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The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Bryan Leach, the Founder & CEO of Ibotta, a performance marketing platform allowing brands to deliver digital promotions to over 200 million consumers through a network of publishers called the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN). Follow Bryan on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwleachFollow Ibotta on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibotta-inc-/Follow Ibotta online at: https://ipn.ibotta.com/Bryan answers these questions:Ibotta started as a wildly successful cashback app. When did you first realize the company needed to evolve into a performance-marketing platform that could power promotions for national brands and retailers—not just consumers?Take us to the moment when the vision for the Ibotta Performance Network crystallized. What was the “aha” moment that told you the future wasn't DTC incentives, but a full-funnel, retailer-connected promotions ecosystem?When you think back to the earliest days of the IPN, how did the partnership with Walmart come together, and what did that milestone unlock for Ibotta's trajectory?The IPN is now a fundamentally different engine than it was two years ago. How have new partners like Instacart and DoorDash, plus an elevated focus on measurement, reshaped the network?You're now reaching more than 200 million consumers. What does true personalization look like at this scale, and what have you learned about delivering the right promotion to the right shopper at the right moment?When you talk to brand partners today, what are the top priorities they're solving for—and why is the traditional ROAS framework failing them?You've compared LiveLift to the launch of the IPN in terms of strategic importance. What gap does LiveLift fill, and why is this such a pivotal moment in Ibotta's evolution?How does LiveLift help quantify the true incremental impact of promotions—whether that's velocity, basket expansion, or shortening the repurchase cycle?CPGs keep saying they struggle to tie promotions directly to outcomes. How is Ibotta helping close that measurement gap, and what does the Liquid Death case study reveal about what's possible?If you had to project 1–3 years out, how do you see the promotions landscape transforming—and what will separate the brands that win from those that fall behind?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.
Matt and Nic are back with more news and deals. In this episode: CIV grows the team Nic does not regret 8 years in crypto People are getting blackpilled about crypto Does speculation in crypto have positive externalities? Matt has never seen LOTR Will web3 ever come back? The OCC lets banks broker crypto trades The Bitwise 10 lists Rushi Manche returns with a fund Circle is launching a private stablecoin The DTC gets a no action letter from the SEC to settle tokenized securities We do a Terra/Luna restrospective Terra's fatal mistake Oracle mishaps on prediction markets Why did the nation's largest teachers union come out against the Market Structure bill Content mentioned in this episode: Nic Carter and Allen Farrington, All Falls Down
As retail sheds its four walls, technology must follow. Jason James (CIO, Aptos) and Nikki Baird (VP of Strategy & Product, Aptos) join us to explore how brands like New Balance deploy 90+ registers at the NYC Marathon—then dismantle them just as quickly. The conversation reveals how point-of-sale systems built on next-generation databases enable everything from parking lot pop-ups to van-based fitting experiences, all while maintaining enterprise-grade security in environments where network connectivity is more hope than guarantee.Set Your Associates FreeKey takeaways:New Balance transforms NYC Marathon into 100-store chain for one weekendOffline capability: transactions continue when networks fail, sync when connectivity returnsIn-person acquisition yields stickier customers with higher lifetime valueRetail ranks third most-attacked sector; mobile commerce increases threat surfaceStore associates need intuitive systems for high-pressure, temporary deployments"If they're able to pull this off in the middle of a parking lot, I'm probably a hell of a lot more likely to go in the store next time." – Jason James on how ephemeral retail builds store trust"A customer acquired through an in-person, in real life experience is stickier, has longer lifetime value, is ultimately more loyal than a customer that's acquired online." – Nikki Baird on the power of physical engagement"God forbid a retailer gets hit back at headquarters with ransomware and it takes down their core network. We can still transact." – Jason James on offline resilience"It's not just you put products on racks or on shelves and you wait for people to walk in the door. Events are coming into stores too." – Nikki Baird on stores as experience hubsAssociated Links:Learn about AptosCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave 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/signupMeta's latest update wasn't just noise. Pilothouse strategist Taylor Cain breaks down how Andromeda's smarter delivery system let them consolidate campaigns, increase CTRs, and scale cleaner than ever this BFCM.For CMOs optimizing Meta spend across brands or business units...30% YoY CTR lift through creative-persona alignment + fewer campaignsWhy campaign consolidation is outperforming classic testing structuresPartnership ads: how Pilothouse uses Meta's dynamic features to drive both reach + retargetingHow to rethink frequency, offer alignment, and creative iterations mid-campaignWhat MTA tools like Triple Whale unlocked when real-time tracking mattered mostWho this is for: CMOs, paid media directors, and growth leads navigating platform complexityWhat to steal:Test in your best campaign, not in isolation (if the creative is ready)Meme-style statics backed by real offers = full-funnel magicLet performance inform your campaign segmentation — not the other way aroundTimestamps:00:00 Meta's Shift Away From Traditional Testing01:08 What Actually Drove BFCM Winners02:56 Andromeda's Real Impact on Performance04:22 Why CTR Jumped During BFCM05:47 Consolidation Is Beating Fragmentation07:37 How Creative Is Fed Into Winning Campaigns11:00 Why Partnership Ads Took Off This Year23:52 The Email + Paid Connection That Mattered MostHashtags:#ecommerce #dtc #digitalmarketing #paidmedia #metads #andromeda #adcreative #performancemarketing #bfcmmarketing #q4marketing #retentionmarketing #emailmarketing #attribution #triplewhale #marketingstrategy #growthmarketing #ugcads #creatorads #partnershipads Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF567Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter
#712 When Joe Chura quit drinking during the 75 Hard challenge, he didn't just transform his health — he found his next business! In this episode hosted by Brien Gearin, Joe shares how that personal decision sparked the launch of Go Brewing, a non-alcoholic beer company built from his garage that's now on track to hit $10 million in revenue. With a background in tech and automotive, Joe applied his digital marketing and DTC expertise to grow the brand online, sell to over 60,000 customers, and gather powerful customer data that helped him land 6,000 retail placements across 23 states. He explains why they built their own brewery instead of outsourcing, how they created a unique taproom experience, and what it takes to stand out in the emerging NA beverage space. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at building a fast-growing CPG brand from scratch, this episode is packed with insights! (Original Air Date - 5/3/25) What we discuss with Joe: + Origin of Go Brewing during 75 Hard + Brewing beer from his garage + Scaling from 0 to 60,000 customers + Using DTC to gather customer data + 6,000 retail placements nationwide + Building a taproom for NA beverages + Strategic hiring and lean marketing + Challenges of beverage distribution + Differentiating in a growing NA market + Plans for THC and electrolyte drinks Thank you, Joe! Check out Go Brewing at GoBrewing.com. Follow Joe on Instagram and LinkedIn. Watch the video podcast of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mani Fazeli, VP of Product at Shopify, joins the show to explore how agentic commerce is fundamentally transforming retail. From Sidekick's co-founder capabilities to Sim Gym's buyer simulations, Shopify is democratizing enterprise-level AI tools for merchants of all sizes. The conversation reveals why friction isn't always the enemy, how discovery is evolving beyond blue links, and why structured data is the new SEO.The Irreducible Human Meets Humanlike IntelligenceKey takeaways:Discovery has evolved from a one-shot search to multi-turn conversationsFriction has value: Some purchases deserve complexity, others need speedStructured data becomes critical for agentic commerce success[00:32:56] "Let's make special what's actually worth being special. And then let's be okay with the fact that the rest of it gets streamlined."[00:49:57] "Structured data becomes the new SEO. Every brand is going to have to worry about whether they have clean, well-structured, and well-understandable schemas."[00:04:20] "Utility above being flashy. Go right for the heart of what makes a difference in the merchant's life every single day."[00:33:39] "Until these systems become emotion aware, it's highly unlikely that they are completely eradicating the entire idea of manual human intervention in commerce."In-Show Mentions:Shopify Winter '26 EditionsAssociated Links:Check out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave 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.
Natalia Chappell is the founder of Natalia Chappell & Co, a UK-based consultancy helping luxury and lifestyle brands scale sustainably. Previously, she led marketing for THG's luxury division, working with brands like Coach and Ralph Lauren across price points from hundreds to thousands of pounds.In this episode of DTC Pod, Natalia breaks down what it really takes for US brands to win in the UK—and why so many get it wrong. She shares the full-funnel mistakes she sees premium brands make over and over, why some household US names thrived in Britain while others quietly retreated, and what's actually driving results on Meta right now. She also gets into how to connect with younger consumers who think differently about spending, and why the old playbook of polished content isn't cutting it anymore. Plus, her journey from corporate marketing leader to female founder, and what she wishes more people understood about building a business as a woman.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Lessons from high-growth UK e-commerce brands 2. Creating sustainable, holistic marketing strategies3. Using data and analytics to drive channel mix decisions4. Optimizing for paid and organic synergy5. Landing page and website audit best practices6. UGC, influencer, and creator partnership frameworks7. Onboarding and managing creators for conversion and brand fit8. Navigating UK logistics, customs, and local expectations9. How to adapt brand voice and content for UK consumer10. UK cultural moments and how to plan campaigns around them11. Success stories (Drunk Elephant, Ralph Lauren, Coach) and why some US brands flop12. Digital-first approaches to brand building13. Upcoming trends—partnership ads, authentic content, and Gen Z consumers14. Supporting and growing as a female founder in e-commerceTimestamps00:00 Introduction to DTC POD and episode with Natalia Chappell01:18 Natalia's background: fashion, digital marketing, luxury brand experience03:26 Lessons learned building luxury and beauty e-commerce teams05:16 Becoming a female founder and launching Natalia Chappell & Co07:22 The type and scale of brands Natalia's agency works with09:07 Optimizing paid-to-organic mix for sustainable growth12:12 Data, analytics, and the importance of first-party data integrity13:33 Why understanding inventory and offer depth matters before scaling ads16:26 Building a marketing flywheel that feeds itself18:50 Audience segmentation, CRM, and conversion optimization20:08 Attribution modeling and keeping data integrations clean22:29 Organic growth: auditing website, SEO, landing pages, and reviews24:03 Content strategy: authentic UGC, influencers, and the UK market26:58 Equipping creators for conversion, not just reach29:25 Structuring affiliate and creator programs, commissioning vs. flat fees33:01 Logistics: Warehousing, customs, and UK delivery expectations36:54 Adapting voice, copy, and calendar to resonate in the UK38:34 Brand case studies: Drunk Elephant, Coach, Ralph Lauren41:09 Why some US brands struggle in the UK (Forever 21, etc.)44:21 Trends to watch: partnership ads, content authenticity, Gen Z targeting47:25 Where to find and connect with Natalia ChappellShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• #243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokNatalia Chappell - Founder of Natalia Chappell & Co.Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic
Andrea Hernández is the founder and author of Snaxshot, one of the most influential newsletters in food and beverage. On this episode of ITS, Ali and Andrea talk about where CPG is now, hypebeast grocery, colostrum snacks, suggestions for founders, and what to look out for in 2026.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We're having a blast discussing Bo Nix's comments from a recent press conference. What's the ideal moment to end a relationship before Christmas? A man was spotted scaling a gigantic statue in DTC, a Colorado whiskey distillery has been awarded the title of best whiskey in the US, and there's so much more to explore!The fun continues on our social media pages!Jeremy, Katy & Josh Facebook: CLICK HERE Jeremy, Katy & Josh Instagram: CLICK HERE
Black Friday isn't a sale, it's an attention war.And the brands winning it aren't obsessing over bigger discounts.Nik breaks down how the smartest operators approached Q4 this year - and why the brands that crushed weren't the loudest, just the most disciplined. The playbook has shifted from “more ads, more assets” to fewer, sharper, strategically chaotic ideas that you can't ignore. You'll learn: > How the best BFCM offers are created and why simplicity beats cleverness> Why offer testing during Prime Day often predicts Black Friday performance> The truth about BFCM shoppers and why most never return without intentional retention flows If you're planning, building creative systems, or trying to scale without burning margins, this episode breaks down what the smartest operators are doing right now…and why it's working. What's Instant? They're the secret weapon to triple your email revenue with AI-powered flows. Instead of blasting the same cart reminders to everyone, Instant ensure every shopper gets a unique email experience: Copy, products, and offers that adapt to your shopper's behavior in real time. Emails sent at the exact moment that shopper is most likely to buy. 11+ abandonment flows live in minutes. Book a demo by Dec. 31 to get 50% off your first 60 days. Make this BFCM your biggest one yet: instant.one/limited Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips. Check out the Nik's DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ 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. Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
近些年,「中国品牌出海」像一阵海风—来得猛,也卷得狠。有人靠爆款起飞,有人却在合规、组织和文化差异里反复翻车。本期「贝望录」,Bessie 邀请到曾在多家头部科技公司负责全球市场的资深出海营销专家Wind,聊一聊她过去十多年一线参与中国品牌出海的真实经验。从 OEM / ODM 时代、跨境电商红利期,到今天 DTC 与内容电商并行的阶段,Wind 重新梳理了中国品牌出海的三条主线,也解释了为什么最早冲出去的往往是科技品牌。他直言:出海不是把货卖给“不在中国的人”,而是一场关于产品力、组织能力和现金流的长期硬仗。在这期节目中,你会听到很多“没写在 PPT 里的教训“:比如,为什么中国企业最容易忽视的是当地法规与合规风险;为什么“语言对了”不等于“理解对了”;以及,一些看似聪明的商业手段,如何在海外迅速损耗一家企业的商誉;短视频时代,品效是否还能真的协同。如果你正在出海,或正站在“要不要认真做品牌”的门口,这一期也许不会给你捷径,但希望能帮你少踩几个大坑。【本节目由Withinlink碚曦投资协作体出品】【嘉宾】Wind海外营销专家,曾在多家头部科技公司负责全球市场【主持】李倩玲 Bessie Lee广告营销行业资深从业者,商业观察者【本期内容提要】[00:39]为什么还要聊“中国品牌出海“[03:45]从外贸到跨境电商,再到今天的 DTC 与内容电商,中国品牌出海的三次关键跃迁[05:00]为什么最早跑出去、也跑得最远的,往往是科技品牌?[07:22]平台、电商与社交媒体如何放大品牌声量[11:25]出海真正绕不开的三件事:能力、本事、和“子弹”[14:55]出海团队是否要独立?不同规模公司的团队组织配置及本地化策略[17:16]本地化的第一步:人该怎么配?[24:49]真正容易翻车的不是战略,而是细节:语言、法规与落地细节,坑坑致命[30:53]中国企业海外并购的美誉度误区,本地服务商合作的信任难题[46:46]流量越来越贵的时代,还要不要做品牌?品效协同而不是只算 ROI[49:16]一次成功品牌 campaign,可以带动后续多条产品线,而不是只追一次声量[52:06]品效协同案例分享[56:06]品牌老化不是慢慢发生的,而是在某个节点被新产品迅速替代[01:00:36]如何真正理解海外消费者:数据、评论与一线销售反馈要一起看[01:03:11]如何把线上数据与线下一线洞察合在一起[01:10:30]Wind的三个建议:卓越的产品、系统化的全球营销方法论、先在首选市场打透再复制【后期制作】Jean【收听方式】推荐您使用Apple Podcast、小宇宙APP、喜马拉雅FM、荔枝播客、网易云音乐、QQ音乐、Spotify或任意泛用型播客客户端订阅收听《贝望录》。【互动方式】微博:@贝望录微信公众号:贝望录+商务合作:beiwanglu@withinlink.com
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupThis episode of the DTC Podcast is a triple threat: Meta's Jake Bailey returns to unpack the Cyber 5 data, Hungryroot's Adam Weber shares how they scaled partnership ads to 50%+ of spend, and adMixt's Kevin Simonson drops a masterclass on testing, attribution, and scenario planning.https://hungryroot.comhttps://admixt.comhttps://meta.comWhat's inside:Why Cyber Monday hit softer — and which brands still crushedThe shift from segment-based targeting to real personas (with matching creators)Why partnership ads are outperforming UGC — and how Hungryroot scaled themMeta's new catalog + partnership ad combo (early tests: +20% performance)Q5 lead gen strategy: when volume spikes, competition dropsIf you're running paid on Meta, an agency managing $500K+ budgets, or a brand that needs a serious Q5 plan, this episode is a must listen.Timestamps00:00 Creative diversification and the rise of partnership ads02:00 Hungryroot's personalization model and marketing approach04:00 Cyber Five performance trends and consumer behavior08:00 Why partnership ads outperformed traditional UGC12:00 How Hungryroot uses creators to reach distinct customer avatars16:00 Evolution of whitelisting to partnership ads and catalog formats20:00 How creator deal structures work in practice24:00 The importance of agility and rapid pivots during Cyber Five28:00 Q5: Why January is Hungryroot's biggest moment32:00 Campaign structure, testing, and Meta's automation shift37:00 Organic content, measurement, and 2026 predictionsHashtags#metaads #blackfridaymarketing #cybermondaystrategy #partnershipads #ugcads #ecommercemarketing #d2cpodcast #hungryroot #admixt #creativediversificationSubscribe 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
"Do you care enough about new customer acquisition? What you care about shows up based off of your actions, not your thoughts or your words."Meta's Andromeda update broke everyone's brain and most brands still haven't recovered. Nehal Kazim, CEO of Ad Pros, argues that the industry overcorrected by wildly overproducing content, burning through budgets on concepts that never receive meaningful spend. His math: you're paying $250-500 per asset for creatives that never get tested. Kazim has spent 13 years running campaigns for brands like Canada Goose and DTC companies doing $10-16 million a month. His solution is a profitability-first framework that tracks new customer contribution margin daily and calibrates creative output to what your budget can actually support. Also discussed: why Meta told him to stop hook testing, and the $25K Cardi B ad he hated that completely crushed.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSAd Pros: https://adpros.comNehal on Instagram: instagram.com/nehalkazimNehal on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nehalkazimWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Actively Black didn't start with a product—it started with a community. By building a 23,000-person audience before launch, founder Lanny Smith turned purpose-driven storytelling into a $55,000 first day and a $2 million first year. His journey shows aspiring entrepreneurs why demand-first thinking, authentic mission, and smart list-building can change everything.For more on Actively Black click hereYou'll Learn:Why Actively Black built community before developing a productThe email + SMS strategy that led to $55K in sales on launch dayHow to sell $2M+ in your first year—even with constant stockoutsWhy fast growth can be just as dangerous as no growthHow to use storytelling and cultural pride to create brand resonanceWhat it takes to build long-term customer trust without discountingHow Lanny structured partnerships with Marvel, Disney, and iconic estatesThe real math behind inventory planning at scale (and why it's so hard)How to align investors with your vision, not just your bottom lineWhy purpose is more powerful than product in competitive industriesHow Lanny's personal values fuel every decision—from pricing to hiringChapters:00:00 Introducing Lanny Smith, Founder of Actively Black01:02 How a Career Pivot Sparked a $2M Vision01:27 Building 10K Followers Before Launching a Product03:31 Why Purpose-Driven Branding Fueled $55K on Day One06:54 What Selling Out in 3 Weeks Taught Us About Manufacturing10:30 How Actively Black Landed Partnerships with Marvel, Disney & More17:52 The Traits Behind Scaling to 8 Figures and Beyond18:48 What to Know Before Entering the $1.5T Apparel Market19:54 From “No” to $2M: How to Power Through Rejection21:43 Turning a Personal Setback Into Multi-Million Dollar Growth25:35 Why Actively Black Is More Than Just Merch (And Why That Matters)29:04 How Mission and Authenticity Drive Repeat Purchases Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
Hiyo's founders turned a personal wake-up call into one of the fastest-growing adult non-alcoholic beverage brands in the country. Built on sharp strategy, standout design, and disciplined execution, Hiyo is now scaling nationally — including a newly inked Live Nation partnership placing the brand in major venues across the U.S. In this episode, we sit down with Hiyo's three co-founders, Evan Quinn, Cygne Cooper and George Youmans, who discuss how this SoCal-born "social tonic" is redefining moderation, unlocking category whitespace, and proving that thoughtful focus can outpace flashy niche plays. Show notes: 0:25: Evan Quinn, Cygne Cooper & George Youmans, Co-Founders, Hiyo – Evan and George reflect on how simultaneous family crises related to alcohol prompted them to cut back on drinking and inspired them to create Hiyo. Cygne discusses how she crafted the SoCal-inspired brand identity and sunset-themed packaging. George notes that Hiyo was initially a DTC brand and grew carefully into retail once operations were strong and consumer demand was clear. Cygne talks about how Hiyo's booth at Expo West 2024 created an energetic, immersive experience before the founders explain how merchandising strategy varies by retailer, with Hiyo fitting either near alcohol or within functional beverage sets. George talks about Hiyo's national partnership with Live Nation, requiring tight coordination across design, production, logistics, and on-premise education. Brands in this episode: Hiyo, Liquid Death
Jason Bronstad is the CEO of Malk Organics, a clean-label, plant-based milk and creamer brand. Jason began his career in the food and beverage industry at Sara Lee, serving across several managerial and directorial positions between 2004 and 2010. He then went on to become VP of Sales at Mike's Hard Lemonade and then the President of Mighty Swell Cocktail Company before joining purpose-led start up, Malk Organics, in 2020. He joins Roy to discuss the ins and outs of shaping culture, values-driven hiring, evaluating talent, learning to keep things simple, and much more. Highlights from our conversation include:Core beliefs and values that comprise Jason's leadership playbook (3:55)Connection to mission (6:12)Hiring lessons learned during periods of brand growth and development (8:20)Key characteristics of high-performing leaders (11:40)Important traits Jason seeks in his direct reports (14:15)Evaluating cultural fit in prospective talent (15:50)The parts of Malk's culture that make Jason most proud (18:08)Jason's definition of success and how it's evolved over the course of his career (20:22)His advice for the next generation of CPG leaders (21:10)
Today's episode cracks open one of the most unintuitive persuasion effects hiding in plain sight: customers are 149% more likely to say yes to an offer… when it's presented as something that wasn't meant for them. Sarah and Nate break down the original Journal of Marketing Research study (2013), walk through real examples from DTC, SaaS, and Nate's own infamous bar-tab email campaign, and show how brands accidentally stumble into this effect all the time. We explore: • why "this isn't usually for you, but…" is irresistible to new customers • how pro-level products trigger aspiration psychology • the difference between unintentional offers vs. unlock offers • how TetherOS and Adapt could test this framing immediately • why this fits under the broader umbrella of "pre-purchase surprise & delight" If you've ever run a "we weren't supposed to do this but…" promo (or fallen for one) this episode makes the science obvious…and profitable.
Travis catches up with his old friend Todd Lamb, founder of Pure Life Organics, a wellness brand that has generated over $100 million in gross revenue through direct response and DTC e‑commerce. Coming from nearly 20 years in policing—including K‑9, undercover surveillance, and leading a tactical team—Todd shares how a backyard “redneck margarita maker” on eBay pulled him into the online world, and how he navigated the evolution from info products and VSLs to a durable, compliant brand with repeat buyers and lean operations. On this episode we talk about: Todd's path from young dad to military, commercial diving, policing, and eventually leading a SWAT (tactical) team before retiring into entrepreneurship The first spark: building a DIY margarita machine, selling the plans on eBay in 2003, and realizing the internet could be a real business engine Launching fitness and jiu-jitsu funnels, the breakout success of Alpha and flat-belly tea, and the shift from all-affiliate direct response to owning the traffic and the brand The difference between direct response and e‑commerce—emotional VSLs versus longer-tail, brand-led journeys—and what that means for refunds, customer quality, and compliance Why Todd transitioned early into e‑com, how affiliate abuse blew up his domain reputation, and what it took to rebuild as a white-glove, exit-ready brand run lean by a small, trusted team Top 3 Takeaways A “safe” career and lack of entrepreneurial pedigree do not disqualify you; Todd built a nine-figure track record starting as a young dad in the military and then a career cop who experimented online in his spare time. Direct response can scale fast, but it comes with higher refunds, compliance risk, volatile affiliate traffic, and brand damage; shifting to thoughtful e‑commerce with strong customer experience creates long-term value and optionality for exit. Building lean with people you trust, focusing on LTV, repeat customers, and careful email practices turns a cash-flow machine into an asset that works whether or not you ever decide to sell. Notable Quotes "No house with a swimming pool is complete without a margarita maker—and that little eBay experiment made me realize what was possible online." "Direct response is like turning a stranger into a buyer in one emotional shot; e‑com is a longer, more elegant and thoughtful journey." "We stopped emailing for everyone else's offers; we only promote our own products because we want our customers to trust that when we show up, it's actually for their benefit." Connect with Todd Lamb: Website (Brand): https://purelifeorganics.com/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followtoddlamb/?hl=en ✖️✖️✖️✖️
A quarter of Gen Z and Millennial consumers now trust AI recommendations more than human ones, marking the arrival of retail's first post-human interface. Sharon Gee, VP of Product at Commerce, joins us to explore the paradox of digital intimacy: why consumers will bare their souls to ChatGPT about shopping needs yet abandon carts when brands ask them to create accounts, how LLMs are becoming intimate commerce companions, and what this means for the collapse of traditional commerce funnels and brand discovery in an AI-mediated world.The New Game Is Intelligibility Key takeaways:27% of millennials trust AI recommendations more than humans, yet abandon carts when forced to create accounts: the trust paradox.Merchants must shift from channel management to model management: optimizing for how AI interprets your brand, not controlling distribution.Answer engine optimization isn't gaming algorithms. It's ensuring your brand shows up with authority when AI agents search on behalf of consumers.Three-party commerce is here: consumer, brand, and AI intermediary. The customer is the channel, and data is the new storefront.[00:01:42] "Our customers are having to shift their mindset from channel management to model management... The old game was distribution. The new game is intelligibility. And brands that win are gonna be the ones that understand the model and understand how they can adapt their message to the new modes of interacting with consumers." – Lindsay Trinkle[00:41:02] "Customers are the channel and the data is the storefront. And so what we need to be able to do is make sure that we understand at each interaction point when you show up with your brand. How is your data representing you?" – Sharon GeeAssociated Links:New Modes Research: How AI is Shaping New Commerce Contexts and ExpectationsLearn more about CommerceCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce+ for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave 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.
Kevin chats with John McClymont, Founder of Operational Innovations, about how shifting consumer expectations and delivery realities are reshaping warehouse fulfillment strategy today. John brings deep experience across e-commerce, DTC, and final-mile logistics, giving listeners a practical look at where warehouse operations need to evolve and why. He explains how fulfillment success increasingly depends on reliability, density, carrier mix, and the experience customers have from checkout to doorstep. Throughout the conversation, John breaks down how inconsistent carriers, messy data, and rising expectations influence every operational decision. His insights help operators rethink the role their warehouses play in brand experience and customer retention, especially as fast delivery is expected rather than exceptional.Learn more about Brecham Group here. Learn more about Endpoint and give Gary a break here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show
While most companies obsess over removing their contact centers to eliminate friction, they may actually be creating it. Sometimes the most frictionless experience is talking to another human who can say, "This hotel is perfect for you, you're going to love it."Join hosts Chuck Moxley and Nick Paladino as they sit down with Joe Megibow, a veteran executive who started as an engineer, discovered data-driven marketing at business school, and co-founded Tealeaf Technology. Joe shares war stories from leading digital transformations at Expedia, American Eagle Outfitters, Casper and Purple (mattresses), revealing how removing a single "business name" field generated millions in incremental revenue, why omnichannel strategies often create more channel conflict than customer value, and how American Eagle built a $100 million sales channel through their contact center after everyone said it was impossible.He explains the critical difference between page load metrics and meeting customer expectations, why Square's magic email receipt moment reset consumer benchmarks forever, and how selling mattresses online requires deliberately introducing friction (like encouraging store visits) to reduce friction across the entire purchase journey.Key Actionable Takeaways:Audit form fields and test removing "optional" fields that confuse customers - Even optional fields prompt users to fill them out, and misplaced fields (like "business name" near billing address) can tank conversion by making customers enter wrong information, costing millions in lost revenueAlign P&L incentives across channels to eliminate organizational friction - When store associates get no credit for online sales made in-store, they create artificial barriers for customers; true omnichannel means the same customer should experience consistent rules regardless of how they choose to transactInvest in contact centers as conversion engines, not cost centers - Human interaction excels at high-consideration purchases where empathy and reassurance matter; contact center conversion rates (30-40%) often dwarf digital (2-3%) for complex products, and trained agents can become your highest-performing salesforceNick & Chuck's previous conversation with David Cost from Rainbow Apparel Co: https://youtu.be/yhMd3M3jOpo Want more tips and strategies about creating frictionless digital experiences?Subscribe to our newsletter! https://www.thefrictionlessexperience.com/frictionless/Download the Five Step Site Speed Target Playbook: http://bluetriangle.com/playbookJoe Megibow's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megibow/Nick Paladino's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/npaladinoChuck Moxley's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chuck-moxleyChapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:35) Joe's journey - From engineer to data-driven marketing pioneer(04:30) Founding Tealeaf Technology(07:00) The evolution from static to dynamic web pages(09:00) Experience-based monitoring and perceived performance(11:15) Tying friction to economic impact(13:45) The business name field disaster - $1M monthly revenue recovery(15:15) Shopify checkout consistency vs. innovation trade-offs(16:15) Square's magic moment(17:00) Financing friction in locked checkout flows(19:41) Omnichannel alignment challenges at American Eagle(21:00) P&L misalignment creates customer friction(22:45) Buy online, ship from store(25:15) DTC turnarounds - Low frequency, high risk purchases(27:00) Considered purchases require different friction strategies(29:00) The Purple Pillow story(30:00) Marketing high-touch products digitally(31:15) Breaking through the "best ever" noise(32:10) The greatest pillow ever invented - Provocative marketing(34:30) Contact centers as strategic assets, not failure points(35:45) Expedia's 30-40% contact center conversion rates(37:30) American Eagle's $100M contact center sales channel(38:20) Conclusion
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupWhen Sarah Carusona showed up to a DTC event last year, she didn't know it would spark her first client. That client's still with her. Today she runs BA Commerce, where her team drops into brands and drives growth from the inside.For DTC founders scaling from $5M to $20M who need strategy and execution in one package.What you'll learn:Why fractional CMOs often fall short and what brands really need insteadHow to drop in a trained operator who owns growth from top to bottomThe key metrics Sarah watches before touching a budget: contribution margin, AMER, LTV, and the “organic ratio”Why most influencer budgets are broken and what happens when you tie pay to performanceHow to focus your team's time when there's no room for fluffWho this is for:Founders and growth leads who are tired of hiring gaps, agency fluff, and shiny-object distractionsWhat to steal:Rebuild your org chart around execution, not job titlesStructure your influencer deals like paid media, not PRGet obsessed with contribution margin and work backward from thereTimestamps00:00 Why micro-iterations waste ad spend02:00 Sarah's global move and early consulting leap04:00 Building BA Commerce and the growth operator model09:00 How Sarah evaluates brands and sets growth metrics12:00 Creative fatigue, Andromeda, and persona-driven ads15:00 Creator partnerships and a tiered influencer program17:00 Why organic content still drives the biggest wins19:00 Modern Meta account structure and testing philosophy21:00 The biggest mistakes high-growth brands make23:00 Why product quality drives everything in growth25:00 Attribution, incrementality, and Sarah's forecasting model27:00 How Sarah uses AI and where she draws the lineHashtags#dtcpodcast #ecommerce #dtcbrands #mediabuying #growthmarketing #metaads #ugcads #influencermarketing #digitalstrategy #founderstories #shopifybrands #emailmarketing #smsmarketing #marketingpodcast #directtoconsumer Subscribe 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
Coach's SVP of Global Visual Experience Giovanni Zaccariello reveals how the brand transformed from heritage accessory house to Gen Z cultural force by treating retail as community infrastructure. From hospitality-infused Coach Play stores to strategically sustainable holiday displays, the conversation explores how physical experience became Coach's competitive advantage in an increasingly digital marketplace.Why Shop When You Can Play?Key takeaways:Gen Z seeks human connection and community, not just product transactionsCoach studied consumers in their homes to understand life, not just buying behaviorsExperience per square foot matters as much as sales per square footUsing the same holiday tree for five years reduced waste while building brand consistencyPhysical and digital spaces should converge, not replicate each other"Putting bags on shelves was no longer an option because everybody during the pandemic, including my mom who is 89, can buy online. They're coming to the stores and they want more." - Giovanni Zaccariello [00:06:37]"The next few years are going to be years of what I call experience maximalism where literally new things are going to be mundane because consumers are so much more connected now on social, and they see what's going on." - Giovanni Zaccariello [00:44:50]"It's about the consumer talking to us instead of Coach talking to the consumer. It's a much deeper dialogue." - Giovanni Zaccariello [00:45:46]"When things don't work, we don't just move on. We've created this honest feedback loop where we learn from things. If we don't learn, what's the point of testing and learning?" - Giovanni Zaccariello [00:41:17]Associated Links:Explore Coach Play conceptsCoach coffee shopsCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave 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.
Today on the show, we have Susan Keplinger, CEO of Force of Nature, a boutique performance marketing shop behind the growth of brands like Ring, Oofos, and other category leaders. With experience building data-driven growth engines across e-commerce and DTC, Suzanne has helped companies shift from chaotic marketing to orchestrated, scalable systems.In this episode, we uncover why the future of performance marketing isn't about hacking audiences or chasing the “one winning creative”—but building portfolio-driven creative systems, trusting your data, and showing up clearly for both humans and algorithms.We explore why Google and Meta still dominate the ecosystem, why clean data is the new competitive edge, and how brands should think about programmatic everything—from ads to email to retargeting.We also discuss how Suzanne built the original performance infrastructure at Ring, how brands like Oofos leverage their “growth signal system,” and why the best-performing companies today treat robots as part of their audience.Finally, we dig deep into retention: why 10 customers leaving is the same as your 11th leaving, why the “leaky bucket” kills great brands, and how to know when it's time to stop relying on founder intuition — and start trusting the data.As always, I'd love to hear from you. You can email me directly at andrew@churn.fm, and don't forget to follow us on X.Churn FM is sponsored by Vitally, the all-in-one Customer Success Platform.
In this first-ever episode of the Social Commerce Club podcast, the team breaks down a massive shift happening in e-commerce that almost no brand is ready for. TikTok Shop's explosive Black Friday growth, the rise of 24/7 live streaming, creator-led brands, AI-generated influence, and the death of traditional DTC playbooks — it's all here.This conversation uncovers why commerce is becoming entertainment, why authenticity is beating AI, why creator armies are outperforming influencer “faces,” and why the next wave of e-commerce will reward brands who move fast and think differently.If you're in social commerce, e-commerce, marketing, media buying, or the creator economy… this episode will show you where the future is heading.
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupJacob and Jocelyn from the Pilothouse Meta team break down what actually moved the needle for Meta advertisers this Black Friday/Cyber Monday. The biggest unlock? Being scrappy. The brands that crushed it weren't over-optimized, they were just fast. Fast to tweak offers. Fast to drop weird creative. Fast to kill what wasn't working.For DTC marketers managing Meta ads during promo periods.Why classic percentage-off offers still worked bestWhat BOGO and free shipping offers actually drove performanceHow scrappy creative (think stick figures and UGC) outperformed polished adsWhy lighter audience exclusions won this yearWhich account structures flopped and what replaced themWho this is for: Growth leads, ad buyers, DTC founders gearing up for Q1What to steal:Shift back to shorter promo windows and preserve spend for tentpole daysRun weird, low-fi creative without abandoning your personasUse lighter exclusions to let Meta optimize delivery more freelyTimestamps00:00 Black Friday performance trends and buying intent02:00 Why brands with flexible offers won04:00 Creative pivots and scrappy content outperforming polished ads06:00 Best offers of the season and what actually moved customers08:00 Millennial-targeted creative and why variety mattered10:00 Meta delivery updates and lighter exclusion strategies12:00 Dayparting, lifetime budgets and what stopped working14:00 Post-click learnings and which landing pages converted16:00 Emerging channels like AppLovin and Pinterest18:00 How top brands are approaching post-BFCM and holiday scalingHashtags#DTC #MetaAds #BFCM2025 #EcommerceMarketing #CreativeStrategy #PerformanceMarketing #PaidSocial #AppLovin #PinterestAds #BlackFridayInsights #CyberMondayMarketing #DigitalAdvertising Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF565Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets win over the Indiana Pacers and Jamal Murray's highly impressive 52 points. Don't forget to Join us at Peckish in DTC for Friday night's game vs the Atlanta Hawks! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Sena Wheeler is the Co-founder of Sena Sea, which brings wild Alaskan fish to consumers' doors. Specializing in quantifying omega-3s in fish and determining preferred handling practices for premium quality, she is passionate about sustainability and educating people about the brain-boosting benefits of wild fish. Sena has preserved a five-generation-long family fishing legacy. In this episode… Entrepreneurs often face the challenge of standing out in a competitive market, building customer trust, and maintaining a work-life balance. For those in traditional industries, adapting to modern business models while preserving authenticity can be a struggle. How can you leverage sustainability and best practices to compete in your industry? Food science and nutrition expert Sena Wheeler tackles these challenges by drawing from her fishing heritage to build a thriving DTC seafood company. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistency during growth by building an email list to communicate regularly with customers. Sena also highlights the importance of sustainability in business practices and operations to ensure long-term growth. By leveraging her industry knowledge, focusing on transparency, and using efficient content strategies, she has built a niche business while maintaining flexibility for her family. In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Sena Wheeler, the Co-founder of Sena Sea, joins Andrea Heuston to discuss how she turned a family fishing legacy into a modern, sustainable business. Sena shares how storytelling strengthens customer relationships, the impact of subscription services on retention, and the lessons she learned from growing up in a multi-generational fishing family.
How do you take a natural product or CPG brand from startup to retail scale-up success? In this episode of the Unified Brand Podcast, we're joined by Jane Merton, MBA, founder of All Our Advisors, a seasoned strategist with decades of experience helping natural and organic brands scale into national food, drug, and mass market retailers across North America.Jane dives into essential brand alignment strategies, retail readiness, go-to-market planning, and how to avoid the biggest mistakes when growing a brand. From positioning and packaging to operations and in-store velocity, this episode covers:How to align your brand for retail successCommon mistakes founders make when scalingWhat buyers really want and how to say "no" strategicallyThe importance of brand consistency and core valuesTrends in TikTok live selling, retail media, and creator partnershipsPackaging that pops and converts on shelfHow to build a retail marketing launch calendarThis episode is packed with strategic insights for founders, marketers, and operators in the CPG and DTC spaces. Whether you're preparing for your first pitch or navigating scale, Jane's advice is pure gold.Jane Merton, MBALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemerton/Website (All Our Advisors): https://www.allouradvisors.com-----------------
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupEric sits down with Anthony DelPizzo, Director of Product Marketing at Triple Whale, to unpack what actually happened across $2.9B in tracked revenue and $607M in ad spend. This episode is your shortcut to what worked, what didn't, and what's next.Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2025 is in the books — and Triple Whale tracked every click, conversion, and creative that moved the needle.View the Report: triplewhale.comWhat's inside:Why new customers made up 48% of BFCM revenue — and what that means for retention nowTikTok's surge: ROAS up 28%, CPMs down 30% — here's why brands shiftedGoogle and Meta platform breakdown: who won, who lost, and who overchargedWhat Triple Whale's real-time BFCM Live dashboard revealed in secondsHow Mobi AI became the virtual teammate nearly 50,000 brands relied on mid-saleIf you're a DTC marketer, growth lead, media buyer, retention strategists, or anyone planning for 2026 Q4, this episode is a must listen.Timestamps00:00 BFCM early surge and overall sales performance02:00 New vs returning customer trends and major revenue drivers04:00 Rising ad costs and platform efficiency shifts06:00 TikTok, AppLovin and alternative channels gaining traction08:00 Email and SMS insights from post-purchase data10:00 Meta and Google cost changes and ROAS movement12:00 Diversification and placement performance on major platforms14:00 Category winners and unit economics16:00 Shopify outage and real-time data advantages18:00 How brands used Moby AI for BFCM decision-making20:00 Top lessons for brands heading into 2026Hashtags#DTC #TripleWhale #BFCM2025 #EcommerceMarketing #DigitalAdvertising #MetaAds #GoogleAds #TikTokAds #Attribution #MarketingData #AIForMarketing #MobyAI #Shopify #PerformanceMarketing #OmnichannelMarketing Subscribe 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
In Episode 98 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Jen Neumann, CEO and owner of deNovo Marketing, to break down the findings from the 2025 AI Consumer Survey—a study her team launched to understand how real people feel about AI showing up in ads, emails, and digital content. The results reveal a mix of curiosity, confusion, and contradiction that every brand—especially DTC brands—should pay attention to. One of the biggest surprises? Marketers think they're great at spotting AI, but the survey shows they actually scored lower than non-marketers. With AI-generated images looking more polished and more realistic than ever, many consumers now assume most content is AI—even when it's not. And in a moment where trust is already running low, that assumption can change how people interpret and react to a brand's message. Listeners will learn: • Why consumers say AI matters to their decisions—but don't always act that way • How AI-generated content can unintentionally "make a brand look cheap" • Why authenticity and a less-polished aesthetic are gaining importance • The difference between impulse buys, necessities, and higher-stakes "considered purchases" • What Agentic Shopping could mean for brand awareness and attribution Jen shares why brands need clear boundaries around AI use, starting with an internal policy that aligns with who they are and how they want to show up in the market. Whether your brand is mass-market or premium, digital-first or experiential, the real takeaway is simple: consumers are paying attention, and AI can help—or hurt—depending on how thoughtfully it's used. For brand leaders and marketers across industries, this episode offers a grounded look at what's shifting in consumer perception and how to stay authentic, trustworthy, and strategic as AI becomes a bigger part of the customer journey.
BFCM isn't a weekend anymore, it's an algorithm. And the brands winning big aren't the ones shouting the loudest. They're the ones sequencing offers, stacking attention, and exploiting the channels nobody else is even looking at.Growth consultant and fractional CMO Simon Wool joins Nik to break down what really happened during Black Friday and Cyber Monday and why the biggest winners were the ones spending smart, not spending more. Simon shares real data from brands doing $10M–$20M+ and explains:> Why early November sales spike, then completely flatline until the 20th> The offer strategy that tripled Black Friday revenue for multiple brands> How to structure email + SMS (and why most brands STILL under-send)If you're scaling, testing new channels, or want a clearer path to profitable BFCM growth, this episode is for you. What's Instant? They're the secret weapon to triple your email revenue with AI-powered flows. Instead of blasting the same cart reminders to everyone, Instant ensure every shopper gets a unique email experience: Copy, products, and offers that adapt to your shopper's behavior in real time. Emails sent at the exact moment that shopper is most likely to buy. 11+ abandonment flows live in minutes. Book a demo by Dec. 31 to get 50% off your first 60 days. Make this BFCM your biggest one yet: instant.one/limited Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips. Check out the Nik's DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ 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. Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
Black Friday naysayers have been predicting its demise for years, but Adyen's Holly Worst has data proving the shopping holiday is far from dead—it's gone global. From Denmark's 6.1X surge to America's mobile wallet awakening, this year's numbers tell a story of transformation, not decline. The real shift? How we pay, when we shop, and why contactless finally caught on in the US.The Retail Super Bowl Delivered, AgainKey takeaways:Black Friday generated $43B globally with 837M transactions across Adyen's platformUS contactless payments jumped 23% YOY and mobile wallet usage doubled to 30%Denmark saw a 6.1X increase in transaction volume on Black Friday, and Spain 4.5X—Black Friday is officially a global phenomenonPeak shopping hit at 1 pm in-store and noon online (digestion first, deals second)46% of US consumers abandon checkout without their preferred payment methodAssociated Links:Check out Adyen's BFCM data hereSee our full recap of BFCM resultsCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave 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.
Your biggest advantage in e-commerce is being a founder who refuses to get knocked out.In this episode of High Voltage Business Builders, Neil Twa sits down with Dan Demsky, CEO and co-founder of Unbound Merino, an 8-figure DTC apparel brand built on nearly a decade of grit, adaptation, and relentless reinvention.Dan opens up about the real challenges DTC operators are facing today: tariffs slashing margins overnight, supply chain volatility, rising acquisition costs, and the pressure to stay profitable while scaling. He explains how his team survived by tightening cash flow, cutting waste, and becoming sharper operators instead of panicking or raising prices too quickly.If you're building in ecommerce and want to understand what's actually happening on the ground, how high-AOV brands survive acquisition costs, or what retail expansion really looks like this episode is a masterclass in real-world leadership and long-term DTC growth.In This Episode, We Cover:✅ Why survival comes down to “don't get knocked out” and strong cash-flow discipline✅ How to audit spending, tighten costs, and become a sharper operator✅ Why high AOV is critical when acquisition costs hit $50+ per customer✅ Surviving COVID, freight spikes, and now tariffs as a long-term founder✅ What retail expansion actually requires: timelines, risk, buybacks, and buyers
Chad Massure is the Founder and CEO of Rosy Soil, a company creating peat-free, carbon-negative potting soils designed to nurture both plants and the planet. He grew up gardening with his grandmother, a background that sparked his passion for sustainable horticulture and inspired him to reimagine what soil could be. Before founding Rosy Soil in 2022, he worked in the impact and food space, helping build ventures focused on sustainable food access and social good. Since then, Chad has guided the brand from a small startup to a rapidly scaling company while maintaining a strong commitment to research, innovation, and environmental stewardship. In this episode… The rapid expansion of online and offline channels can create confusion around where to focus, especially when early retail opportunities reshape expectations and timelines. Brands often face challenges balancing product readiness, packaging clarity, and consistent pricing while simultaneously building demand across DTC, Amazon, and brick-and-mortar shelves. How do you maintain momentum while keeping every channel aligned? For Chad Massura, an expert in omnichannel growth, success lies in prioritizing strong packaging fundamentals to ensure performance across retail, Amazon, and DTC. He highlights the importance of launching Amazon earlier to capture high-intent demand, maintaining pricing consistency across partners, and leveraging retail presence to amplify awareness in other channels. Chad also encourages brands to embrace cross-channel customer behavior rather than resist it, noting how shoppers move naturally between retail, Amazon, and DTC. In this episode of the Minds of Ecommerce, Raphael Paulin-Daigle interviews Chad Massura, Founder and CEO of Rosy Soil, about building an omnichannel brand from day one. Chad discusses how early retail adoption shaped his team's go-to-market strategy, the value of packaging optimization, launching at the right time on Amazon, and navigating cross-channel customer behavior.
Aplós is one of the quickest-growing craft brands in the non-alc space — a premium functional spirit designed not to mimic tequila or gin, but to redefine what a cocktail experience can be without alcohol. Founded in 2018 and launched in 2020, the brand is now breaking out: Approaching 100K case sales annually, their wholesale is up more than 500% YOY, and they're on pace to double their wholesale volume in 2026. In the last 12 months, Aplós has added 1,300+ chain retail doors, and on-premise placements have climbed to 750+ cocktails across 550 accounts. The company also just announced a $5 million funding round to grow production and expand its hospitality and retail footprint.In this episode, David Fudge, Co-Founder & CEO of Aplós, shares how the company is scaling through long-game brand building, deep bartender collaboration, and disciplined distribution strategy.
Kate Assaraf tried every plastic-free shampoo bar on the market. They sat in her shower like, and I'm quoting here, "tombstones." Failed products. Dead ends. So she decided to make her own. Without Instagram ads. Without Amazon. Without any of the things you're supposed to need to build a business. Today on our program, we follow Kate's journey from beauty industry veteran to the woman who said no to everything, and built a million-dollar company anyway.In this episode, we explore how Kate sold 250,000 shampoo bars in 4 years while refusing Meta ads, Amazon listings, and influencer partnerships. When her contract manufacturer went under, she didn't find a new one—she built her own factory and hired the displaced workers. Now with 400+ retail partners and 7-figure revenue, Kate proves that sometimes the best growth strategy is saying no to growth hacks.GUEST BIOKate Assaraf is the founder of DIP Haircare, a plastic-free beauty brand that's redefined sustainable haircare without compromising performance. With 20 years in the beauty industry, Kate launched DIP from her kitchen table in October 2021 after discovering that existing eco-friendly alternatives failed to deliver. Her shampoo and conditioner bars compete directly with luxury salon brands while lasting up to a year. By refusing traditional DTC tactics and focusing on local retail partnerships, she's built a 7-figure business that champions American manufacturing and community-first commerce.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSDIP Haircare: https://dipalready.com/Find DIP in stores: https://dipalready.com/pages/stockistsKate on Instagram: @kateassarafWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
While the bike helmet industry screamed "you need this for safety!", Gloria Hwang did the opposite. She made helmets so beautiful that 25% of Thousand customers are wearing helmets for the first time ever. Thousand now offers helmet and bike accessories in 20+ countries with financial backing from REI and the Clif Bar Family Office. Gloria talks all things customer loyalty, business branding, and nailing your product roadmap for maximum impact. She intimately shares how a personal tragedy inspired a mission to save 1,000 lives, and how that number grew to 1,300+ through their lifetime crash replacement guarantee. You'll learn the counterintuitive strategy that made safety cool, and why Thousand wins with culture instead of competing on tech features. You'll learn: Why fear-based marketing fails and what works insteadThe psychology insight that built a $10M+ brand across 20+ countriesHow 25% of customers are first-time helmet wearersTransitioning from maker to manager over 10 yearsTaking back the product roadmap to return to core differentiationWhy solving customer problems beats chasing growth at all costsChapters:00:00 Introducing Gloria Hwang, Founder & CEO of Thousand1:30 How to Change Customer Behaviors 4:11 The Personal Tragedy That Started Thousand & The Design Philosophy That Wins Every Time5:15 Why 25% of Customers Are First-Time Helmet Wearers7:30 Steps to Get Further Differentiated & Beat Out The Competition 9:55 Strategies for Collecting High-Quality Customer Insights 16:00 Expanding to 20+ Countries & Quality Standards19:50 The BEST Advice Gloria Has Ever Gotten 24:30 The Hardest Transition Gloria Went Through & How to Tackle People Problems 29:20 What to Ask for When Pitching Investors (Surprise, it's NOT Money) 32:48 How Motherhood Changed Her Approach to Business Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
Bringing a hit international food brand to the U.S. sounds glamorous, but behind every success story is a maze of challenges most consumers never see. In this special crossover episode of Taste Radio and the Nombase Podcast, Lucía Conejo-Mir of Ines Rosales and Jennifer Donnellan of Lakrids by Bülow reveal the real work behind breaking into the American market. From reinventing packaging and pricing to navigating cultural habits, supply-chain surprises, and the art of getting consumers to try something new, their stories are rich with hard-won insights and candid surprises. Show notes: 0:25: Lucía Conejo-Mir, Ines Rosales & Jennifer Donnellan, Lakrids by Bülow – Lucía highlights the origins of Ines Rosales – founded in Spain in 1910 – and how the brand adjusted its approach to marketing, packaging and merchandising for the U.S. market. Jennifer outlines a similar but more modern journey for Lakrids by Bülow, founded in 2007 to elevate Scandinavian licorice. Despite Germany being the company's primary market, unexpected U.S. DTC growth revealed strong demand, but the brand needed to rethink its labels and flavor cues for American consumers. Both Lucia and Jennifer discuss major operational hurdles for selling in the U.S., including strict packaging rules, and a fragmented U.S. market that requires regional strategies and a thoughtful pricing architecture. They concur that patience, persistence, and relationships matter as does adapting without losing authenticity, and treating the U.S. as a complex but rewarding long-term opportunity. Brands in this episode: Ines Rosales, Lakrids by Bülow
Sarah Crow is a brand marketer turned creator-strategy leader with nearly a decade of experience in DTC. As the first hire at ALOHA Collection, she helped grow the brand from zero to a multi-million-dollar lifestyle business over five years. She later shifted into the influencer-marketing software world, where she has advised hundreds of brands on creator programs, 360 marketing, and performance strategy. Today, Sarah leads Creator Strategy at Superfiliate, partnering with brands and shaping product direction to ensure influencer marketers have the tools they actually need, not the ones the industry thinks they need.
Brett Banker is co-founder of X&O and former Managing Partner & Head of Account Management at a two-time “Agency of the Year.” He's led brand and business strategy for major clients including consumer-packaged goods, media, food, and sports brands such as Procter & Gamble, NBCUniversal, Panera Bread & National Football League (NFL). Brett also pursues entrepreneurial passions outside agency life — from DTC ventures to cooking and golf — bringing a grounded, multi-faceted perspective to brand building. Eric Segal is co-founder of X&O. and a veteran creative leader: former Chief Creative Officer at an award-winning agency, with a track record that includes working on several Top-10 Super Bowl commercials. He's earned awards and recognition at major creative competitions — including Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, D&AD, The One Show, Effies, and Emmys — and his work has ranged from brand campaigns to large-scale advertising for clients across industries.
The traditional linear shopping journey has collapsed. Commerce now happens everywhere, and consumers are navigating this omnimodal reality with unprecedented fluidity.Phillip Jackson and Lindsay Trinkle sit down with Melissa Minkow, Global Director of Retail Strategy and Insights at CI&T, to unpack findings from her Retail Tech Reality Check research. Together, they dissect how different platforms serve distinct purposes in the buyer's journey, why "omnichannel" is more relevant than ever, and what happens when everything becomes shoppable but commerce itself becomes invisible.In this episode, we explore how the expanded digital ecosystem is fundamentally reprogramming how consumers engage with content, community, and commerce. With 74% of US consumers now using AI tools in their path to purchase, brands can no longer control the narrative—instead, they must embed themselves intentionally into customer-led conversations across multiple contexts.Commerce Is Invisible; Context Isn'tKey takeaways:Each social platform serves a distinct purpose: Facebook for purchasing, YouTube for discovery, Reddit for research. Context matters more than channel ubiquity.The invisible transaction wins: TikTok succeeds because it's entertainment-first. The less commerce feels like commerce, the more consumers buy.Attribution is broken: Traditional linear models can't capture circular, contextual journeys. Focus on conversion, repeat purchase, and brand awareness—the only metrics you can trust.Search remains unsolved: Basic functionality like filtering furniture by dimensions is still missing. Data quality and search methodology are foundational competitive advantages.Micro-influencers drive outsized impact: 45 passionate referrals matter more than 45,000 followers. The persona of the referrer (picky, experimental, passionate) outweighs reach.AI will reshape holiday 2025: Gifting anxiety makes AI particularly valuable. Consumers use it to avoid looking stupid and navigate uncertain return processes.In-Show Mentions:Melissa Minkow - Global Director of Retail Strategy and Insights, CI&TCI&T Retail Tech Reality Check ResearchNew Modes ResearchAssociated Links:Check out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce+ for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave 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.
Jennifer is the Director of DTC, Martech, and Digital Compliance at OLLY, a Unilever-owned vitamin/supplement brand, and a seasoned eCommerce veteran based in the Bay Area. She specializes in building digital marketing programs, profitable eCommerce stores, and seamless customer experiences. Her expertise includes advanced Martech ecosystems, customer data platforms (CDPs), marketing automation, and ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Jennifer's skills span web development, UX/UI design, inventory management, logistics, and omni-channel retailing. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:39] Sponsor: Taboola[01:58] Solving customer needs with simplicity[04:05] Sponsor: Next Insurance[05:19] Leveraging cross-brand learnings for growth[08:37] Using D2C as a customer learning engine[12:00] Callouts[12:11] Evaluating tools that streamline operations[13:37] Reviving traditional marketing with modern tech[16:52] Sponsor: Electric Eye & Freight Fright[20:01] Testing unconventional marketing strategies[21:19] Balancing responsibility with limited control[24:58] Focusing on product value over flashy designResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeOlly Vitamins and Supplements olly.com/Follow Jennifer Peters linkedin.com/in/jennifer-peters-3bbb6220Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectTurn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honestIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!
In this episode of Retention Chronicles, Mariah sits down with Kim Roxie — founder of LAMIK Beauty — for a deeply inspiring conversation on entrepreneurship, identity, and building a beauty brand that truly sees its customers.Kim shares her 21-year journey from launching a tiny makeup + brow studio in a Houston mall to building LAMIK into a national clean beauty brand distributed through JCPenney, Nordstrom, Hy-Vee, and more. She opens up about the bold decision to close her successful brick-and-mortar shop in 2018, betting everything on transitioning LAMIK into a digital-first DTC brand — a risk that positioned her perfectly for March 2020.Kim explains how she used early AI tools, quizzes, and virtual try-on to create a personalized online experience long before it became mainstream. And when the world shut down, she turned to Facebook Live — streaming every Friday night for four years with her daughter — building a fiercely loyal community that ultimately became the foundation of LAMIK's growth and even created their own “Ladies Who LAMIK” group.The episode digs into how Kim thinks about customer acquisition, what makes a product “sticky,” the importance of letting customers co-create your brand, and why sustainable retail expansion requires data, intentionality, and humility. She also shares an honest look at systemic challenges in beauty, the reality of scaling without massive funding, and the deep faith that continues to guide her through volatility in today's retail environment.This conversation is equal parts tactical, emotional, and empowering — a must-listen for any founder, beauty lover, or builder navigating the balance between vision, community, and resilience.
Faire Wholesale Success: Growing to 1,000+ Retailers with Andrew Kemp In this episode of Let's Talk Shop I'm joined by Andrew Kemp from Bare Kind and Candid Founders. We talk about how Bare Kind grew from a product idea into a wholesale brand stocked in over 1,000 retailers, why Faire became such a big part of that growth, and how Andrew now helps other brands do the same through his Faire-specialist agency. We dig into what it really takes to succeed on Faire, why being value-driven is good business, and how to think about delegation, hiring and getting yourself out of the weeds as a founder. In this episode, we cover: How Bare Kind started and why donating 10% of profits is central to the brand The shift from DTC to wholesale and the role Faire played in that growth What retailers actually need from you on Faire to feel confident buying The power of reviews, product photography and clear USPs on the Faire platform Why founders need to stop trying to do everything themselves When it makes sense to hire a Faire specialist agency vs keeping things in-house Top tips for optimizing your Faire storefront and growing wholesale sales Episode timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Let's Talk Shop 00:40 Meet Andrew from Bare Kind 01:30 The Journey of Bare Kind 03:03 The Power of Delegation in Business 05:10 Value-Driven Business Philosophy 09:12 The Impact of Faire on Bare Kind 12:46 Strategies for Success on Faire 19:07 The Importance of Personal Messages in Customer Relations 20:08 The Role of Templates in Streamlining Communication 21:00 The Journey of Bare Kind and Faire 23:33 Top Tips for Optimizing Your Faire Presence 25:50 Who Can Benefit from Our Services? 27:15 The Value of Specialized Agencies 30:44 Proudest Moments and Reflections 32:53 Where to Find Us and Final Thoughts Links mentioned Bare Kind Socks that save animals:
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode, Nik Sharma (founder of Sharma Brands) returns to the pod to dig into how DTC brands should be thinking right now: simple, tested offers for Black Friday/Cyber Week, and how to turn those one‑time buyers into repeat customers.For DTC operators scaling from ~$50 M to $500 M:What makes a Black Friday offer work (hint: simple, tested, clear).Why retention after the sale is your leverage — and how to bake it into flows, creative and post‑purchase experience.The internal creative strategist role: why brands who won the recent platform updates had strong in‑house creative ideation, not just an agency doing the work.The “two‑layer strategy” to ads: first who, then why — and how that applies to landing pages, creatives and funnels.Why many brands still get tracking/events wrong on landing pages and why that kills scale.Who this is for: Founders, growth leads and performance marketers in DTC brands who are heading into Q4 and want to both hit a big seasonal number and build playbooks for 2025.What to steal:A plain‑text thank‑you email from the founder that goes out post‑purchase (low cost, high emotional return).Structure your Black Friday/Cyber Week offer now: test ahead, keep it simple, and communicate what's included vs not.Build the “creative strategist” role internally: someone whose job is crafting hooks, angles and formats for your brand (not just delegating to the agency).Timestamps00:00 Retention mindset after Black Friday02:00 Building simple and effective BFCM offers04:00 Why most Black Friday customers don't return06:00 Creative strategy and the Andromeda update08:00 Why brands need an internal creative strategist10:00 Going deeper on avatars and buyer psychology12:00 Marpipe and the importance of better DPAs14:00 Rethinking top-of-funnel in 202516:00 Cutting through the noise with creators and TikTok18:00 Pharmacy trends, GLP-1s, peptides, and affiliates20:00 Supplements, problem-solution marketing, and AI prompts22:00 How Nik uses AI for reporting and creative inputs24:00 Sharma Brands acquisition and team evolution26:00 Sleep optimization and Q4 habits28:00 Landing page fundamentals and data accuracyHashtags#dtcpodcast #niksharma #sharmabrands #ecommercegrowth #bfcm2025 #blackfridaystrategy #d2cpodcast #directtoconsumer #marketingstrategy #facebookads #retentionmarketing #creativestrategy #andromeda #paidmedia #landingpages #marpipe #tiktokmarketing Subscribe 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
Tired of expensive, slow video ad production? The rules of digital marketing are changing, and if you're not using UGC and AI, you're leaving growth on the table.On this episode of That Entrepreneur Show, we sit down with John Gargiulo, a true veteran of digital marketing, creative direction, and product scaling. John served as a Global Product Marketing Lead at Airbnb, scaling products to millions of users, and previously grew BlueStacks to over a billion downloads.Now, as the co-founder of Ready Set and Airpost, John is laser-focused on democratizing high-volume, high-performing video ad creative. He brings deep, actionable expertise on building solutions that deliver measurable business results—not just vanity metrics.In this must-listen episode, John shares his strategies for driving growth in the automated age:AI-Powered Video Ads: How new AI tools like Airpost are democratizing and automating video ad production, making high-quality UGC accessible to brands of all sizes without the hefty price tag.The UGC Game-Changer: Why User-Generated Content (UGC) is the single most important ad strategy for DTC brands right now, and how to implement it effectively to supercharge your conversion rates.The Human Touch in Automation: How to leverage AI for scale while ensuring your brand communication remains authentic, engaging, and human.Reshaping the Creator Economy: We explore the future of the creator economy and the pivotal role AI will play in reshaping content monetization and creative output for entrepreneurs.From Global Product to Founder: John shares key lessons learned from launching and scaling products for millions at Airbnb and how he applies that strategic mindset to his own ventures.If you're looking for the competitive edge in digital advertising, tune in now. This is the playbook for maximizing ad creative performance and driving serious business results.Support the showRemember to subscribe for free to stay current with entrepreneur conversations. Want the episode freebie or have a question for our guest or Vincent? Interested in becoming a guest or show partner? Email us.This Episode is Brought to You By: Coming Alive Podcast Production: www.comingalivepodcastproduction.com Music Credits: Copyright Free Music from Adventure by MusicbyAden.
It's a Black Friday special! Phillip and Brian explore how capitalism commercializes everything it touches, as exemplified beautifully by community-driven Buy Nothing groups facing trademark enforcement and Walmart's WhoKnewVille campaign, which misses the point of Dr. Seuss entirely. They examine Mariah Carey's evolution from background music to Sephora partner, the disturbing rise of skincare for toddlers, and why new media's infinitesimally short news cycles are reshaping how we consume culture itself.PLUS: Get Plus! Use code BLACKFRIDAY for a year of Future Commerce Plus at our lowest rate ever. Black Friday Isn't Dying, and Neither Is Kris Jenner! Key takeaways:Buy Nothing chooses to wage its trademark battle during the SNAP benefits pause.As long as digital channels and Kris Jenner continue to thrive, Black Friday will never die.Mariah Carey's “It's Time” video is sponsored by Sephora. Finally!The new media ecosystem demands we live in the immediacy of the moment. Media cycle half-lives grow shorter by the day.“Mel Gibson was for Boomers what Johnny Depp was for Gen X, and I get the same feeling about Timothee Chalamet for this generation.” –– Brian Lange“Any gift you give or receive is actually a flaming fireball in the sky of your identity.” –– Brian Lange“Let he who is without screen time cast the first stone.” –– Phillip Jackson“Buy Nothing groups disintermediate the knife fight.” –– Phillip Jackson, Craigslist knife fight survivorAssociated Links:Get a year of Future Commerce Plus for $50 with code BLACKFRIDAYCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave 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.
Martin Forde is the co-founder and partner at Highline Brands, a retail brokerage built for modern CPG and emerging brands. As the first sales hire at Dr. Squatch, he helped lead the brand's Walmart launch—which did over $50M in year one and set the foundation for a $1.5B exit to Unilever.In this episode of DTC Pod, Martin shares the full playbook for making the leap from DTC to retail. He breaks down how to evaluate which channels make sense, what buyers actually care about (hint: it's not your brand), how to pitch them, and how to choose the right brokerage partner. He also gets into the operational side: how deals are structured, why retail timelines take longer than most founders expect, and what actually drives velocity on shelf.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. When to consider retail (and when you're not ready)2. Independent retail vs. major retailers: where to start3. The old DTC-first playbook vs. the new hybrid approach4. Understanding your consumer and choosing the right retailer5. What buyers actually care about (hint: category growth, not your brand)6. Three ways to reach buyers: cold outreach, inbound, or through a broker7. Why and when to say no to a retailer8. How brokers work: deal structures, retainers vs. commission, red flags9. The 9-12 month timeline from first conversation to shelf10. Merchandising and digital tactics that drive velocity on shelfTimestamps00:00 Martin Forde's background and experience in CPG03:14 Launching and scaling brands into retail04:20 Key lessons from Dr. Squatch retail rollout07:30 Dr. Squatch's early days and pent-up retail demand09:39 Defining “why retail” and evaluating retail opportunities10:38 Understanding independent retail channels and platforms15:14 Retail supply chain basics: MOQs, case packs, and 3PLs17:46 Testing and iterating supply chain through small-scale channels18:56 Leveraging online marketplaces (Faire, Thrive, Bubble)23:33 Deciding when to break into retail; timing and strategy24:44 Comparing DTC-first and direct-to-retail playbooks29:28 Raising capital, prepping for retail, and first retail sale process30:57 How to approach retail buyers and pitch34:03 Different ways to reach retail buyers: direct outreach, inbound, brokerages39:51 Working with brokers: models, deal structures, and choosing a partner50:29 Preparing retail pitch materials and buyer presentations51:39 Identifying category white space and incremental value54:53 Merchandising and digital tactics for retail success57:06 Where to connect with Martin Forde and closing thoughtsShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• #243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokMartin Forde - Co-Founder of Highline BrandsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Matthew Burrows didn't start Plant Material with a big budget, but through strategic inventory management and real-time tracking, he's built a three-location business growing 50% year-over-year. Today, the business competes against giants like Home Depot and Lowe's, taking pride as the #1 search result on Google. In this heartfelt conversation Matthew shares the exact systems that allow him to never overstock, eliminate waste, and maintain the illusion of endless inventory. All while operating with a lean team and minimal capital! Plant Material acts a safe-haven for community gatherings as they offer California-native and regionally appropriate plants, gardening tools, and other art objects in three different Los Angeles nurseries. You'll learn the ins and outs of merchandising, plant nursery management, and the inventory technique that saves Matthew 6-figures in revenue. For more on Plant Material click here. You'll Learn:How Matthew uses mobile inventory tracking to buy only what he needs in real-timeWhy strong grower relationships allow ultra-lean operationsThe forecasting method that predicts seasonal demand with precisionHow to make a small retail operation appear much larger than it isWhy online showcasing (not just selling) drives foot trafficThe SEO strategies that help Plant Material compete without ad spendChapters:00:00 Introducing Matthew Burrows, Cofounder of Plant Material 1:08 How to Achieve 50% Year-Over-Year Growth (Despite Challenges) 2:44 Defining Your Mission– The Do's & Don'ts3:34 Why to View Competition As A Good Thing (Even Home Depot)5:25 The Best Tips From 15 Years Of Retail Experience 7:30 How to Scale Brick-And-Mortar First, Online Second8:15 How Shopify Showcases Real-Time Inventory to Save Plant Material 6 Figures12:17 Build an Efficient Supply Chain + Inventory Management Systems Tools 17:55 Steps to Prepare for Seasonality In Business 20:23 Building Gardens for The Community + Events That Make An Impact23:42 The Key to Appearing Bigger Than You Are (The SEO Secret) Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.