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Jun 6, 2016 · 24m · top-founders

EP 317: New Dad Does $1Million Per Month on Fish Oil and Bernie Sanders?

Ryan Moran · 13m spoken Nathan Latka · 8m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this episode of 'The Top,' host Nathan Latka interviews serial entrepreneur Ryan Moran, who reveals how he scaled his diversified business portfolio to one million dollars per month across Amazon e-commerce, coaching programs, real estate, and strategic domain acquisitions. Moran shares detailed financial metrics, product unit economics, and his philosophy on compounding discipline and brand building.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Nathan holds 40% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Nathan as informed peer 5.0 Guest teaching 3.8 Guest disagreement 1.5 Nathan pushing back 3.2
05100:0010:0020:001:10–4:30 · Nathan as informed peer 4/10 Welcoming Ryan Moran and Discussing the Rebrand Nathan asks straightforward, targeted questions about Ryan's acquisition of capitalism.com. Ryan details the $100k financed domain deal and brand positioning in a completely collaborative tone.4:30–7:15 · Nathan as informed peer 6/10 Monthly Revenue Mix and Coaching Incubator Operations Nathan presses Ryan to break down his $1M monthly revenue into precise coaching versus physical product splits. Ryan explains the 75/25 breakdown and incubator membership numbers without tension.7:15–10:48 · Nathan as informed peer 5/10 E-Commerce Unit Economics and Amazon Fish Oil Breakdown Nathan attempts to calculate the per-unit margins on fish oil but botches the Amazon percentage fee calculation. Ryan corrects Nathan's math directly before they agree on the final per-unit profit.10:48–13:24 · Nathan as informed peer 6/10 Amazon Algorithm Strategies and Ryan's Diversified Assets Nathan audits Ryan's SKU revenue against total volume, forcing Ryan to clarify that his reported $1M figure is top-line revenue rather than net profit. Ryan also elaborates on his diversified income streams from real estate and a previous business sale.13:24–17:07 · Nathan as informed peer 5/10 Event Economics, High-Level Networking, and Sports Ownership Goals Nathan pushes into the line-item expenses of Ryan's live conference, questioning why host events if most are boring. Ryan breaks down the speaker and AV expenses, explaining it is a high-level networking play rather than a direct profit driver.17:07–21:23 · Nathan as informed peer 4/10 Humorous Bernie Sanders Impression and Online Media Channels Nathan prompts Ryan for a Bernie Sanders impression and proceeds through the Famous Five segment. The dynamic is playful, cooperative, and centered on Ryan's entrepreneurial philosophy.1:10–4:30 · Guest teaching 3/10 Welcoming Ryan Moran and Discussing the Rebrand Nathan asks straightforward, targeted questions about Ryan's acquisition of capitalism.com. Ryan details the $100k financed domain deal and brand positioning in a completely collaborative tone.4:30–7:15 · Guest teaching 4/10 Monthly Revenue Mix and Coaching Incubator Operations Nathan presses Ryan to break down his $1M monthly revenue into precise coaching versus physical product splits. Ryan explains the 75/25 breakdown and incubator membership numbers without tension.7:15–10:48 · Guest teaching 6/10 E-Commerce Unit Economics and Amazon Fish Oil Breakdown Nathan attempts to calculate the per-unit margins on fish oil but botches the Amazon percentage fee calculation. Ryan corrects Nathan's math directly before they agree on the final per-unit profit.10:48–13:24 · Guest teaching 5/10 Amazon Algorithm Strategies and Ryan's Diversified Assets Nathan audits Ryan's SKU revenue against total volume, forcing Ryan to clarify that his reported $1M figure is top-line revenue rather than net profit. Ryan also elaborates on his diversified income streams from real estate and a previous business sale.13:24–17:07 · Guest teaching 3/10 Event Economics, High-Level Networking, and Sports Ownership Goals Nathan pushes into the line-item expenses of Ryan's live conference, questioning why host events if most are boring. Ryan breaks down the speaker and AV expenses, explaining it is a high-level networking play rather than a direct profit driver.17:07–21:23 · Guest teaching 2/10 Humorous Bernie Sanders Impression and Online Media Channels Nathan prompts Ryan for a Bernie Sanders impression and proceeds through the Famous Five segment. The dynamic is playful, cooperative, and centered on Ryan's entrepreneurial philosophy.1:10–4:30 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Welcoming Ryan Moran and Discussing the Rebrand Nathan asks straightforward, targeted questions about Ryan's acquisition of capitalism.com. Ryan details the $100k financed domain deal and brand positioning in a completely collaborative tone.4:30–7:15 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Monthly Revenue Mix and Coaching Incubator Operations Nathan presses Ryan to break down his $1M monthly revenue into precise coaching versus physical product splits. Ryan explains the 75/25 breakdown and incubator membership numbers without tension.7:15–10:48 · Guest disagreement 3/10 E-Commerce Unit Economics and Amazon Fish Oil Breakdown Nathan attempts to calculate the per-unit margins on fish oil but botches the Amazon percentage fee calculation. Ryan corrects Nathan's math directly before they agree on the final per-unit profit.10:48–13:24 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Amazon Algorithm Strategies and Ryan's Diversified Assets Nathan audits Ryan's SKU revenue against total volume, forcing Ryan to clarify that his reported $1M figure is top-line revenue rather than net profit. Ryan also elaborates on his diversified income streams from real estate and a previous business sale.13:24–17:07 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Event Economics, High-Level Networking, and Sports Ownership Goals Nathan pushes into the line-item expenses of Ryan's live conference, questioning why host events if most are boring. Ryan breaks down the speaker and AV expenses, explaining it is a high-level networking play rather than a direct profit driver.17:07–21:23 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Humorous Bernie Sanders Impression and Online Media Channels Nathan prompts Ryan for a Bernie Sanders impression and proceeds through the Famous Five segment. The dynamic is playful, cooperative, and centered on Ryan's entrepreneurial philosophy.1:10–4:30 · Nathan pushing back 2/10 Welcoming Ryan Moran and Discussing the Rebrand Nathan asks straightforward, targeted questions about Ryan's acquisition of capitalism.com. Ryan details the $100k financed domain deal and brand positioning in a completely collaborative tone.4:30–7:15 · Nathan pushing back 4/10 Monthly Revenue Mix and Coaching Incubator Operations Nathan presses Ryan to break down his $1M monthly revenue into precise coaching versus physical product splits. Ryan explains the 75/25 breakdown and incubator membership numbers without tension.7:15–10:48 · Nathan pushing back 4/10 E-Commerce Unit Economics and Amazon Fish Oil Breakdown Nathan attempts to calculate the per-unit margins on fish oil but botches the Amazon percentage fee calculation. Ryan corrects Nathan's math directly before they agree on the final per-unit profit.10:48–13:24 · Nathan pushing back 5/10 Amazon Algorithm Strategies and Ryan's Diversified Assets Nathan audits Ryan's SKU revenue against total volume, forcing Ryan to clarify that his reported $1M figure is top-line revenue rather than net profit. Ryan also elaborates on his diversified income streams from real estate and a previous business sale.13:24–17:07 · Nathan pushing back 3/10 Event Economics, High-Level Networking, and Sports Ownership Goals Nathan pushes into the line-item expenses of Ryan's live conference, questioning why host events if most are boring. Ryan breaks down the speaker and AV expenses, explaining it is a high-level networking play rather than a direct profit driver.17:07–21:23 · Nathan pushing back 1/10 Humorous Bernie Sanders Impression and Online Media Channels Nathan prompts Ryan for a Bernie Sanders impression and proceeds through the Famous Five segment. The dynamic is playful, cooperative, and centered on Ryan's entrepreneurial philosophy.

speaking balance: gold is Nathan, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Nathan 65.8% · guest 34.2%0:00 · Nathan 65.8% · guest 34.2%3:00 · Nathan 11.1% · guest 88.9%3:00 · Nathan 11.1% · guest 88.9%6:00 · Nathan 28% · guest 72%6:00 · Nathan 28% · guest 72%9:00 · Nathan 41.3% · guest 58.7%9:00 · Nathan 41.3% · guest 58.7%12:00 · Nathan 33.1% · guest 66.9%12:00 · Nathan 33.1% · guest 66.9%15:00 · Nathan 29.8% · guest 70.2%15:00 · Nathan 29.8% · guest 70.2%18:00 · Nathan 55.2% · guest 44.8%18:00 · Nathan 55.2% · guest 44.8%21:00 · Nathan 51.8% · guest 48.2%21:00 · Nathan 51.8% · guest 48.2%24:00 · Nathan 100% · guest 0%24:00 · Nathan 100% · guest 0%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 13:58 Sports Ownership Banter

Ryan playfully challenges Nathan about who will buy a major sports franchise first, creating the episode's highest, albeit good-natured, competitive friction.

 Hardest push from Nathan ▶ 12:05 Calling Out SKU Revenue Math

Nathan refuses to let the fish oil numbers slide, catching a math discrepancy that forces Ryan to clarify he was stating top-line gross rather than net earnings.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 9:30 Amazon Fee Math Correction

Ryan directly corrects Nathan's faulty percentage math regarding Amazon's 30% take on a $20 product.

 Nathan holds their own ▶ 10:13 Rapid Unit Economics Synthesis

Nathan rapidly synthesizes all unit cost factors—top line, COGS, Amazon fee, and ad spend—to reconstruct the exact $7 net margin.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicNathan as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementNathan pushing backWhy
Welcoming Ryan Moran and Discussing the Rebrand 4312 Nathan asks straightforward, targeted questions about Ryan's acquisition of capitalism.com. Ryan details the $100k financed domain deal and brand positioning in a completely collaborative tone.
Monthly Revenue Mix and Coaching Incubator Operations 6414 Nathan presses Ryan to break down his $1M monthly revenue into precise coaching versus physical product splits. Ryan explains the 75/25 breakdown and incubator membership numbers without tension.
E-Commerce Unit Economics and Amazon Fish Oil Breakdown 5634 Nathan attempts to calculate the per-unit margins on fish oil but botches the Amazon percentage fee calculation. Ryan corrects Nathan's math directly before they agree on the final per-unit profit.
Amazon Algorithm Strategies and Ryan's Diversified Assets 6515 Nathan audits Ryan's SKU revenue against total volume, forcing Ryan to clarify that his reported $1M figure is top-line revenue rather than net profit. Ryan also elaborates on his diversified income streams from real estate and a previous business sale.
Event Economics, High-Level Networking, and Sports Ownership Goals 5323 Nathan pushes into the line-item expenses of Ryan's live conference, questioning why host events if most are boring. Ryan breaks down the speaker and AV expenses, explaining it is a high-level networking play rather than a direct profit driver.
Humorous Bernie Sanders Impression and Online Media Channels 4211 Nathan prompts Ryan for a Bernie Sanders impression and proceeds through the Famous Five segment. The dynamic is playful, cooperative, and centered on Ryan's entrepreneurial philosophy.

Statements from this episode (11)

Disclosure
Moran: Acquired Capitalism.com for $100,000 on multi-year seller financing
“So it was a 100,000, which I thought was an the steel of the century. It was, and it was also financed. So it's broken up over several years.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 3:45
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Moran: Business revenues doubled in six months to $1 million per month
“So when I was on the show in December, I think our revenues were about half a million dollars a month. And now they're about a million dollars a month.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 4:43
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Ryan Moran: Physical products drive 75% of monthly revenue
“Well, in February we did 1.3 million and that was right after a launch because like 300 ish thousand came from a launch of the coaching. So the, my, what I call my real businesses, the businesses that I actually operate and that don't have my name attached to …”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 6:29
Disclosure
Moran: 90% of physical product revenue comes from Amazon
“Yeah, we have retail presence. We have an e-commerce store, but 90% of our revenue right now is from Amazon.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 7:24
Insight
Moran: Amazon's 30% fee is cheaper than most customer acquisition costs
“They take about 30%, which sounds ridiculously high on the surface, but at the same time, if you were to pay for customer acquisition somewhere else, you're going to pay an affiliate more than that. You're probably going to pay more than 30 bucks a head for yo…”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 8:37
Disclosure
Moran: Most Amazon sales come from organic search keyword ranking
“Most of them come from organic sales from ranking for keywords.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 10:07
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Moran: Amazon's product search ranking is determined by total sales volume
“Amazon's algorithm is all based on sales. So whatever you can generate, as far as quantity of sales, that will determine how you rank.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 11:09
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Moran: Amazon's algorithm counts any sale over $5 as full price
“It has diminishing returns at about five bucks a unit, which who cares? But if you're able to take more than that per sale, Amazon basically registers that as a full price sale”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 11:35
Assertion Supported
Moran: Gary Vaynerchuk's business just crossed $100 million in revenue
“And we had Gary Vaynerchuk who just crossed a hundred million dollars in revenue.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 14:39
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Moran: Previous Conference Generated $400K Revenue on $350K Costs
“We just made, we made about 50,000 dollars. Yeah. So we took in about 400,000 in revenue and spent about 350 of that.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 15:59
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Moran: Upcoming conference projected to gross $700,000 to $800,000
“So I think this one will be about 400,000. And I think we'll, we'll bring in about seven to 800,000.”
Ryan Moran Jun 6, 2016 ▶ 16:44
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