that smart phone
Develop that thick skin 
or you'll always fear
going for it.

♻️ Share this with some one who needs to hear it 
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Be courteous to all 
but intimate 
with few 

and let those few 
be welled tried before 
you give them your trust 

Happy Holidays my friends.

Feeling stuck? 
That's because 

you are.

New results don’t come from old habits.
Change isn’t luck. 
It’s action.

You want a new future?
Do something different today.

Hard truth:
You’re not stuck because life’s unfair.
You’re stuck because comfort feels safer than change.

♻️ Share this with someone who needs to hear it 
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What People Think Marketing Is:

→ Cold emails
→ Pop-up ads
→ PR headlines
→ Trendy logos
→ Funny TikToks
→ Clever taglines
→ TV or radio spots
→ Weekly newsletters

What Marketing Really Is:

 → Split testing
 → Earning trust
 → Crafting offers
 → Guiding prospects
 → Tracking data + ROI
 → Mapping experiences
 → Building communities
 → Knowing buyer behavior

And that’s just the start.
Most assume marketing is about being loud, catchy or viral.

But real marketing isn’t surface-level.

It’s about creating trust,
guiding decisions,
and building relationships that last.

♻ Repost if you agree 
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Post inspiration from Tom Pestridge give him a follow

Ashley Wright

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

Are you struggling to see the results you want 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:
- Loop Earplugs
- Divi
- Petlab
- Mylee
- SNOW
- Stars + Honey
- Surreal
- Style Edit
- Thread Beauty
- Little words project

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!

Mentor

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

One page TikTok Shop strategy for 2026.

We've used these exact steps to help brands scale from $0 to millions in GMV on TikTok Shop:

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

I'm 35.

I run one of the best TikTok Shop agencies out there.

We've generated $80,000,000 in sales for our clients.

Ask me anything about TikTok Shop strategy and eCommerce for the next 24 hours:

We’re hiring at Social Tale - TikTok Shop Agency. 

(This is not for everyone.)

We’re growing fast and are looking to bring on TikTok Shop Strategists, Affiliate Coordinators, and a Shop Ops Managers.

Before you read on, be clear on this:

This is a high-ownership, high-pace environment. 

If you want comfort, predictability, or to be told exactly what to do every day, this will not be a fit.

What working here actually looks like:

1. You like working hard and losing track of time because you’re building something real.
2. You take ownership. Brands, numbers, outcomes, problems, they’re yours.
3. You are comfortable moving fast with imperfect information and adjusting in real time.
4. You think in systems, processes, and leverage, not just tasks.
5. You speak up. Weak ideas get challenged. Strong ideas win.
6. You care about results more than optics.
7. You want to work on some of the most exciting DTC brands scaling on TikTok Shop in the UK, US and EU.
8. You enjoy being part of a sharp team where performance actually matters.

The roles we’re hiring for:

- TikTok Shop Strategists (owning growth, GMV, and strategy per brand)
- Affiliate Coordinators (creator outreach, activation, and relationship building)
- Shop Ops Manager (systems, shop health, fulfilment, and operational excellence)

This is not a “learn on the job” environment.
This is a place to sharpen your edge.

If you read this and thought, “yes, that’s me,” we want to hear from you.

Comment or DM to apply.

TikTok Shop isn't rocket science.

Most brands just skip the fundamentals.

If you're not selling → test more creators.
If creators are converting → scale what works.
If you're scaling → maintain velocity.

The brands winning on TikTok Shop are just executing the basics consistently.

I speak to 20 brands per week about TikTok Shop.

Maybe 2 are actually ready.

Most brands think TikTok Shop is their lifeline, but the truth is, it’s not.

TikTok Shop in 2026 is a performance channel. 

Not an experiment or a shortcut.

If you're launching because your competitor is, you're already set up to fail.

If TikTok Shop needs to work for you in order for you to survive, it won't work.

I recorded a short video on the exact decision framework we use before launching any brand.

Comment “framework” and I’ll send it over.

I'm actually unplugging this holiday season.

Not the fake version where I'm still on my phone every 20 minutes.

Actually disconnecting.

Less screen time. More time with family. Staying consistent with training. And giving myself space to think instead of just reacting to whatever's in my inbox.

My favorite part of the holidays is spending time with my family without any agenda or pressure.

Just being present.

It's a reminder of why I'm building this in the first place.

Freedom and time with the people that matter most.

The best decisions I've made for the business didn't come from being buried in work.

They came when I stepped back and had room to breathe.

That's the whole point of taking a break.

It's not about grinding while everyone else is off.

It's not about "staying ahead" by working through the holidays.

It's about resetting so you can come back sharper.

The business will be there in January.

And honestly, you'll see it way clearer after some rest.

So, to everyone grinding right now, take the time off.

Spend time with your people.

The work isn't going anywhere.

Happy holidays! 🎅

People ask me what a typical day looks like managing 8-figure TikTok Shop brands.

There is no typical day.

You wake up expecting one thing.

TikTok throws something else at you.

Most people think this job is about posting content, but it's mainly about making sure creators, ads, shop ops, and the client are all rowing in the same direction.

I spend my days making decisions that affect GMV, like:

- Should we pause this creator?
- Do we double down on this product?
- Is this trend worth testing?

Every decision compounds.

And on TikTok Shop, good or bad decisions compound faster than on any other platform.

TikTok Shop is making a huge shift in mid-January 2026.

"Violation Points" are out.

"Creator Health Rating" (CHR) is in.

It's a fundamental change in how the platform distributes traffic.

The old system punished bad behavior.

Stay clean, you're fine.

The new system rewards good behavior.

High health scores will get algorithmic preference over accounts that just have zero violations.

What actually matters now:

1) Fulfillment Rate: Ship everything you commit to shipping.

2) Late Dispatch Rate: Get products out on time, every time.

3) Overall Account Health: The platform will score your operational excellence, not just flag your mistakes.

Accounts with strong CHR scores when this launches will have a traffic advantage over competitors still operating at "just good enough."

Most brands on TikTok Shop are fighting for scraps on the FYP.

Meanwhile, TikTok Search is sitting there with 3x higher conversion rates.

And almost nobody is using it.

Most brands ignore it because they're too busy chasing viral moments while their competitors steal customers searching for their exact product.

Here's the framework we use to dominate search traffic for our clients:

---

Step 1: Find what people are actually searching for

- Open TikTok search.
- Type your product category (e.g., "collagen powder").
- Screenshot the top 5-7 auto-complete suggestions.
- These are real search queries with real intent.

---

Step 2: Create videos that match the search term

Most brands make one generic product video.

That approach limits their growth.

Instead, you need separate videos for each search variation.

Someone searching "collagen for skin" has a different intent than someone searching "best collagen powder."

Make content for both.

---

Step 3: Match everything to the search term

- Your hook must include the exact search phrase.
- Your text overlay must include the exact search phrase.
- Your file name should match the search phrase.
- TikTok's algorithm reads all of this.
- Treat it like SEO because that's exactly what it is.

---

We've seen brands go from random viral spikes to predictable daily sales just by owning 5-10 search terms in their category.

If you're still ignoring TikTok Search, you're leaving money on the table.

---

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

“Can I actually be profitable with TikTok Shop?”

I get this asked all the time by brands.

Most brands think TikTok Shop is plug-and-play.

Just find creators, send samples, watch the sales roll in.

That's not how this works.

I walked a brand through this  P&L scenario last week.

$36 AOV.
26% commission.
20% discount on top.
Unoptimized fulfillment.

Profit per order was $2.80.

At 500 orders, it’s OK

So I showed them what happens at 5,000 orders.

The math breaks.

If your economics work at a small scale, it might not work at a real scale.

The brands doing 8 figures built their P&L first.

They launch agressive commission at 20-30% for 60-90 days to find winners.

Then tiered down to 12-20% based on performance.

They optimized fulfillment before adding volume.

They tracked sample CAC like any paid channel.

They avoided discounts unless margins allowed it.

Because when you stack 30% commission + 20% discount, you're giving away half the pie.

That's not sustainable.

I just recorded a video on the full profitability framework we use before launching any brand.

Comment "profit" and I'll send it over.

Drink Nello did $28M on TikTok Shop since launching.

$13.55M of that came from affiliates alone.

Here's the exact playbook they've used:

---

1) The Problem-Solution Framework

Nello sells a "Super Calm" drink mix in the crowded wellness supplement space.

They stopped selling features and started solving a real problem. Every video follows the same pattern:

Problem: "I can't sleep because my mind won't shut off"

Solution: "I started using this and actually slept through the night"

---

2) The UGC Shift

Their polished studio ads completely flopped.

So they switched to raw iPhone footage:

- Real customers mixing powder in their kitchen.
- Talking about their actual stress levels.
- Showing genuine before and after results.

One creator posted about better sleep, and it went viral.

Instead of moving on, Nello amplified that exact video with GMV Max ads, extended its reach and turned one viral hit into sustained revenue.

In the 1st half of 2025, they ran only 5 ads, but generated over 787,000 orders.

---

3) The Affiliate Play

Nello generated $4.38M in TikTok Shop sales in March 2025 alone.

This is what they have done:

- Multiple product listings with tiered pricing (following proven TikTok Shop tactics).
- Higher-than-average pricing ($35+ per unit vs category norms).
- Heavy reliance on TikTok Shop affiliates with competitive commission rates.
- Focus on creator-led sales through product tags and authentic recommendations.

---

4) Live Commerce Execution

BOGO offers during TikTok Shop livestreams created instant urgency:

- "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" drove volume during live sessions.
- Acquired customers at break-even on first purchase.
- Real profit came from reorders (consumable product = high LTV).

---

Stop making ads that look like ads.

Show real people getting real results.

Offer affiliates a commission that actually motivates them to promote you.

Use live commerce to acquire customers at break-even, then win on lifetime value.

Nello proved you don't need the biggest budget.

You need the right system.

---

♻️ Repost with your network if you found this helpful.

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

For years, I was proud of being a hands-on CEO. 

Turns out, I was just the biggest bottleneck in my own business.

If I'm the one in every meeting, reviewing every campaign, approving every creator brief, the business isn't scalable.

Here's what actually changed everything this year:

1) Moving from doing to owning

- I stopped being the executor.
- Started being an architect.
- My job isn't to run campaigns.
- It's to build the people who run campaigns.

2) Building real operators

- Not task-followers who wait for direction.
- Operators who can see problems, make decisions, and drive results without me in the weeds.
- People who own outcomes, not just check boxes.

3) Clear accountability

- Every metric has an owner.
- Every client has a point person.
- Every result has someone responsible.

If you're constantly in the weeds, you're not building a business. You're building a job that scales your stress, not your income.

The real work is building the machine that runs without you.

Most brands think TikTok Shop is a marketing channel.

It's not. It's a commerce ecosystem.

And the algorithm doesn't reward the biggest brands.

It rewards the best sellers.

I've watched brands with 50+ years in retail come to TikTok Shop expecting their name to mean something.

Well, unfortunately, it doesn't.

Your logo doesn't carry weight here.
Your brand heritage doesn't translate.
Your retailer relationships don't matter.

Product velocity means everything.

This is the shift most brands can't wrap their heads around.

They come in expecting their brand equity to carry them.

Then they watch a no-name product with strong creator content outsell them 10:1.

Because TikTok Shop doesn't care about your brand.

It cares about:

- How fast you're converting
- How much commission you're offering
- How well your product performs in content

The platform is built to move products.

Not build brand awareness.

My favorite AI paid media agent just got a lot better.

TikTok Ads are now fully integrated.

If you’re running serious spend on TikTok, this matters.

We spend tens of millions of dollars on TikTok ads every year, so I’m skeptical of anything that claims to “simplify” reporting or analysis.

GoMarble AI is the exception.

The TikTok Ads integration is genuinely seamless.
Setup takes minutes, not hours.
No messy workarounds.
No duct-taped dashboards.

What stood out immediately:

- Native TikTok Ads integration that actually works
- Simple connection flow inside the integrations section
- The ability to query any TikTok data in plain language
- Recurring reports that teams can rely on without manual setup
- One system alongside Meta, Google, GA4, and Shopify

Parts of our team are already using it heavily, and the feedback has been consistent: It removes friction without removing control.

This isn’t just another AI layer. It’s an operating system for performance teams.

If you’re managing TikTok ads at scale, having instant answers instead of pulling reports manually changes how fast you can move.

I don’t say this lightly, but this is where things are heading.
This is the future of how teams analyze and manage ad performance.

If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend starting a free trial.

Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/e-x5Y6HC

2025 reflection.

This was the year things stopped feeling scrappy and started feeling real.

Not because it got easier.
Because it got more disciplined.

Some milestones I’m proud of, mostly because of what they represent:

- Grew the team to 14 people
- Spoke on stage 5 times, across multiple countries
- Started working with brands I used to look at and think, one day
- Continued building a personal brand that now consistently brings inbound, without spending a penny on ads

Those are outcomes.
The real shift was underneath.

We became a real agency.

Clear roles.
Proper processes.
Pods, ownership, forecasting, accountability.

Less reacting.
More operating.

I spent less time doing the work and more time building the system that does the work. 

That transition was uncomfortable, and necessary.

A few things 2025 made very clear:

Revenue without structure is fragile
Growth without focus is expensive
Founders staying in delivery is the fastest way to cap a business

TikTok Shop wasn’t a cheat code either. 

It rewarded the brands and teams that treated it like a serious channel, with mechanics, discipline, and patience. 

The rest churned.

The personal brand piece quietly compounded this year. 

Trust, credibility, and consistency meant we could grow without ads, without noise, and without chasing. 

That leverage is easy to underestimate until you don’t have it.

I’m not building to sell.

But I am building something that could run, scale, and survive without me being in the weeds every day.

That mindset changed everything.

Looking ahead, the goals for 2026 are scary.

Bigger than what feels comfortable.
Cleaner than what feels familiar.
And impossible without another level of focus and leadership.

That’s how I know they’re probably the right ones.

If you’re doing your own reflection, ask yourself this:

Are you building momentum, or are you building a machine?

2026 is about the machine.

Paid media experts used to be able to explain not just which ads won, but why they won.

And more importantly, how to repeat that success.

That used to be the job.

But the role has changed.

Today, we aren’t just thinking in ROAS anymore.

We’re thinking in attribution, cross-channel impact, and downstream effects.

We don’t mass-produce 10–20 hooks hoping one sticks.
We think in entities, angles, and patterns that compound.

We don’t look at creative KPIs in isolation.
We look at full-funnel performance.

In short, we were pushed to become performance marketers.

And that shift broke a lot of people.

Too many dashboards.
Too many signals.
Too little time to connect the dots.

That’s where most creative testing breaks.

And that’s exactly the gap GoMarble’s AI Agents are built to solve.

This isn’t another chatbot.

The Agents Lead Magnet gives access to 20+ specialized agents that compress hours of analysis into minutes, so you can focus on what actually matters: shaping ideas, guiding testing, and orchestrating the creative flywheel.

Some of the agents inside:

• Meta Ads Performance Audit Agent
• Ad Performance Drop Analysis Agent
• Daily Performance Report Agent
• Creative Performance Audit Agent
• Hook & Angle Testing Agent
• Creative Fatigue Detection Agent
• Client Reporting Agent
• Campaign Health Scorecard Agent
• Competitive Intelligence Agent

This is the missing layer between data and decision-making.

You still decide what to test.

The agents help you understand why something worked, what is breaking, and where to focus next.

Comment ‘'MARBLE’’ and I'll send the agents over!

My goal for 2026 is to build an exit-ready business even if I don't plan on selling it.

I spent years grinding.

Building the agency from zero to helping brands do $80M+ on TikTok Shop.

But the truth is, if the business can't run without you, you didn't build a business.

You built a 9-5 job with better pay.

I watched too many agency owners hit 7 figures and burn out.

They can't even take a real vacation.
They can't sell because they ARE the business.
They can't scale because everything runs through them.

That's not freedom.

So in 2026, I'm flipping a script and I'm focused on:

1) Predictable revenue that doesn't depend on me closing deals.
2) Strong margins that fund growth, not just cover costs.
3) Leadership layers where strategy flows down and execution happens without me in the weeds.
4) A business where I operate at 30,000 feet, not in the trenches.

The goal isn't to sell.

The goal is to have the option.

If your business falls apart the second you step away, you don't own a business.

It owns you.

Most brands go dark after December 23rd.

They hit the shipping deadline and pull all their budget.

Pause creatives and wait for January.

The thing is, December 26th to January 10th is the most underpriced attention window of the entire year.

Big retailers pull their budgets the second shipping deadlines pass.

CPMs drop by 40-60%.

But consumer attention doesn't drop.

It spikes.

People are off work and bored at home.

Scrolling on their new phones.

And they're sitting on gift cards and Christmas cash.

Here's our exact Q5 strategy you can copy:

We flip to "New Year, New Me" creative immediately.

Self-improvement angles.
Organization content.
Fitness and reset routines.

We're briefing creators right now to film "What I got for Christmas vs. What I bought myself" content.

The most efficient traffic of the year happens on December 26th.

Not January 15th when everyone else wakes up.

We've been running this playbook for 3 years.

Our clients crush Q5 while their competitors are on vacation.

Are you pausing or pushing?

I've been preaching about TikTok since 2022.

Everyone thought I was crazy.

Just looked through my old YouTube videos.

Video after video explaining why this would be massive.

Back when brands said:

"TikTok won't work for us."
"Let's wait and see."
"Our audience isn't there."

Now it's 2025.

TikTok Shop did $26B so far this year.

And suddenly everyone's a TikTok expert.

We've been running this for 2+ years.

We learned when the platform was empty.

Before it got crowded.

Before every agency started offering it.

The brands that trusted early are dominating now.

By the time everyone agrees something works, you're already late.

If you want to work with people who were actually early (and generated $80M for their clients), not just claiming they were, send me a DM.

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Ashley Wright

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taplio

The Battle

Lucas Bean

Ashley Wright

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Lucas Bean's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreLucas Bean's LinkedIn Performance