Podcasts about DTC

At some point, if you are building a DTC brand and getting traction, someone is going to reach out. An aggregator, a private equity firm, a bigger competitor. And most founders have no idea what to do when that happens because nobody ever walks you through it. Here is the thing: that cold email landing in your inbox is not random. There are analysts sitting in offices right now scraping the internet for fast growing Shopify stores, looking for founders who might be ready to tap out. And they are hoping they caught you on a bad day. In this episode, I walk through everything I have learned about acquisition conversations, from the first time someone tried to buy Foundr twelve months in, to the advice I gave a close friend that led to a life changing exit after fifteen years of building. Here's what you'll take away: Why you always take the call, even if you are nowhere near ready to sell, and what you can learn from it Why the worst time to sell is when you are desperate and the best time is when everything is working The questions to ask in any acquisition conversation that will teach you more about your own business than years of operating alone How to hold your cards close without shutting the conversation down entirely Why businesses are bought not sold, and what that means for how you should be approaching your growth right now The warning signs that a buyer is trying to get you to sell it in your mind before the deal is done, and what that costs founders who fall for it If you have ever received one of these emails and did not know whether to reply, delete it, or get excited, this episode will give you a clear framework for handling it the right way. If you're loving this solo series, I'd love to hear your feedback. Email me directly at ⁠nathan@foundr.com⁠ — I read every reply. Hope you enjoy it. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Today, I'm joined by Bobby Bitton, co-founder and CEO of O Positiv.   Addressing topics like PMS, vaginal health, and pregnancy, O Positiv's supplements tackle generational taboos to address women's needs from first period to postmenopause.   In this episode, we discuss building a category-defining women's health brand.   We also cover: Why going deeper beats going wider Scaling from DTC to omnichannel retail Winning with TikTok Shop and creator-led marketing   Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast  Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe  Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider    O Positiv's Website: https://opositiv.com/  Instagram: www.instagram.com/opositiv/  Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@opositiv    -   The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart fitness ecosystem for fitness and health facilities.   Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/  Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/  Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/    Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (00:28) O Positiv overview (02:27) Co-founder dynamics (04:12) Getting their start (05:01) Flow product and PMS relief (05:50) Brand voice and approach (07:30) Split talent and domain expertise (08:20) Company scale and revenue (09:35) Category leadership (10:40) White space strategy (15:00) Product innovation pipeline (18:20) Retail expansion and partnerships (20:30) Profitability trajectory (21:35) Marketing evolution (23:00) DTC to omnichannel shift (25:15) Measuring incrementality (30:00) Deeper not wider strategy (31:45) Focus and team clarity (32:25) Where to find (33:49) Conclusion

Are you chasing every trend that hits the market — or curating the ones that actually align with your brand? And if you're a consumer, are you buying into a trend because it works for you, or because everyone else is wearing it? Image consultant and stylist Mikara Reid of MIIEN Consultancy defines what a fashion trend actually is, how fast fashion accelerates the cycle, and why knowing the difference between following a trend and owning one changes everything — for retailers and consumers alike.#WhatIsAFashionTrend #FashionTrend #TrendAlert #FastFashion #FashionRetailer #DTCFashion #BrandIdentity #TrendVsStyle #ImageConsultant #PersonalStylist #MikaraReid #MIIEN #FashionIdentity #RetailerTips #ShopWithIntention

Join the Exclusive Distribution First Workshop - ​Find. Rank. Scale.​ ​Get Tickets: https://luma.com/qcmhcnf3How do you build AI apps that go viral without spending a dollar on ads?In this episode, we're joined by Nicole Cheung, a serial app founder behind three viral consumer apps. Nicole has scaled her apps to millions of users through viral product design and organic distribution, without paid acquisition or external funding. Her latest app, currently in stealth, generates 300–400 million monthly social media views.We'll dive into the strategies behind building successful consumer AI apps, from validating ideas and designing onboarding flows to pricing, paywalls, retention, and creating viral growth loops that drive sustainable user acquisition.Whether you're launching your first app or looking to scale your next AI product, you'll leave with actionable insights from one of the fastest-growing founders in the space.You will discover:✅ How Nicole discovered and validated her app ideas✅ The story behind GlamUp and Sprout✅ How she built three viral apps without paid ads✅ The viral product design principles behind millions of users✅ Onboarding strategies that increased conversions✅ Paywall and pricing experiments that boosted revenue✅ Retention tactics that kept users engagedLearn More:60-page free growth playbook: https://tally.so/r/BzZpA4 Connect with Nicole: https://x.com/madebycol Work with us to grow your apps faster & cheaper:https://www.appmasters.com/You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/SdqUZGJM384*********************************************SPONSORSThe app growth playbook is changing fast.AppsFlyer's State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4.Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM*********************************************Tired of handing 30% of every in-game sale to iOS and Android billing systems? Appcharge is the DTC monetization platform trusted by King, Huuuge, Tripledot, and SciPlay – giving studios a direct line to their players, and up to 95% of every transaction. Web stores, payment links, and a full Merchant of Record service covering taxes, compliance, and global payments – all in one platform. Visit appcharge.com to learn more*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

Originally broadcast live.E-commerce fulfillment is hyper-competitive. Brands are demanding faster SLA turnarounds, custom unboxing experiences, and complete real-time visibility—all while warehouse operational costs rise and margins get squeezed tighter every year.Whether you're a 3PL looking to break into e-commerce fulfillment or an established operator aiming to scale without operational chaos, we're putting this livestream on to serve as your actionable playbook.Join Kevin as he sits down with three industry powerhouses to break down the full lifecycle of a profitable e-commerce 3PL.What We'll Cover:1. How to position your 3PL to attract high-value DTC brands without entering a price war.2. Vetting your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) and setting rock-solid SLAs before signing the contract.3. Transitioning from B2B/bulk moves to unit-level pick-and-pack workflows.4. Designing lean floor processes that handle 5x seasonal volume spikes without throwing extra labor at broken processes.5. Spotting silent margin leakage: uncaptured custom labor, manual billing errors, and unmonitored SLA penalties.6. Leveraging data and SKU-level profitability models to ensure every account remains profitable.Learn more about Pallite here.Learn more about Big Joe's AP44 here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Not every piece in your wardrobe should have an expiration date. Image consultant and stylist Mikara Reid of MIIEN Consultancy defines seasonless fashion and what it means to own pieces that work regardless of what the calendar says. From white t-shirts and denim to pointy toe pumps and gold accessories — these are the pieces that form the foundation of a wardrobe built to last beyond any single season.#SeasonlessFashion #WhatIsSeasonless #YearRoundStyle #WardrobeEssentials #TimelessStyle #PersonalStyle #ImageConsultant #PersonalStylist #MikaraReid #MIIEN #GlossaryAtMIIEN #FashionBasics #DressWithIntention #FashionIdentity #IntentionalWardrobe

If you're building a Shopify store, a DTC label, or an omnichannel ecommerce brand in Australia, this episode is your blueprint.From selling jewellery at Bondi markets to 13 stores and a booming ecommerce business, Arms of Eve co-founders Kerryn and Aaron Langer show how an Australian DTC brand scales retail without losing its ecommerce edge. Kerryn and Aaron Langer turned a market stall and a pile of leftover merino wool offcuts into Arms of Eve, now a nine-store (soon to be 13) Australian jewellery and lifestyle brand that's scaled past $20 million in revenue on the back of a genuinely direct-to-consumer ecommerce model. In this episode of eCommerce Australia, Ryan Martin sits down with the husband-and-wife founders to unpack how they walked away from the traditional wholesale/indent model, why The Iconic marketplace became their unlikely proving ground, and how COVID-era demand for jewellery (turns out that's the only accessory that shows up on a Zoom call) turned a side category into 80% of the business.For Shopify merchants and ecommerce operators thinking about opening a physical store, this conversation is a masterclass in getting the sequencing right. Aaron was convinced retail was dead, until their "little experiment" Bondi Beach store proved the opposite, creating a measurable halo effect that lifts online sales in a 10km radius around every new location. They talk candidly about the tech stack behind a fast-scaling DTC ecommerce brand (Starshipit for fulfilment, Okendo for reviews, Profit Peak for profitability data, and an in-house team now "vibe coding" their own dashboards), how they balance agency support with in-house performance marketing, and why their content strategy has swung from polished campaign shoots to raw, iPhone-shot, Tolstoy-powered video that converts better than the highly produced stuff ever did.There's also a genuinely useful nugget for anyone running ecommerce SEO or content strategy: Kerryn and Aaron explain how customer questions from their retail staff (about materials, tarnish, sizing, warranty) are becoming the seed for on-site content designed to capture organic search traffic, a simple but underused move for any Shopify or ecommerce brand trying to turn support questions into search-optimised product and FAQ pages that rank. Add in an unfiltered take on celebrity gifting (Margot Robbie, Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa have all been photographed in Arms of Eve pieces, without a single paid placement), a calculated US relaunch planned for June 2027, and hard-won lessons on hiring, culture and staying "even" as leaders, and this is one of the most tactical founder conversations on ecommerce, retail expansion and DTC brand-building we've featured on the showAbout Arms of Eve:Arms of Eve is an Australian jewellery, accessories and resortwear brand founded by Kerryn and Aaron Langer. Starting out selling at local markets, the brand has grown into a multi-channel ecommerce and retail business with nine stores nationwide (growing to 13 by the end of 2026), a wholesale presence in boutiques across Australia, and a fast-growing direct-to-consumer online store.Website: https://armsofeve.com/Instagram: @armsofeveResources & tools mentioned:Starshipit: ecommerce shipping and fulfilment platformOkendo: customer reviews platformProfit Peak: ecommerce profitability analyticsTolstoy: shoppable, native video for ecommerce sitesThe Iconic: Australian fashion marketplaceFollow eCommerce Australia for more conversations with Australia's leading ecommerce and Shopify founders on growth, retail strategy, and building direct-to-consumer brands. Subscribe on Spotify and leave a review to help more ecommerce and Shopify store owners find the show.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupLiam Robinson and Nate Vankoughnet were two of Pilothouse's first employees and spent years scaling some of its biggest accounts on Meta. Now they've spun out Marlbank Digital (website coming soon), a Meta-only agency built for the brands Pilothouse moved past as it went upmarket: pre-launch up to $100K/month.Want them in your ad account? Email nate@marlbank.co or liam@marlbank.co. No website yet. They've been busy in client accounts.If you're a founder running your own Meta ads, or the one marketer at a brand doing under $100K a month, this episode is a working session on why your account structure is probably answering the wrong question.What's inside:The Meta hierarchy of needs: unit economics at the base ("you'd be surprised how many people need a 3.5 ROAS to barely break even"), marketing strategy in the middle, creative at the top. Most brands skip the middle.Circumstance testing, their replacement for jumping straight to creative: articulate your product's real distinction, find the cultural currents it's relevant to, then map the specific moments it fits into someone's life. Each moment becomes a campaign.A full anonymized case study: the ceramic to-go cup brand that couldn't scale on pretty product shots or the eco angle, and unlocked the account with one question: "Would you use a metal mug at home?" Selling an upgrade to existing to-go cup users beat converting the single-use crowd, and the commute became the winning niche.What this looks like in the account: open audiences, existing customers excluded, CBO single ad set, 4 to 6 ads per set, creative held constant so circumstance is the variable.Why one ad usually takes 80% of an ad set's spend, and how to structure launches around that.The four foundations they ask for before a brand spends a dollar: a decent website, email flows, some social presence, and Meta.Plus the origin story: the agency is named after the small Ontario town where they spent a summer hand-building tree stands for a bow-hunting brand.Who this is for: ecom founders and marketers between pre-launch and $100K/month, and anyone whose Meta account is a graveyard of creative tests that never compounded.What to steal: before your next creative batch, write down your product's distinctions, then list every circumstance where it slots into a customer's day. Test those against each other first.Work with Liam and Nate: nate@marlbank.co / liam@marlbank.co | marlbank.coTimestamps:00:00 Why Meta Marketing Has Changed02:01 The Story Behind Marlbank Digital08:14 Why Foundational Marketing Beats Meta Tactics13:15 The Ceramic Cup Case Study20:10 How to Structure Circumstance Testing on MetaSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF633Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

On this week's Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is tackling two massive seismic shockwaves rattling the very foundation of the spirits world. We jump straight into the first major headline: the shocking closure of Moonshine University. We break down what losing a premier educational hub like the Stave & Thief Society means for the future of spirits education, and whether this shutdown is the ultimate canary in the coal mine for a slowing craft distillery boom. Then, we turn our attention to the absolute biggest story in spirits retail: distributor giant RNDC filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and winding down operations. We unpack the domino effect of major supplier exits, razor-thin middle-tier margins, and unpaid invoices, analyzing the devastating fallout for small craft brands fighting for local liquor store shelf space. Finally, we throw down over what this massive distributor consolidation actually means for the three-tier system—debating whether this crisis will finally force lawmakers to rethink direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping laws, or if we're simply watching a maturing bourbon market undergo a painful, necessary contraction. Show Notes: The closure of Moonshine University: What losing a premier distilling school means for the spirits industry Assessing the value of bourbon certifications: Essential career springboard or mostly symbolic status? Unpacking RNDC's Chapter 11 filing: Supplier exits, thin margins, and the winding down of a middle-tier giant The ripple effect on small brands: Shelf space access, unpaid invoices, and the future of three-tier distribution Will distributor consolidation accelerate the push for direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping legislation? State of the bourbon market: Reading the room on consumer demand amid industry contraction and adjustments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Ward exited Quad Lock last year for half a billion dollars. He never took a cent of outside investment to build it, was profitable every single month from day one, and ran the business with a skeleton team for years while competitors burned cash chasing scale. His first product got ripped off. His second became the thing everybody with a phone mount on their bike, car, motorcycle, or desk knows by name. This is his third appearance on the Foundr Podcast across a decade, and the first since the exit. In this interview, Rob breaks down the three-gate model he now uses to diagnose why DTC brands break, why he deliberately pulled his own face out of Quad Lock's content years before selling, and the single biggest myth he says destroyed a generation of e-commerce companies. What you'll learn in this interview: • Why "scale will fix our unit economics" is the biggest myth in DTC - and what it actually does instead • The three-gate model: first-order profitability, cash-back time, and LTV ratio - and how to know which gate you're failing • Why he built an ecosystem instead of a hero product - and how $200 of mounts creates real lock-in • How hiring painfully slowly kept Quad Lock profitable every single month it existed • Why he deliberately stopped putting his face in the brand's content - and how that decision protected the half-billion exit • The gross margin number he'd insist on if he started again today • Why the customer with the higher AOV today isn't always the one worth acquiring • How they used retail to extend reach without breaking the DTC model • What the private equity deal actually changed - and why the money never even entered the business • The three separate emotional hits of exiting: the first sell-down, the full sale, and the last day If you're bootstrapping a DTC brand, trying to fix unit economics that don't quite work, or thinking about what makes a business actually sellable one day, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about lock-in, margins, and building something bigger than yourself. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH ROB WARD Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/robyward/ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/robwardau/ Website → https://www.quadlockcase.com FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Nik breaks down what's actually new with GPT-5.6 Sol and why it's a bigger deal for marketers than most people realize. He walks through how he's using it inside his AI agent "Jet", why hyper-realistic product imagery is now table stakes, and how a tool called Jurni is changing the way he builds high-converting landing pages. Nik also gets into the real question every marketer should be asking: what should stay in-house, and what's better handed off to an external vendor or freelancer. --- Tatari helps brands run TV like a modern performance channel. Unlike most platforms that focus only on programmatic CTV, Tatari gives marketers access to all of TV - linear, streaming, programmatic CTV, and direct publisher inventory - in one platform. By combining premium inventory with transparent reporting and outcome-based measurement, Tatari lets growth teams evaluate TV the same way they evaluate paid search or paid social. The result: more control, better reach, and TV spend that can actually be tied back to business results. Learn more at ⁠⁠tatari.tv/limitedsupply⁠⁠. --- Want more DTC advice? Check out the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Limited Supply YouTube page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more insider tips. And if you're looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Limited Supply Slack Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Nik's most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts. Check out the Nik's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DTC newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nik on Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Boll & Branch spent 12 years doing the unfashionable thing: perfecting the product first and figuring out distribution second. Chief Commercial Officer Katia Unlu joins Phillip and Brian on today's episode to discuss Boll & Branch's store expansion strategy, an AI-generated damage claim that went viral, and the case for stimulation over substitution.  That's Not How the Waffle Blanket Tears Key takeaways: Brands of the DTC era that failed were distracted by over-indexing on one hero product and not focusing on customer experiences that drive retention and brand love.  Boll & Branch opens stores where their customers and ICP already live. A human CX team caught an AI-generated image in a fraudulent damage claim thanks to the team's sharp knowledge of the brand's fabric and tear patterns. This is human expertise and technological advancement meeting in the middle. Boll & Branch's AI tools aim to stimulate the customer relationship rather than flatten it. The 2027 playbook is boring, but it works. Focusing on the fundamentals is key. [00:23:12] "People might buy something they enjoy, but they will actually defend what they love." – Brian Lange [00:29:45] "There's no shortcut for what real-life consumer insights can give you when you just go and talk to people in stores." – Katia Unlu [00:43:50] "We very much don't want to substitute. We don't have an AI bot on our website that you can even ask questions to." – Katia Unlu Associated Links: Boll & Branch Scott Tannen's LinkedIn post on AI-generated return fraud at Boll & Branch  Read our in-store retail space analyses: Field Notes on Future Commerce More on human vs. agent: Episode 447: The Agent Has Left the Building Explore our Word of Mouth Index Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“The hard part isn't going global. It's staying operational once you're there.” Senior Retail Analyst Lavina Suthenthiran unpacks the newest Global Lens report in a new podcast series exploring the forces reshaping global retail. Over the coming weeks, she dives deeper into the data, case studies, and market dynamics behind one central conclusion: cross-border growth has shifted from a demand problem to an execution problem. In this episode, Jeremy Goldman joins Lavina to explore the major themes behind that conclusion, and how leading brands are learning from costly mistakes as they build for global growth. DEMAND IS ARRIVING FASTER THAN BRANDS CAN OPERATIONALIZE FOR IT: Discovery has never been easier. Between social platforms and AI, brands can suddenly see demand in markets they never planned to enter. The challenge now is whether brands will be ready on the backend when that demand appears. - Supporting data: ESW research found that 71% of Gen Z discovers products on social media, but only 6% want to complete the purchase there, indicating that discovery and conversion now happen in different places. CAPABILITY GAPS ARE DRIVING CROSS-BORDER FAILURE: When demand comes, brands need to be prepared to deliver. The problem is, most aren't. Failure tends to stem from fulfillment, checkout, planning, and execution weaknesses rather than a lack of appetite. - Supporting data: 7 in 10 cross-border expansions fail, and 7 in 10 failures trace back to a capability gap, not market readiness. LOCALIZATION IS STRUCTURAL, NOT COSMETIC: Local knowledge has to be present before decisions are approved, not after problems emerge. Localization is not just translation or surface-level cultural adaptation. It must shape decision-making, assortment, channels, and service design. Without that local knowledge, brands risk appearing out of touch or missing their audience entirely. DESIGN A GLOBAL OPERATING MODEL, NOT A MARKET-BY-MARKET IMPROVISATION: Fragmented, market-by-market operations eventually collapse. Sustainable international growth requires clear rules on what remains standardized versus what flexes locally. - Supporting data: Skull Footwear used organic demand data across 90+ countries to focus DTC expansion in India, Brazil, and Indonesia, instead of spreading everywhere at once. Listen above to the full discussion, including real-world cautionary tales and success strategies from leaders who have mastered global execution.

AI can now write a marketing recommendation about as well as most marketers can. It'll pull the data, read the account, tell you what it would do, and it'll do it in about three seconds. So here is the question that should be keeping every founder and every agency up at night: if the machine can recommend, what are you actually paying a human for?In this solo episode, I break down four things AI structurally cannot give you, why the value of the right humans goes up as automation gets better, and what I am building at Kynship around it.This is not a doom episode. It is the opposite. But it does require agencies and the brands hiring them to make a real shift in what they are actually paying for.Subscribe for more conversations on DTC strategy, eCommerce growth, and what it really takes to build a brand past eight figures.Key Takeaways:00:00 If AI Can Recommend, What Are You Paying a Human For?01:00 What People Are Actually Paying Kynship For02:08 Done Is Not Always Beautiful02:22 The Cabinet Analogy: Agencies as Strategic Partners03:08 The Cross-Client Edge You Cannot Get In-House03:46 Two Essays Every Brand Operator Should Read05:48 The Generic Recommendation Is Now a Commodity06:44 The 4 Things AI Structurally Cannot Give You09:48 Be the Bread, Not the Middle10:32 How Kynship Is Building Around This12:14 What to Ask in Your Next Agency Pitch13:16 The More Automated Everything Gets, the More Valuable the Framer BecomesGrow your bottom line: https://www.kynship.co/CONNECTGrow your bottom line: https://www.kynship.co/Follow Cody on X: https://x.com/Cody_WittickFollow Taylor on X: https://x.com/TaylorLagaceFollow the podcast: https://pod.link/1631630533The Bottom Line is your go-to podcast for honest ecommerce conversations on profitable growth strategies. Join Cody Wittick and Taylor Lagace, Co-Founders of Kynship, as they dive into the challenges and strategies for growing ecommerce brands to 8-9 figures. They share insights on overcoming ad creative challenges, managing cost caps, scaling Meta ads, unit economics and forecasting, and expanding influencer marketing programs.Their expertise in performance marketing is not just theoretical; with a track record of launching successful campaigns for major brands (M&Ms, Purdy & Figg, Supergut, & AnimalHouse Fitness, to name a few) and generating over $350M in revenue, they offer practical, actionable advice.#TheBottomLine #DTCpodcast #aimarketing #ecommerceagency #dtcstrategy

Download our Marketing Performance Indicators (MPI) checklist to track the key metrics that accurately measure your marketing efforts: https://www.tiereleven.com/mpi What happens when the channels you think are driving growth are actually just taking credit for demand you already created? Today we are breaking down how one premium DTC brand escaped inefficient bottom-of-funnel spending and scaled without sacrificing efficiency.I'm joined by Ricardo Pouwels, Growth Strategist at Tier 11, to revisit the next chapter of a case study we shared earlier. We unpack how the team expanded from managing only Meta and TikTok to increasing Amazon units sold by 63%, and improving overall customer acquisition efficiency.We'll talk about why brand search campaigns often hide the real performance story, how reallocating budget into Meta, native ads, and connected TV created more demand, and why patience with attribution windows matters. In this episode, you'll learn:- Why brand search campaigns can hide true marketing performance- How cutting Amazon ad spend increased sales volume- The importance of tracking blended CAC and MER- Why channel-specific ROAS targets limit growth- How Meta creates demand that Google and Amazon capture later- Using native advertising to unlock colder audiences- How connected TV supports multi-channel growth- How proactive agency strategy builds client trust- Why mature brands need diversified acquisition channelsMentioned in the Episode: Part 1 of the Case Study: https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-791-5-missed-forecasts-then-one-budget-shift-then-4-straight-hits/ Tier 11's Data Suite: https://www.tiereleven.com/what-we-do/data-suitePartner With Tier 11 Marketing Experts: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Connect with Ricardo Pouwels: LinkedIn: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-pouwels Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Mentioned in this episode:We're opening up sponsorship spots for Q1 and Q2! Apply now by visiting www.perpetualtraffic.com Apply for an ad spot on Perpetual Traffic for Q1 or Q2. Visit www.perpetualtraffic.com today to secure your spot!Apply for an ad spot on Perpetual Traffic for Q1 or Q2. Visit www.perpetualtraffic.com today to secure your spot!Apply for an ad spot on Perpetual Traffic for Q1 or Q2. Visit www.perpetualtraffic.com today to secure your spot!

How do you build a $100M CPG brand when your first retail opportunity falls apart? For Little Spoon, the answer was to stop waiting for the shelf and start building a relationship with the customer. After its initial plans to launch fresh baby food with Whole Foods hit a roadblock, co-founder and chief product officer Angela Vranich helped steer the company toward a DTC-first strategy that transformed Little Spoon into the largest direct-to-consumer baby and kids food brand in the U.S. The company has since expanded into more than 100 products, entered retail through an exclusive partnership with Target, and built a business around understanding what modern parents want. In this episode, Vranich breaks down the decisions, challenges, and operating principles behind Little Spoon's rise — from product innovation and customer education to scaling a complex food business without compromising quality. Show notes: 0:20: Angela Vranich, Co-Founder, Little Spoon – Angela discusses how a setback with Whole Foods ultimately shaped Little Spoon's trajectory, prompting the company to pivot to a direct-to-consumer model. After selling more than one million meals in its first year, Little Spoon validated an opportunity to disrupt kids' nutrition and build a deeper relationship with families. She talks about the company's commitment to premium ingredients, rigorous testing, and transparency, as well as the operational complexity of managing more than 25 co-manufacturers, six fulfillment centers, and products across ambient, refrigerated, and frozen categories. Angela also shares how Little Spoon built a brand centered on education and content, recognizing that parents were looking not just for food, but guidance and support as they navigated feeding their children. She also highlights the company's culture, where transparency and collaboration help ensure that ideas can come from anywhere within the organization. Finally, Angela explains why Little Spoon entered retail through a major Target launch in 2025 and how the company is using insights from its DTC platform to inform its retail strategy and thoughtful expansion into additional chains. Brands in this episode: Little Spoon

Be a part of the $1K MRR Challenge inside the App Founders Community:https://appfounders.co/Can a simple speaker cleaning app really make over $400,000 per month?In this video, we break down Clear Wave, a Water Eject Speaker Cleaner App that generates an estimated $350K–$400K+ in monthly revenue through App Store Optimization (ASO), keyword targeting, and a simple app monetization strategy.You'll discover how niche apps can become highly profitable businesses, why distribution matters more than ever in the AI era, and how a single keyword can drive meaningful revenue.You'll learn:✅ How Clear Wave App generates an estimated $400K/month✅ The power of niche keywords like "Water Eject."✅ Why distribution is more important than app development in 2026✅ App Store Optimization (ASO) opportunities most founders overlook✅ Simple onboarding and paywall strategies that convert✅ The Mobile App Distribution First framework for building profitable apps

Tune in for this month summer break checking with host, Nichel, so welcome to this special bonus episode as the show is on hiatus for the return season later this year. Today, Nichel is updating on her summer favorites things to do and learn that can benefit your journey forward moving to mental peace and enjoyment of simple things. She shares her wisdom tip motivational insights and recapping on certain highlights of her Season 9 that wrapped up by giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes of MOLIAE.  

Tune in with host, Nichel providing her annual summer break check in for sharing her favorite things to do as well posing a question to ponder on while we all aim to have a wonderful summer season or just a break depending where you are located.  Check out a wisdom and motivational tip by Nichel how you can transform your days into impactful meaningful of your worth with a simple activity.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupMelissa Dusendang ran a summer contract at SheFit to "manage the chaos" for one marketing director. She never left. Years later she runs ecommerce and operations, and her actual job is stopping the company from lying to itself with its own data.If you own the P&L, the dashboard, or the customer experience, this one is for you. Melissa sits in the finance meeting thinking about how a tax decision hits checkout, and in the marketing meeting thinking about which numbers are secretly inflated. She calls it being a puzzle person. Eric calls her a silo obliterator.Why TikTok Shop can quietly wreck your new-versus-returning customer math. Masked and missing emails on marketplace orders mean Shopify can count repeat buyers as new, so "we 2x'd new customers" can really mean you gave existing customers a discount.The attribution question to ask before anyone reports a ROAS or MER number, so two teams aren't arguing about goals while measuring different things.How SheFit found its best-selling ad hooks inside customer reviews and comments, and why phrases like "my boobs don't move" outperform copy the team writes.The Emerge Sports Bra story: how customer comments drove a custom-strap design (skinny straps on smaller sizes, wider straps on larger sizes) that sold out on launch.Why real women feeling the "aha moment" when they lift the straps is SheFit's top new-customer acquisition move, run through micro-influencers and ambassadors instead of a gym-only ad.Her honest read on TikTok Shop: better customer control than Amazon, but a margin eroder that can turn a premium brand into a "always on sale" brand.Who this is for: Ecommerce and ops leaders, founders wearing five hats, CX and community managers, and anyone trying to get finance, marketing, and product to agree on what the numbers mean.What to steal: Pull your own review and comment language and use it as ad copy verbatim. Before your next growth review, write down which attribution model each number is using. And check whether your marketplace orders are inflating your new-customer count.Timestamps:0:00 Why TikTok Shop metrics can be misleading5:18 Breaking down silos across ecommerce teams10:01 Why customer language beats marketing copy15:09 Building products from customer feedback23:21 Using AI and social listening for better decisionsSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Have you ever had anything made bespoke — or have you always worn what was already made? Image consultant and stylist Mikara Reid of MIIEN Consultancy defines bespoke and what it actually means to have a product or service designed from scratch with one person in mind. From men's tailoring to personal style, bespoke is the highest level of customization — and more people should know what it means.#WhatIsBespoke #BespokeFashion #BespokeStyle #CustomTailoring #MensFashion #PersonalStyle #ImageConsultant #PersonalStylist #MikaraReid #MIIEN #FashionIdentity #TailoredStyle #BespokeSuit #FashionBasics #DressWithIntention

Your App Store screenshots can make or break your conversion rate.In this live session, we're joined by Sam, founder of AppScreens, a platform she built as an indie-founder after experiencing firsthand how time-consuming and frustrating it was to create, upload, and manage screenshots at scale.She'll share how developers can create professional, high-converting App Store screenshots without hiring a designer or spending hours in design tools.We'll cover her journey from indie app founder to AppScreens, what actually drives installs, the most common screenshot mistakes developers make, and best practices for App Store Optimization (ASO), Custom Product Pages (CPPs), and Product Page Optimization (PPO).Whether you're launching your first app or looking to improve your existing App Store listing, you'll leave with practical strategies you can implement immediately to increase conversions and drive more downloads.You will discover:✅ Why App Store screenshots have become more important than ever✅ How to create professional screenshots without design experience✅ Best practices for high-converting App Store visuals✅ How to optimize screenshots for Custom Product Pages (CPPs)✅ How AppScreens helps indie developers build App Store assets in minutesLearn More:Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.Try it free: ⁠⁠https://appscreens.com/?via=amWork with us to grow your apps faster & cheaper:https://www.appmasters.com/Join 100+ app founders on App Founder Community:https://appfounders.co/You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/QC-eg48-2ao*********************************************SPONSORSThe app growth playbook is changing fast.AppsFlyer's State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4.Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM*********************************************Tired of handing 30% of every in-game sale to iOS and Android billing systems? Appcharge is the DTC monetization platform trusted by King, Huuuge, Tripledot, and SciPlay – giving studios a direct line to their players, and up to 95% of every transaction. Web stores, payment links, and a full Merchant of Record service covering taxes, compliance, and global payments – all in one platform. Visit appcharge.com to learn more*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

A successful Shopify store can generate sales. A strong DTC brand gives customers a reason to choose you, remember you and buy again.Nadine Killoran joins Nick Trueman to explain how ecommerce businesses can move beyond building a good store and create a brand with long-term customer loyalty. Drawing on her experience with brands including Absolute Collagen, Aion Bank and MYJAR, Nadine shares practical advice on brand investment, customer retention, subscriptions, pricing and securing CFO buy-in.Learn what customers actually care about, why the second purchase is more important than the first and how to build a DTC brand that customers choose over cheaper alternatives.In this episode:00:00 - Store vs brand: the real difference01:57 - What customers actually care about03:11 - Nadine's journey to becoming a CMO05:57 - Getting CFO buy-in for brand investment09:16 - Measuring awareness and brand stickiness11:29 - Retention, churn and the second purchase18:25 - Turning customers into subscribers24:45 - Pricing a growing DTC brand29:15 - Difficult brand and pricing conversations33:02 - Final thoughtsExclusive listener offers:Seguno - Shopify email marketingGet a free customer analysis and strategy session with an email expert.Claim your free Seguno sessionYoast - Shopify SEOGet 15% off Yoast for Shopify and WordPress with code WWS15.Visit YoastInventory Planner - Shopify inventory managementJoin the free seven-day inventory planning bootcamp.Join the free inventory bootcampTaxCloud - Shopify sales tax managementGet free migration onboarding as a Winning With Shopify listener.Claim free TaxCloud onboarding

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAppLovin just opened to everyone, and most DTC operators still do not know how it actually works. Jacob runs Meta at Pilothouse, which has spent on AppLovin for nearly two years, back when it was invite only.He breaks down what he sees in real client accounts: the product price points that work, the creative volume it takes to scale, and the end card, a full-screen animated step between the ad and the product page that has no equivalent on Meta.What you get:The $50 rule. Why products in the $30 to $150 range win, why below $20 gets tough on margin, and why $1,000 products are a bad fit for someone mid-game.The end card. What it is, why it acts like a second landing page, and the basketball-into-the-hoop trick for matching the ad to the app.Creative volume. Start with about 10 videos, add 10 to 20 a week, and what the ramp looks like at $50k/day.First-hour buying. Around 80% of purchases land in the first hour, and the other 20% almost always convert on a different video.The learning phase. Why you confirm tracking, then leave it alone for a week, sometimes two.Who this is for: DTC operators and media buyers weighing AppLovin as a third channel next to Meta and Google.What to steal: the creative-volume cadence, the end-card structure, and the measurement discipline to prove new-customer CPA instead of trusting platform ROAS.Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:00 AppLovin vs Meta Performance05:20 Best Products & Creative Strategy11:10 Measuring Incrementality & New Customers17:10 Scaling with Creative Volume23:00 Halo Effect & Campaign Best PracticesSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF631Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Sandra Oh Lin walked away from running eBay's fashion business in 2011 to pack craft boxes in her garage. She raised just $11 million in total - and never needed another dollar. KiwiCo has now shipped over 50 million crates, crossed $1 billion in lifetime revenue, runs profitably since 2016, and operates with a team of under 150. The standard DTC playbook says outsource fulfillment, buy every customer with paid ads, and burn cash until you exit. Sandra broke all three rules and built one of the most capital-efficient consumer subscription businesses ever created. In this interview, the founder and CEO of KiwiCo breaks down the two-word churn survey answer that unlocked profitability, why she's run her own warehouse for 14 years instead of using a 3PL, and how 70% of her traffic costs almost nothing. What you'll learn in this interview: • How she went from 19 crates taking five people all day - to 50 million shipped • Why she ran her own warehouse for 14 years instead of outsourcing - and why it crushed competitors every Christmas • The two words buried in churn surveys that led to launching three new subscription lines at once • How all three new lines sold out at the 2014 holiday launch - and drew a direct line to their first profitable month • Why 70% of KiwiCo's traffic costs almost nothing - and what those channels actually are • How a website going horribly wrong led her to recruit the first engineer at YouTube as co-founder • The motivation spreadsheet: why every team member distributes 100 points across what actually drives them • How the "graduation" mechanic turns developmental churn into a moment of delight • Why she raised less than $11 million total while building a nine-figure business • How she's revamping four subscription lines, expanding into retail, and launching internationally for the first time If you're building a subscription brand, trying to grow a capital-efficient DTC business without burning through VC cash, or looking for the playbook behind what 14 years of relentless operational discipline actually looks like, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about retention, fulfillment, and what it means to build a business that doesn't need to be sold. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH SANDRA OH LIN Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kiwico_inc/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandralin/ Website → https://www.kiwico.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Most brands are still buying ad space…the smartest ones are building an army instead. In this episode, Nik shares his recent conversation from the Social Commerce Summit in NYC, where he and Heatmap.com's Dylan Ander dig into exactly what's working in social commerce and creator marketing right now. Nik breaks down why the best brands have stopped treating creators like a media buy and started industrializing them, building real, commission-based "creator armies" the same way Comfort scaled with the now-famous Hudson Method. He unpacks his concept of persona mapping and persona maxing, why YouTubers and vloggers specifically outperform every other creator type on paid, and gets brutally honest about his own celebrity brand flops to explain why most celebrity brands don't survive past day three. For brands doing $3–10M a year without a nine-figure budget, Nik lays out a practical playbook: parallel-path your creator and paid funnel strategy, feed winning ad angles back to creators (and vice versa), and find your product's exact price "sweet spot" for TikTok Shop before you scale spend. If you're trying to figure out where your next dollar of creator marketing budget should actually go, this episode is as tactical as it gets. --- Tatari helps brands run TV like a modern performance channel. Unlike most platforms that focus only on programmatic CTV, Tatari gives marketers access to all of TV - linear, streaming, programmatic CTV, and direct publisher inventory - in one platform. By combining premium inventory with transparent reporting and outcome-based measurement, Tatari lets growth teams evaluate TV the same way they evaluate paid search or paid social. The result: more control, better reach, and TV spend that can actually be tied back to business results. Learn more at ⁠tatari.tv/limitedsupply⁠. --- Want more DTC advice? Check out the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Limited Supply YouTube page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more insider tips. And if you're looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Limited Supply Slack Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Nik's most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts. Check out the Nik's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DTC newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nik on Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Maveron partner Natalie Dillon joins Brian and Alicia to challenge the consumer-collapse narrative: sentiment sits at post-9/11 lows while spending breaks records. Natalie sheds light on truths of today's consumer, who is skeptical but continually shopping amid a cultural undertow where AI adoption stays surprisingly shallow, Gen Z turns skeptical, and analog living re-emerges as status. PLUS: Are cults the new future of commerce?  Your Gen Z Consumer Is Busy Touching Grass Key takeaways: Shoppers reallocated rather than retreated. Stats show fewer purchases that are higher value and more intentional.  AI adoption stays shallow, but health and wellness is the emerging opportunity, especially among consumers aged 35+.  Gen Z, the presumed AI natives, skew most negative, fueling an analog revival. Costco remains the disciplined benchmark for marketing, merchandise, and customer experience. [26:30] "Gen Z spikes the most negative on AI across age groups, which was shocking." — Natalie Dillon [43:09] "I do think some companies still look to Costco…but I think no one has disciplined themselves to the extent that Costco has." — Natalie Dillon Associated Links: Learn more about Maveron Maveron consumer research report "Your Body is a Data Land" (Future Commerce, 2017) Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupMost brands treat unauthorized sellers and copycats as a cost of doing business. Mario Simonyan treats them as your biggest untapped revenue source.Mario is a former Amazon seller turned brand protection attorney. He started selling kitchenware and artificial turf doormats out of his driveway during law school, got ripped off, and discovered that not a single attorney he called understood how marketplaces actually work. So he built the firm he wished he'd had.In this episode he breaks down how one eight-figure fitness brand walked away from 1.5M a year on Amazon after attorneys and enforcement agencies failed them, and how his team got them back to 95% control of their listings. He explains why cease and desist letters get burned in people's fireplaces, why sellers fear account suspension far more than lawsuits, and the three-pillar approach his firm uses to get marketplaces to do the enforcing.He also goes into the dark side: the seller who allegedly flew a duffel bag of cash to Costa Rica to bribe an Amazon employee, the competitor who planted the word cocaine in a rival's backend keywords to trigger an automatic ban, and the copycat running a cloned website doing a million dollars a month off someone else's brand.Request a 100% free, custom Brand Audit Report from ESQgo here: https://esqgo.submitrequests.com/brand-audit-report?utm_source=dtc_newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter_sponsorshipWhat you'll learn:Why 15 to 25% of your revenue may be leaking to sellers you've never heard ofThe trademark material difference argument that removes sellers moving genuine productThe three pillars: IP, marketplace policy, and regulatory compliance, and why using only one is why most enforcement failsWhy an unauthorized seller priced higher than you is still an emergencyHow brand protection raises your multiple when you sell the businessWho this is for: Brand owners and operators doing 5M or more who sell on Amazon, Walmart, or any marketplace with a shared buy box.What to steal: The 500% ROI framing, the material difference memorandum, and the free brand audit at esqgo.com to see what you're actually losing.Timestamps:0:00 Intro0:53 How unauthorized sellers steal 15–25% of revenue4:09 The Amazon strategy that actually removes unauthorized sellers11:56 Why brand protection is a revenue driver, not a cost17:47 The 3-pillar framework for Amazon brand protection31:02 How to find marketplace revenue leakageSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Sometimes data can be overwhelming. Being able to transform that data into actionable information can deliver high ROI. Jesse Lange, Managing Director of Lange Estate Winery, and Mark Evans, President of Triumph Advisors, discuss how Enolytics helps them make strategic decisions through actionable information in every part of their businesses, from DTC and wholesale into operational planning. Thanks to Enolytics for sponsoring this episode. Detailed Show Notes: Jesse's background: 2nd generation winegrower in Willamette Valley, focus on winemaking and grape growingMark's background: helped build Jackson Family's fine wine division, ran wineries for ~20 years, now fractional CEO for 2 wineries (higher end, DTC focus)Often there's too much data (facts) and not enough information (which is actionable)Gut instinct not always the best tool, having data is criticalEnolytics having both DTC and wholesale data can be used for production planning, revenue projections, planning market trips, seeing which varietals/SKUs doing well in each regionThe data enables building 10 year revenue projections by channel at the driver level (e-commerce, hospitality, membership, wholesale)Key metrics to look at: membership retention rate, customer lifetime value by acquisition source, purchase velocityDrilling down on wholesale data allows targeting the right marketsMark requires clients to use Enolytics (or another data platform) to partner with themEnolytics helps move from reactive to proactive, e.g. - Mark often converts tasting room staff from part-time to full-time and has them implement outreach programs to at-risk members determined by Enolytics in their downtimeCan be used like a CRM tool, even where Salesforce was unsuccessfulCan see some impact of critic scores through the data, but influence has been waning since ~2005, younger generations not really looking at scoresOne key insight is understanding member referral, correlating customer acquisition data to new club membersEnolytics is high ROI: can often do 2-3 programs that deliver $5-10k/each that micro-targets people and doesn't overwhelm the customer baseAdvice for other wineries: looking at peer wineries is critical, need to train people on the data tools, and ensuring the data mapping from e-commerce to Enolytics is accurate is essential Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Try: https://appscreens.com/Want to increase your App Store downloads by 30% without changing your keywords or running more ads?In this video, Steve P. Young breaks down the exact App Store screenshot strategy that helped one app increase downloads by 30% through a simple screenshot A/B test.You'll learn why screenshot designs are often more important than App Store Optimization (ASO) keywords for converting App Store visitors into downloads.Steve also shares real examples from successful apps, explains what users actually respond to, and walks through how to create and localize high-converting App Store screenshots in minutes using AppScreens.You'll learn:✅ The App Store screenshot A/B test that increased downloads by 30%✅ The best practices for localizing screenshots✅ How to highlight your app's unique selling proposition (USP)✅ The best way to upload screenshotsIf you're serious about App Store Optimization (ASO), remember this:Ranking gets users to your product page. App Store Screenshot designs convince them to download.

“I don't think our ads are any better.” Why are Meta click-through rates rising while conversion rates keep falling? Connor MacDonald (CMO, Ridge), Cody Plofker (CEO, Jones Road Beauty), and Connor Rolain (Head of Growth, HexClad) unpack why Meta ad performance has quietly shifted across ecommerce accounts. They break down Ridge's new chains launch and the merchandising lessons behind it, and debate whether TikTok Shop's affiliate program matters more than its storefront. Meta CPMs and click-through rates keep climbing across DTC accounts, even as conversion rates fall. The hosts respond with the exclusion settings and bid multipliers they are testing to fight back. From there, the conversation turns to Ridge's chains launch and the pricing lessons behind it. Powered By Motion Creative Benchmarks 2026 https://9ops.co/motionapp-creativebenchmarks2026 Richpanel https://9ops.co/richpanel-mops Aftersell https://9ops.co/aftersell-mops Haus https://www.haus.io/operators NeonPixel https://9ops.co/neonpixel Operators Newsletter https://9operators.com/ 

Evan Dash is the CEO of StoreBound and Author of the best-selling book, A Dash of Good: How to Turn a Business Based on Values into a Valuable Business. Evan's journey took him from firefighter to business executive before becoming a household name in the kitchenware industry. Alongside his wife Rachel, they launched DASH, their namesake kitchenware brand. Under Dash's leadership, the company skyrocketed to success, achieving sales of over $1 billion in sales and becoming the world's largest producer of waffle makers, popcorn poppers, and egg cookers, with over 100 million units sold. Before its 10th anniversary, Dash negotiated a majority sale of his company to Groupe SEB, the $8 billion global leader in the housewares industry.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Entrepreneurial journey from firefighter to CEO of a billion-dollar kitchenware brand.Transition from corporate retail experience to founding a business.Importance of a retail-first strategy versus direct-to-consumer approaches.Challenges faced in retail, including inventory management and product-market fit.The significance of a caring company culture and hiring practices.Strategies for DTC brands entering the retail space.The role of AI in enhancing business operations and creativity.Partnership dynamics in business, particularly with a spouse.Lessons learned from early failures and successes in product launches.Emphasis on building trust and relationships with customers and retailers.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Evan Dash, CEO of StoreBound and founder of Dash kitchenware. Evan shares his unconventional journey from firefighter to entrepreneur, building a brand that surpassed $1 billion in sales. He discusses leveraging brick-and-mortar retail expertise, the importance of a content-first strategy, and hiring people who genuinely care. Evan also highlights his partnership with his wife Rachel, strategies for DTC brands entering retail, and AI's growing role in business operations.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Start where you have an unfair advantage Leverage your existing expertise, network, or channel (retail, DTC, etc.) instead of blindly following trends. Validate demand before scaling Use tools like crowdfunding, small test runs, or pilot launches to confirm product-market fit and reduce inventory risk. Treat retail like a different business If entering brick-and-mortar, master pricing, margins, cash flow, and logistics—don't assume your DTC playbook will work.Timestamps:00:00:00 Introduction and Setting the StageEvan discusses generational shifts in kitchenware preferences and the initial marketing approach for Dash.00:00:22 Podcast IntroductionHost introduces the E-com Breakthrough Podcast and sets up the episode's focus.00:00:35 Guest Introduction: Evan Dash's BackgroundEvan's journey from firefighter to CEO, and the founding of Dash kitchenware.00:01:51 Personal Connection and Product RecognitionHost shares personal experience with Dash products and introduces the main interview.00:02:19 Evan's Entrepreneurial JourneyEvan recounts his unconventional path from firefighting to retail and business.00:04:01 Lessons from Retail and E-commerce EvolutionEvan discusses his retail background, the fall of legacy brands, and the rise of e-commerce.00:05:57 Transition from Corporate to EntrepreneurshipEvan explains how being fired led him to start his own business with his wife.00:07:45 Working with a Spouse: Partnership InsightsEvan and the host discuss the dynamics and benefits of building a business with their wives.00:10:02 Travel and Business Partnership BenefitsEvan shares the advantages of traveling and working closely with his spouse.00:11:21 Launching Dash: Retail-First StrategyEvan explains why Dash started with a retail-first approach and the challenges faced.00:12:11 Early Product Experiments and Brand NamingEvan describes initial product ideas, licensing, and the decision to use his last name for the brand.00:14:30 Content-Driven Brand BuildingDash's early focus on content creation, social media, and appealing to younger consumers.00:16:37 Retail Placement and Cash Flow ChallengesHow Dash leveraged retail relationships for credibility and managed cash flow pressures.00:17:47 Retail Flywheel and Industry FOMOThe impact of early retail success and how it led to more opportunities.00:18:35 Product Flops and Risk MitigationEvan discusses product failures, the importance of sell-through, and strategies to minimize risk.00:22:07 Crowdfunding and Retailer RelationshipsUsing Kickstarter/Indiegogo to test products and proactively managing retailer relationships.00:24:30 Advice for DTC Brands Entering RetailEvan's recommendations for DTC brands looking to expand into retail.00:25:08 Learning New Channels and Building ExpertiseThe importance of becoming an expert in new sales channels and hiring for knowledge gaps.00:27:02 Brokers vs. Direct Outreach in RetailPros and cons of using brokers versus direct outreach for retail expansion.00:28:14 Focus, Time Management, and Agency PitfallsThe risks of losing focus, the value of time, and challenges with agencies.00:29:37 Hiring Smart People and Building TeamsHow hiring smarter people and building strong teams drives business growth.00:30:36 Culture of Caring and Core ValuesEvan's approach to company culture, hiring for care, and building a values-driven organization.00:34:15 Defining “Care” in Company CultureWhat “care” means at Dash and how it's embedded in the company's DNA.00:35:16 Empowerment, Trust, and Winning HeartsPairing care with empowerment, trust, and a focus on winning hearts internally and externally.00:38:20 Culture as a Competitive AdvantageHow culture and core values translate to consumer experience and business success.00:39:16 AI in Business: Human vs. AutomationEvan's perspective on AI, its role in efficiency, and why humans remain central.00:40:17 AI as a Multiplier, Not a ReplacementHow Dash is adopting AI to boost productivity while maintaining a human-centric approach.00:41:28 Final Thoughts and Book RecommendationEvan recommends his book and offers to connect with listeners.00:41:49 Three Actionable TakeawaysHost summarizes key lessons: domain expertise, caring culture, and hiring smart people.00:45:08 Rapid-Fire Questions: Book, AI Tool, InspirationEvan shares his favorite book, AI tools, and sources of inspiration in CPG and fashion.00:48:34 Closing and Contact InformationHow to connect with Evan and Dash; episode wrap-up.Resources mentioned in this episode:Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comTools and Websites"Kickstarter": "00:23:27""Indiegogo": "00:23:27""ChatGPT": "00:46:15"Books"

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAri Murray runs DTC, Amazon and customer experience at Salt & Stone. She came from Sharma Brands, and before that worked on influencer and celebrity brands including a Kardashian line and Halsey's beauty brand. She started as a customer service agent.In this episode she breaks down why the old brand-versus-performance argument is collapsing. Customers now shop with a chatbot in the loop. Those bots read your reviews, your Reddit threads, and your actual customer experience. You cannot hack that, which means product quality and brand protection have become growth levers.She also gets specific on creative: what "socially native" really means, why she is chasing ads that don't look like ads, and the protein powder ad where the product is the seventh ingredient in someone's recipe.For: DTC founders, growth leads, creative strategists, retention and CRO teams, brand marketers.In this episode:Why she left the agency side for Salt & StoneWhy Salt & Stone has never acted like a deodorant brandAI visibility, Reddit indexing, and why you can't hide from real customer feedbackThe collapse of the middle of the funnel in agentic shoppingWhy she doesn't feel a desperate need to move spend out of MetaHow they actually measure incrementality (holdouts, Status, Northbeam, Triple Whale, hunting for an MMM)Socially native creative, and why splitting a hook five ways is played outWhy a brand with boundaries makes better adsWhat makes a brand feel cheapWhat makes a brand deserve to be iconicSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter

Are you using sale season as a strategy — or just following what everyone else is doing? And if you're a shopper, are you buying because you need it, or because the price made the decision for you? Image consultant and stylist Mikara Reid of MIIEN Consultancy defines sale season from both sides of the transaction — what it means for the retailer and what it really costs the consumer — and why understanding both perspectives changes how you approach it entirely.#SaleSeason #WhatIsSaleSeason #RetailStrategy #ShopWithIntention #FashionRetailer #DTCFashion #BlackFriday #EndOfSeasonSale #IntentionalShopping #ImageConsultant #PersonalStylist #MikaraReid #MIIEN #FashionIdentity #RetailerTips

Most app developers focus on ASO and paid ads, but Apple's ecosystem offers powerful growth opportunities that many teams completely overlook.In this live session, we're joined by Clémence Rigal from Tiimo, the visual AI planner built for real life and recognized as Apple's App of the Year 2025, along with several other industry awards.Drawing from her experience leading growth at companies like Lifesum, Preglife, and now Tiimo, Clémence shares how successful apps leverage Apple's ecosystem to increase visibility, drive more downloads, and build sustainable long-term growth.You'll learn how to make the most of In-App Events, App Store Nominations & Editorial opportunities, Apple's frameworks, the app nomination process, and the strategies that help apps stand out and earn Apple's attention.Whether you're building a new iOS app or looking to accelerate the growth of an existing one, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.You will discover:✅ How to leverage Apple's ecosystem to grow your app✅ Best practices for In-App Events that actually get noticed✅ How Apple's editorial features and nominations work✅ Apple frameworks and tools that can improve discovery✅ Growth strategies used by leading subscription appsLearn More:Check out: Tiimohttps://www.tiimoapp.com

Matt and Nic are back with the deals and news of the week. In this episode:  Nic licks his World Cup wounds Do Bitcoin Treasury strategies make sense? Trying to make sense of Saylor's "bitcoin rating" Trump's teleprompter operator has been trading on what Trump is going to say in his speeches Why do people keep insider trading on prediction markets? Clarity Act odds are trickling down Strategy shores up their balance sheet Is the Bitcoin cycle finally turning? Stripe bids for Paypal The AI DeFi apocalypse didn't happen Kathy Hochul's AI datacenter moratorium Why is Anthropic running ads suggesting that they could cause extinction The DTC is using Canton for it's tokenized settlement pilot Brian Chesky's AI slop thread debacle Jesse Pollak leaves Base CBDCs are officially banned federally

Ben Dietz convenes Casey Lewis (After School), Daisy Alioto (Dirt), and Erica Chen (Media Futures Group, WPP) on the collapse of the wall between editorial and commerce. Publishers are shipping perfume, brands are hiring writers, and the relationship forming in your inbox isn't human-to-human anymore.  What happens when the scenic route is quicker? When “wasted” time actually is the relationship? Your total addressable market now includes agents, and those agents are trained on the taste you are curating. After all – what you buy is who you become, but what you read is how you decide.  Base Notes: Upper Lip Sweat and Hot Metal Key takeaways: Publishers now make products; brands now make publications. The wall stopped mattering. Optimization is a process of reduction, and serendipity gets cut first. Brands flame out at issue two or three without a point of view. Taste-driven publishers have a new addressable market: agents trained on taste. [12:48] "The best ROI does not necessarily give you growth, because growth comes in volumes." – Erica Chen [21:15] "When your audience knows to expect you… you really have to stay true to that." – Casey Lewis [28:50] "Our total addressable market now includes agents." – Daisy Alioto [30:32] "Creators are the cure to the media fragmentation." – Erica Chen Associated Links: Casey Lewis – After School on Substack Erica Chen – "In Defense of Serendipity" Daisy Alioto – Read Dirt @ dirt.fyi Tasteland podcast – Daisy Alioto & Francis Zierer VISIONS Summit 2026 – November 3, 2026 at MoMA. Listen to today's episode for 25% off Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan MailAn ecommerce marketing funnel shows how traffic moves through awareness, conversion, retention, and repeat sales. This video covers DTC marketing strategy, Meta ads, Google ads, UGC, affiliate marketing, email, and SMS. It shows how brands can reduce website drop-off, improve store conversion, and turn more visitors into customers.Stop paying for traffic that leaves without buying, get a full ecommerce growth plan built around the funnel and conversion gaps costing the brand sales: https://bit.ly/4jMZtxu#EcommerceMarketing #EcommerceSales #DTCMarketingWant free resources? Dowload our Free Amazon guides here:Download the 2026 Amazon AI Operating Manual: https://bit.ly/3SLmusPAmazon Receiving Delay Guide: https://hubs.ly/Q04cdD4c0Amazon Catalog Spring Cleaning: https://hubs.ly/Q046BVfp0Amazon Proft Margin Defense 2026: https://hubs.ly/Q042trRH0Amazon SEO Toolkit 2026: https://bit.ly/4oC2ClTAmazon Seller Strategy Report 2026: https://bit.ly/3YN1RME2026 Ecommerce Website & SEO Readiness Checklist: https://hubs.ly/Q04btghf0Amazon 2026 PPC guide: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYXTimestamps00:00 - Why Ecommerce Customers Leave Before Checkout00:49 - Amazon Ads vs. Ecommerce Marketing Channels01:43 - How the Ecommerce Marketing Funnel Works02:10 - Building Awareness With Paid and Organic Traffic02:41 - Moving Shoppers From Awareness to Consideration03:10 - Using UGC and Affiliate Marketing for Sales03:44 - Turning Website Visitors Into Paying Customers04:29 - How Email and SMS Create Repeat Buyers05:44 - How Customer Advocacy Drives Referral Sales07:20 - Where New Ecommerce Brands Should Start08:11 - Building Ads for Consideration and Conversion09:36 - Finding Competitor Ads in Meta Ad Library11:13 - Why Landing Pages Convert Better Than Homepages12:57 - Testing Short and Long Ecommerce Ad Formats14:28 - Landing Page Clicks and Ecommerce Conversion15:56 - Choosing Text, Image, and Video Ads16:56 - Finding Competitor Keywords for Google Ads17:50 - Amazon ICAP Funnel vs. Ecommerce Funnel19:03 - How Customer Advocacy Restarts the Funnel-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show

Recorded live at the Retail Collective Summit, this episode features Ryan Napierski, CEO of Nu Skin, as he outlines his 30-year journey from working in the call center to steering a global corporate empire spanning 50 countries. Ryan delivers an unvarnished masterclass in corporate survival, detailing how a sudden industry-wide ban in China forced the company to completely shift its direct-selling model toward technology investments and integrated brand building. He also shares how a near-fatal backcountry snowboarding accident shattered three vertebrae in his neck and profoundly redefined his leadership lens. The discussion maps out his framework for navigating the rapidly growing $6.8 trillion global wellness economy. Ryan breaks down "Unit Economics 2.0," explaining how AI-driven ad spend is causing a massive inflation in customer acquisition costs (CAC) for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. He pulls back the curtain on Nu Skin's strategic $275 million exit of the platform Mavely, proving why nano-influencers with sub-1,000 followers deliver vastly higher conversion rates than expensive macro-influencers. Finally, Ryan addresses the challenge of managing channel conflict as a legacy MLM entity scales into a highly integrated, modern omnichannel strategy.  

Yasmina Elmerkaoui had one shot - use the house deposit to buy a home, or bet it all on a hair gel she'd spent two years formulating. She chose the hair gel. On launch night she packed orders until 5am, drove them to the post office herself, and woke up to find all 20,000 units - what she thought was a year's worth of stock - completely gone in 24 hours. Macao is now on track for eight figures in its third year, built on 90,000 Instagram followers, zero outside funding at launch, and a pre-launch call to her manufacturer that saved everything. In this interview, Yasmina breaks down the exact pre-launch move that meant stock was already in production when she sold out overnight, how she turned copycats into a celebration, and the investor email she kept deleting because she thought it was a scam. What you'll learn in this interview: Why she bet the house deposit on a hair gel - and the mentor conversation that pushed her over the line How nearly $10,000 in sampling and a $30,000 first run taught her what building a real product actually costs The pre-launch gut call - why she paid a deposit to start production before launch, and how it saved the business when everything sold out in 24 hours Why she started signing customer service emails under a male alias - and why it actually worked How she used UGC creators from day one to fill the feed with different faces, ethnicities, and hair types so the brand didn't rely on just her The Black Friday disaster that made a year's revenue in one week - then nearly broke her entire operation Why she kept deleting the investor email from Capital Influence because she thought it was a Facebook scam What finally convinced her to give up equity - and why it was about experience, not money The "create your own bundle" feature that raised average order value without a single extra product Why she celebrates copycats - and the mindset that keeps her focused on what's next instead of what's being copied If you're an early stage DTC founder, a content creator thinking about launching your own product, or trying to figure out how to turn a loyal audience into actual sales without burning the trust you've built, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about community, launch strategy, and what it really takes to go from house deposit to eight figures. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH YASMINA ELMERKAOIU Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mrs.yasmina/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmina-elmerkaoui-191b69262/ Website → https://merkaou.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

The beauty industry disruptor that brought clean beauty into the mainstream is back with a shiny new brand concept.  Gregg Renfrew, the entrepreneur behind Beautycounter and Counter, is launching her third beauty brand on September 1 in an effort to reach consumers ages 14 to 30.   The brand is called Beecee and, in a lot of ways, is an iteration of now-defunct Beautycounter. The line will launch direct-to-consumer with lip gloss, skin balm and face mist at premium price points. The company is currently in the midst of a community meet-up tour — hosting events with Renfrew in Nashville, New York, Chicago and Charleston, among other cities — to recruit and mobilize excited young brand advocates who can earn a commission on sales.  But do young people care about clean beauty? “The answer is unequivocally yes,” Renfrew told Glossy. “I've actually been really surprised by how many of the young women with whom we've been interacting have said that this really matters to them.”  In 2013, Renfrew launched Beautycounter, a first-of-its-kind beauty business built off ingredient transparency, independent sellers and ‘boots on the ground' industry advocacy in Washington, D.C. The concept struck a nerve and forever shifted the beauty industry toward better transparency.  But Renfrew was very early to the "clean beauty" wave — something that, today, is very much table stakes for new brands. This has presented its own challenges for Renfrew's ongoing success.  “It's both a blessing and a curse to be the leader and the disruptor in any industry at any moment in time,” she said. “In some ways, I have the luxury now of coming back in through Counter and Beecee to see all the things I did well and all the things I didn't do well, of which there were many, and iterate on those models to do them better than I did before.” Beautycounter officially shuttered in 2024, giving Renfrew the opportunity to buy back her IP from the VC firm The Carlyle Group. Renfrew then parlayed her bestselling formulas and clean beauty mission into Counter, her brand launched DTC in 2025 to serve women 35 and older.  Glossy Beauty podcast host Lexy Lebsack sat down with Renfrew to discuss Beecee, the future of clean beauty, how to best reach Gen Z and why the best days of specialty beauty retail are behind us. 

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) is moving from an experimental monetization channel toward a more established part of game publishing, but adoption remains uneven. Host Devin Becker is joined by David Stelzer, CSO of Appcharge, to discuss findings from the company's recent report and what they reveal about the current state of DTC. They examine why more than half of studios are still making few meaningful changes, what separates the small group of innovators pulling ahead, and where developers continue to misunderstand web stores, player behavior, and the operational demands of running DTC effectively. The conversation also looks ahead to dedicated DTC teams, standardized technology stacks, broader adoption beyond games, and what winning in DTC could look like over the next three to five years.We'd like to thank Medal.tv for making this episode possible. If you're a PC gamer and want to clip your moments or a studio, publisher, or marketer looking to reach a high-quality gaming audience and get your game in front of the right players, check out all Medal has to offer at https://grow.medal.tv.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

“I feel this is bigger than dot com.” How does a $450 million publicly traded jewelry brand build a live shopping empire that predates TikTok by nearly two decades? Sunil Agrawal (Founder, ShopLC & VGL Group) sits down with Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case and Lomi) and Katy Mimari (CEO, Caden Lane) to pull back the curtain on 46 years of building one of the most vertically integrated businesses in the world. He started as a gemstone lapidary and grew six retail brands without ever once considering an exit. Sunil runs a live shopping operation most DTC operators have never seen. He launches 100 new products every day. His top customers generate $20,000 in lifetime value. He fired his robots when the ROI math didn't hold. He moved four brands to Shopify in five months because AI did most of the coding. And he still measures the business not in dollars but in meals delivered. Operators Titans is brought to you by AppLovin and Fulfil. Fulfil: The ERP built specifically for DTC and ecommerce brands, integrated with over 400 3PLs so your inventory, purchasing, and financials never fall out of sync. Ridge runs its entire operation on it. See why here: https://9ops.co/fulfil AppLovin: Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits here: https://www.9operators.com/paid-growth. Or skip the waitlist and launch your ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: http://applovin.com/9operators.

A billion-dollar ad budget sounds like it solves everything. It doesn't. Nik shares a recent experience he had sitting in on a CMO offsite for one of the largest consumer brands in the world, expecting the conversation to be light-years beyond anything a $10M or $50M brand deals with. Instead, he found the exact same problems: slow creative production, personalization that doesn't scale, and attribution that never tells the full story. In this solo episode, Nik breaks down why more resources at a big company often means more dependencies, not more speed, and uses the "telephone game" as the perfect analogy for what happens when a single test has to pass through strategy, brand, legal, and five other teams before it ever runs. He also gets into: Why lean, scrappy brands often move faster than teams with 10x the budget The real cost of approval bottlenecks on how fast you can learn Why deliberate angle testing beats "spray and pray" every time A first look at the "creative supply chain," the framework Nik's been using with clients to source, produce, and test content on repeat If you've ever wondered why growth feels harder the bigger your team gets, this episode is for you! --- Tatari helps brands run TV like a modern performance channel. Unlike most platforms that focus only on programmatic CTV, Tatari gives marketers access to all of TV - linear, streaming, programmatic CTV, and direct publisher inventory - in one platform. By combining premium inventory with transparent reporting and outcome-based measurement, Tatari lets growth teams evaluate TV the same way they evaluate paid search or paid social. The result: more control, better reach, and TV spend that can actually be tied back to business results. Learn more at tatari.tv/limitedsupply. Want more DTC advice? Check out the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Limited Supply YouTube page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more insider tips. And if you're looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Limited Supply Slack Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for Nik's most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts. Check out the Nik's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DTC newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nik on Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

He built an eight-figure brand without raising a dollar of outside capital. Now he's sharing exactly how he did it. J.W. reveals the playbook behind one of the adult non-alcoholic category's earliest success stories. He explains why he bet on the sober curious trend years before it became mainstream, how direct-to-consumer sales fueled profitable growth from day one, and why relentless product refinement – not rapid expansion – has been the foundation of the brand's success.  J.W. also discusses customer acquisition, retail strategy, premium pricing and the long-term vision that's guiding Curious Elixirs as it aims to redefine how people drink socially. Show notes: 0:20: JW Wiseman, Founder & CEO, Curious Elixirs – JW shares how his experience owning bars and drinking heavily inspired him to create one of the first premium non-alcoholic cocktail brands. He talks about developing the concept in 2013 and launching in 2015, and how he validated demand through Kickstarter, early consumer feedback and press coverage. JW explains why Curious prioritized profitability, premium pricing and digital marketing early on, how constant product refinement and customer feedback have fueled loyalty, and why focusing on how products make consumers feel has been central to the brand's success. He also discusses building an eight-figure business without outside investment, leveraging DTC data to expand into retail, thoughtfully approaching distribution and channel strategy, and balancing innovation with disciplined focus. He emphasizes Curious Elixirs' long-term mission to make premium non-alcoholic beverages a normal part of social occasions while proving that sustainable growth, strong customer relationships and unwavering product quality can build an enduring brand.  Brands in this episode: Curious Elixirs, LesserEvil, Poppi

This episode comes to you live from our pop-up studio at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York City. Our guest: Jason LaRose, CEO of Bombas — the brand that turned socks, underwear, and tees into a mission-powered growth machine, with more than 200 million essential clothing items donated to people experiencing homelessness. But first, the news — and in our summer biweekly format, there's plenty. Steve breaks down Nike's unimpressive quarter: revenues down, China off 12%, and an operating profit boost driven almost entirely by a nearly billion-dollar one-time tariff refund. The contrast with Levi's couldn't be sharper — under Michelle Gass, the brand posted 8% sales growth, expanding margins, and momentum across women's and tops. The winners keep winning elsewhere too. Aritzia's remarkable run continues with comps up an eye-popping 35% and digital up nearly 60%. Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing delivers 22% revenue growth from its 2,500-store global fleet. And Costco's monthly numbers offer fresh evidence of retail's Great Concentration. Then there's Kroger, acquiring regional grocery powerhouse Giant Eagle — a $9 billion revenue business bought at a strikingly low multiple. Michael and Steve debate the real question: does acquiring-to-compete solve Kroger's relevance problem, or just buy cost leverage against Walmart, Costco, and Amazon? Then it's on to Jason LaRose, who joined Bombas after leadership roles at Under Armour and Equinox. What drew him in: a genuine mission wrapped around outstanding economics — profitable essentially since day one. He traces the brand's arc from Indiegogo campaign and Shark Tank's most successful company ever to nearly $2 billion in cumulative sales, now expanding into underwear, tees, footwear, and slippers — the very items most requested in homeless shelters. LaRose also delivers a masterclass in disciplined distribution: highly curated wholesale partnerships with Target, Dick's, Nordstrom, and Scheels, each with distinct assortments for distinct customers, alongside the brand's first stores and expansion into Canada. His mantra — quality, comfort, mission, in that order — explains why repeat rates keep the funnel from leaking where so many DTC peers sprang holes. Wrapping up, on Steve's radar: a Dallas-area tour of the newly merged Container Store and Bed Bath & Beyond format (who exactly is this store for?), plus his provocative new Substack essay, "Convenience is Boring." On Michael's radar: the soon-to-open Gordie Howe Bridge, his conversation with U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, and why USMCA review limbo keeps piling uncertainty — and cost — onto businesses and consumers across North America. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Join our community of App Founders: https://appfounders.co/Everyone is focused on growing installs inside the App Store, but the biggest opportunity for app developers in 2026 may actually start on the web.In this video, Steve P. Young breaks down why Web2App campaigns have become one of the fastest-growing acquisition and monetization strategies for mobile apps. From avoiding App Store fees to improving attribution, increasing cash flow, and unlocking more flexible pricing strategies, you'll learn why top app companies are investing heavily in web funnels.Steve also analyzes successful web2app funnels from companies like Coursiv, shares real conversion optimization examples, and explains the checkout strategies that are driving higher revenue today.If you're building a subscription app, AI app, SaaS product, or consumer mobile app, this is the web2app tutorial you can't afford to ignore.You'll learn:✅ Why Web-to-App is one of the fastest-growing acquisition channels✅ The best-performing Web2App landing page strategies✅ Why long-form paywalls outperform short ones on the web✅ Tripwire offers, upsells, and downsells that increase revenue✅ How to optimize Meta Ads and Google Ads for Web-to-App campaigns✅ Real examples from successful multi-million dollar app businessesWhether you're launching a new app or scaling an existing one, these strategies can help you grow downloads, improve monetization, and build a more sustainable app business.Check out: https://www.paddle.com/Want to work with us to grow your apps faster & efficiently?http://www.appmasters.com/You can also watch this video here: https://youtu.be/m5xmwkV4HgM*********************************************SPONSORSThe app growth playbook is changing fast.AppsFlyer's State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4.Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM*********************************************Tired of handing 30% of every in-game sale to iOS and Android billing systems? Appcharge is the DTC monetization platform trusted by King, Huuuge, Tripledot, and SciPlay – giving studios a direct line to their players, and up to 95% of every transaction. Web stores, payment links, and a full Merchant of Record service covering taxes, compliance, and global payments – all in one platform. Visit appcharge.com to learn more*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

Krishna Kaliannan wanted to start a tech company but failed at every attempt. On the side, he was teaching himself how to cook with high-protein, low-sugar ingredients. Not just out of interest, but out of necessity. As a teenager, Krishna had been diagnosed with diabetes and epilepsy, meaning he adopted a keto diet long before it was trendy. Krishna's home experiments with pea powder and monk fruit eventually became Catalina Crunch, one of the country's most popular high-protein, low-carb breakfast cereals and snacks. In this episode, Krishna shares how a life-changing health condition sparked an obsession with healthy baking— and a brand that reimagined snacking.What You'll LearnHow to turn a health challenge into a business opportunity The art and science of baking with esoteric ingredientsWhen to trust partners and when it's best to take charge yourselfWhy the DTC model is great for some industries and disastrous for othersTimestamps:00:06:16 - Dealing with diabetes and epilepsy as a college student00:12:38 - What Krishna learns from his early failures in tech00:22:43 - The first, low-sugar cocoa puffs: “Rocks that tasted like soil.” 00:27:36 - His homemade cereal gets good enough to sell00:32:42 - Naming the brand: classy alliteration and a nod to a Will Ferrell movie 00:44:51 - Learning to make cereal like the pros at Texas A&M00:54:43 - Krishna moves from NYC to Indiana to make sure the cereal is made right01:01:04 - Whole Foods, Costco, and becoming a household brandThis episode was researched and produced by Chris Maccini with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant. Our engineer was Kwesi Lee. Follow How I Built This:Instagram → @howibuiltthisX → @HowIBuiltThisFacebook → How I Built ThisFollow Guy Raz:Instagram → @guy.razYoutube → guy_razX → @guyrazSubstack → guyraz.substack.comWebsite → guyraz.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.