075: How a Panda & Penguin nearly put this Giant out of Business (John Fischer of StickerGiant)

Background on John Fischer of StickerGiant:

John Fischer, CEO of StickerGiant, started the company in 2000 with a single sticker design and an online store to sell it on. From there he created StickerGiant.com with goal of becoming the “Amazon of stickers.” Over the years, the company has transitioned and evolved from that original idea into one of the top printers of custom stickers and labels. His focus was to make stickers fast, while also constantly striving to use the highest quality materials available, and to be as environmentally aware as possible. He has built his business through dedicated teamwork and an enjoyment in the work we put into creating your custom stickers everyday.

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

[1:00] John is the Founder of StickerGiant, a product-label and promotional sticker printing company.
[2:32] John started his entrepreneurial journey back in high school.
[3:51] He joined a program where he learned how to sell and ended up getting hired by the company who runs the program.
[5:52] “I made the most money in my early career selling”
[6:08] John worked in an ad agency, running their print production and art asset management.
[8:58] He worked in a team which help their clients have an internet presence.
[10:01] John was hired by Whole Foods and he was part of team that built the first Whole Foods website.
[11:55] When the dot-com crash happened, John lost his job so he decided to rent an office space and started doing internet consulting.
[13:25] In the 2000 election, John made “He is not my President” stickers which was picked-up by news agencies and John ended up selling 35,000 “He is not my President” paraphernalia.
[15:56] A few weeks after, John came with the idea of StickerGiant.
[17:45] John started StickerGiants with no business plan at all.
[19:39] StickerGiant was launched a couple of months before the 9/11. When the tragedy happened John was the only one who was selling and shipping a variety of American Flags and overnight his business blew up.
[24:36] In 2008, John moved his business out from the basement into a warehouse and had a million dollars in revenue.
[29:28] In 2012, when Google launched Panda and Penguin, which changed the search results ranking algorithm and catch sites that spams its search results, John almost lost his business.
[32:27] One of John’s closest friend and partner advised him to have an Open Book Finance.
[35:06] “For entrepreneurs that want to build cash flow positive businesses themselves, I suggest they read “The Great Game of Business” by Jack Stack”
[38:11] John believes that incremental change should not be underestimated.
[39:54] John suggests to look up the 12 Natural Laws of Business by Zing Train.
[44:52] “You have to record the mistake, keep track of it and review it as a team and take steps to improve whatever cause the problem”

Fabulous 4 Questions:

📖 📚 Favorite Book(s)? The Great Game of Business By Jack Stack, Traction By Gino Wickman, Rocket Fuel By Gino Wickman
🙌😎 Favorite Amazon.com purchase? OMG, so much. the lastest is my Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush, Rose Gold
🌱💸 Favorite Tool that's GROWN your Business? Getting an Executive asst! also Open Book.
💭💡 BIGGEST Challenge keeping your Business from GROWING? Growing a physical infrastructure at a pace to keep up with a business that is growing geometrically.