When Daniel Stafford and Robby Switzer met a little over a decade ago, they never would have dreamed they’d end up co-owning a world-changing e-commerce business
In 2010, they were getting to know each other aboard a fishing vessel in Alaska. By 2015, they’d founded a 7-figure eCommerce business that continues to reach new heights to this day. But neither of them started in the business world.
Stafford grew up in the small town of Homer, Alaska as the son of a commercial fisherman who wanted to keep the business in the family. In June 2014, Stafford took one such risk on himself, spending $300,000 on a new fishing vessel to start his own business. When the boat capsized not even two months into his new venture, Stafford found himself underinsured and swimming through-financially uncertain waters.
Switzer also had his own fishing career, in which he and his wife also took a financial hit after also spending $300,000 to purchase their own fishing operation. However, what really became the turning point for the duo, was the realization that the fishing industry meant time away from their families for months at a time, something they couldn’t imagine enduring. So, Switzer and Stafford both left the industry together, and that is when they decided to join forces in the pursuit of something more.
Finding the Right Niche
As soon as they decided to leave fishing for good, Stafford and Switzer began to discuss the next steps. They were looking for a more sustainable lifestyle—something they thought would come from creating a video production company in Alaska.
But life took them elsewhere; they found themselves diving headfirst into e-commerce. Friend Patrick Schilling (once a fisherman who served on Stafford’s crew) soon joined their team as well. And from that space emerged their new e-commerce marketing agency, Shopanova.
It’s safe to say Shopanova was the idea they were looking for all along. Since its inception, it has helped over 100 e-commerce stores grow and scale their business. But for the duo, the most rewarding aspect is how much they help clients grow.
“We’re pretty selective about our client base because we want to make sure every single client gets the revenue they deserve,” said Switzer. “We’ve seen our clients expand by leaps and bounds, and we’re thrilled by those results.”
Carefully Curated Clients
Unlike some e-commerce platforms that take on anyone, anywhere, anytime, Shopanova is selective about its client list. Because they have a 100% turn-key system, they vet every person that wants to be a client. Everyone on their platform has gone through their extensive three-stage vetting process. From over 500 applications a month, they only take on 1-3%.
“We want to be the kind of brand that creates an impact,” said Stafford. “We don’t want to be recognized just to be recognized. We want to be recognized because of the kind of value we create.”
For the team from Shopanova, this comes by way of their new Growth System. It’s something they’re all excited about as it will result in a marked spike in online shopping for e-commerce shops.
As part of this process, the team will audit each client’s online presence, assess their e-commerce systems, and then put a plan into place. The actual plan will differ from client to client, Switzer said, but one thing will remain a constant.
“We’re always going to prioritize the client’s unique niche and their needs, above all else,” he said. “The customizable plan we put together is specifically tailored to all of these things. That’s what sets us apart.”
New Horizons for Online Shopping
Since their online system uses Facebook’s technology to track online behavior and preferences, clients will have better success with advertising campaigns since it helps serve more relevant ads.
“We specialize in driving quality traffic to online stores to help convert everyday shoppers into everyday paying customers,” Switzer said. “Every time we hear an amazing success story from a client, we’re thrilled. That makes all of this worth it.”
The duo has come such a long way since their humble beginnings as fishermen, and they’re a far cry away from business attempts like video production companies. Shopanova has really taken off, and there are no signs it’s going to slow down anytime soon.
Stafford and Switzer aren’t just proud of what they’ve accomplished together; they’re also proud of their team. Everyone at Shopanova is devoted to getting, as they put it, tangible, world-class results for their clients. With their brand, you don’t just get a quality e-commerce agency; you also get outstanding customer service from a team that cares about your growth and success.
About Shopanova
Shopanova is a modern growth media buying agency for eCommerce shops. They have been able to grow their clients’ monthly revenues from 5-figures all the way to 7-figures and beyond. Shopanova has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, Bloomberg Business, NBC and more. For more information on how to build a generational online brand and scale your business to millions, please visit https://shopanova.com.
