The DTC Growth Formula That Actually Works in 2026 – Landon Gartner on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 85

The DTC Growth Formula That Actually Works in 2026 – Landon Gartner on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 85

Why do some DTC brands scale profitably while others burn through ad budgets chasing misleading metrics? Many ecommerce brands rely heavily on platform-reported ROAS to make growth decisions. But the brands that scale sustainably understand that true profitability comes from focusing on unit economics, contribution margin, and overall business performance—not vanity metrics. In Episode 85 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we're joined by Landon Gartner, Founder of Vanspec Marketing, a performance marketing agency helping DTC ecommerce brands build profitable Meta acquisition systems. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why MER is a more reliable growth metric than platform ROAS ✅ The critical unit economics check every DTC brand should run before increasing ad spend ✅ How smaller brands can build a profitable Meta acquisition engine before reaching $1M in revenue ✅ Practical strategies for making smarter scaling decisions without sacrificing profitability Packed with actionable strategies and real-world insights, this episode will help ecommerce founders and marketers build a stronger foundation for sustainable growth. About Landon Gartner: Landon Gartner is the Founder of Vanspec Marketing, a performance marketing agency specializing in Meta-led paid acquisition for DTC ecommerce brands. He works with brands generating between $1M and $8M in annual revenue, helping them improve profitability through stronger unit economics, customer acquisition strategies, and scalable growth systems. "DTC brands are scaling on a metric that's lying to them, and most don't know it yet." Connect with Landon Gartner: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/landongartner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/landongartner/] Key Discussion Topics  • Why MER is a better north star than platform ROAS • The unit economics framework every DTC brand should understand • How to build a profitable Meta acquisition engine before reaching $1M • Scaling ad spend without sacrificing profitability Why You Should Tune In  If you're investing in Meta advertising and wondering whether your growth is truly profitable, this episode is for you. Landon breaks down the metrics that matter, the financial checks brands often overlook, and the systems required to scale customer acquisition sustainably. Whether you're an ecommerce founder, operator, or marketer, you'll walk away with practical frameworks you can apply immediately to make smarter growth decisions. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

How 3D Commerce Is Changing Product Pages Forever — Ganesh Singh on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 84

What if the biggest conversion lever on Amazon today isn’t your ad strategy—but how your product is experienced? As eCommerce competition increases, brands are starting to realize that static images limit how customers interact with products. Attention and engagement are becoming the real differentiators in conversion performance. In this episode of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Ganesh Singh, Co-founder and COO of 3Dimages.ai. Ganesh began his entrepreneurial journey at 19 building eCommerce brands, later moving into AI and SaaS for Amazon sellers. Today, he is focused on helping brands adopt 3D technology to create more interactive shopping experiences. We explore how immersive product visualization is shifting buyer behavior and what this means for brands competing on Amazon and beyond. About Ganesh Singh: Ganesh Singh is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of 3Dimages.ai, based in London. He started his career building eCommerce businesses before transitioning into AI-driven SaaS solutions for Amazon sellers. His current focus is enabling brands to integrate 3D product experiences at scale and prepare for the next evolution of digital commerce. “Engagement is becoming the new currency of conversion — and 3D is one of the most direct ways to increase it.” Connect Links Connect with Ganesh Singh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganesh-singh-157565169/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganesh-singh-157565169/]Company: https://www.3dimages.ai/ [https://www.3dimages.ai/]LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dimages/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dimages/] Key Discussion Topics  • The behavioral shift in how customers evaluate products online • Where 3D and AR fit into modern eCommerce infrastructure • How platforms like Amazon are experimenting with interactive listings • What early adoption of immersive assets means for brand differentiation Why You Should Tune In This episode is for operators who want to understand where eCommerce is heading—not just what’s working today. You’ll walk away with a clearer view of how customer interaction is evolving and why visual experience is becoming a competitive advantage in conversion performance. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Beyond Amazon US: The 2026 Expansion Strategy

Host: Pasha Knish - CEO @ AMZ Optimized Speakers: Gabriela Yero - Founding BD officer @ AVASK Jérôme de Guigné - Group CEO @ eComas Stephanie Khalikyar  - Strategic Partnerships Manager @Uncapped This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

How to Build Smarter Agency Relationships — Drew Hart on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 83

Most brands don’t have an agency problem. They have a visibility problem. They hire agencies without defining operational ownership, performance expectations, or accountability systems. Then they wonder why revenue grows while margin and cash flow deteriorate. In Episode 83 of the Agency Operators Podcast, Drew Hart joins us to discuss how brands should actually work with Amazon agencies — from vetting partners properly to creating systems that keep performance measurable and operationally aligned. In this episode, we cover: — How to identify the right projects for agencies — Why testing agencies on focused operational tasks matters — The importance of outside audits and performance pressure — How founder-led and PE-backed brands should evaluate Amazon partners Packed with practical insights for operators who want Amazon to function like a real business unit — not just a collection of disconnected tactics. About Drew Hart: Drew Hart is the Founder & CEO of Vinculum Services, an Amazon-focused firm helping brands improve advertising performance, conversion, and marketplace operations through commerce intelligence and structured execution. Before founding Vinculum, Drew spent 10 years in a Fortune 500 management rotation program across finance, marketing, operations, and strategy before building and exiting two Amazon brands in 2024. “Amazon is a profitable platform, but only with the right partners.” Connect with Drew Hart: https://linkedin.com/in/drewhart [https://linkedin.com/in/drewhart] Key Discussion Topics • Identifying the right projects for agencies • Testing agencies through focused operational work • Building a list of qualified agency partners • Using outside audits to improve accountability and performance Why You Should Tune In This episode is especially relevant for founders, ecommerce directors, and operators managing growing Amazon businesses with increasing operational complexity. Drew breaks down how strong brands structure agency relationships to improve visibility across advertising, conversion, inventory, and profitability — while avoiding the common trap of outsourcing responsibility without operational oversight. If you want Amazon performance tied closer to revenue quality, margin health, and cash flow efficiency, this conversation delivers practical frameworks worth paying attention to. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

How to Navigate Acquisitions Without Breaking Your Business – Jessica Wright on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 82

What makes some acquisitions actually work… while others fall apart after the deal is signed? Most teams obsess over strategy. Very few are prepared for the operational reality that follows. In this episode, Jessica Wright — CEO of AO2 — shares what it really takes to navigate acquisitions successfully after going through two in just two years. We cover: * Why execution—not strategy—determines acquisition success * How culture influences decisions more than most leaders expect * What it takes to maintain client continuity during transitions * The operational blind spots that quietly derail growth Packed with real-world lessons and practical insights—this is a conversation for anyone thinking about scaling through acquisition. About Jessica Wright: Jessica Wright is the CEO of AO2, a full-service Amazon agency helping brands grow profitably while protecting long-term value. With nearly two decades of experience across brand leadership, partnerships, and agency operations, she brings a grounded, operator-first perspective to eCommerce. Connect with Jessica Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rene-wright/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rene-wright/] Key Discussion Topics • Why acquisitions succeed or fail in operations—not strategy • The role of culture in post-acquisition decisions • How to maintain client trust and continuity • Lessons from navigating two acquisitions in two years Why You Should Tune In If you’re considering an acquisition—or currently in the middle of one—this episode gives you a clearer picture of what actually drives success after the deal closes. Jessica breaks down the operational realities most teams overlook, from aligning culture to protecting client relationships. You’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately, whether you’re scaling an agency or managing complex transitions. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.