Unwage Ventures LLC

Overview: Strategy to grow Unwage Ventures LLC (Unwage, Studio, Acquisition, and Management) into a $100+ Million dollar exit.

Business Components

Unwage: Core Brand and Content Hub

E-commerce content hub to attract customers for Infrastructure companies, Studio product partners, Acquisitions targets, CEO/GM’s for Management companies, and a platform to promote a data platform for e-commerce owners in the future.

NewsletterBlogPodcastSocial Media

Services – Infrastructure Agency Services

Talent AgencyMarketingLogisticsAccounting
Customer Service AgencyLegalBrokerageProduct Development

Academy – How to build an e-commerce business (DIY).

SaaS – Proprietary technology or data platforms to enhance decision-making and efficiency.

Unwage Ventures: Business Operations Hub

Unwage Studio: Partner with product entrepreneurs providing them with systems, knowledge, and resources to grow a brand to 5M+

Unwage Acquisitions (E-Commerce Brands): Acquire e-commerce brands valued at $1–$5M and grow them for resale or long-term holding to 10M+.

Unwage Acquisitions – (Infrastructure): Acquire e-commerce service businesses (e.g., digital marketing, Logistics, content creation) to support the studio and acquisitions.

Unwage Management: Oversee the transition and management of businesses from both Unwage Studio and Acquisitions.

Steps to Build a 9-Figure ($100M+) Exit

Phase 1: Strengthen Your Financial Base (1–2 Years)

  • Maximize Saint Willo’s Value: (50%-60%)
    1. Focus on Profitability: Increase Saint Willo’s margins through upselling, cross-selling, and streamlining operations.
    2. Scale Strategically: Expand sales channels (e.g., marketplaces like Amazon or retail partnerships) and invest in improving customer retention.
    3. Leverage Profits: Use your 30% ownership as a stepping stone for capital or proof of concept for future ventures. Exit Saint Willo for Capital.
  • Expand Your Brokerage Services: (20%-30%)
    1. Focus on higher-value deals or retainers to maximize income while spending less time on lower-margin transactions.
    2. Use brokerage as a pipeline for identifying acquisition opportunities for your aggregator strategy.
  • Create Content for Unwage: (10%-20%)
    1. Keep content creation consistent but simple:
      1. Repurpose knowledge from Saint Willo and brokerage work.
      2. Use freelancers or tools (e.g., AI for content drafts) to reduce workload.
      3. Publish at least 1 content piece per week for Unwage to start building your audience.
        1. Blog post
          1. Newsletter
            • Aggregate e-commerce blogs and create summaries of them for a weekly newsletter. Use knowledge to grow Saintwillo.
          2. Facebook/Instagram (image or video based on blog)
          3. Twitter (snippet from blog)
      4. High-impact, evergreen content (e.g., “How to Sell Your Ecommerce Business”) that can attract traffic for years and double as lead magnets.
    2. Focus on building an audience over time without overcommitting.
Core Skillsets:
  1. Financial Management:
    • Learn to analyze financial statements (P&L, balance sheets, cash flow).
    • Understand key e-commerce metrics like gross margins, customer acquisition cost (CAC), and customer lifetime value (CLV).
  2. Marketing and Growth:
    • Master customer acquisition strategies:
      • Paid ads (Facebook, Google, TikTok).
      • Email marketing (Klaviyo).
      • Conversion rate optimization (CRO) for ecommerce websites.
      • Develop skills in improving customer retention through loyalty programs and post-purchase funnels.
  3. Deal-Making and Negotiation:
    • Learn the fundamentals of structuring brokerage deals.
    • Develop negotiation techniques to secure favorable terms for high-value transactions.
  4. Content Creation and Personal Branding:
    • Build storytelling and content creation skills to position Unwage as an authority.
    • Learn basic SEO and content repurposing techniques for maximum impact.
  5. Project Management:
    • Use tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com to manage workflows efficiently across multiple initiatives.

Phase 2: Scale Unwage (2–4 Years)

  1. Expand Unwage Content Engine (50%)
    1. Increase content creation
    2. Increase social media presence
    3. Content framework that leverages SEO-driven articles, video content, and case studies. This will solidify Unwage as the go-to hub for e-commerce entrepreneurs.
  2. Launch Studio Brands Under the Unwage Umbrella (20%)
    1. Start building 1–2 E-commerce brands in a niche that aligns with your experience, leveraging insights from Saint Willo and your brokerage work.
    2. Build a direct connection between Unwage content (e.g., “How to Build a 7-Figure Brand”) and your startup ventures.
  3. Acquire 1 E-commerce Brand
    1. Select a smaller, high-margin e-commerce brand ($500K–$1M range) to minimize risk while gaining acquisition experience. (10%)
  4. Launch an E-commerce-focused talent agency (20%)
    1. The talent agency will be used to eventually staff Studio brands and Infrastructure businesses.
    2. Freelance option to test members.
    3. Full-service staffing solution for your portfolio and external clients.
    4. Includes training and upskilling services for e-commerce professionals to build a loyal talent network.

Core Skillsets:

  1. Brand Development:
    • Learn to identify high-potential niches and craft compelling brands.
    • Develop skills in designing product differentiation and unique selling propositions (USPs).
  2. Content Marketing and Social Media Management:
    • Deepen expertise in social media growth strategies (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn).
    • Use analytics tools to measure content performance and refine your strategy.
  3. Business Valuation:
    • Understand how to evaluate e-commerce businesses for acquisitions:
    • Assess revenue streams, margins, and scalability potential.
    • Identify operational inefficiencies you can fix.
  4. Team Building:
    • Build skills in recruiting, onboarding, and managing talent.
    • Develop frameworks for assessing and hiring freelancers or employees for Unwage and the talent agency.
  5. E-commerce Scaling:
    • Master scaling techniques like international expansion, upselling, and building omnichannel strategies.

Phase 3: Begin Acquisitions and Aggregation (5–6 Years)

*Avoid the temptation to scale too fast. Focus on turning acquisitions and brands into highly profitable assets before expanding aggressively.

  1. Use Unwage to Source Deals and Partnerships for Unwage Studio:
    1. Create a pipeline for business acquisitions by positioning Unwage as a trusted platform for e-commerce founders looking to exit.
    2. Offer brokerage or direct acquisition services through Unwage to integrate deals into your portfolio.
    3. Find product partners for Unwage Studio Brands.
  2. Expand the Studio Model:
    1. Use the profits and expertise from portfolio companies to scale the startup studio. Launch 3–5 brands per year, leveraging economies of scale across sourcing, marketing, and operations.
  3. Acquire E-commerce Brands:
    1. Develop clear investment criteria for e-commerce acquisitions.
    2. Use seller financing or earn-outs for acquisitions.
    3. Partner with investors or private equity for larger acquisitions.
    4. Acquire 3-5 ecommerce brands generating $3–5 million in revenue with untapped growth potential.
    5. Acquire brands with strong crossover potential. Complementary product lines to acquisitions.
    6. Improve profitability by implementing standardized systems (marketing, operations, inventory management).
  4. Expand “Infrastructure” acquisitions:
    1. Acquire or Launch an E-Commerce Digital Marketing Agency
      1. Marketing Strategy
      2. Content
      3. Web development
      4. PPC
      5. Display
    2. Acquire or Launch a Logistics Agency
    3. Acquire or Launch a Tax Firm
    4. Acquire or Launch a Customer Service Agency
    5. These acquisitions can support both your owned brands and external clients, creating synergies and new revenue streams.
    6. Position these businesses as solutions for your audience, creating a feedback loop between Unwage and your portfolio.

Core Skillsets:

  1. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A):
    • Learn how to conduct due diligence, including operational, financial, and legal assessments.
    • Develop skills in structuring deals (e.g., earn-outs, seller financing).
  2. Portfolio Management:
    • Master the art of managing multiple businesses, prioritizing high-impact activities.
    • Build systems for setting goals, tracking KPIs, and ensuring accountability across brands.
  3. Systems Thinking:
    • Develop frameworks for standardizing operations across brands (e.g., marketing, inventory management, and fulfillment).
    • Learn how to implement centralized systems for efficiency.
  4. Infrastructure Development:
    • Gain knowledge of operational processes in e-commerce infrastructure businesses like 3PL, digital marketing agencies, and customer service.
  5. Partnership Development:
    • Build strong networking and relationship-management skills to attract business partners, suppliers, and acquisition opportunities.

Phase 4: Achieve Portfolio Synergies (7–8 Years)

  1. Unwage Studio
    1. Launch 5 E-commerce Brands Per Year
  2. Expand Acquisitions Team 
    1. Acquire 10 E-commerce Brands Per Year
  3. Launch an E-Commerce SAAS business
    1. Develop proprietary technology or data platforms to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
    2. Start by building SaaS features in-house for your portfolio brands. Once proven, launch them externally as a paid service.
    3. Focus on tools that solve critical pain points for e-commerce owners:
      • All-in-one analytics dashboards.
      • Inventory and fulfillment optimization.
      • Marketing performance tracking.

Core Skillsets:

  1. Operations Management:
    • Master centralization techniques for HR, finance, IT, and logistics.
    • Learn to automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows.
  2. Technology and SaaS Development:
    • Understand basic SaaS product development, including:
    • Identifying customer pain points.
    • Working with developers to build and test MVPs (Minimum Viable Products).
    • Launching and scaling software products.
    • Gain familiarity with data analytics and AI to power decision-making tools for ecommerce.
  3. Leadership and Delegation:
    • Develop strong leadership skills to manage a larger team and delegate effectively.
    • Build trust and empower managers to make decisions independently.
  4. Strategic Synergy Creation:
    • Learn how to align the goals and operations of your studio, acquisitions, and infrastructure businesses for mutual benefit.
    • Focus on cross-selling and upselling opportunities between brands and services.
  5. Advanced Financial Strategy:
    • Refine skills in capital allocation to ensure resources are deployed for maximum ROI.
    • Learn about funding strategies (private equity, venture capital) for future growth.

Phase 5: Plan Exit Strategies (9-10 Years)

  1. Total Portfolio: ($634M)
    1. Studio – $80M
      1. 16 Studio Brands
      2. $5 Million Average Value
    2. Brand Acquisitions – $260M
      1. 26Acquisitions
      2. $10 Million Average Value
    3. Infrastructure Acquisitions – $94M
      1. Digital Marketing Agency – ($20M)
      2. Accounting Firm – ($5M)
      3. 3PL – ($10M)
      4. Customer Service Agency – ($5M)
      5. Talent Agency – ($50M)
      6. Brokerage – ($2M)
      7. Legal Firm – ($2M)
    4. Unwage – $100M
      1. Content Site
    5. E-commerce SAAS – $100M
      1. Proprietary technology or data platforms to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
  2. Plan Exit Strategies:
    1. Thesis – An entire portfolio focused on E-commerce with complementary businesses that make the entire business more valuable.
    2. Position your portfolio as an attractive asset for strategic buyers, private equity, or IPO.
    3. Narrative for Buyers:
      • Emphasize your ecosystem approach: The integration of content hub, e-commerce brands, infrastructure businesses, and SaaS tools creates compounding value for potential buyers.

Core Skillsets:

  1. Exit Planning:
    • Master valuation techniques to maximize portfolio value.
    • Develop skills in preparing businesses for sale, including improving EBITDA, reducing risks, and creating compelling growth stories.
  2. Investor Relations:
    • Learn how to pitch your portfolio to private equity firms or strategic buyers.
    • Build relationships with potential acquirers early in this phase.
  3. Legal and Compliance Knowledge:
    • Gain a basic understanding of legal requirements for large-scale sales, mergers, or IPOs.
    • Learn about intellectual property protection, tax optimization, and deal structuring.
  4. Advanced Portfolio Strategy:
    • Learn to package your portfolio as a unified ecosystem, emphasizing synergies between ecommerce brands, infrastructure businesses, and SaaS.
  5. IPO Readiness (Optional):
    • Develop skills in creating an investor-friendly narrative, focusing on financial growth, operational scalability, and market dominance.

Centralized System

Centralized Operation Systems for Your $100M Portfolio

A centralized operation system is critical to scaling your portfolio efficiently, minimizing redundancies, and leveraging economies of scale. With multiple e-commerce brands, acquisitions, and infrastructure businesses, a well-designed system ensures consistency, transparency, and streamlined operations across your portfolio.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what a centralized operation system should include and how to implement it:

1. Key Components of a Centralized Operation System

Operations Management

Standardized Processes:
  • Develop playbooks for key operational functions (e.g., product sourcing, inventory management, marketing campaigns).
  • Apply these systems consistently across all portfolio businesses to reduce inefficiencies.
Shared Services:
  • Centralize core functions like HR, finance, IT, and legal services to avoid duplicating resources across companies.
Project Management Tools:
  • Use platforms like Monday.com, Asana, or ClickUp to track and coordinate tasks across businesses.

Financial Management

Unified Accounting System:
  • Integrate all portfolio businesses into a single accounting platform (e.g., NetSuite, Xero, or QuickBooks Enterprise).
  • Standardize expense tracking, budgeting, and reporting for real-time visibility.
Cash Flow Oversight:
  • Implement tools to monitor cash flow across all businesses, ensuring you allocate resources effectively.
Centralized Payroll:
  • Use a payroll solution (e.g., Gusto, ADP) that works across different subsidiaries.

Technology Infrastructure

Shared Tech Stack:
  • Adopt common tools for e-commerce operations (e.g., Shopify Plus, Klaviyo for email marketing, and Google Analytics for performance tracking).
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP):
  • Use an ERP system like SAP Business One, Odoo, or Zoho ERP to centralize supply chain, inventory, and sales management.
Data Integration and Reporting:
  • Implement business intelligence (BI) tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to integrate data from all portfolio companies into dashboards for tracking KPIs.

Marketing and Branding

Centralized Marketing Team:
  • Build an in-house team to handle digital marketing, PPC campaigns, content creation, and branding for all portfolio businesses.
  • Leverage shared marketing assets (e.g., graphic design templates, ad creatives) to reduce costs.
Cross-Promotion:
  • Use the Unwage Website and other owned media to promote portfolio brands and infrastructure businesses.

Supply Chain and Fulfillment

Shared Inventory Management:
  • Use a centralized inventory system (e.g., TradeGecko, Brightpearl) to track stock levels and manage orders across ecommerce brands.
3PL Integration:
  • Own or partner with a 3PL provider to streamline warehousing and fulfillment for all businesses.
Supplier Relationships:
  • Consolidate suppliers for economies of scale, negotiating better terms by leveraging collective purchasing power.

Talent and HR

Centralized HR System:
  • Use an HR platform (e.g., BambooHR, Workday) to manage recruitment, onboarding, training, and benefits across businesses.
Talent Pool:
  • Build a shared talent pool via the Unwage Talent Agency to staff your portfolio companies efficiently.

2. How to Implement a Centralized Operation System

Phase 1: Assess Current Processes and Needs

Audit Current Operations:
  • Identify repetitive tasks and inefficiencies across Saint Willo, Unwage, and future acquisitions.
Define Core Functions:
  • Determine which functions (e.g., finance, marketing, HR) will benefit most from centralization.

Phase 2: Invest in Technology and Tools

Select Core Platforms:
  • Choose ERP, BI, and project management tools that can scale as your portfolio grows.
Integrate Systems:
  • Use APIs or middleware (e.g., Zapier, MuleSoft) to ensure all systems communicate seamlessly.

Phase 3: Build a Centralized Team

Hire Key Roles:
  • Operations Manager: Oversees the system and ensures consistency across brands.
  • Data Analyst: Monitors KPIs and creates actionable insights from portfolio data.
  • Shared Service Leads: Specialists for finance, HR, IT, and marketing.
Set Up Communication Channels:
  • • Use tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams for cross-business collaboration.

Phase 4: Standardize and Automate

Create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures):
  • Document best practices for every function and distribute them across portfolio companies.
Automate Repetitive Tasks:
  • Implement automation for inventory updates, order processing, and marketing workflows.

Phase 5: Monitor and Optimize

Track Portfolio-Wide KPIs:
  • Use unified dashboards to monitor metrics like revenue growth, customer acquisition costs, and fulfillment efficiency.
Iterate Based on Feedback:
  • Regularly review processes with input from portfolio company managers and adjust systems as needed.

3. Benefits of a Centralized Operation System

Scalability:
  • A unified system enables you to manage 20+ brands and infrastructure businesses without losing control.
Cost Savings:
  • Shared resources reduce overhead and improve efficiency across businesses.
Data-Driven Decisions:
  • Centralized data allows for better insights and faster decision-making.
Synergy Creation:
  • Infrastructure businesses can seamlessly support ecommerce brands, maximizing value.

4. Challenges and Mitigation

Complex Implementation:
  • Challenge: Transitioning businesses to a centralized system can disrupt operations.
  • Solution: Roll out changes in phases, starting with the most impactful areas (e.g., inventory, marketing).
Resistance from Teams:
  • Challenge: Teams may resist adopting standardized processes.
  • Solution: Train employees and highlight the benefits of centralized systems.
Initial Costs:
  • Challenge: Building a centralized system requires upfront investment in tools and talent.
  • Solution: Start with cost-effective tools and scale up as your portfolio grows.

Conclusion

A centralized operation system is the backbone of your $100M portfolio strategy. It will:

  1. Streamline operations across Unwage Studio, acquisitions, and infrastructure.
  2. Maximize efficiency and profitability through shared resources and data-driven insights.
  3. Create a scalable foundation for long-term growth and an attractive exit.

Start small by centralizing essential functions (e.g., finance, marketing, inventory management), and expand as your portfolio grows. By prioritizing centralization, you’ll ensure your portfolio operates cohesively, positioning it for maximum value at exit.

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