VezaTalks 017: Danny Carlson
Host:
Mario Milanovic
Guest:
Danny Carlson
37:00 Min
Listen on:
Host:
Mario Milanovic
Guest:
Danny Carlson
Danny Carlson is a remarkable figure in the world of e-commerce, having founded and scaled Amazon Agency Kenji ROI to impressive heights, generating seven-figure revenues and expanding to a team of 25 employees before his departure several months ago.
His success has not gone unnoticed, as prominent publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Founder have recognized his achievements.
Since leaving Kenji ROI, Danny has dedicated himself to mentoring other agency owners on sustainable growth and sharing his expertise through his YouTube channel.
Originally from Canada, Danny now resides in Bali, where he maintains his mental agility through pursuits such as motorcycle riding, standing acrobatics, and spearfishing.
Danny's journey into the business world is unique compared to most people. Starting off as a semi-professional longboard racer with no prior business experience, he would pay his bills by working as a carpenter.
However, after growing tired of this lifestyle, Danny discovered the world of online business and dove headfirst into learning all he could, not knowing what he didn't know.
His extreme sports background proved to be beneficial in the first few years of his business, as his high-risk tolerance allowed him to be more aggressive and take bigger risks with his capital.
The turning point for Danny occurred during a longboard race on a remote island in the Philippines, where he had a near-death experience.
This moment prompted him to shift his focus towards growing his online business, which initially began with launching his own products on Amazon.
Despite initial failures, Danny persisted and eventually found success with reflective bird disks, which generated $10,000 in monthly revenue. He reinvested all his profits into launching new products and expanding his inventory, but his Amazon account was suspended, leaving him in debt and without any money.
Fortunately, Danny had developed valuable skills and knowledge about Amazon and began offering his services to others.
This marked the beginning of his journey into the agency model, where he continues to help other entrepreneurs achieve success. Initially struggling to cover his personal expenses while living in downtown Vancouver, Danny hustled to acquire clients through Facebook groups.
By posting valuable information and connecting with people, he gradually built up his client base until he was making around $5,000 to $7,000 per month.
As his business grew, he established good relationships with the Facebook group owners, who then recommended his services to members through pinned posts, making his business more scalable.
When it comes to starting a new business, the competition can be overwhelming, especially in today's marketplace. To build a successful brand, it's essential to create a unique product with excellent branding and a solid marketing strategy.
Rather than just launching a product on Amazon, it's important to focus on building a brand that invests in the branding side of things, which requires time, effort, and money.
Building a successful brand takes a lot of hard work and investment, and there are many ways to get funding for a new business, such as investors, Kickstarter campaigns, or loan programs.
Danny stresses the importance of podcasting as a unique medium that allows guests and listeners to connect on a deeper level.
Through his own podcast, he has formed strong relationships with guests that have led to successful marketing collaborations, including one guest who ended up purchasing Danny's agency when he went to sell it.
Danny has since turned his attention to YouTube, viewing it as a long-term investment that, if successful, can lead to tremendous returns in the future.
He chose to start an agency because it was a profitable and scalable business model that could be started with no capital, just hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn. Other businesses, such as restaurants and real estate, carry much higher risk and require significant capital investments.
Danny is a remarkable source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. Through his unwavering commitment, tireless work ethic, and ability to adapt quickly to change, he has proven that anyone can shape their entrepreneurial journey and achieve success.
VezaTalks aims to offer valuable insights and inspiration to help you navigate both the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship. Watch the Podcast now!
