🎨 The Tattoo Taboo…

What you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:

• 🎨 The Tattoo Taboo [True Story]

• 🚨 Is Amazon Now Going After VA’s?

• 🔥 Prime Day Dates Announced!

• 🤖 Transform Images into Engaging Videos [AI Lesson]

• 🔍 The Biggest Mistakes Startups Make

🎨THE TATTOO TABOO [TRUE STORY] 

I know Im dating myself but back in the 90's there were no fancy online applications or quick LinkedIn filters.

It was all about sorting piles of paper resumes, sifting through them one by one.

Once we narrowed it down to a shortlist, the real face-to-face interviews began.

And that's when I met Keith.

He had a great resume, a sharp mind and a great attitude… exactly what we needed.

But there was something else.

Back then, tattoos were a big taboo in the corporate world.

They were mostly associated with bikers, inmates, sailors, and rebels, not exactly what many employers were looking for.

But I had a soft spot for tattoos.

During Keith's interview, I noticed something edging out from under his long-sleeve shirt.

Sure enough, it was the beginning of a tattoo sleeve.

He didn’t mention it, probably worried it would hurt his chances.

He also wore a long sleeve shirt in the middle of a heat wave to cover them up.

But I saw it, and it didn't bother me one bit.

I hired Keith because he was the best person for the job, not because of how he looked.

On his first day, Keith pulled me aside, looking nervous.

He confessed, “Norm, I have to tell you something. I’ve got tattoos — full sleeves.”

I just smiled and said, “I know, Kevin. I saw them during the interview. It's no biggie. I hired you for who you are and what you bring to the table.”

Keith was relieved and went on to become one of the best employees we ever had.

The lesson?

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

In business, it’s not about appearances; it’s about the value and integrity a person brings.

Look beyond the surface, and you’ll find the real gems in your team.

— Norm

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🎉 WHEEL OF KELSEY DRAW

This week’s 🎁 : $100 in credits for ProductPinion. This takes 5 seconds to try out your luck below. Feeling lucky?

🚨 Enter → HERE. (You’ll be asked for your email and name so we can contact you.) Congrats to Marina on last week’s wheel!

🚨 IS AMAZON GOING AFTER YOUR OWN VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS?

Amazon just dropped a pretty big bombshell. Thank you to Data Dive’s Brandon Young for posting about this on Facebook.

They’ve started emailing people who are listed as secondary authorized users on multiple Seller Central accounts and from what I’m hearing, we’re not talking about a few hundred folks. We could be looking at tens of thousands.

The message?

Amazon suspects they’re service providers. And if that’s the case, they’re now required to register.

Can Amazon actually process what could be over a million applications from countries like Pakistan, the Philippines, and anywhere else sellers work with VAs?

How many will get approved?

And what happens to the legit brands that rely on these people to run their business — PPC managers, inventory coordinators, sourcing agents, customer service teams?

If they don’t get cleared by Amazon before the July deadline, a lot of critical operations could grind to a halt. What do you think?

🤖 TRANSFORM YOUR IMAGES INTO ENGAGING VIDEOS

This is how you can easily create a captivating video that captures attention without the need for extensive resources.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1. Create an Account

We began by setting up a Kling AI account, choosing the free plan to explore the platform’s capabilities. Once logged in, we navigated to the "Video" section in the left-hand menu.

2. Select ‘Video’, then ‘Image to Video’

In the video tools, we selected the "Video" tab, then selected “Image to Video” on the following page. This allowed us to upload our image and enter a prompt that described the desired animation.

3. Choose the Right Model

We opted for version 1.6 of the video model, which is efficient for most scenes. For more complex motions, version 2.0 is recommended, though it requires more credits

4. Upload Your Images

We uploaded our image as the starting frame. Kling AI also allows setting an image as an end frame for more control, so we opted to try that too.

5. Configure Output Settings

We set the quality to "professional" for better visuals and chose a 5-second duration, due to trial limitations.

6. Craft Effective Prompts

We crafted clear prompts to guide the animation, focusing on camera movements and specific actions. This clarity ensured the AI executed our vision accurately, enhancing the final output.

7. Review & Iterate

We reviewed the generated video and made iterative adjustments to prompts and settings as needed, refining the final product to meet client expectations.

If you’re looking for more AI training check out Futurepedia

🌎 WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE BEARD GUY?

🔥 HOW DTC BRANDS CONQUER RETAIL

Here are my favorite TIPS from this episode!

1. Don’t Pitch to Retail Without Clean Operations

Retail buyers care about logistics.
Tip: Make sure you have EDI set up, your packaging meets retailer specs, and you can deliver on time before you pitch to a big box store. It’s about being a reliable partner.

2. Reverse Engineer What the Buyer Needs to Win

Buyers are judged on sales per square foot and category growth. Frame your pitch in terms of how you’ll help them look good, not just why your brand is cool.

3. Master the Retail Math: Margins, Allowances, Chargebacks

Know your landed cost, expected margin (typically 50%+), slotting fees, promotional costs, and returns policy. If you’re not profitable after all that, you’re not ready.

4. Keep Branding Tight for Shelf Visibility

Retail shelves are chaotic. Use bold colors, clean typography, and clear messaging on your packaging. If someone’s standing 6 feet away, they should know:

• What it is

• Who it’s for

• Why it’s better

5. Use Retail to Build Credibility — Not Just Revenue

Retail isn't always about profit. Use strategic placements (like Target or Whole Foods) as a brand validator for PR, wholesale, and investor pitches. The halo effect is real.

Find this episode of Marketing Misfits on YouTube and anywhere you listen to podcasts

🔍 THE PARADOX OF CHOICE [QUICK MARKETING CONCEPT]

We tend to think that more options = better for the customer.

But sometimes, it does the opposite.

Researchers put out 24 different types of jam on a table. Tons of people stopped to take a look. But only 3% actually bought anything.

Then they ran it again with just 6 types of jam. Fewer people stopped, but 30% of them made a purchase.

Same product, same setup — just fewer choices and sales jumped 10x.

The takeaway?

People want options, but not too many.

A curated lineup can actually help them decide faster and feel better about their choice.

That’s something worth remembering next time you're setting up variations or launching new SKUs.

Keep it simple. Keep it clear. Make it easy to buy.

😱 THE #1 MISTAKE FOUNDERS MAKE (AND HOW TO AVOID IT)

1. Launch with Less
   Colin emphasizes that too many entrepreneurs get stuck in planning. Start fast, even if things aren’t perfect. Validate your idea with a real audience as quickly as possible.

2. Validate Ideas with Pre-Selling
   Colin recommends selling the offer before it exists. Use landing pages, email waitlists, or early adopter pricing to confirm demand.

3. Don’t Waste Time on Non-Essential Tasks in Early Stages
   Focus on revenue-generating activities. Branding, fancy websites, and automation can wait—your priority is getting your first customers.

4. Do Things That Don’t Scale
   Personally respond to emails, over-deliver for your first 10 users, and hand-craft experiences. That effort gives you the insight and testimonials to scale later.

5. Have a Clear Exit Vision Before You Scale
   Know where you're heading. Whether you plan to exit, scale to freedom, or stay small and profitable, the decisions you make early on should align with that long-term vision.

And that’s it, Beardos!

See you next Monday!

- Norm

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