Collections Ninja | Simplifying AR | Turning CPG Invoices into Cash Flow

At Collections Ninja, we redefine the way high-growth CPG brands manage their Accounts Receivables. 

Our mission is to convert your invoices into a robust cash flow, fueling the growth and success of your brand. 

We are not just advisors; we are partners in your journey, committed to safeguarding your financial health and amplifying your potential.

Welcome to Collections Ninja, where we blend financial expertise with a passion for CPG brands. 

Our team, led by Raffy Garcia, is dedicated to transforming the Accounts Receivables process, turning a routine financial function into a strategic asset.

We specialize in optimizing AR processes, safeguarding against losses, and ensuring that invoices translate into tangible cash flow. 

Our approach is tailored to each brand's unique needs, ensuring solutions that are not only effective but also resonate with your company's vision and mission.

Our values of support, integrity, and perseverance are at the core of everything we do. 

We engage with CPG founders as more than service providers; we are loyal customers, advocates, and partners in your growth. Connect with us to explore how we can turn your financial challenges into opportunities for success.

As the Founder and Chief Advisor at Collections Ninja, I provide strategic guidance and expert advice in transforming Accounts Receivables for Leaders in high-growth CPG brands.

Founder & Chief Advisor

~Pourri

Revolutionizing Pourri's Financial Landscape: $9.4M Recovered and Over 90 Days Past Due Reduced to Under 5%!

Introduction:
Our eight-month journey with Pourri marked a true financial transformation. We overcame challenges, achieved monumental results, and empowered their AR team for lasting success. Here are the biggest wins:

Biggest Wins:

    1. Massive Recovery: Closed invoices totaling $9.4 million, constituting a staggering 92.44% of total AR.
    2. Over 90 Days Past Due Triumph: Reduced from 21% to under 5%, saving potential losses.
    3. Doubled Cash Flow: Achieved by doubling the average weekly AR Aging.
   4.  Empowered Team: AR team is now well-prepared to maintain the progress and drive consistent cash flow.
    5. Billing Precision: Addressed billing and invoicing errors for long-term stability.

This partnership exemplifies the power of effective AR management, showcasing how collaboration can drive transformative results. 

Pourri is now primed for continued success in their AR operations. 💼📊

Case Study: Transforming Accounts Receivable for Pourri

Kitsch

Beyond Boundaries: Kitsch's Accounts Receivables Revolution – Learn How I Skyrocketed Collections and Banished Past-Due AR Blues!

As an AR Collections & Clean Up Consultant, I've successfully collaborated with clients like Kitsch. 

During this time, I spearheaded the restructuring of their Accounts Receivables Department, implementing standardized processes, improving collection rates, reducing past-due AR, and enhancing AR aging balances. 

My expertise extends to managing AR for E-commerce businesses, reconciling customer names across systems, and training teams for more efficient AR management. 

With a proven track record, I can bring these accomplishments and skills to benefit your business as well.

Restructured and rebuilt the Account Receivables Department. 

Created SOPs for new processes, the standardized Cash application process, and proper remittance backup and storage management.

Oversight and focused on AR Collections and multi-year-old past due open invoice cleanup. 

Developed and created internal controls within AR and EOM closing and reporting.

Increased Collections rates and decreased past-due open AR across all accounts.

AR Customer Name management and reconciliation across two separate systems.

Oversight and management of Cash application for E-commerce Faire.com businesses.

It increased AR Aging Balances to over 75% current from a low 50% in under six months.

Decreased Past Due AR over 60 days and greater to below 10%

Transitioned team members and crossed trained them to more efficient AR management & collections standards.

Oversight over Faire.com Billing & ALL AR customer Billing for accurate Monthly revenue reporting and recording.

Manganed Invoice Creation and revenue billing for E-commerce businesses.

Cash Boost: Kitsch's AR Transformation Unveiled!

Speedo

As the Accounts Receivable (AR) Collections Supervisor, I am part of the regional Finance structure in North America. In addition to serving as a primary contact to our customer base for all cash collections in the US and Canada, I play a part in setting up the function of SAP operating procedures. 

l am “hands-on” at both operational and business levels, with a shrewd focus on understanding and explaining the story behind the customer’s open debt with a focus on converting sales to cash.

HOW I MAKE A LONG TERM IMPACT:
•	Full ownership of the AR ledger to optimize the sales to cash conversion for our brands within North America
•	Lead team of 3 collection Specialists 
•	Responsible for monitoring and maintaining assigned accounts – customer calls, reconciliations, prepayments and if necessary, assisting clients with discrepancies and resolving short payments
•	Collection calls and/or correspondence (emails) in a fast-paced goal orientated collections department
•	Providing customer service regarding credit & collection issues, process credit cards, refunds if necessary, submit and review account adjustments
•	Accountable for maintaining aged debt targets at or above our target
•	Enlist the efforts of sales when necessary to accelerate the collection process
•	Ensure all invoices are properly transmitted to customers (virtual mailroom, customer portal or print to post)
•	Support in opening new customer accounts
•	Processing Credit Card Payments
•	Assist in month-end close duties (e.g., bad debt & charge-back reporting, month end aging with comments)
•	Daily run of the credit hold report – release credit worthy customers and send out reporting to brand managers to be reviewed
•	Weekly and Monthly Reporting of collection and credit issues to the wider business 
•	Support in reviewing the B2B forward order book report on a quarterly basis to address potential credit issues

AR Collections Supervisor

Cremo Company

During my tenure at Cremo Company, overseeing Accounts Receivable Team operations, we addressed key financial challenges:

Challenges:
Cremo faced overdue accounts receivable, inefficient billing, and cash flow issues. My role aimed to optimize AR operations.

Roles and Responsibilities:
My multifaceted responsibilities included:

    Team Leadership: Guiding daily AR Team activities aligned with our objectives.
    Financial Forecasting: Ensuring accurate cash flow through daily AR cash forecasts.
    Reporting Excellence: Producing vital reports, disseminated to Sales, Finance, and Operations Teams.
    Collections Mastery: Overseeing collections, cash application, and account reconciliation.
    Chargeback & Bad Debt Management: Minimizing financial losses by managing chargebacks and bad debt.
    Process Optimization: Implementing efficient process improvements across AR operations.
    Collaboration: Ensuring billing accuracy and revenue recognition through close collaboration with the Operations Team.
    Account Analysis: Conducting comprehensive account analyses for AR, bad debt, and open AR credits.
    Policy & Procedure Development: Creating and maintaining department policies and procedures for compliance.
    ERP System Enhancement: Identifying and implementing efficiency opportunities within the ERP system.
    Financial Auditing: Completing required AR audits and supporting Controller in financial audits.
    Controls & Compliance: Developing and maintaining company controls and ensuring financial compliance.

Results:
Our collaborative efforts delivered:

    Reduced outstanding AR, enhancing cash flow.
    Minimized chargebacks and bad debt, preserving stability.
    Improved process efficiency and accuracy, reducing operational costs.
    Strengthened compliance and controls, mitigating financial risks.
    Streamlined financial reporting, providing critical insights.
    Enhanced cross-functional collaboration, fostering shared responsibility.

 Case Study: Optimizing Accounts Receivable As the AR Supervisor

-Key team member in Collections of one key account: Past Due AR Aging of $1.1MM down to $94K in under 4 months
-Key team member in collections with one of our top accounts: researched, compiled, analyzed, sorted remittance detail with thousands of data rows
-Payment of over $900K received was tasked with cash application and disbursement of funds across several hundred partially open invoices

-Collections Overall: Cleaned up several accounts with AR Aging dating back to 2017, 2018, was successful in collecting and resolving partially paid invoices

-Ownership of Key accounts from an AR Collections to Disputes cycle - Matching Tradespend and payments with proper backup documentation through several portals and formats.
-Build and Manage AR Directory
-Clean up of Accounts: Researched and validated Partially and 100% open Outstanding AR, created  Credit Memos (CM) to clean up partially open invoices that had valid deductions and trade spend related chargebacks, previously not cleared and applied

-Collections with OPS/Billers: working with Ops to get contacts and EDI invoices for collections that resulted in us collecting on our receivables
-Increased check deposits from once a week to twice a week, getting paid faster.
-Decrease DSO
-Daily posting of payments from customers along with the new process for Payment Application and CM creation and Process Flow
-Compiled list of customers that we are ready to start changing to ACH project
-Updating Remittance Address for all customers to HQ streamlining this process
-AR/Ops working together – making sure EDI invoices are showing up in Customer’s Portal for Timely Payments
-Researching OTIF/Compliance & Shorts/ filing claims, creating processes and finding efficiencies within current customers under my care
-Assist with Company and bank Audits
-Setting up new SOPs for current tasks and obligations 
-Weekly Reporting of Sales & related business standing reports

AR Collections Specialist 

Sambazon

In charge of managing and reconciling key account deductions and bring them to a resolution. Also, hands-on with all collections and keeping accounts to current balances. I ensure DSO for the company improves over time and implement the proper procedures to help run the department efficiently and with a high level of customer satisfaction. I have the primary responsibility for the management of receivables for Sambazon.
 
Key Responsibilities:
• A/R Collections related to all Natural Channel accounts, and other key accounts, as assigned.
•Processing of all cash receipts sent to Sambazon's Lockbox via check, wire, and ACH, as well as processing of cash and credit card payments, and the periodic deposits made direct to our local branch.
•Analysis and validation of chargebacks from assigned customers, and application of their corresponding credit memos into SAP system. On occasion, will require refuting of invalid deductions.
•Verify the credit history of new customer accounts, and enter new accounts into SAP.
•Work closely with Operations staff, as necessary, to obtain POD documentation; resolve any invoicing issues related to assigned customers; and to cut off shipments to non-paying accounts, when applicable, upon approval by A/R Manager.

Deduction Management:
•Managing and reconciling open chargebacks/disputes/short payments on accounts receivable 
•Resolving customer disputed deductions pertaining to pricing, bill backs, damages/shortages claims, etc. 
•Full understanding of customer’s and company’s operations (i.e. customer’s portals, company’s process/procedure etc.) to efficiently resolve authorize or un-authorize deductions 
•Following credit memo coding guidance to record proper account on credit 
•Work closely with Customer Service and Sales to set up new customers, credit limits, and ensure proper finance documentation loaded into the system 
•Proactively manage credit holds, and communicate effectively with Customer Service, Sales, and Customers

Accounts Receivable Specialist

As the Accounts Receivable Clerk I have primary responsibility over the monitoring and processing of collections, deposits, and deductions for key customers that Sambazon conducts business with.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
•	Collections and processing of payments from key customers in SAP. Includes, but not limited to, the negotiation of payment schedules when necessary.
•	Analysis and validation of chargebacks from key customers. On occasion, will require refuting of invalid deductions.
•	Conduct customer credit checks
•	Monthly AR related reports
•	Perform other duties as needed or directed by AR Manager.

-  key team member in maintaning our Natural Trade Spend Report for deduction validation and Monthly Trade Spending Reporting to Sales Directors, along with the Marketing Department and Head of Sales Team

- Natural Trade Spend Report cut our Deduction validation process from 3-4 hours down to 1 hour
- Natural Trade Spend Report is an ever growing Excel database Based reporting system, built from scratch consisting of (formulas, functions, and pivot tables) very comfortable working with Excel
- Key Natural Channel Accounts were cleared and brought up to date in Outstanding open Invoices by validating and clearing $300k+ in open deductions that were pending verification  

- Full ownership for payment processing and application to customer accounts received via LB,ACH, Wire transfers to all company customers.

- Analyzed and processed request for trade references and credit checks for new customer setups and payment terms, very comfortable evaluating credit worthiness of potential new customers 

-Maintained Customer Database in the ERP System along with setting up new customers

- Responsible for Cash Applications the complete cycle of payments and deduction validation for Key Accounts in our Natural Channel of business.

- Helped Streamlined and make more efficient our Deduction process in terms of organization and easy access to backup when needed

Accounts Receivable Clerk

As the Trade Shipping Coordinator I was accountable for handling and managing the shipping of company materials and products to the Sambazon Sales & Marketing team, Coordinate Trade events, setup and delivery of  as well as all consumer orders taken over the internet or phone in accordance with the guidelines, policies and procedures outlined by the company.


•	Meet/exceed internal and external customer expectations for shipments of company materials (samples, POS, etc) and company products to internet and phone customers.
•	Create the Monthly Internet Sales Report for Hector to Process and Invoice correctly
•	Process Sales Samples & POS Resquests in SAP for Cost Consumption
•	Actively look for Better Rates on Shipping Supplies: Uline,Delta Styrofoam Boxes 
•	Help The Warehouse Manager unloading product for warehouse placement
•	Manage and Ship Amazon.com Orders, Create PDF Files for East & West Coast Shipping
•	Update Both Internet and Amazon Tracking numbers
•	Process Consumer Shipments
o	Process order data into process spreadsheet
o	Internet & Phone order fulfillment – package shipments
o	Coordinate and prepare East Coast orders
o	Print Packing list
o	Provide tracking information to customers
o	Shopping Cart Reconcile process
o	Credit Card processing/Refunds/cancellations
•	Process Internal Sales/Promotional/Marketing Shipments
o	Process and the Fulfillment of all POS requests
o	Prepare, pack and ship Sales/Marketing Kits and Packages – POS, New Store, Broker, Direct Sales, PR and Demo kits
o	Fulfillment of products as samples to various sales/industry persons
•	Respond/Resolve customer service shipping issues on a timely basis (within 24 hours) via the phone or e-mail.
•	Process returns within company guidelines.
•	Provide International shipping quotes – assuring that customer is responsible for any and all importation fees or duties.
o	Provide shipping quotes
o	Prepare invoices and other required shipping documents
o	Coordinate shipment pick-up

Promoted: - Trade Shipping Coordinator

As the Shipping Coordinator I was accountable for handling and managing the shipping of company materials and products to the Sambazon Sales & Marketing team as well as all consumer orders taken over the internet or phone in accordance with the guidelines, policies and procedures outlined by the company.

- Grew revenue from our PayPal international customers by $10297
- Increased conversion of international product quotes to 8 out of 10 converting into sales
- Increased international customer Retention and reorders resulting in $4327 in additional sales
- Key member in team for reducing shipping supply cost by $2358 yearly
- Increased our Address verification & shipping Accuracy by 4% to 99% accurate deliveries
- 99% shipping accuracy resulting in $1123 savings from UPS Address Correction  Fees
- Accountable for the shipping of all consumer orders taken over the internet & phone
- Provide international shipping rates and fulfillment of international samples.
- Effectively ship all company materials and product request for the sales & marketing teams
- Process all sales request via Sales Force and POS request
- Sort customer orders into spreadsheets for East & West Coast Shipping Fulfillment

Shipping Coordinator

Imaging Plus, Inc

• Experience in Distribution Center configuration with Warehouse Management software
• Certified Industrial Truck Operator License (sit-down, stand/Up, Electric Pallet Jack)
• Responsible for the organization/maintenance of Warehouse and storage areas
• Administer the Drop Ship program
• Manage relationships, process inbound invoices and negotiate discounts with all carriers (Allstates World Cargo, UPS, U-line etc.)
• Manage physical inventory process (counts, cycle counts, etc.)
• Coordinate, administer, and monitor all outstanding POs and inbound shipments from vendors/suppliers
• Responsible for overall movement of merchandise-receiving and transferring
• Develop and implement strategic goals and action plans for the Warehouse Department
• Responsible for maintenance of office and packing supplies
• Completed projects within the requested time frame
• Responsible for processing/shipping phone orders
• Administer back-orders to maximize fill upon arrival
• Responsible for processing/shipping orders through FedEx & UPS
• Worked closely with management to ensure adequate inventory levels were maintained

Shipping & Receiving

Paragon Luggage Inc

• Responsible for All Inventory &amp; Equipment in a 56,100 SF Warehouse &amp; Office Building
• Experience in Distribution Center configuration with Warehouse Management software.
• Completed projects within the requested time frame
• Certified Industrial Truck Operator License (sit-down, stand/Up, Electric Pallet Jack)
• Responsible for organization and maintenance of Warehouse and storage areas
• Responsible for overall movement of merchandise-receiving and transferring
• Manage relationships, process inbound invoices and negotiate discounts with all carriers (FedEx, UPS, U-line etc.)
• Coordinate, administer, and monitor all outstanding POs and inbound shipments from vendors/suppliers.
• Administer the Drop Ship program
• Manage physical inventory process (counts, cycle counts, etc.)
• Develop and implement strategic goals and action plans for the Warehouse Department.
• Responsible for maintenance of office and packing supplies
• Administer back-orders to maximize fill upon arrival
• Responsible for processing/shipping phone orders
• Responsible for processing/shipping orders through FedEx &amp; UPS
• Works closely with management to ensure adequate inventory levels are maintained.

Assistant Warehouse Manager

BabyStyle, Inc

• Help customers select their purchases
• Knowledge of retail merchandising and product flow techniques
• Build loyalty with customers.
• Decrease store shrinkage by researching inventory discrepancies, and reporting suspicious activities to loss prevention specialists
• Organize the stock room &amp; warehouse, and ensure that accurate labeling, logical placement, neat arrangement, and cleanliness were maintained
• Assist in other store functions as needed
• Other duties include cashier
• Provided outstanding customer service
• Kept all stations clean, stocked and organized
• Willingness to learn and take direction.
• Adhere to all Company policies, procedures and practices.
• Unpack received goods; placement of product on selling floor.
• Verify accuracy of shipment.
• Ensure that each customer receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes greeting and acknowledging every customer 
• Maintaining solid product knowledge and all other aspects of customer service.
• Maintain an awareness of all promotions and advertisements.
• Assist in floor moves, merchandising, display maintenance, and housekeeping
• Assist in processing and replenishing merchandise and monitoring floor stock.
• Aid customers in locating merchandise.
• Communicate customer requests to management.
• Assist in completing price changes within the department.
• Participate in year-end inventory and cycle counts.
• Assist in ringing up sales at registers and/or bagging merchandise.
• Any other tasks as assigned from time to time by any manager.

Stock & Sales) Associate

Wahoo's Fish Taco

• Supervise Working Conditions in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Train and coach employees.
• Conduct employee performance reviews.
• Responsible for shift schedule to include: work station assignments/rotations, employee training, employee vacations, 
employee breaks, overtime assignment, back-up for absent employees, and shift rotations.
• Coordinate Operation startups, shutdowns, and changeovers.
• Coordinate with Human Resources for appropriate staffing levels.
• Schedule and conduct shift meetings.
• Responsible to meet shift production goals.
• Responsible for quality control. Make adjustments as necessary during shift to best provide best Customer Service 
• Communicate with other Shift Supervisors and Manager.
• Ensure a clean and safe work area.
• Complete shift paper work.
• Assist in Customer Service as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Setup work station
• Counted and balanced register at beginning and end of shift
• Helped guests with placing their orders
• Provided outstanding customer service
• Kept all stations clean, stocked and organized

Server Cashier

Converting Invoices to Cash for CPG Leaders: Your AR, Our Expertise

I'm Raffy Garcia. 

Passionate about CPG brands, I specialize in Accounts Receivables transformation to drive growth. 

In my tenure, I've overseen cash flow management for companies with revenues from sub $30M to over $500M, playing a crucial role in their financial scaling and success.

My Approach:

Beyond managing invoices, I build strategic financial solutions aligned with CPG brand visions.

Core Values:

At the core of my professional ethos are the values of support, integrity, and perseverance. 

Testimonials:
🗣️ What industry experts say about working with me:

    Matt Kowalec, COO, CFO, CEO Advisor & Board Member:
    "Extremely pleased with the results...Raffy makes significant progress quickly."
    A journey of impactful learning with Matt.

    Arin Beltran, Accounts Receivable Specialist at ~Pourri:
    "Raffy's adaptability and positive attitude stand out."
    Showcasing adaptability and teamwork with Arin.

    Brett La Tourette, Accounting, Leadership & Operations:
    "An extremely talented person with a unique team-oriented approach."
    Gained invaluable insights under Brett's leadership.

    Oliver Kirya, Collaborative Financial Business Partner:
    "Raffy was eager to take on new challenges...a star in Accounts Receivable."
    Instrumental growth with Oliver's perspective at Sambazon.

    Matthew Biggins, CEO & President at Cremo Company:
    "Raffy stepped up to the challenge...an invaluable team member."
    Pivotal career experience with Matthew's guidance.

    Jim Harrington, Entrepreneurial CMO:
    "Raffy is a collections ninja...improved our company's profitability and cash flow."
    Masterclass in finance and brand strategy with Jim.

    Eric Munsayac, Strategic Category Management Expert:
    "Raffy helped me understand their business...very easy to work with."
    Fulfilling knowledge-sharing experience with Eric.

    Kadeem Hinton, MS, CFS, Food Scientist:
    "If passion and tenacity are what you're looking for, look no further."
    Inspiring journey in dedication with Kadeem.

    Ly Ung, Advisor:
    "A consummate professional and tireless learner...the best hire I have made."
    Ly's mentorship at Sambazon was a cornerstone in my growth.

    Mary Martinez (Morris), Balanced Financial Leader:
    "Raffy: responsible, dedicated, detail-oriented, passionate."
    Shaped my financial leadership under Mary's guidance.

Connect With Me:

CPG Founders & Stakeholders ready for transformative growth: Connect with me to align your financial strategies with integrity, support, and perseverance.

Rafael Garcia

Eric Martindale

Elite Commerce Group

We are the most aggressive, growth-oriented E-Commerce Management Agency in the game.  

From End-to-End Management, to Strategic Growth, to Digital Advertising or Product Development - We leverage a blend of deep experience with proprietary technology to change the game for our Brand Partners.

Founder, CEO

Our Agency launches and grows brands on Amazon and the other digital Marketplaces.

President and CEO

Villanova University

Associate Professor, Villanova University and University of Pennsylvania

United States Marine Corps

Executive Officer of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion
Commanding Officer, Engineer Support Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion
Officer Instructor, Combat Engineer Instruction Company
Commanding Officer, Company A, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Executive Officer, Company C, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Platoon Commander, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
3 Combat Tours, Bronze Star, Crazy Stories

Marine Officer

While assigned to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, I served as a company commander during the battalion's combat deployment to Afghanistan.  I was later assigned as the battalion executive officer on 5 January 2011. 3 Combat tours, Bronze Star, loads of fun.

Battalion Executive Officer, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion

Founder, Elite Commerce Group | E-Com & Retail Media | Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Instacart | E-Com Futurist | USMC Combat Vet

Leading Brands into the Future of Commerce.  Our team of developers, digital marketers, and e-commerce veterans; are experienced on a wide range of digital platforms, including both e-commerce marketplaces and retail media platforms.  

We pride ourselves in developing "best fit" solutions to meet each Brand where they are.  No two omnichannel strategies are alike.  We come to each Brand uniquely, rather than trying to squeeze a Brand into our template.

Here’s why Walmart is done opening stores:


They already have them all.  ✔️


That statement is of course, false.

But it is closer to true than you think.


Between Walmart and Sam’s Club locations…

Walmart has 5,206 total US doors.

90% of the US lives 10 miles from a Walmart.


That other 10%?

They eat roadkill stew.. 🙅🏻


Ok, not true.  (Maybe.)  

But they’re likely too rural for a Walmart. 


Walmart’s smartest play is not more doors.

Walmart, smartest play is more money, same doors.

Walter Holbrook might call that same store comp.
 

Consider some realities:

-  Walmart is NOT aggressively growing doors.

- Walmart IS growing revenues.

- Walmart IS growing profits.

- Walmart IS the leader in grocery tech.


No, Walmart is not coming for more doors.

Walmart is coming for more share pantry.

Walmart is coming for Instacart.

Walmart is coming for Amazon.

Doug McMillan’s exit is no coincidence.


For consumers, you certainly don’t have to shop there.

But for Brands…

I might consider Walmart as part of the long game.



 What do you think?

Is there anyone out there you think can give Walmart a run for its money?


———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #retailgrowth #retailvelocity #cpg #cpgbrands #instacart #futureofretail #retailtech #shoppermarketing #Amazonconsulting
#Amazon #AmazonGrowth #Grocery #GroceryTech #DoorDash

Eric M.

Scaling Brands in E-Com & Retail Media - Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, TikTok, Whole Foods, Criteo | Banned from Chuck E. Cheese | USMC Combat Vet | Founder Elite Commerce Group

No alternative text description for this image

Red Pill:  Everyone is getting fired.  

A Story of AI, Robots & Gaslighting.


Their line:

“We’re freeing up people to do other things.”


Your line:

“AI will create more jobs than it destroys.”


Gucci.  

But the data doesn’t back up either of those.


I just read about Harmon’s new robotics contract.

Utah’s “people first“ independent grocer.

Followed by the obligatory repurposing people quote.


But it just never seems to play out that way.

Consider…

Amazon.
Profit clearly up.
Revenue clearly up.
Headcount down.

Walmart.
Profit clearly up.
Revenue clearly up.
Headcount down.  

The picture is the same across industries.

Microsoft, UPS, Adidas, P&G, Intel, Rivian, Bayer…

Revenue up.  Profit up.  Headcount down.  

The examples are positively endless.


And if you’re going to tell me this is related to tariffs…

Many of these companies are not major imports.

Many don’t  use many material goods at all.

And we’re talking about cuts AMIDST record profits.


How about all those jobs that AI is going to create?

Can somebody please show me this by the numbers?

Is it the bots in my DM’s trying to sell me AI services? 


I know, I know.

“Eric, LinkedIn is for gaslighting and toxic positivity.”

Yes, but I’m taking a break for this morning.


No, I don’t think we are all going to die.

Yes, I think we need to know where tech is taking us.

And yes, I do think each of us need to have a plan.



What do you think? 

Do you think AI will create more imaginary jobs than it destroys?

How does rapid tech expansion impact your industry?


———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #AI #Tech

TikTok Shop, virality, and the truth no one is telling you.  


I suppose I’m a dream crusher.  

I do 2 to 3 calls per day with prospective clients.

And I probably tell two of three to save their money.


It’s not that I don’t want business.

But my little brain is a storm of digital data points.

Amazon, Google ads, TikTok shop, Instacart…

I’m crossing them off one by one as we talk.

I want nothing to do with a losing proposition for you.


Probably the number one thing I talk brands out of…

TikTok Shop.  


Now I’m hugely pro TikTok shop.  We do a lot of of it.

But you have to know what you’re getting into.


Here’s what no one is telling you…

TikTok shop is both tiny and expensive.


Amazon:  the World’s largest retailer, headed to $700B this year.  

Digital Grocery:  an exploding format, headed to $240B this year.   

TikTok Shop is a $15B spark.

It’s 2% of the size of Amazon.  

7% the size of digital grocery.  


𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘐 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘴.  


But Eric, isn’t TikTok Shop the future of shopping?

Well, yes, it’s part of it.  


But when you need to get dollars in for dollars out…

…and you’re not a content churning machine…

…it may or may not be the right move right now.  



Here is when I think TikTok Shop makes sense…

- You can afford to invest with a delay on return.  

- 100-300 free samples/month makes sense, or…

- You can produce high-converting videos daily.  

- Your product that makes e-commerce sense.  

👉 50 lb bags of dog food or glass jars of pickles?

❌ TikTok Shop is a great way to grow broke.  


Don’t get me wrong. 

There are TONS of brands that should be on Shop.  

But like everything else, #timing.


If you need volume, Amazon.

If you need velocity, Retail Media.

If you can invest in virality, TikTok Shop. 


TikTok Shop is probably not a cash flow solution.

But it is likely your best investment in virality.  


“𝘓𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢.  𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.”  - Eric



Do you think TikTok grows from here?

Be honest.  How much time are you soendung on it? 

———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia

LinkedIn, I made you this settings button. 
 

Not that I don’t love hearing how impressive my work is at Elite Commerce Group.


What’s your Cold DM policy?

Ignore, engage, block, taunt, or reply? 





#ColdDMs
#Ecommerce

5 Christmas Flavors.
5 Deadly Histories.  


I just stumbled on the bloody history of cinnamon.

Turns out, there’s a deadly history behind your Christmas cheer.


Absolutely disgusting.

Let’s make a fun post about it.  ✔️


𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻.
𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗴.
𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲.
𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀.
𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮.

A little bit of joy.
And a whole lotta muder.  

—

𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻.
Did you know the Blood Spice War was fought over it? 
Arab traders hid the source for centuries.
Anyone who leaked the secret disappeared.
Then Portugal invaded Sri Lanka.
Spice plantations became battlefields.
Thousands dead over your sprinkle of “warmth.”

Did someone say snickerdoodles?
I say it was worth it. 🥰

—

𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗴.
The Manhattan Trade-Off.
The Dutch wanted nutmeg so badly
they traded Manhattan to Britain for it.
Islanders were enslaved.
Villages wiped out.

Turns out the Gingerbread man has a violent past. 🔪

—

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲.
Sweet Human Sacrifice.
Cacao was Aztec currency.
Worth more than gold.
War were fought and prisoners were sacrificed
While nobles drank chocolate.

It turns out that chocolate Santa…
Started in a blood ritual. 🍫

—

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀.
Villages burned over it.  
Clove trees only grew on a few islands.
So spice cartels controlled every leaf.
Try planting one outside their rule?
You were executed and your village torched.

But hey, you can kind of get it, right?
Try making an eggnog without it. 🍵

—

𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮.
Mexico was one the only place vanilla grew. 
European powers wanted it but couldn’t make it grow.  
So they attacked plantations to kidnapped growers.  
Many were put on boats and taken back to Europe.

But I mean, probably worth it. 
Can you imagine a Christmas cookie without it? 🙅🏻

—


So what do you think? 

What’s the one seasonal dessert you would kill for?

(Pumpkin Spice answers not allowed.)


And are you on Team Eggnog or no? 




#SeasonalFlavors
#Ecommerce
#Murder

Congratulations on your Amazon success!

You’ve earned a battle with resellers. ✔️


Stick around long enough, and it’s inevitable.

As my grandmother used to say…

They’ll come out of the woodwork.


But don’t worry. 

You know we’ve got you covered. ;)


Unauthorized resellers can be absolutely destructive.

They take your Buy Box and shut down ads.

They interfere with keyword ranking strategy.

They can interrupt an otherwise clean catalog.

And customer experience can be disgusting.


But you 𝘤𝘢𝘯 actually get complete control.

Having an Amazon prep center puts us in a unique position.

It becomes our responsibility, one we take seriously.

So of course; we have it DIALED.


Here are 5 steps for getting complete catalog control:

𝟭.  𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡.  
- Take inventory of everything out there.
- Offers a place to assign actions and track progress.  

𝟮.  𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.  
- Trademark, Merge, Counterfeit, Transparency.
- Consider Reviews, Redundancy, and Catalog Concept.  

𝟯.  𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡’𝘀.
- ASIN’s with “Generic” or incorrect brand names.  
- Counterfeit or Trademark, but be right!

𝟰.  𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡’𝘀.
- Useful on ASIN’s with strong rank or reviews.  

𝟱.  𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡’𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.  
- Resellers will NEVER be able to sell on enrolled ASIN’s.  
- ASIN’s you’re keeping, and ones you can’t get rid of.  

𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗨𝗦: 𝗨𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝗹 “𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲” 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡𝘀.
- Resellers will search “Add a product“ with your UPC’s.
- Beat them to it and get it done.


Sequence is important here.

If you’ve been playing the trademark game for years…

You are missing out on some real peace of mind. 


Don’t get me wrong.

This is straightforward, but not easy.

It is both an art and a science.

But I guarantee it can be done.

Because we’ve done it many times.


DM me for help, or if you need a prep solution.  



So…

What percentage of your Christmas shopping will you do on Amazon?

———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia

We’re missing the point with Gen Z.


“Baby Boomers are the wealthiest generation.”

“Gen X has the highest per capita income.”

“Millenials spend the most in key categories.”


But we’re missing the significance of Gen Z.

There’s more strategic than their spend.

Truly, they are more than a generation.

𝘎𝘦𝘯 𝘡 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.


Highly digital.

Highly experiential. 

Influenced by social media.

An endless appetite for innovation.  


True, these are all provably true for Gen Z.

But Gen Z is a bell weather for all other generations.  

Even Bsby Boomers (who are now using ChatGPT).


If you want to see where all of culture is headed… 

Watch Gen Z.  



#culture
#GenZ
#ecommerce

Super thrilled to have chatted with the Great George Milton on the newest, hottest CPG and Business podcast, Gross to Net.  

George is brilliant and a gifted conversationalist.   

This is going to be a big thing.  Give it a listen!

Co-founder at Yellowbird Foods 🔥 Level 11 College of Valor Half-Elf Bard ⚔️ Mustache guy 🥸

Today marks the official launch of the Gross To Net podcast! Built out of the conversations I was having and questions I was asking over on my Substack, I’m having conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, investors, operators, thinkers, philosophers, and doers about what makes them tick and what they’re optimizing for.

I’m also unashamedly trying to find the meaning of life. Don’t say 42.

In this episode, I talked to Eric Martindale about importing, Amazon, AI, and entrepreneurship.

Got a lot more already recorded, booked, and in pipeline that I’m super excited about!

Subscribe if this is the sort of thing you’re into.

Open article: Gross To Net by podcasts.apple.com

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The Battle

Rafael Garcia

Eric Martindale

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The Battle

Rafael Garcia

Eric Martindale

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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);}Eric Martindale's LinkedIn Performance

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