Podcasts about Electric eye

Bob Verlaat and Nick Nijhof are Amsterdam-based entrepreneurs and Co-Founders of Hears, the fast-growing hearing protection brand redefining earplugs through premium design and industry-leading sound clarity. Prior to Hears, the duo successfully scaled luxury sleep wellness brand Dore & Rose to $30M in revenue, building deep expertise in branding, Ecommerce, and consumer behavior. Their entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by creating products that solve real consumer problems while building emotionally resonant brands. After Bob experienced hearing damage and persistent tinnitus from loud music, the pair became increasingly aware of the global problem of noise-induced hearing loss and the lack of earplugs people actually wanted to wear. Existing products compromised sound quality, looked unattractive, and failed to fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles. Driven by that personal frustration, Bob and Nick spent 1.5 years researching and developing Hears from scratch, investing in patented filter technology and an award-winning heart-shaped design focused on preserving natural sound while protecting hearing. Since launching in 2024, Hears has generated $7M in first-year revenue, won the Red Dot Design Award, and partnered with globally recognized brands and venues including Yves Saint Laurent and Pacha Ibiza. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:32] Intro [00:58] Launching products with clear positioning  [01:31] Solving everyday problems through Ecommerce  [03:14] Leveraging past mistakes to scale faster  [06:33] Episode Sponsor: Klaviyo [08:32] Finding product ideas through personal pain  [09:49] Testing creatives to accelerate growth  [11:01] Balancing brand building with direct sales  [11:57] Leveraging organic content before paid scaling  [13:51] Episode Sponsor: Intelligems [15:52] Optimizing products for global scalability  [19:14] Episode Sponsor: Electric Eye [20:23] Designing products customers instantly notice  [22:20] Protecting products through patented innovation  [23:25] Callout [23:34] Using social proof to increase conversions  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Engineered for maximum sound blocking, reduce disruptive noise, helping you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up fully rested hears.com/ Follow Bob Verlaat linkedin.com/in/bobverlaat/ Follow Nick Nijhof https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicknijhof/ Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Migrate and grow more klaviyo.com/honest  Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Jason Zigelbaum is the solo founder behind Zigpoll—the zero-party data platform trusted by Sony, HP, Kraft Heinz, and Hallmark.  Zigpoll collected over 100 million survey responses and counting. Third-party cookies are going away. Ad platforms are losing signal. Brands that don't collect first-party data are flying blind. Zigpoll fixes that.  Zigpoll makes it dead simple to launch contextual surveys that ask the right questions, at the right time, in the right channel so brands can stop guessing and start knowing.  How brands use Zigpoll:  - Discover how customers found you with post-purchase surveys - Improve products with real customer feedback  - Boost sales with on-site CRO surveys - Recover lost sales with abandoned cart & exit intent surveys  - Segment audiences by demographics and psychographics for higher-ROI campaigns  What makes it easy:  - No code. Installs on Shopify in seconds  - Surveys in any language with built-in translation  - Conditional logic and follow-up questions that dig deeper  - Triggers for post-purchase, abandoned cart, fulfillment, exit intent  - Deliver via SMS, email, or on-site  - Pipes data directly into Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign, Gorgias & more In This Conversation We Discuss:  [00:00] Intro [02:31] Starting with what you already know  [04:35] Uncovering your business blind spots  [07:38] Lowering mental friction for your users  [09:06] Eliminating the guesswork from strategies  [11:07] Callouts [11:07] Catching errors with your users' feedback  [13:35] Segmenting buyers to understand habits  [17:24] Using AI as a powerful force multiplier [22:21] Testing concepts without real users  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Survey & feedback platform.zigpoll.com/ Follow Jason Zigelbaum LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jason-zigelbaum If 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!

Hilary Dubin is co-CEO and head of Jones' digital product & behavioral support program. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania magna cum laude, majoring in cognitive science with a concentration in computation and cognition, an honors thesis on the effects of gender, realism, and role of virtual agents, and a minor from Wharton in consumer psychology.  She worked in David Brainard's visual neuroscience lab for 3 years and published 4 papers and supplementary materials on illumination discrimination (color perception). After Penn, she was selected as one of ten Americans to be a Ventures Fellow in the Excel Ventures incubator program in Tel Aviv, and continued on to be the inaugural member, and later program lead, of the US Associate Product Manager Program at Atlassian.  She worked as a product manager at Atlassian for 5 years, ultimately as Head of Confluence Editions & Admin Experience where she launched Confluence Premium & Free into multi-million dollar product offerings with 2M+ users. She hired & managed two PMs and lead a team of over 30 developers.  Prior to founding Jones, she and Caroline founded Cozier together, a sleep & loungewear brand designing ethical, effortlessly chic garments for every/body. Hilary started vaping casually in 2017 when the JUUL seemed relatively harmless and fun.  When the world went on lockdown in 2020, her casual vaping habit became a daily crutch for coping with stress and working from home. After over a year of unsuccessful cold-turkey quit attempts, she finally kicked her vaping habit in 2022 when Caroline suggested she try NRT.  Outside of work, Hilary loves hiking, backcountry skiing, trying to find the best burger in NYC, and playing with other people's dogs. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:34] Creating products from personal pain points [06:52] Sponsor: Klaviyo  [08:59] Meeting potential customers where they are [10:47] Adapting products based on user feedback [13:48] Testing market demand with waitlists [16:02] Sponsor: Electric Eye [17:10] Maximizing personal networks for growth [18:34] Gathering behavioral data in early days [19:52] Callouts [20:02] Launching a product to engaged audiences  [22:09] Sponsor: Intelligems [24:09] Pivoting marketing to bridge early limitations [26:24] Driving organic traffic with relatable content  [30:33] Adding modern value to traditional products Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Nicotime mints and social app to quit vaping quitwithjones.com/ Follow Hilary Dubin linkedin.com/in/hilary-dubin-374156b4/ Follow Caroline Vasquez Huber linkedin.com/in/caroline-vasquez-huber Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest If 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!

Ethan Haber is an inventor, founder, and CEO who built Happy Habitats—an award-winning, industry-recognized small-pet products brand—from the ground up with no outside funding.  Under his leadership, the company achieved distribution across North America and beyond, brought the business to six figures in 2025, and earned multiple Best in Show awards at Superzoo and Global Pet Expo.  Ethan is credited as a key inventor on Happy Habitats' Halo and Roam products, which are protected by U.S. utility patents #12,219,927 and #12,465,021, and he is launching a new product with a major big-box retailer next month.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:49] Identifying niches with stagnant innovation  [04:10] Partnering with experienced agencies  [04:56] Sponsor: Migrate [06:54] Scaling into national retail chains  [09:08] Finding the right marketplace partner  [10:20] Sponsor: Intelligems [12:18] Shifting ad spend to marketplace advertising  [14:00] Starting complementary product ecosystems [15:01] Callouts [15:11] Persisting through buyer objections  [16:29] Maximizing cost efficiency in product design [17:08] Sponsor: Electric Eye [00:00] Maximizing cost efficiency in product design  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Walk Your Hamster Anywhere happyhabitats.net/ Follow Ethan Haber linkedin.com/in/ethan-haber-124040168/ Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Migrate and grow more klaviyo.com/honest Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Sean Wendt is the founder of dtcmvp. dtcmvp connects shopify partners with leaders at established brands. From intros to insights, they handle everything: you reach your ideal audience, build a better product, and attract more brands.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:30] Understanding prospects' rejection [05:48] Defining the role of outbound sales reps [10:54] Crafting a strong offer for your outreach [12:29] Callouts [12:39] Increasing discovery with paid consultations [15:00] Aligning solutions with existing goals [21:51] Determining the right time to scale outreach  [24:39] Designing workflows around busy calendars  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Shopify's Modern Expert Network dtcmvp.com    Follow Sean Wendt  linkedin.com/in/seanwendt If 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!

"If your product sucks, you're never going to succeed. A lot of people are trying to solve product problems with marketing spend." Chase Clymer runs Electric Eye, a Shopify agency deep in CRO, redesigns, and migrations. He also hits about one industry event a month, which means he's got a real read on how merchants and partners actually feel right now. Not the Twitter version. The hallway version. We got into the real state of ecom in 2026: Facebook CPMs nearly doubling since the pandemic, why most brands under $5M shouldn't be split testing at all, how agencies are using AI tools like Claude and Nano Banana to skip hours of busywork, and Chase's bold prediction that Shopify is about to overhaul its partner program after a failed enterprise bet. SPONSORS Swym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & more getswym.com/kurt Cleverific - Smart order editing for Shopify cleverific.com Zipify - Build high-converting sales funnels zipify.com/KURT LINKS Electric Eye: https://electriceye.io/ Honest Ecommerce podcast: https://honestecommerce.com/ Fathom (sales call recording): https://fathom.video/ Nano Banana / Gemini image generation: https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/ Figma Make: https://www.figma.com/ WORK WITH KURT Apply for Shopify Help ethercycle.com/apply See Our Results ethercycle.com/work Free Newsletter kurtelster.com The 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.

Gustavo Cardona is VP of Technology at Levain Bakery, where he leads IT infrastructure and data strategy to bridge innovative technology with the operational reality of a craft-focused, omnichannel retail business.  He's responsible for building Levain's enterprise systems, including integrating Toast, NetSuite, and CrunchTime into a unified data platform, migrating the organization to real-time reporting with Tableau, and developing a multi-year technology roadmap. Gustavo's approach focuses on what he calls the "adoption challenge"—ensuring technology actually gets used rather than just implemented.  He's currently leading Levain's Emerging Tech Strategy with a focus on operational efficiency, product innovation, and decision intelligence through responsible AI governance.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:35] Networking with peers at conferences  [06:10] Sponsor: Klaviyo [08:17] Leveraging past experience in a new role  [11:36] Sponsor: Intelligems [13:36] Cultivating adaptability and resourcefulness [15:54] Identifying bottlenecks in daily operations  [19:29] Sponsor: Electric Eye [20:41] Identifying team pain points on the ground [23:17] Callouts  [23:27] Keeping a human in the loop for AI tools  [27:51] Making your product the hero instead of tech  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube New York City's Most Famous Cookies levainbakery.com/    Follow Gustavo Cardona linkedin.com/in/cardonagustavo Migrate and grow more klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our expertselectriceye.io/connect If 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!

Xander Shepherd is the co-founder of Artet, a brand that is changing the way we gather, toast, and experience cocktail culture. Rooted in tradition with a modern twist, Artet was founded by two brothers, and their cousin who wanted to create an alcohol-free alternative that blends sophisticated mixology with nuanced botanical flavors.  With its amaro-inspired aperitif and a selection of elevated canned spritzes, Artet offers a hemp-derived Delta-9 THC-infused experience that is both refined and approachable—perfect for those seeking an NA option to savor at the table amongst family and friends.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:17] Finding Ecommerce ideas in daily life  [05:48] Experimenting in small, safe spaces [10:29] Sponsor: Migrate [12:27] Reshaping customer perspectives [18:22] Callouts [18:32] Navigating customer purchase friction [21:11] Presenting your product as opportunity [25:05] Sponsor: Intelligems [27:05] Navigating state-by-state THC rules [31:50] Protecting customers with age checks [36:22] Sponsor: Electric Eye [37:31] Setting high standards for the industry [47:10] Connecting customers to buying paths  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube The original THC aperitif artet.com/ Follow Xander Shepherd linkedin.com/in/xandershepherd/ Migrate and grow more klaviyo.com/honest    Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Scott Dancy is the founder and CEO of Azuna, a fast-growing challenger brand in at-home odor elimination. Since launching in 2019, Scott has scaled Azuna into a serious category disruptor. Prior to launching Azuna, Scott built, scaled, and sold several companies across cybersecurity, staffing, and energy - with curiosity as his fuel.  During the dot-com boom, Scott was the youngest member of the cybersecurity board, working directly with the Attorney General to navigate the rapidly changing early years of the internet. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester and resides in Buffalo, NY where Azuna is based.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:47] Tripling revenue by solving everyday problems  [03:00] Reinvesting profits to outlast competitions [05:25] Sponsor: Klaviyo [07:32] Learning from mistakes at every stage  [12:23] Sponsor: Intelligems [14:23] Building LTV when first orders barely profit [17:02] Grinding to millions without ever going viral [20:14] Sponsor: Electric Eye [21:22] Learning when to keep things in-house  [23:27] Calllouts [23:37] Building equity culture across your whole team  [23:05] Creating a team culture people refuse to leave  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Naturally effective odor eliminators azunafresh.com/ Follow Scott Dancy linkedin.com/in/scott-dancy-189542200 Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Cleo is the Co-Founder of Barrière and also serves as the brand's CEO and brand-lead. Before starting Barrière with her Co-Founder, Alexa Adams, in 2020, Cleo had over a decade of experience in corporate fashion and styling.  She was inspired to leave the corporate world and start Barrière to offer a chic, yet medically-effective masking option to customers during the global pandemic. This led her and Alexa to expanding the brand into transdermal supplement patches, as inspired by her own issues with nutritional deficiencies.  Before starting Barrière, Cleo's most recent professional roles included Brand Manager at Moda Operandi and Director of Special Projects at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she led brand, marketing, and e-commerce strategy for these top fashion destinations.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:19] Finding inspiration from personal pain points [05:04] Sponsor: Klaviyo [07:03] Setting your own standards when regulations fall short [10:26] Avoiding the one-size-fits-all trap in product design [12:16] Sponsor: Intelligems [14:15] Seeding products to spark word-of-mouth online [16:18] Choosing product confidence over paid promotion [18:35] Measuring the long-term return on free samples [20:07] Sponsor: Electric Eye [21:16] Thinking creatively when marketing funds run dry  [22:48] Callouts [22:58] Owning customer relationships through websites  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Wear your vitamins mybarriere.com/ Follow Cleo Davis-Urman linkedin.com/in/cleo-davis-urman-91928322/ Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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.

Gloria Chou's untraditional, proven approach has helped small businesses across industries earn over a billion organic views and land features in outlets like Forbes, Vogue, Oprah Daily, BuzzFeed and Business Insider —all without pay-to-play.  Named the #1 small business PR expert by ChatGPT and Al search, she's leading the charge in helping overlooked founders dominate visibility—not just in the press, but in Al search results that drive discovery and trust.  Is there a guest (or two!) that you'd like to hear on our podcast in the future? Will think about this and let you know! In This Conversation We Discuss:  [00:00] Intro [01:00] Navigating the shift from old SEO [02:37] Discovering free brand featuring ways [06:21] Understanding why PR tips a trust signal [09:34] Callouts [10:44] Seeing how backlinks offer great publicity [12:29] Repurposing wins into long-term content [16:11] Using 3 prompts for an effective pitch [19:10] Writing subject lines that journalists open [23:20] Building PR foundations before competitors  Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Be found for the work you do gloriachoupr.com/ Follow Gloria Chou linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou If 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!

Samantha Diamond and Breanna Hughes are Co-Founders of Bird&Be, the fertility brand providing evidence-backed, comprehensive at-home tests and supplements for both partners at every stage of the fertility journey. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:31] Turning a diagnosis into a mission [03:23] Becoming your product's success story [04:44] Callouts [04:54] Finding focus groups with limited budgets [07:37] Sponsor: Klaviyo [09:44] Letting research reverse product roadmaps [13:41] Building trust through science-backed content  [15:12] Sponsor: Intelligems [17:12] Sharing vulnerable stories for customer loyalty [18:36] Tapping nice creators to amplify early content [21:41] Seeing early signals of product-market fit [23:49] Sponsor: Electric Eye [25:00] Letting word of mouth unlock B2B strategies [27:17] Allowing your data do the selling for you [30:16] Expanding impact to underserved customers Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Doctor-formulated prenatals, fertility supplements, & tests birdandbe.com/ Follow Sam Diamond ca.linkedin.com/in/samantha-diamond-1484a718 Follow Breanna Hughes ca.linkedin.com/in/breannahughes Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Russell Breuer is the Founder and CEO of Spot & Tango, an innovative pet health and wellness brand that provides dogs with high quality, human grade meals, delivered direct-to-consumer.  Russell was inspired by his dog, Jack, to create the company, which now has over $100+ million in annual revenue and has sold over 120 million meals since inception. Prior to Spot & Tango, Russell worked in private equity and held leadership positions at BerchWood Partners, Zephyr Management, and Nash & Co Capital in London.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:43] Starting a venture as a side gig first [03:55] Sponsor: Migrate [05:54] Using free channels to find first users [06:56] Iterating platforms as the business grows [08:24] Starting local before scaling distribution [10:47] Sponsor: Intelligems [12:47] Failing fast to find what actually works [15:06] Aligning growth speed to profitability goals [18:08] Sponsor: Electric Eye [19:17] Building innovative products to scale [21:39] Callouts [21:48] Learning scaling operations the hard way [23:38] Recognizing that success is never a one-man show Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Healthy, fresh dog food delivery service spotandtango.com/ Follow Russell Breuer linkedin.com/in/russell-breuer-0b3b57 Migrate and grow more klaviyo.com/honest  Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect   If 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!

Lauren Barker is the CEO and Co-founder of Uresta, the first self-managed, FDA-cleared bladder support device for stress urinary incontinence. With nearly a decade in finance before joining Uresta, Lauren brought the analytical skills to identify a massive market gap and the vision to build a solution that prioritizes women's quality of life over symptom management.  She personally reads every customer review, using those insights to shape product development and build Uresta's highly engaged community. Under her leadership, Uresta has become an eight-figure business serving over 30,000 women.  What is Uresta? Uresta is revolutionizing bladder control with the first self-managed bladder support designed specifically for modern women, with no prescription or doctor visits required. Unlike traditional solutions, Uresta addresses leaks at their source, providing immediate all-day protection during physical activities like exercise, laughing, sneezing, and coughing.  With 97% effectiveness and 90% continued use after 12 months, Uresta restores confidence, spontaneity, and dignity to millions of women. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:35] Addressing a gap in women's health [02:19] Leaving a career to chase an idea [06:28] Callouts [06:38] Finding success as an operator [08:40] Sponsor: Klaviyo [10:47] Validating a market before scaling up [14:50] Sponsor: Intelligems [17:05] Building early trust through creators [19:45] Sponsor: Electric Eye [20:54] Setting realistic budgets for paid ads [22:04] Using social proof for different markets [24:52] Marketing a product people deny Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Bladder support for women https://uresta.com/   Follow Lauren Barker https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-barker/   Follow Uresta https://www.instagram.com/myuresta/?g=5   Get your free demo https://www.klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at https://www.intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts https://electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Alissa Miky is a Japanese entrepreneur and the founder of OoMee, the first seaweed-based beverage in the U.S. She's the youngest woman ever recognized on Forbes Japan's Top 100 list. After running a successful flower business, Alissa created the viral seaweed candy company Misaky.Tokyo, and later launched Aqua Theon, a seaweed tech company.  In spring 2025, Alissa turned her proprietary Seabiotics™ technology into the star ingredient for OoMee -- the functional beverage bringing the wellness benefits of agar-agar to America's beverage aisle. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:58] Pioneering a niche in an untapped market [03:43] Using cultural roots to drive innovation [06:51] Sponsor: Klaviyo [08:52] Sizing up categories before committing [10:57] Callouts [11:07] Using competitor research as winning edge [14:25] Sponsor: Intelligems [16:23] Letting the product do the talking [19:44] Knowing when to launch and building [21:51] Sponsor: Electric Eye [23:00] Using intellectual property for passive income [25:43] Turning disadvantages into entrepreneurial fuel Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Marine plant-based company https://aquatheon.com/en Marine-powered functional beverage https://oomee.life/ Follow Alissa Miky https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissa-miky-21a8673b Migrate and grow more https://www.klaviyo.com/honest  Book a demo today at https://www.intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts https://electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Tamara is the Founder & CEO of Bark Bistro Company, creator of Buddy Budder—a line of 100% natural peanut butters made for dogs. What began in her kitchen has grown into a nationally distributed brand available DTC, Ecommerce, independent retailers, and now expanding into mass and grocery channels. She is passionate about blending innovation and creativity, brand design, and business strategy to make products that bring joy and health to pets while scaling into new retail channels.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:37] Discovering ecommerce as the growth engine [05:38] Solving a personal problem to spark a product [07:18] Sponsor: Klaviyo [09:24] Leading a category by entering early [10:29] Choosing Ecommerce to accelerate growth [12:10] Callouts [12:20] Bootstrapping growth with early revenue [13:57] Sponsor: Intelligems  [15:56] Validating demand through review data [18:02] Listening to customers to improve goods [22:03] Engaging customers to co-create the brand [23:47] Sponsor: Electric Eye [24:55] Learning while building the business [26:28] Accepting mistakes as part of the journey Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Healthy and natural peanut butter dog treats barkbistro.com/ Follow Tamara Coleman linkedin.com/in/tamara-coleman-07578a23/ Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Co-founded in 2012 by Ryan Emmons, his cousin Alex Preston, a Hawaiian artist and game designer, and friend Matt Meyer, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages is a premium beverage company from Hilo, Hawai‘i, offering volcanic water, sparkling water, and coffee, crafted with deep respect for the land, its people, and the responsibility that comes with both.  Rooted in sustainability, Waiākea is setting a new standard for CPG, blending exceptional taste with conscious practices. From their certified B Corp status and proprietary 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, OceanPlast®, to their community-driven Kōkua Initiative nonprofit, Waiākea is changing the way we hydrate. Inspired by the founders' long-standing work with clean water and education non-profits, the concept for Waiākea was to move away from singular profit and towards a triple bottom line model (circular packaging, sustainable sourcing, and commitment to the community).  Their water embodies that mission with an experience that's natural alkaline pH, 100% BPA & PFA Free, packed with electrolytes & minerals, light, crisp, and refreshingly clean. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:25] Turning sustainability into an advantage [03:28] Starting without industry experience [05:49] Sponsor: Electric Eye [07:00] Building a business from a class project [09:45] Self-distributing to reach early customers [11:57] Sponsor: Klaviyo [13:56] Building trust through consignment [15:12] Scaling distributions with good relationships [17:06] Callouts [17:16] Adjusting strategy based on performance [20:47] Sponsor: Intelligems [22:47] Managing supply chains for heavy goods [25:01] Balancing risk with growth opportunities Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Alkaline Hawaiian Volcanic Water waiakea.com/ Follow Ryan Emmons linkedin.com/in/ryan-emmons-8709871b/ Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Migrate and grow more klaviyo.com/honest    Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Julian Tcherassi is the founder of Magiktea, the first USDA Organic & Wildlife Friendly certified palo azul tea brand in the world.  Under his leadership, Magiktea has grown from a small independent startup into a nationally recognized wellness brand, now available in over 1,000 health food stores nationwide.  Passionate about natural remedies and sustainability, Julian started Magiktea with the mission to share sustainably sourced palo azul so that everyone can enjoy Mother Nature's most magical tea.  In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:06] Spotting an opportunity from personal experience [02:56] Starting a business through personal readings [05:06] Prioritizing retail over DTC for early traction [06:53] Offering consignment as visibility strategy  [10:31] Callouts [10:41] Embracing rejection as early sales training [14:43] Sponsor: Klaviyo [16:49] Learning advertisement tactics from founders [18:41] Optimizing website to support conversions [26:46] Sponsor: Intelligems [25:46] Improving listings to outshine competitors [29:26] Leveraging Amazon for exposure and sales [33:25] Sponsor: Electric Eye [34:31] Analyzing your brand for the winning message Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Fluorescent alkaline palo azul tea magiktea.com/ Follow Julian Tcherassi linkedin.com/in/julian-serrano-tcherassi-97a891156/ Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If 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!

Eliah Thanhauser is the Co-Founder and CEO of North Spore, a company dedicated to making mushroom cultivation accessible to all. Since its inception in 2014, they've grown from a small operation in a garage in Maine to a vertically integrated manufacturer and a national leader in mycological supplies.  Eliah's journey began with a passion for sustainable agriculture and a desire to empower individuals to grow their own food. At North Spore, Eliah and his team provide high-quality mushroom cultivation products and education, supporting everyone from home growers to commercial farmers.​  Beyond business, he's committed to environmental stewardship, advocating for better public access to Maine's shorelands and exploring innovative ways to integrate fungi into sustainable practices. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:10] Launching North Spore from a tiny garage [05:47] Callouts [05:57] Embracing ecommerce before it was crowded [07:16] Creating educational content to attract buyers [09:05] Sponsor: Electric Eye [10:22] Putting in the work to earn attention [11:47] Building trust in a skeptical market [15:55] Avoiding direct competition with giants [17:31] Sponsor: Intelligems [19:31] Focusing on one core product first [23:15] Sponsor: Migrate [25:13] Persisting through economic challenges Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Mushroom log spawns and supplies northspore.com/ Follow Eliah Thanhauser linkedin.com/in/eliah-thanhauser/ Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/ If 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!

Irene Chen is the Co-Founder and Partner at Parker Thatch, a role she has held for over 24 years. Her top skills include Brand Development, Fashion, and Social Media. Before co-founding Parker Thatch, Irene served as the Director of Product Development for Donna Karan. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. Matthew Grenby is the Partner and Co-Founder of Parker Thatch, a position he has held for over 24 years. His expertise lies in Strategy, Start-ups, and Entrepreneurship. Prior to Parker Thatch, he was a Vice President at Castling Group, where he led UX and design to launch online divisions for major brands, and a Data Scientist at Intel, developing novel data visualizations. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MS from the M.I.T. Media Lab , an MS in Graphic Design from ArtCenter College of Design , and an AB in English from Harvard University. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:56] Bootstrapping growth through cash flow[03:23] Turning local talent into a luxury launchpad[07:45] Sponsor: Klaviyo [09:52] Applying corporate training to startups[12:31] Challenging traditional production paths[18:48] Sponsor: Intelligems [20:48] Standardizing core products for efficiency[24:47] Sponsor: Electric Eye[25:56] Persisting through daily business doubt[29:40] Callouts[29:50] Reinventing challenges for better outcomes[31:34] Leveraging community for business insights[32:02] Maintaining connections for future opportunities[36:03] Rebranding for clarity and customer reachResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeLuxury products for everyday ease and elegance parkerthatch.com/Follow Irene Chen linkedin.com/in/irene-chen-16b16823/Follow Matthew Grenby linkedin.com/in/matthewgrenby/Book a demo today at intelligems.io/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectGet your free demo https://www.klaviyo.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!

We may have set a record for the greatest number of recommendations in a single episode - spanning everything from a television programme to an artificial intelligence service to books to clothes to music and even the 1980s equivalent of a dating app. As always, please send your recommendations to our instagram @makingthecutpodcast.Mdlondon - https://mdlondon.com/The Night Manager - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1399664/Electric Eye Apparel - https://electriceyeapparel.com/Music Is Power - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH-zJoj7_YEOtter AI - https://otter.ai/Bryony Gordon - https://www.instagram.com/bryonygordon/?hl=enElizabeth Day - https://www.instagram.com/elizabday/?hl=enSucre - https://sucrerestaurant.com/london-chamber-orchestra-at-sucre/VHS Dates - https://www.vhsdates.com/Georgie Girl Cashmere - https://georgiegirlcashmere.org/Alice Grist - https://www.instagram.com/alicegrist/Brilliant Disguise - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idnJnjV_8rgShrinking - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15677150/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Voyten is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience revitalizing small brands and stagnant businesses. She started her career at Procter & Gamble, working first in operations and eventually moving into brand management, where she ran businesses across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her consumer-centric approach to innovation and commercial strategies, combined with her operational expertise, has helped transform businesses across consumer goods, automotive, and healthcare categories. Some of her favorite challenges include relaunching the iconic $500 million Herbal Essences brand and returning it to profitable growth, spearheading the digital transformation and omnichannel strategy for the Hertz loyalty program, and building the OneTouch diabetes business in retail and e-commerce. Today, Kate is the Chief Commercial Officer at Cadence OTC, where she is leading the effort to bring the next generation of oral contraceptives over the counter—expanding access to safe, affordable birth control for millions of women across the U.S. Kate is passionate about developing people and building partnerships that deliver meaningful business transformations. She earned both her BS and MS from Carnegie Mellon University. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[01:24] Meeting customers' urgent health needs[08:03] Focusing on signals that show real intent[11:33] Callouts[11:42] Turning urgent needs into long-term loyalty[13:32] Navigating advertising in regulated industries[16:04] Investing upfront to avoid costly rework[19:02] Sponsor: Electric Eye[20:10] Leveraging AI to uncover customer insights[24:22] Providing clarity through educated communicationResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeAffordable emergency contraception, convenient access cadenceotc.com/Follow Kate Voyten LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/katherine-voytenSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf 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!

Laura Andersen is the owner and managing director of AlumiTubs. Made to handle it all, AlumiTubs is made to last for generations. Obsessively designed to outperform and outlast, it's the classic cedar hot tub, upgraded for a lifetime of performance.AlumiTubs is 100% Canadian handcrafted from materials made to stand the test of time. It's perfect for the backcountry or the backyard, with flex heating for 365 days of use, wherever you find your escape. With 1000s in the wild since 2001, AlumiTubs are home to Canada, now available for properties across the globe. Where artistry, craftsmanship, and considered design intersect, the AlumiTubs wood fired, electric and hybrid hot tubs come in 3 sizes with endless heat options, advanced filtration for at-home use, a 50% bigger firebox and 3 layers of insulation for less smoke, less water, and nothing wasted along the way.It is not an average hot tub, AlumiTubs is guaranteed to get hot and stay hot, no matter how cold it is outside. Bringing people and those they share it with, closer to nature. AlumiTubs was made for more of the good stuff.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:40] Sponsor: Taboola[01:53] Spotting demand beyond your original offer[03:14] Balancing careers while building a startup[06:04] Bringing an offline product to the internet[08:55] Sponsor: Next Insurance[10:08] Applying career skills to a new venture[13:49] Letting users shape your marketing message[15:40] Optimizing basic SEO for discovery[17:55] Sponsor: Electric Eye[19:03] Balancing capacity with customer trust[23:17] Complementing skills to build longevity[26:00] Building a business on a great product[28:46] Callouts[28:56] Hedging bets while testing business ideas[31:10] Adding value without reinventing the wheelResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeWood-fired & electric cedar hot tubs alumitubs.com/Follow Laura Andersen linkedin.com/in/lauraandersendigitalmarketing/  Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honestSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf 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!

Monica Rich Kosann is an internationally recognized fine jewelry brand based in New York. Rooted in the idea that every woman has a story to tell, the collection encompasses lockets, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that inspire and empower the wearer. The eponymous label was founded in 2004 by Designer and Chief Creative Officer Monica Rich Kosann–member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America–as an extension of her passion for fine art photography and storytelling. She runs the company with her husband Rod, who serves as CEO.A Certified B Corporation working to meet the highest standards of quality and excellence, Monica Rich Kosann crafts sustainable heritage pieces that are made ethically and responsibly. The brand is sold in over 120 retailers across the country, has three free standing stores - two in New York and one at Somerset Collection in Troy, a shop at Bergdorf Goodman and a robust direct-to-consumer business. Designed using 18K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver, Monica Rich Kosann designs precious gemstones and diamonds to ensure quality that lasts from generation-to-generation as modern heirlooms. A favorite with celebrities, Monica Rich Kosann pieces have been worn by incredible women throughout the years including Kelly Clarkson, Allison Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gisele Bundchen.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[00:37] Sponsor: Taboola[01:54] Inspiring growth through authentic vision[06:58] Persisting through early business rejection[10:11] Building momentum through supportive communities[11:10] Sponsor: Next Insurance[12:41] Diversifying channels to reach more customers[16:32] Callouts[16:42]  Enhancing products through storytelling[21:00] Strengthening brands through right partnerships [24:02] Sponsor: Electric Eye[25:10] Building dedicated teams that enjoy their craft[26:19] Focusing business principles around your “Why”[28:02] Finding your unique approach and sticking with itResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerce?sub_confirmation=1Lockets, fine jewelry, and luxury gifts monicarichkosann.comFollow Monica Rich Kosann linkedin.com/company/monica-rich-kosannFollow Rod Kosann linkedin.com/in/rodkosannReach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest  Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business www.nextinsurance.com/honest  Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect  If 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!

Matt Ezyk has decades of experience building, scaling and leading digital commerce technology and strategy at some of the most innovative companies in the world. Matt serves as Senior Director of Engineering, Ecommerce at Hanna Andersson which is a leading direct-to-consumer premium children's apparel and lifestyle brand. Prior to joining Hanna Andersson, he led digital at Pet Supermarket with oversight of product and engineering. Additionally he served as Director of Functional Architecture and Director of PMO at RafterOne (f/k/a PixelMedia) with operational oversight of teams working with iconic brands like Skechers and LL Bean. Matt also served in progressive leadership roles at Accenture, Merkle (f/k/a LiveArea) and several startups working with hundreds of global brands like Uniqlo, Disney, Revlon, Tapestry and many more. Matt brings to retailers and DTC brands a deep expertise in developing and implementing diverse end-to-end commerce strategies. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[00:24] Sponsor: Taboola[01:41] Connecting tech decisions to business growth[04:36] Comparing agency and brand-side perspectives[07:24] Sponsor: Next Insurance[08:37] Delivering progress customers can feel[09:58] Choosing platforms based on business maturity[13:03] Callouts[13:13] Auditing tech to recover lost conversions[15:31] Reducing redundancy to improve performance[17:47] Evaluating third-party tools for value[19:36] Sponsor: Electric Eye[20:44] Improving conversion with UX and engineering[22:25] Augmenting team expertise with AI tools[27:46] Balancing speed with long-term scalabilityResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeKids clothes from playtime to bedtime hannaandersson.com/Follow Matt Ezyk linkedin.com/in/mezykReach 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/connectIf 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!

Dima Zelikman is the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Unbound Merino, where he leads brand strategy, growth marketing, and creative direction. With a focus on simplicity, versatility, and performance, he has helped shape Unbound Merino into a global travel clothing brand trusted by customers in over 100 countries. As CMO, Dima drives the vision of the “Pack Less. Experience More.” movement. Building a brand that inspires and empowers travelers to live and explore with freedom. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:00] Sponsor: Taboola[01:55] Positioning products around customer lifestyles[03:33] Turning personal travel pain into a business idea[07:27] Sponsor: Next Insurance[08:40] Creating business momentum before quitting a job[10:37] Prioritizing early traction for repeatable growth[13:04] Testing campaigns with minimum budgets[14:50] Callout[15:00] Scaling communication through relevant topics[21:00] Sponsor: Electric Eye[22:10] Creating a feedback loop through data analysis[23:01] Identifying unmet needs in your market[25:32] Prioritizing product quality over everything[27:26] Driving conversions before perfecting visualsResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeMerino Wool Clothing & Apparel unboundmerino.com/Reach 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/connectIf 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!

Kendal McMullen is passionate and data-driven with a knack for turning insights into impactful omnichannel strategies. From analyzing consumer behavior to optimizing cross-channel marketing, she thrives on making data work to connect authentically at scale. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:42] Sponsor: Taboola[01:56] Scaling wellness brands with quality focus[03:35] Solving roadblocks through focused one-on-ones[05:07] Sponsor: Next Insurance[06:21] Building a career with portfolios, not degrees[08:13] Turning self-taught experience into full-time roles[09:28] Accessing knowledge freely on the internet[11:15] Callouts[11:25] Leveraging zero-cost opportunities in 2025[13:24] Building a portfolio for reliable visibility [15:10] Sponsor: Electric Eye [16:17] Understanding P&L steady long-term margins[21:06] Optimizing AI to expand team capacity[24:17] Hands on hiring management ensure culture fit[27:03] Caring for your work to strengthen brand understandingResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeVegan organic vitamins and supplements globalhealing.com/Follow Kendal McMullen linkedin.com/in/kendal-mcmullenReach 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/connectIf 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!

Anna Brakefield's story begins on her family's cotton farm in North Alabama, where she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of agriculture and the values of hard work, stewardship, and tradition.Her father, Mark Yeager, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the land and the premium cotton it produced—lessons that would later inspire a business built on craftsmanship and sustainability.After earning a degree in graphic design and marketing from Auburn University, Anna pursued a career in advertising in New York and Nashville. Though she thrived in the corporate world, her roots kept calling her back home, planting the seed for what would become Red Land Cotton.In 2016, Anna and her father launched Red Land Cotton with a mission to bring American-made, farm-to-home textiles to market. Armed with her marketing expertise and a passion for storytelling, she shaped the company's identity, ensuring that each product—crafted from the cotton grown on their farm—embodied quality, authenticity, and Southern heritage.As Red Land Cotton continues to flourish, Anna balances entrepreneurship with family life, finding inspiration in the land that started it all. Her journey is a testament to the power of honoring one's roots while embracing the possibilities of growth and innovation.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:39] Sponsor: Taboola[02:24] Building new ventures from existing resources[05:08] Turning constraints into strategic clarity[07:25] Sponsor: Next Insurance[08:38] Validating demand while building in public[10:21] Callouts[10:32] Blogging company journey for early engagement[12:03] Teasing progress to convert followers into buyers[13:48] Meeting customers where they are[17:15] Experimenting with traditional advertising[20:10] Sponsor: Electric Eye[21:19] Sponsor: Freight Fright[23:22] Investing in skills when hiring isn't an option[25:18] Balancing creativity with marketing strategy[26:57] Matching products to the right channels[28:46] Leveraging cross-channel marketing effectively[30:09] Leading with purpose beyond just making moneyResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeLuxury American-Made Bedding & Towels redlandcotton.com/Follow Anna Brakefield linkedin.com/in/anna-brakefield-94389734Reach 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!

Dan Abel Jr. is the Chief Chocolate Officer of two beloved St. Louis-based companies: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company and Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier. Dan occasionally goes by another nickname: “Willy Wonka of the Midwest.” But no matter what you call him, he'll never forget his roots. Dan is a 2nd Generation Chocolatier & son of the founder of Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company. Along with his two siblings, Dan oversees the operations of both Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company and Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier. Manufacturing, distribution, national sales channel and product development are the key areas to Dan's focus. Currently the Abel family is expanding its manufacturing facility, adding a bar and a café – and Dan is very instrumental in the construction management and development of both concepts while continuing to push growth. Dan is married with three children –enjoys playing golf, gardening with his young children and spending time with his family. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:32] Sponsor: Taboola[01:48] Growing ventures through deep personal ties[03:01] Finding purpose through early hands-on work[04:29] Optimizing small resources for maximum impact[05:53] Building presence through hands-on outreach[07:56] Leveraging sampling to win customer trust[09:00] Sponsor: Next Insurance[10:12] Creating impact with hands-on marketing[15:18] Callouts[15:28] Attending trade shows to drive direct sales[16:35] Sponsor: Electric Eye[17:44] Sponsor: Freight Fright[19:44] Acquiring companies to accelerate growth[26:11] Delivering customer value despite COVID pressure[30:25] Creating connection through thoughtful service[31:41] Reinvesting in technology to enhance experience[34:34] Experimenting with old and new strategies [35:25] Solving problems through direct involvementResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeHandcrafted Artisan Chocolates chocolatechocolate.com/Handcrafted Chocolatier  bissingers.com/Follow Dan Abel Jr. linkedin.com/in/dan-abel-jr-15541765Reach 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!

Christine Monaghan is a builder of growth engines and a weaver of stories, helping brands scale from startup chaos to sustainable success. She blends storytelling with systems, tech with brand, and strategy with hands-on execution to deliver results that last. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:33] Sponsor: Taboola [01:49] Building brands through storytelling[04:34] Tracing the roots of storytelling[06:23] Sponsor: Next Insurance[07:36] Evaluating early-stage customer signals[10:09] Testing assumptions about customers[12:22] Callouts[12:32] Surveying customers to validate assumptions[14:55] Leveraging insights to improve messaging[18:15] Testing media to find what converts[21:28] Sponsor: Electric Eye[22:33] Sponsor: Freight Right[24:36] Connecting blogs to nurture discovery[27:15] Targeting platforms where customers exist[28:58] Optimizing ads for long-term growth[34:48] Understanding top-of-funnel users Resources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeThe modern way to drink milk almondcow.co/Follow Christine Monaghan linkedin.com/in/christine-monaghanReach 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!

Elina Panteleyeva is the founder of Dood Woof, a 7-figure brand built specifically for Doodle dog breeds. After getting laid off, she bootstrapped her business from $0 to 7 figures in 15 months with no prior Ecommerce experience, no team and no outside investors. outside funding. Elina scaled fast by focusing on niche product-market fit, building a raving fan base, and using scrappy organic marketing to drive Amazon and TikTok Shop growth. Now, she helps other founders grow and scale their eCommerce brands profitably by building a brand that serves a specific group of people. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:34] Sponsor: Taboola[01:44] Building products around customer pain points[02:53] Identifying problems through community research[05:19] Sponsor: Next Insurance[06:32] Balancing product creation with marketing[06:48] Building trust through storytelling[09:15] Collecting feedback to shape products[10:50] Creating scarcity to drive excitement[12:38] Identifying niches with specific pain points[13:47] Sponsor: Electric Eye[14:56] Sponsor: Freight Right[16:56] Collecting reviews to build credibility[18:37] Training mindset to handle uncertainty[21:59] Discovering entrepreneurial instincts early[22:29] Focusing on one channel before diversifying  [25:34] Leveraging micro-influencers for growthResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeCreating Healthy Happy Lives for Doodles doodwoof.com/Follow Elina Panteleyeva instagram.com/doodwoofco/?hl=enReach 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!

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!

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training If your inbound pipeline dries up tomorrow, do you have a channel that can refill it on demand? Every agency owner needs at least one reliable way to attract new leads when things slow down. Today's guest doubled down on a podcast as his inbound engine, and it paid off big. But launching your first episode is just the beginning. The real growth comes from getting your ideal clients as guests, creating a conversation that builds connection (not just content), and staying consistent long enough to earn momentum. He'll break down how to find the right niche, build authority through partnerships, and turn podcasting into a powerful inbound system that keeps quality leads coming in on autopilot. Chase Clymer is the co-founder of Electric Eye, a Shopify Plus partner agency specializing in conversion rate optimization (CRO) and e-commerce growth strategy. Since 2016, he and his team have been helping direct-to-consumer brands optimize their digital storefronts to drive measurable results. Beyond his client work, Chase also hosts the Honest Ecommerce podcast, where he interviews founders and shares unfiltered lessons on what it takes to grow an online brand. In this episode, we'll discuss: On his strategic partnership with Shopify. Podcasting as a business development engine. The key to consistently booking great guests. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. From Touring Musician to E-Commerce Marketer Before entering the agency world, Chase was a touring musician in a pop punk band. The road life didn't pay the bills, so he began experimenting with photography, design, and digital marketing, all skills that eventually laid the foundation for his agency. Towards the end of his music career, Chase's future co-founder Sean approached him with a few freelance projects. They quickly found themselves with six clients, and a lot of questions about taxes, pricing, and structure. The early chaos of being creators first and business owners second forced them to learn fast, especially when it came to how to position themselves, how to deliver results, and ultimately, how to specialize. As Chase puts it, "We realized if you can validate the results you're getting for people, they're going to be happier to pay you." That mindset led them toward e-commerce, where success is measurable and client satisfaction is tied directly to sales metrics. How Strategic Platform Partnerships (Like Shopify) Accelerate Agency Growth One of the biggest accelerators for his agency was its partnership with Shopify. When the agency first started, they were platform-agnostic, working across WordPress and other technologies. But after joining Shopify's Partner Program, Chase and his team found something rare — an actual human on the other end of the email. That support led to event invitations, collaboration opportunities, and eventually a deep specialization that positioned them as trusted experts. Chase credits much of their success to that early alignment. "We just happened to be in the right place at the right time," and the lesson for him was: pick your ecosystem wisely and go all in. He advises other agency owners to double down on one technology or niche rather than trying to be everything to everyone. "If your roof is leaking, you don't hire a general contractor, you hire a roofer," he says. It's the kind of clarity that will help you see real growth. Does this mean you should only aim to partner with Shopify if you're in the ecommerce niche? Not at all. Chase recognizes that part of their success story came from having found Shopify at its early stages. This allowed the agency to grow alongside them and unlock more opportunities. Using a Podcast as a Scalable Inbound Marketing Channel For many agencies, lead generation is an uphill battle. For Chase, it became a creative outlet that turned into a consistent revenue driver. In 2019, he launched his podcast, Honest Ecommerce, as a way to avoid writing blogs. But over time, it became a cornerstone of his agency's inbound and relationship strategy. Chase now uses the podcast to connect with ideal clients by inviting them on as guests. Instead of cold outreach, he reaches out on LinkedIn to CEOs of brands he admires, offering them a platform to share their stories. That invitation often leads to partnerships, friendships, and often clients. "You're not starting off on your back foot," he explains. "You're building a genuine relationship." Chase also uses the podcast to gain access to industry events. With a media pass, he's able to attend conferences, host panels, and meet prospects in person. Once relationships are formed, his back-end systems, from automated follow-up emails to segmented nurture lists, keep his agency top of mind until the timing aligns for collaboration. Proven Outreach Strategies to Book High-Value Podcast Guests When Chase comes across a brand doing something interesting, he doesn't pitch them services. Instead of positioning himself as another agency trying to sell, he looks to position himself as a platform offering value first. Once a potential guest accepts, Chase sets up a short 15-minute pre-interview call that he personally conducts. He uses this session to walk them through what to expect, answer any questions, and — most importantly — build rapport. As he puts it, "More time in the paint (more reps) makes the second conversation a lot easier." That small investment of time pays off, turning what could be a stiff Q&A into a relaxed, real conversation when recording day comes. This pre-call also helps him assess whether the guest is a fit for his audience and gently coach less experienced founders on how to tell their story in an engaging way. Then, before the episode goes live, he'll sometimes nudge guests to check out a few existing episodes from Honest Ecommerce. This helps them get familiar with the tone and flow of his show. Ultimately, the goal for Chase is always to create a cool piece of content. Anything else that may come from the relationship is a bonus. Why Consistency Is the Real Growth Lever in Podcast Lead Generation Chase believes all agency owners who are serious about making their business a success need to start building the inbound channels that produce on-demand leads. In his case, starting the podcast was the move that changed everything for his agency. However, podcasting will take time to produce results and requires consistency. Many business owners start a podcast and then give up after a couple of months. Publishing your first episode is only the beginning. What follows is a commitment to showing up week after week. "That is half the battle," he says. Podcasting, like SEO, compounds over time. The relationships built and the authority earned don't pay off instantly, but when they do, they create an inbound machine that's difficult to replicate. Pro Tip: Chase also believes podcasting can be a great tool in staying top of mind for clients and being a better strategic partner. He even does bonus episodes with partners and has a separate newsletter for partners he sends once a month with news of what the agency has been up to (attending a conference, launching a new website, etc). It usually produces at least a few referrals. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

Chad Dime, Co-Founder of DIFF Charitable Eyewear was raised in Los Angeles California. He was born into the eyewear industry thanks to his father who owned and operated an eyewear business for over 40 years. His dad passed down the knowledge of product design, import, manufacturing and wholesale to him throughout his entire life. On the manufacturing side, he was traveling to China by the time he was 15 years old to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to work with partners overseas. In wholesale he was attending major markets as a teenager to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to sell to major retailers both nationally and internationally. He was fortunate enough to know at that very young that he would be following in his family's footsteps. While attending college at San Diego State University he was the President of the nationally ranked SDSU Surf Team. His role there allowed him to work with many notable brands like Red Bull, Rip Curl and TOMS as he obtained sponsorship from each of these businesses. After years of building campus rep programs with these brands he learned the importance of both social media marketing along with social enterprise. The partnership with TOMS shoes was his motivation to build a business that gave back, and it became his dream to start a sunglasses brand that could help change the world. After graduating from SDSU he met his business partners. Together they began selling sunglasses at electronic music festivals across the country. It was here that they realized there was a massive void in the eyewear industry that they knew they could fill. Eager to disrupt the monopolized eyewear industry they founded DIFF with a mission to create affordable designer eyewear that gives back. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:50] Blending value and mission to drive impact[04:00] Partnering purpose with product[06:09] Leveraging past experiences for team balance[08:56] Nurturing partnerships for smarter growth[11:44] Stay updated with new episodes[11:55] Embedding responsibility into brand DNA[14:11] Sponsors[19:43] Influencer partnerships for early marketing strategy[22:54] Prioritizing finance to avoid early pitfalls[24:57] Understanding finances for loss prevention[26:06] Highlighting first products for brick and mortar[28:42] Following your why to create impactResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube www.youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerce?sub_confirmation=1Charitable designer sunglasses that give back www.diffeyewear.com/Follow Chad Dime www.linkedin.com/in/chad-dime-59550258Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectReach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business www.nextinsurance.com/honest/  Turn your domestic business into an international business www.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!

Originally from Wisconsin, Nathan Vazquez studied computer science at Yale University. He       worked for 15 years as an options trader at Citibank until he was eventually tempted by the idea of being his own boss with work that allowed him the flexiblity to spend more time with his family. In 2015, he left his job in finance to join his wife's sticker subscription company, Pipsticks. Within a year, Pipsticks had thousands of subscribers in over 50 countries. As CEO of Pipsticks, Nathan now manages the company's growing business in the subscription, E-Commerce, wholesale, and licensing markets. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and four kids.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[01:23] Balancing creativity with business logic[05:43] Learning by doing and adapting fast[08:21] Growing an organic customer base[09:57] Stay updated with new episodes[10:06] Finding spending balance for growth[12:38] Seizing opportunities during market shifts[14:29] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Freight Right, Taboola, Next Insurance[20:00] Scaling your brand through audience feedback[24:10] Focusing on one thing at a time[26:32] Expanding a product to wholesale [28:25] Learning from early B2B mistakes[30:07] Measuring break-even for smart spending[33:04] Aligning resources with marketing strategy[34:29] Targeting break-even timelines strategicallyResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube www.youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerce?sub_confirmation=1Cute stickers for kids, crafters, anyone www.pipsticks.com/Stickers + stationery that say what you wish you could www.theswearjar.com/Follow Nathaniel Vazquez www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-vazquez-5b663222/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectTurn your domestic business into an international business www.freightright.com/honestReach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/If 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!

Jon Pundyk is a Dartmouth MBA, P&G brand manager, and a Booz-Allen strategy consultant. He's been in Glamorise for 35 years. Glamorise is a size-inclusive lingerie brand that designs bras for curvy women. Founded in New York City in 1921, Glamorise is one of the world's oldest bra manufacturers, and it has been size-inclusive since their inception.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:28] Intro[00:53] Learning the fundamentals of consumer marketing[02:01] Climbing the ladder one title at a time[02:17] Pivoting a century-old business online[04:01] Transitioning from wholesale to direct-to-consumer[07:33] Balancing wholesale partners with D2C growth[10:08] Stay updated with new episodes[10:18] Investing ahead for scalable D2C growth[13:43] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Freight, Taboola, Next Insurance[19:16] Collecting data before knowing how to use it[20:25] Leveraging legacy brand recognition online[23:05] Relying on product quality to drive loyalty[24:08] Driving growth through actionable data insightsResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerce?sub_confirmation=1Plus size bras & lingeries for full-figured women glamorise.com/Follow Jon Pundyk linkedin.com/in/jrpundykSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectTurn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honestPerformance beyond Search and Social discover.taboola.com/honest/Tailored business insurance. Zero hassle. Big savings nextinsurance.com/honest/If 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!

Nate Davenport is the Founder & CEO of Nebu Clothing, an outdoor apparel brand built for performance, versatility, and heart. Before launching Nebu, Nate led a finance team at Zappos and served as an infantry squad leader in the U.S. Marines, where he learned the value of gear that works under real pressure.Nebu was born from frustration, products that changed for the sake of change, colors that blended into landscapes but not the spirit of adventure, and fits that never quite fit. Nate set out to fix that by building apparel that feels great, performs hard, and actually looks good.In this episode, Nate shares how he rebuilt his Shopify site from scratch in 36 hours after a crash, how he found the right manufacturing partners through hands-on trial and error, and how he defines success by community and craftsmanship, not scale alone.Whether you're an ecommerce founder navigating supply chain complexity or a brand builder chasing quality over quantity, Nate's story is a masterclass in learning fast, leading with purpose, and finding fulfillment beyond revenue.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:26] Intro[01:09] Building products that solve real use problems[03:16] Turning frustration into a product opportunity[05:46] Building intuition through contrast and visits[10:25] Selling through friends before running paid ads[14:53] Stay updated with new episodes[15:03] Building profitability through paid learning[15:43] Turning events and emails into ad leverage[17:14] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap & Freight Right[21:50] Balancing goodwill with measurable profit[22:28] Moving fulfillment from warehouse to garage[27:01] Choosing product ideas by improving what exists[32:54] Redefining success beyond scale and revenue[36:42] Connecting community through personal supportResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeEveryday active apparel nebuclothing.com/Follow Nate Davenport linkedin.com/in/nathan-davenport-327483186Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestTurn 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!

Shelley Gupta is the Founder & CEO of BāKIT Box, a STEM-based baking kit bringing global flavors and cultural traditions into homes across America. Her path to CPG began far from the kitchen as a recording artist signed to EMI Music before earning her CFA, an MBA from Chicago Booth, and leading strategy work at Accenture.Blending creativity with financial rigor, Shelley turned a casual conversation with a homeschooling parent into a breakthrough channel, now approved as an official curriculum in 14 states. In this episode, she shares how that discovery reshaped her subscription strategy, why flexibility beats lock-in for retention, and how understanding the real buyer (not just the user) transformed her business.Whether you're an ecommerce founder rethinking your subscription model or a CPG operator looking for smarter customer acquisition paths, Shelley's story is a lesson in listening deeply, iterating fast, and staying true to your mission.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:24] Intro[00:49] Building community through shared passions[02:20] Transforming baking into an educational tool[03:41] Launching early versions to test real demand[04:32] Reaching first customers through organic channels[05:24] Applying to accelerators as a product founder[06:00] Differentiating users from true buyers[06:52] Rebranding to serve a clearer customer base[07:48] Testing niche ideas before fully committing[08:56] Stay updated with new episodes[09:07] Turning chance encounters into growth channels[10:17] Building growth through genuine relationships[10:53] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap & Freight Right[15:31] Designing subscriptions with built-in flexibility[16:44] Expanding marketing beyond paid social[18:19] Understanding customer complexity and fatigue[20:41] Leveraging creative roots to build a brandResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeSTEM Baking Kits for Curious Kids bakitbox.com/Follow Shelley Gupta linkedin.com/in/shelley-guptaSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestTurn 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!

Kirsten Maitland is the co-founder of Rebel Cheese, an award-winning Austin-based vegan cheese brand backed by Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban. A former U.S. Navy veteran and Microsoft agile coach, Kirsten brings her background in tech innovation to reimagine plant-based dairy through traditional cheesemaking techniques and smart Ecommerce strategy.After leaving a stable four-day tech career to pursue purpose over comfort, Kirsten built Rebel Cheese from a six-bottle wine fridge experiment into a nationally recognized brand featured by The New York Times. From launching DTC overnight during COVID to scaling through broken shipments and real-time customer feedback, her journey reveals what it takes to grow authentically while staying true to your values.Whether you're building a mission-driven CPG company or refining your feedback loop before scaling, Kirsten shares a masterclass in transforming curiosity and conviction into sustainable growth.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:03] Intro[00:55] Bringing tradition into modern food innovation[01:30] Turning passion for food into a scalable concept[02:34] Validating a product through emotional connection[03:33] Turning crisis into new growth channels[04:44] Fixing packaging with help from early partners[06:03] Shipping curated boxes to customers' doors[07:00] Selling out with zero ads or paid marketing[08:00] Turning online orders into lasting connections[08:58] Delaying advertising to protect cash flow[10:21] Stay updated with new episodes[10:31] Learning to sustain momentum after viral moments[12:24] Studying investor dynamics before pitching[12:53] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye & Heatmap[15:32] Launching fast to gather real customer feedback[18:01] Leveraging AI agents to save time and moneyResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubePlant-based cheese you'll actually love rebelcheese.com/Follow Kirsten Maitland linkedin.com/in/kirstenmaitlandSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.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!

Beau Wangtrakuldee is the founder and CEO of AmorSui, a science-backed medical supply brand bringing innovation, safety, and sustainability to the $58B PPE industry. A former scientist turned entrepreneur, Beau is reimagining protective apparel with clean chemistry, circular materials, and design that finally puts the user first.After a lab accident exposed the flaws in traditional PPE, Beau built AmorSui to bridge the gap between safety, comfort, and sustainability: offering PFAS-free, recyclable, and biobased alternatives trusted by global brands like Thermo Fisher Scientific and Benco Dental.Whether you're building a mission-driven ecommerce brand or rethinking your product's lifecycle, Beau shares a masterclass in turning real-world problems into scalable innovation, proving that circular design and commercial growth can coexist.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:30] Intro[01:01] Building comfort and safety into every product[01:46] Creating a business from personal experience[04:37] Designing products people actually reuse[06:10] Validating ideas through real user stories[08:12] Raising capital before manufacturing begins[08:47] Allocating funds beyond first production run[09:45] Navigating minimum order quantity realities[10:32] Launching pre-sales with finished prototypes[11:04] Stay updated with new episodes[11:14] Balancing safety standards with speed to market[12:37] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye & Heatmap[15:18] Marketing through word-of-mouth momentum[17:01] Refining targeting through early experiments[19:00] Discovering growth through customer feedback[21:34] Testing demand before building logistics[23:17] Learning quickly by shipping imperfect products[24:09] Focusing every decision on the end userResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeModern PPE brand that protects people and the planet amorsui.com/Follow Beau Wangtrakuldee linkedin.com/in/beauwangtrakuldeeSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.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!

Eugene Chew is the Global Chief Operating Officer at BikesOnline.com, a leading direct-to-consumer cycling retailer in the U.S. and Australia and the exclusive distributor of Polygon and Superior bikes.From the early days of the internet to scaling a global Ecommerce operation, Eugene has built a career at the intersection of creativity, data, and operational excellence. Before joining BikesOnline, he led digital transformation as Chief Digital Officer at J. Walter Thompson (WPP) and served as Greater China Regional Head at Lion (Kirin).At BikesOnline, Eugene and his team are redefining what it means to sell complex, logistics-heavy products online. From solving “dirty freight” challenges to perfecting the post-purchase experience, he's proving that operational rigor and creative problem-solving can turn friction into a competitive moat.Beyond Ecommerce, Eugene is also an avid cyclist, gardener, and tea enthusiast — running Tea Urchin, his aged tea business that reflects his love for craftsmanship and detail.Whether you're scaling a DTC brand, optimizing supply chains, or navigating global expansion with a lean team, Eugene offers an inside look at how to balance creativity, data, and discipline to build a sustainable business that lasts.This episode also mentions insights from Izzy Rosenzweig of Portless on rethinking global fulfillment, and Kyle Hency of GoodDay Software on building better systems for modern Shopify brands.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:38] Intro[01:36] Naming a brand that stands the test of time[02:09] Predicting automation in ad buying early on[05:01] Learning innovation from China's all-in-one model[06:01] Balancing innovation with Western logistics limits[08:55] Recognizing the shift toward direct brand work[10:12] Shifting from service work to physical operations[11:50] Managing cash flow under market uncertainty[12:31] Stay updated with new episodes[12:41] Helping founders scale beyond day-to-day ops[13:27] Finding opportunity in a pandemic-era pivot[14:01] Designing packaging that simplifies assembly[15:30] Diversifying suppliers to reduce risk exposure[17:48] Protecting margins from tariff and fraud risks[19:01] Choosing Shopify for flexibility and speed[22:36] Hiring agencies to guide complex migrations[25:05] Training teams before adding new integrations[27:18] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye & Heatmap[29:59] Partnering with experts where specialization wins[31:58] Gaining perspective from cross-industry learnings[34:27] Avoiding costly trial-and-error learning[36:34] Prioritizing projects with impact and simplicity[41:20] Managing cost challenges in global logistics[44:50] Preparing for tariffs with flexible strategiesResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubePremium bikes at unbeatable prices, direct from manufacturers bikesonline.com/Follow Eugene Chew linkedin.com/in/eugenechewMentioned episode with Izzy Rosenzweig of Portless: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpbeHvv3_1QMentioned episode with Kyle Hency of GoodDay Software: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNsUfgl9E4Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.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!

Bradley Savage is the Founder & CEO of Gardencup, aka Salad as a Service, a D2C meal subscription brand that ships ultra-premium, ready-to-eat salads and produce snacks nationwide.What started with Brad taping boxes in his kitchen after getting tired of eating hot pockets every day has grown into a $29M ARR brand in just 18 months. Along the way, Gardencup scaled to nearly 2 million salads shipped a year, fueled by organic Instagram buzz and influencers before a single dollar was spent on ads.Brad's story blends scrappy bootstrapping with rapid execution. From migrating to Shopify and building a custom tech stack, to juggling ecommerce, operations, and logistics under one roof, to solving retention challenges like menu fatigue, he's learned what it really takes to scale a food subscription at breakneck speed.Whether you're building a DTC subscription, navigating operational “puberty problems,” or looking for ways to blend convenience with customer loyalty, Brad offers an unfiltered look at the grind, the pivots, and the lessons behind turning fresh salads into one of Shopify's fastest-growing brands.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:20] Intro[01:04] Creating a product from personal need[02:55] Solving churn through menu rotation[05:44] Migrating to Shopify for growth[09:44] Gaining traction from influencer posts[11:06] Driving adoption through daily habits[11:28] Stay updated with new episodes[11:39] Testing content angles and audiences[12:50] Finding right partners at each stage[14:49] Scaling ads without huge capital[15:12] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap, Grow[18:27] Collecting revenue before vendor bills[20:00] Leveraging Facebook's feedback loop[21:15] Gaining strength from co-foundersResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeDelicious chef-crafted meals at your door gardencup.com/Follow Bradley Savage linkedin.com/in/savagebradleySchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestThe Premier Conference for Ecommerce Operators joingrow.comIf 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!

Joelle Weinand is the Founder of Nutcase Milk, the cashew-based chocolate milk brand taking on Nesquik with a cleaner, more sophisticated option built for adults.What started as a boredom-fueled kitchen experiment during COVID: blending cashews, cocoa, and dates in her Vitamix, quickly evolved into a business. A chance brunch in Las Vegas with old poker friends turned into a pre-seed round when investors tried and liked her “ChocoMilk”. Soon, big names like Ninja and Steve Aoki came on board, and an ops expert from Mezcla Bars helped Joelle scale.Joelle's path blends relentless scrappiness with an instinct for spotting white space in crowded categories. From shelving the idea when no co-packers picked up the phone, to saying yes when opportunity appeared in unexpected rooms, to relaunching her formula based on real customer feedback, she's showing how a so-called “nutcase” idea can capture the market's imagination.Whether you're trying to break into CPG, find your first investors, or take a product from Instagram post to retail shelf, Joelle shares a candid look at how to move fast, embrace serendipity, and build a brand people are proud to carry.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:42] Intro[00:57] Launching nostalgia as a premium product[01:24] Testing a concept with friends at brunch[07:02] Highlighting the power of simple ideas[08:13] Running small tests before scaling up[09:10] Connecting with ops partners through luck[12:46] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap, Grow[15:59] Meeting investors at random events[17:23] Building trust with passion and clarity[18:23] Raising a pre-seed with friends[22:18] Asking founders for advice directly[25:04] Reducing friction in early startups[26:55] Gathering feedback to guide reformulationResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeDelicious, healthy and nostalgic cashew milk https://drinknutcase.com/Follow Joelle Weinand https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelledSchedule an intro call with one of our experts https://electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization https://www.heatmap.com/honestThe Premier Conference for Ecommerce Operators https://www.joingrow.comIf 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!

Sam Shames is the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Embr Labs, the company behind the Embr Wave: a wristband that heats and cools to help people manage comfort, sleep, stress, and hot flashes.What started as a project in an MIT prototyping competition turned into a 12-year journey building a hardware company from scratch. Along the way, Sam and his co-founders grew Embr Labs to 200,000+ units sold, $50M+ in lifetime revenue, and $66M in venture funding. A $100K Kickstarter goal became $630K in sales, powered by a loyal community they engaged long before launch.Sam's path blends technical innovation with customer-driven growth. From proving the science behind their product, to surviving on $2K a month while raising capital, to pivoting into a hardware subscription model, he's learned what it really takes to scale an ecommerce hardware brand.Whether you're building a DTC product, validating a new idea, or evolving your business model to better serve customers, Sam offers an unfiltered look at the grind, the pivots, and the lessons behind turning a student prototype into a category-defining company.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:42] Intro[01:03] Sharing early lessons in subscription[01:34] Connecting through founder communities[02:26] Brainstorming solutions to real pain points[03:21] Receiving thousands of customer emails[03:58] Deciding to sell when demand was clear[04:52] Realizing experience changes decisions[05:14] Understanding the customer segments[06:34] Raising angel and pre-seed funding[07:41] Building community through early feedback[08:53] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap, Grow[12:05] Preparing manufacturing before crowdfunding[14:10] Adapting playbooks as channels change[15:36] Spotting misalignment in value capture[18:00] Screening customers to limit fraud[19:08] Partnering with experts on subscriptions[19:51] Highlighting temperature as a daily pain point[21:32] Showing value instantly on first tryResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubePersonal temperature control embrlabs.com/Follow Sam Shames linkedin.com/in/samshamesSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestThe Premier Conference for Ecommerce Operators joingrow.comIf 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!

Shawn Khemsurov is the Co-Founder of Electric Eye, a Shopify design and development agency, and a Partner at Feel, a brand studio where art meets commerce. With over ten years of experience in fashion retail, Shawn has worked with iconic brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap Inc, Nike, Homage, and Only NY, spanning everything from digital experiences to product design.Shawn's journey started in retail, where he immersed himself in the many facets of the industry: from visual merchandising to customer experience, giving him an ability to understand exactly what his clients need. He combines this insight with design expertise to create unique, engaging experiences that drive sales and build brand loyalty.Whether you're running an Ecommerce brand or building your first Shopify store, Shawn offers a candid, insider look at what it takes to create digital experiences that sell and delight customers.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:44] Intro[01:18] Avoiding hiring the wrong designer[02:34] Identifying gaps in specialized expertise[03:39] Assessing designs for sales potential[04:29] Evaluating expertise before hiring partners[05:06] Balancing creativity with usability[09:02] Providing consulting upfront for clarity[11:19] Avoiding overloading the homepage[14:42] Focusing on what users actually see[15:26] Choosing the right theme upfront[16:38] Collaborating with competent developers[17:29] Balancing custom design and ShopifyResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectBrand studio and creative partner feel.studio/workFollow Shawn Khemsurov linkedin.com/in/shawnkhemsurov/If 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!

John Clark is the founder of Modern Shelving and Tandm Surf, two brands born from a simple idea: if he could sell it, his wife, an engineer, could build it. What started as a family-run shelving business evolved into a global Ecommerce company, while a day on the water with his daughter inspired an inflatable tandem surfboard that would later appear on Shark Tank.John's journey blends practicality with creativity. From solving everyday pain points with shelving to creating a patented surfboard that makes riding waves accessible to anyone, he's built businesses that reflect both lifestyle and innovation. Along the way, he's navigated the challenges of pitching on national TV, scaling niche products in the DTC market, and balancing multiple ventures without losing his entrepreneurial spark.Whether you're running a growing ecommerce brand or looking to turn family values into scalable business, John offers an honest look at what it takes to transform passion into products people love and companies that last.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:37] Intro[01:21] Launching new products to fuel business growth[03:14] Adopting Google Adwords to drive early sales[04:00] Turning family traditions into a business idea[05:39] Making surfing accessible to everyone[07:07] Sharing prototypes at the beach for feedback[08:00] Pitching novelty ideas that capture attention[09:28] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap, Grow[12:40] Answering what really happens after the deal[14:29] Leveraging the Shark Tank bump for growth[17:56] Using events to build brand visibility[19:06] Finding the right partner for long-term success[19:40] Patenting inflatable boards for portability[20:45] Building community beyond physical products[23:01] Encouraging entrepreneurs to think globallyResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeVersatile designs + unique storage solutions for any space modernshelving.com/Shark Tark approved Tandem bodyboards and pool saddles tandmsurf.com/Follow John Clark linkedin.com/in/johngclarkSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestThe Premier Conference for Ecommerce Operators joingrow.comIf 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!

Allison Luvera and Lauren De Niro Pipher are the Co-Founders of Juliet Wine, where they're redefining boxed wine with award-winning California varietals and eco-conscious cylindrical packaging that challenges the category's decades-old perception. Allison is an award-winning brand builder with a dual BS in Finance and Marketing from Boston College, an MBA from The Wharton School, and WSET Level 2 Certification in Wine. She's also a founding member of the Alternative Packaging Alliance, a coalition of high-end boxed wine brands dedicated to advancing sustainable packaging in the wine industry. Lauren brings nearly two decades of sales, business development, investor relations, and design expertise from leading roles at Virgin Galactic, Uber, and Douglas Elliman, along with a BS in Culture & Communications from NYU and a Sustainability Certification from Cambridge University's Judge School of Business.Before launching Juliet, Allison built a career leading brand strategy, design, and storytelling for premium products, earning a reputation for transforming overlooked categories into high-value lifestyle experiences. Lauren honed her skills in building relationships, scaling sales, and translating brand vision into tangible growth. Together, they've created a brand that blends “affordable luxury” with modern consumer expectations and a design-first approach that stands apart from traditional boxed wine.In this episode, Allison and Lauren share how they spotted an opportunity to reimagine boxed wine, why they launched DTC first to prove product-market fit, and how they tested seven price points to find the sweet spot before expanding to retail. They also reveal how early customer data shaped their go-to-market strategy and helped secure high-quality retail partners who understood Juliet's unique value.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:40] Intro[01:07] Highlighting sustainability as a core advantage[01:58] Reimagining a category for modern consumers[03:46] Meeting evolving consumer demands head-on[05:21] Sourcing partners to match product vision[06:55] Reframing consumer perceptions of boxed wine[09:03] Prototyping early to speed market entry[09:20] Testing multiple price points before scaling[11:47] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap, Zamp[15:44] Adjusting pricing after early market feedback[17:33] Making decisions to drive progress forward[19:21] Proving product-market fit to win distributors[20:48] Proving demand before pitching big retailers[21:10] Meeting online customers where they are [22:38] Boosting AOV with strategic bundlesResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeEco-friendly and delicious luxury boxed wine drinkjuliet.com/Follow Allison Luvera linkedin.com/in/allisonluveraFollow Lauren De Niro Pipher linkedin.com/in/iamldpSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestFully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!

Hannah Ruhamah Crum is the Founder of Kombucha Kamp, the leading education platform and Ecommerce brand for homebrewed kombucha. She's also the co-author of The Big Book of Kombucha and the cofounder and former president of Kombucha Brewers International, where she's helped shape industry standards for fermentation and transparency.Before launching Kombucha Kamp, Hannah was a language teacher and aspiring actress who stumbled into kombucha at a raw food restaurant in San Francisco. A single sip turned into a full-blown obsession, leading her to teach local brewing classes out of her apartment, blog about the gut microbiome, and ship SCOBYs from her kitchen table before launching a full Ecommerce operation.Hannah shares how she followed inbound demand signals to grow from DIY educator to industry leader, why homemade kombucha is different from store-bought, and how she scaled without outside capital. She also unpacks how COVID reshaped her business overnight, why she walked away from a quarter-million-dollar facility, and what she's learned about managing people without formal training.Whether she's explaining what it means to be a “bacteria farmer” or how her belief in gut health intersects with spiritual wellness, Hannah offers a candid look at what it takes to build a mission-driven CPG brand from scratch.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:40] Intro[01:15] Selling starter kits not just products[02:34] Discovering a product by total accident[04:56] Blogging to fix misinformation online[06:16] Podcasting early to build brand authority[09:05] Reclaiming gut health through real food[10:44] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap, Zamp[14:42] Protecting tradition through policy advocacy[18:51] Rebuilding ops with a lighter footprint[21:30] Outsourcing production for better margins[23:02] Building loyalty with rewards that convertResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeProviding free information and education about Kombucha kombuchakamp.comFollow Hannah Ruhamah Crum linkedin.com/in/hannahcrumlaSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestFully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!

Leah Garcia is the Founder & CEO of NULASTIN®, the first beauty brand to commercialize elastin-based haircare. With a background as a professional athlete and award-winning media personality, Leah brings a performance mindset to DTC brand building, combining storytelling, product innovation, and operational grit.Before launching NULASTIN, Leah built a successful career in broadcast journalism and sports media, covering professional bull riding for CBS and competing internationally in mountain biking. That same tenacity shows up in how she scaled NULASTIN to $17.5M in revenue before hiring her first employee, bootstrapping the brand through direct response marketing, Indiegogo campaigns, and scrappy user-generated content.Leah shares why she shifted from a crowded skincare category to focus on brows and lashes, how “less polished” creative outperformed high-production assets, and why authenticity still drives her best-performing ads. She also breaks down her product development process, the metrics she tracks most closely, and how she's approaching influencer and affiliate marketing now that the brand has scaled.Whether she's explaining why awkward websites sometimes convert better or why prestige branding can alienate loyal buyers, Leah offers a no-BS look at building a beauty brand that lasts without relying on glossy tactics or VC backing.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:43] Intro[01:20] Launching niche beauty products with clear focus[02:00] Identifying a personal need in the market[03:20] Investing early in a science-backed idea[04:30] Taking control after early business loss[05:36] Accepting risk when investing your own money[06:53] Bootstrapping with decks, debt, and side hustles[09:22] Trusting instinct over validation frameworks[10:38] Learning from regulatory arrogance[12:55] Leveraging infomercial skills for DTC[14:46] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap & Zamp[18:43] Focusing early on user generated content[20:42] Understanding the tradeoffs of premium branding[22:30] Selling before customers hit the website[23:20] Learning from infomercial-driven growth[27:29] Blending legacy service with modern techResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeElastin-based hair and skincare nulastin.com/Follow Leah Garcia linkedin.com/in/leah-garcia-592988Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestFully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!

Aaron Zagha is the Chief Marketing Officer at Newton Baby, the largest direct-to-consumer brand in the baby sleep category. With a background in investment banking at Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan, Aaron brings a financial operator's lens to performance marketing, attribution modeling, and team leadership.Before joining Newton, Aaron led international Ecommerce for Teleflora, managing growth across global markets and navigating the complexity of seasonal retail cycles and cross-border logistics. Today, he applies that same analytical rigor to the world of baby and juvenile goods where trust, conversion, and retention all hinge on deeply personalized journeys.Aaron shares how finance-trained marketers bring discipline to growth forecasting, why he encourages his team to challenge attribution models, and how incrementality testing has become central to his media mix. He also unpacks the pitfalls of over-indexing on Meta, why Pinterest deserves more spend, and how to onboard new marketing hires with the right mental models from day one.Whether he's explaining why some site visitors can't be influenced or why channel diversification is more urgent than ever, Aaron delivers a clear-eyed, tactical view into what's working in DTC marketing today.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:40] Intro[01:13] Finding opportunity through internal mobility[02:34] Building with seasoned tech entrepreneurs[03:09] Keeping connections that open future doors[03:53] Auditing channel mix to unlock growth[04:50] Applying stats to improve ad performance[05:54] Selling off-site and skewing test results[08:00] Optimizing upstream metrics with caution[09:00] Driving sales with offer and positioning[10:19] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye & Zamp[12:44] Relying on incrementality to guide spend[14:20] Backing bold ideas with leadership support[15:31] Humanizing luxury to boost relatability[17:01] Turning off losers without ending the test[20:14] Feeding AI tools to stay effective[21:11] Measuring performance with GeoLift testsResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube#1 rated baby crib mattress newtonbaby.com/Follow Aaron Zagha linkedin.com/in/aaronzaghaSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectFully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!