Podcasts about SKU

Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call.  https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazonTired of guessing your way through stockouts, overstock, and Amazon's ever-shifting fees? We sat down with Randy Thebeau—programmer, analyst, Amazon seller, and former 3PL owner—who turned years of warehouse chaos into SKU Compass, a practical system for sellers who want clarity, not dashboards for show. Randy shares how he set a hard revenue target and deadline to quit his bank job, then learned the hard way why spreadsheets crumble under daily sales swings, multi-channel expansion, and the hidden math of bundles and kits.We unpack the habits that protect margins: treating safety stock as non-negotiable insurance, measuring coverage in days (not just units), and setting channel-specific thresholds so FBA stays lean while sales stay steady. Randy breaks down a hybrid approach to AWD and 3PL that speeds replenishment without surrendering your P&L to auto systems, plus a simple rule to cut long-term storage by taking manual control when FBA dips below a 30-day window. We also get tactical on returns triage for higher-ticket products, supplier standards that prevent rework (barcode at the factory or walk away), and why two manufacturers per SKU can save a launch when quality slips.If multi-channel sales have turned your inventory into a guessing game, you'll hear how bundling can push up average order value while SKU Compass handles the tricky component math across Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, WooCommerce, and ShipStation-powered channels. The throughline is simple: right-size your stock, protect cash flow, and make fewer—but sharper—decisions that compound over time. Subscribe, share with a seller who's stuck in spreadsheet hell, and leave a review with your biggest inventory headache—we'll queue it up for a future deep dive.Randy Social Media:https://www.facebook.com/randy.thebeauhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-thebeau/SKU Compass Social Media:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566592928758https://www.youtube.com/@SKUCompasshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/sku-compass/https://skucompass.com/Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call. https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

As the leading consumer products accelerator, SKU has helped launch and scale some of the most innovative brands in CPG. At the center of that mission is Michelle Breyer, SKU's Chief Marketing Officer and a serial entrepreneur who knows what it takes to build lasting consumer brands. In this episode, Michelle shares how SKU empowers founders to navigate early-stage challenges, the marketing strategies that separate breakout brands from the rest, and why mentorship remains the foundation of SKU's success. She also offers a look ahead at the trends and categories poised to define the next decade of CPG innovation. More about Michelle Bryer: Michelle Breyer is a visionary entrepreneur who took a personal frustration over her curly hair and built it into NaturallyCurly — the largest social-media platform for hair. She was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in the Multicultural Market by Women's Wear Daily. Since it was founded in 1998, NaturallyCurly company grew to include an ecommerce site, a consumer insights division and an experiential marketing company. The company has worked with numerous companies, including L'Oreal, Unilever, Walmart and Sephora to help them develop, launch, position and merchandise the products to this valuable consumer. The company developed the popular curl type system that now is the standard for the industry. NaturallyCurly was acquired in 2018 by Essence Ventures. Michelle is an advisor and mentor for several haircare brands. Before launching NaturallyCurly, Michelle was a business reporter with daily newspapers in Texas and California, focusing on retail, real estate and consumer products. A year-long special project on the explosive growth of Whole Foods Markets won several state and national awards. Michelle currently is the Chief Marketing Officer at SKU, the nation's first CPG accelerator. She joined SKU as a mentor, working with emerging brands to help them scale. More about SKU: We educate and equip market-validated consumer product companies for growth into world class brands. Learn more at: https://sku.is/

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - ⁠https://dtcnews.link/signup⁠In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Rob from Pilothouse to break open how to view Amazon not as a silo, but as an integral part of your unified growth engine.You'll get tactical guidance on:How to compute real contribution margin per SKU, accounting for FBA fees, fulfillment, packaging leakagesWhy seemingly small tweaks (like packaging size) can move you down a fee bracketThe key metrics you should track (share of impressions, add-to-cart share, purchase share) to validate “loss-leading” campaignsHow to effectively attribute DTC ad spend lift into Amazon growthWhen Amazon DSP (streaming / video) is worthwhile — and how to measure its downstream impactHow to optimize listings for AI assistants (e.g. “Rufus”) with backend attributes, FAQ content, and enriched metadataWhy listen?If you manage paid acquisition across DTC + Amazon and feel like margin is slippingIf you want to build a strategy that doesn't cannibalize your own channelsIf you're curious how Amazon DSP / AI assistants can realistically contribute to growthTimestamps00:00 – The Data Problem on Amazon02:00 – How to Acquire Net-New Customers on Amazon05:00 – Protecting Brand Integrity and Competing on Premium Terms07:00 – Building Growth Strategies and Keyword Intent10:00 – Balancing Paid vs. Organic Rank and Profitability12:00 – Understanding Amazon Fees and Margin Optimization15:00 – Amazon's Role in a Unified Growth Strategy17:00 – Leveraging Amazon DSP and Streaming Ads19:00 – Measuring Meta's Impact on Amazon Performance20:00 – Optimizing for Rufus and the AI Search ShiftHashtags#AmazonAdvertising #EcommerceGrowth #DTCPodcast #AmazonStrategy #MarketplaceOptimization #Pilothouse #AmazonDSP #RetailMedia #EcommerceMarketing #UnifiedGrowth Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF552Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Modern robotic picking is moving beyond neat rows and perfect lighting conditions. In this Automate 2025 conversation, Vlad and Dave sit down with Kevin Wu from Siemens to explore how Simatic Robot Pick AI Pro is tackling the messy reality of warehouses and factories. They discuss how the new edge architecture with the Simatic IPC BX 59 A and an NVIDIA GPU lifts pick rates to well over one thousand picks per hour, why multiple suction patterns matter for stability on large or flexible items, how camera agnostic support opens the door to new vision hardware, and why transparent objects are no longer a limitation in many applications.This episode also dives into digital thread and digital twin workflows using Siemens Process Simulate. These tools allow teams to test new products and layouts virtually before any hardware changes are made, helping reduce commissioning risk and shorten the path to production. The discussion highlights an on-booth demonstration that combines a robot with a secondary camera and a vision language model to identify products and read packaging details such as expiration dates. It is a clear example of how multimodal AI can complement traditional industrial vision systems.A major theme throughout this conversation is resilience. In real operations, products are rarely placed perfectly. Pallets shift, orientations vary, and lighting changes throughout the day. Traditional rules-based vision systems often struggle when small variances accumulate. Kevin explains how model-free 3D picking localizes unknown objects in clutter, selects stable suction patterns based on measured dimensions, and keeps production moving without forcing operators to maintain perfect alignment.For manufacturers in consumer packaged goods and medical devices, this is a meaningful advancement. It enables greater product variety and frequent SKU changes while maintaining engineering control. The difference is that the picking logic adapts to what the system sees rather than expecting the environment to remain static.We also talk about practical evaluation and proof of concept. Siemens runs application testing at its Berkeley, California lab where customers can send sample parts for quick feasibility checks. A short video of their parts being picked can provide the confidence needed to move forward with a pilot project while minimizing cost and risk. For quality inspection and defect detection, Siemens also offers an Inspector station capable of learning from as few as twenty samples to identify defects in real time.The discussion closes by looking at the future of digital manufacturing. Digital thread tools make it possible to simulate robots from multiple brands, test new configurations, and evaluate throughput virtually. Combined with edge AI and NVIDIA vision language technology, this creates faster experimentation cycles, improved reliability, and measurable gains in uptime and throughput.Kevin's key message is clear. Manufacturers do not need to replace existing automation to explore the benefits of AI. Start with one process, validate performance, and build from there.Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and why real-world picking matters 00:40 Introduction to Pick AI Pro and new throughput capabilities 01:30 Multi suction patterns for stable handling of large items 02:20 Camera agnostic approach and transparent object handling 03:30 Selecting components for high-temperature environments 04:15 Use cases in consumer packaged goods and medical applications 06:45 Digital twin and digital thread with Siemens Process Simulate 08:30 Feasibility testing and customer demos at the Siemens lab 10:30 Vision language model for product identification and labeling 12:10 Evaluating with real parts and rapid testing cycles 14:20 Siemens Inspector for defect detection and visual inspection 15:40 Key takeaways and future outlookReferences and Resources Mentioned Siemens Simatic Robot Pick AI Overview https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/tia/future-topics/simatic-robotics-ai.htmlSiemens Press Release on Simatic Robot Pick AI Pro https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-presents-future-intralogistics-simatic-robot-pick-ai-pro-enables-machineSiemens Simatic IPC BX 59 A Industrial Edge Device with NVIDIA GPU https://www.automationworld.com/products/data/product/55287446/siemens-ag-siemens-simatic-ipc-bx-59a-industrial-edge-deviceSiemens IPC BX 59 A Operating Instructions https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109972660/ipcbx56a_and_ipcbx59a_operating_instructions_enUS_en-US.pdfUniversal Robots Example with Simatic Robot Pick AI https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109822788/simatic-robot-pick-ai-with-universal-robots-ur5Zivid Transparent Object Imaging Information https://www.zivid.com/zivid-omni-engine-transparency https://blog.zivid.com/zivid-omni-engineSiemens Digital Thread Overview and Tecnomatix Process Simulate https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/digital-thread/ https://plm.sw.siemens.com/en-US/tecnomatix/NVIDIA Vision Language Model Resources https://docs.nvidia.com/nim/vision-language-models/latest/introduction.html https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/vision-language-model-prompt-engineering-guide-for-image-and-video-understanding/Hosts Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer and manufacturing consultant who leads Joltek and co-hosts the Manufacturing Hub Podcast. He focuses on practical strategies for SCADA, MES, and data-driven operations. Learn more at https://www.joltek.comYouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JpBeS_6JhUwfGF8RgLCIQDave Griffith is a manufacturing consultant and long-time co-host of Manufacturing Hub. He helps teams align operations, engineering, and leadership around the projects that move the needle in real production environments.Guest Kevin Wu from Siemens discusses Robot Pick AI Pro and related digital thread workflows across robotics and vision. Learn more about Siemens automation and software at https://www.siemens.com https://www.sw.siemens.com

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Lars Smith, chef and owner of State of Mind Pub in Palo Alto, Calif., and Abby Hughes, head of growth strategy for Belle Communication. They've been tracking the rise of chef content on Instagram and TikTok, and joined the podcast to share their tips both for chefs and foodservice businesses on how to leverage chefs for exposure in the age of social media, and why authenticity is key to any partnership between a brand and a chef. In this conversation, you'll find out why:The industry continues to turn to social media for menu inspirationThere's nobody better suited to inspire menu innovation on social media than chefs If you have a particular SKU you're trying to push, a chef can helpThe best chef partnerships are those that are authentic Most restaurateurs don't have time for the formal foodservice channels Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.

Maritime trade disputes have escalated with the US and China implementing reciprocal tonnage fees effective October 14th, while the U.S. is aggressively targeting Chinese-made container cranes and intermodal chassis with staggering tariffs up to 270%. The instability is creeping into vital cross-border operations, specifically the US-Mexico e-commerce corridor, following Mexico's mid-August move to raise duties on Chinese imports to 33.5% and roll out stricter data reporting rules. This mix of higher duties and inconsistent enforcement is creating compliance challenges, causing US sellers to reassess using Mexico as a fulfillment hub and potentially shifting inventory back north into the states. Domestically, the truckload market is flashing warning signs of capacity fragility after the National Truckload Index for dry van spot rates rose 2% without the typical corresponding rise in contract tender rejections. Adding to the risk picture, new ATRI data highlights the hidden cost of cargo theft, estimating annual direct costs for motor carriers between $456.7 million and $937.4 million, noting that over 40% of carriers do not report lower-value incidents due to high deductibles and fear of escalating premiums. C.H. Robinson is tackling the need for stability by introducing the Asset Management System (AMS) within its Drop Trailer Plus program, a significant technological upgrade that applies to nearly 50% of the entire truckload market. AMS integrates GPS technology and real-time operational data into the Navisphere platform, transforming trailers into "intelligent assets" that offer SKU-level visibility, enhanced security, and a buffer against capacity shocks and rising crime costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maritime trade disputes have escalated with the US and China implementing reciprocal tonnage fees effective October 14th, while the U.S. is aggressively targeting Chinese-made container cranes and intermodal chassis with staggering tariffs up to 270%. The instability is creeping into vital cross-border operations, specifically the US-Mexico e-commerce corridor, following Mexico's mid-August move to raise duties on Chinese imports to 33.5% and roll out stricter data reporting rules. This mix of higher duties and inconsistent enforcement is creating compliance challenges, causing US sellers to reassess using Mexico as a fulfillment hub and potentially shifting inventory back north into the states. Domestically, the truckload market is flashing warning signs of capacity fragility after the National Truckload Index for dry van spot rates rose 2% without the typical corresponding rise in contract tender rejections. Adding to the risk picture, new ATRI data highlights the hidden cost of cargo theft, estimating annual direct costs for motor carriers between $456.7 million and $937.4 million, noting that over 40% of carriers do not report lower-value incidents due to high deductibles and fear of escalating premiums. C.H. Robinson is tackling the need for stability by introducing the Asset Management System (AMS) within its Drop Trailer Plus program, a significant technological upgrade that applies to nearly 50% of the entire truckload market. AMS integrates GPS technology and real-time operational data into the Navisphere platform, transforming trailers into "intelligent assets" that offer SKU-level visibility, enhanced security, and a buffer against capacity shocks and rising crime costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norėdami matyti visą podkastą spauskite čia: https://contribee.com/krepsinisnet 00:00 – įžanga 02:57 – per geras „Žalgiris“ 14:55 – laukianti dviguba savaitė 22:35 – antausis „Rytui“ 36:30 – talentų kalvė 39:22 – „Neptūno“ lengva pergalė ir šansas Venecijoje 42:43 – pergalių sąskaitą atidariusi „Juventus“ 51:52 – nepralaimintis S.Babrauskas 1:00:15 – M.Blaževičius – į Eurolygą? Rėmėjų dalyje aptartos šios temos: 1:05:03 – ritualai ir sąmokslo teorija dėl „76ers“ 1:06:56 – taisyklę išimti ar pridėti 1:09:05 – savybės geram žurnalistui 1:11:48 – devyni drąsūs teiginiai 1:15:41 – kodėl N.Čanako klausinėja to paties 1:18:16 – nemaloniausi mūsų daryti interviu 1:22:48 – kodėl skiriasi transliacijų kokybė 1:24:19 – kaip išgyvena „Sport1“ kanalas 1:26:07 – kas būtų, jeigu „Žalgiris“ laimėtų Eurolygą 1:29:15 – apie L.Birutį 1:32:18 – J.Miklovo pasakymas ir 3x3 portalų dvikova 1:35:19 – kas labiausiai nustebins ir nuvils Eurolygoje 1:36:42 – Ą.Tubelio alga 1:38:03 – kaip komandose vyksta darbo organizavimas 1:39:20 – konfliktai komandose ir Šaras prieš Ž.Skučą 1:42:24 – kodėl J.Lauvergne‘as negavo darbo Eurolygoje 1:43:40 – NBA žaidėjas iš LKL savybių 1:46:32 – variantai M.Varnui 1:47:37 – „Žalgirio“ logotipas ant įvairių prekių 1:50:00 – ar „Rytas“ stiprinsis 1:53:08 – ar reklamos integruotos tik LKL? 1:55:20 – kodėl žaidėjai meta nestandartiškai

MORE STAFFINGRecruit, onboard, and train incredible virtual professionals in the Philippines with my friends at More Staffing by visiting ⁠https://morestaffing.co/af⁠. RICHPANELCut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=spotify.//Dan Carnat is the Co-founder and CEO of Fiera Cosmetics, a mid 8-figure cosmetics brand founded in 2020.//What happens when a fast-growing DTC brand pushes price testing too far? Dan Carnat, CEO and co-founder of Fiera Cosmetics, breaks down the actual impact of pricing on conversion, acquisition, andmost importantly: reorder rates and LTV. We dig into why a $40 customer is fundamentally different from a $16 customer, how “cheap growth” distorted channel signals and buyer mix, and why Fiera reversed course by introducing a higher-priced, improved SKU while protecting existing demand.We also unpack a pragmatic attribution stack for operators who care about truth over dashboards: platform numbers as a directional input, MMM for hypothesis generation, and incrementality tests for validation, including how Meta campaigns created measurable halo on Amazon even when the product wasn't listed there. Dan details Fiera's “reality testing” process for new products (closing the loop between 5-star lovers and 1-star detractors), the operational cadence required to ship 20+ products in development without eroding trust, and supply-chain tradeoffs in a color-heavy category. If you're navigating margin pressure, price strategy, channel diversification (including performance-driven affiliates), or product-market fit at scale, this episode will give you concrete frameworks you can implement immediately.//CHAPTER TITLES:00:01:29 - What Went Wrong With Price Testing?00:08:12 - Making Mistakes Can Reveal Truth About Business00:10:02 - Unit Economics In Your Business00:11:20 - Introducing A New Product with High Price Point00:19:38 - Product Development Process 00:23:56 - Dan's Fitness Goals & Growth Hacks00:25:03 - Operations & Supply Chain For Fiera00:33:36 - Where Is The Value In A Cosmetics Business?00:35:58 - Rebranding00:39:02 - What Makes Dan Sleep At Night???00:41:52 - Highlight of Incrementally Testing00:44:08 - Complexity of Lead Attribution//SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!//ADMISSIONGet the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: ⁠⁠https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast⁠//FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/andrewjfaris ⁠Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.comWork with Andrew: ⁠https://ajfgrowth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this special edition of the DTC Podcast, we break down Crown Affair's ad strategy, creative execution, and landing page experience. Hosted by Eric Dyck and joined by Aves, this teardown focuses on how the brand has scaled through a hero SKU, clean branding, and a ritual-based narrative that resonates with a premium beauty audience.What You'll Learn in This Episode✔️ How Crown Affair uses a dry shampoo hero product to drive acquisition✔️ Why the “ritual” brand positioning allows flexibility in product education and bundling✔️ The importance of top-of-funnel clarity — and where their website messaging could improve✔️ What makes their ad creative mix so effective (UGC, press badges, branded visuals)✔️ Why they run retail-focused ads (Sephora) alongside DTC✔️ How Instagram lifestyle content supports their ritual narrative✔️ Tactical insights on bundle builders vs. in-cart upsellsBest Moments in the EpisodeBreakdown of their “Crown” pun, brand aesthetic, and above-the-fold critiquesWhy clean branding can still confuse users without contextual clarityWhat makes their ad messaging tactile and emotionally resonantHow running to a dry shampoo SKU helps educate while differentiatingThoughts on Instagram strategy beyond the grid: sell the lifestyle, not just the productThe risks and rewards of running top-of-funnel campaigns to retail storesWhy It Matters for DTC OperatorsCrown Affair shows how premium brands can scale with clarity + ritual. By focusing on fewer SKUs, tighter messaging, and a flexible customer ritual, they've found a formula that blends high aesthetic with real-world traction. If you're running a beauty, wellness, or ritual-based brand — this episode will show you where strategy meets execution.Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Crown Affair Live Brand Breakdown02:00 – Why You Should Listen to Adventurous04:00 – Website Audit: What's a Three-Course Ritual for Hair?08:00 – Ad Library Review: UGC vs. Branded Content12:00 – Founder-Led Storytelling & The “Ritual” Concept15:00 – The Glossier Comparison and Brand Persona17:00 – Bundle Builders, AOV Strategy, and Upsells18:00 – Instagram Strategy: Rituals Beyond Aesthetics20:00 – Final Thoughts and Call for Brand SuggestionsHashtags#DTCPodcast #AKNF #CrownAffair #AdLibrary #BeautyMarketing #BrandBreakdown #HaircareBrand #EcommerceStrategy #AdCreative #DTCBrands Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF550Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Yosi Dediashvili-Drossos, Co-Founder and CTO of City Hive, joins Amir to unpack how a hyper-focused approach helped transform a niche idea into the dominant e-commerce platform for the liquor industry. From bootstrapping into a complex, highly regulated space to giving small brands a voice, Yosi shares how City Hive built the connective tissue across the entire alcohol supply chain—bridging brands, distributors, and local retailers through data, trust, and mission-driven execution.Key Takeaways• Why narrowing your focus often creates more growth than going broad• How City Hive turned regulatory complexity into a competitive advantage• The power of connecting all layers of an industry—brands, distributors, and retailers—through one platform• Why small, single-SKU brands now have a real chance to compete• What founders need to know before tackling a regulated industryTimestamped Highlights00:36 – The origin story: building an e-commerce engine for liquor stores04:00 – When niche focus becomes a gateway to full-scale growth06:49 – Why the liquor supply chain is one of the most fragmented in the U.S.10:22 – The uphill battle for small brands trying to reach consumers12:16 – Empowering micro-brands through digital visibility and data16:42 – How narrowing your scope can actually open new opportunities19:48 – Lessons from scaling in a regulated market22:49 – Yosi's advice for founders navigating complex industriesStandout Moment“You can't solve everything at once. Focus on the next real problem that's in front of you—if you do that well, you'll eventually build something that can solve the bigger picture.”Pro TipsFor founders entering regulated markets: Don't start by trying to fix the system. Start by understanding one piece of it deeply enough that you can actually move it forward.Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, follow The Tech Trek for more conversations with founders building technology that powers real-world industries. Share this episode with someone tackling a complex market—there's a lot they'll take away.

In today's interview Brandi & Ginger discussed. What it really takes to go from idea to shelf. Ginger breaks down validation, briefs, testing, claims, packaging, timelines, and launch strategy so indie founders can compete smart.You'll learn:Validate ideas with real client pain pointsWrite a clear formulation brief with target results and priceMatch claims to testing and plan the budgetPick packaging that protects performanceSequence launch with a hero SKU and cash flow in mindQuick action stepsInterview 10 clients for pain pointsDraft a one page briefShortlist three labs or manufacturersChoose one to two hero claims and needed testsStart a prelaunch waitlist and teaser emailsConnectGinger King:IG: TheBeautySharkGingerwww.gracekingdombeauty.comBrandi: businessbeautynetwork.com | hello@businessbeautynetwork.com | @businessbeautynetwork

Equator Design partnered with The Fresh Market, a premier fresh-focused specialty food retailer, operating across the US, to create a flexible yet cohesive packaging system across hundreds of SKUs.As brands navigate ever-expanding SKU counts across formats, price tiers, and categories, the need for visual consistency without creative compromise is more important than ever.Libby Munford explores the design journey with Michelle Beck, Director, Merchandising & Private Label, Bryan Bowers, Creative Director, The Fresh Market and Glyn Robinson, Snr Creative Director at Equator Design to find out how they created breadth across packaging design.  Packaging Europe's podcast, featuring the leading international figures in packaging innovation, sustainability and strategy, is now weekly! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.For more packaging news, interviews and multimedia content visit Packaging Europe.

The KONKR Pocket Fit G3 Gen 3 features the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset (with an 8 Elite option as well). It includes a 6-inch 1080p display with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, 8000 mah battery, up to 24GB ram + 1TB of storage, customizable RGB lighting, and support for Android-based gaming and emulation, starting at $241 USD. Shipping begins October 25th.〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

A 23-year-old with a pager, a bag phone, and a point to prove—Chris O'Brien takes us from apologizing for not owning trucks in the early days of his C.H. Robinson career, to shaping one of the most influential commercial engines in logistics, then into a new play: One Armada. We dig into the early days of brokerage at Robinson when check calls ruled and service meant relentless follow-up, and we unpack the moment that rewired Chris's approach—working on-site at a shipper and learning to think outward first. From opening Raleigh and hiring for mission, to selling in French while integrating an acquisition, this is a masterclass in how hustle matures into scalable systems without losing its edge.We also get a rare look inside Armada's unique model. Chris lays out why restaurant supply chains are different—SKU velocity extremes, temperature control, and LTO shocks—and how redistribution, inventory visibility, and engineering create leverage. Then we zoom into managed freight: a curated carrier base treated like strategic partners, long-term commitments that outperform spot-market whiplash, and the power of behaving like a good shipper. Add Sunset's LTL and truckload brokerage and ATEC's export specialization, and the strategy gets clearer: combine capabilities to win complex, multi-modal, multi-temperature flows where savings and service matter most.One Armada isn't just a new logo; it's a deliberate way to sell and deliver—aligning brand, enablement, and go-to-market so customers can say yes faster and teams can sell more without losing what already works. Chris shares how he designs change—listen broadly, anchor on growth, and build collaboratively—and what success looks like in two years: greater scale across industries, tighter integration, and customers and carriers saying the experience got better because Armada got smarter.If you care about freight brokerage, managed transportation, restaurant logistics, or building a sales engine that actually helps customers win, this conversation is a roadmap. Subscribe, share with a teammate who leads sales or operations, and tell us: where would you place your bet—redistribution, managed freight, or both?Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

This episode is brought to you by Commerce.Gift shops are more than a post-museum pit stop — they can be retail destinations in their own right.In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Jesse Goldstine, Chief Retail Officer at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), to discuss the recent redesign of the MoMA Design Store in SoHo and the unique nuances of museum-affiliated retail.Jesse shares how the iconic museum is connecting culture with commerce in its retail experiences through storytelling, product curation and immersive design. 

The discussion opened with Kenner introducing Carolyn Lowe, founder of ROI Swift, as a proven expert in helping brands grow on Amazon. Carolyn shared her ambitious goal of helping 500 brands profitably scale, noting she has already guided over 200. A standout success story involved a father-and-son team who grew from six figures to seven figures per month under her guidance and eventually achieved a nine-figure exit with just four employees.Carolyn traced her career back to the late 1990s when she worked at Dell, helping expand their consumer e-commerce business to billions in sales. After stepping back to raise her children, she later joined a small mom-and-baby brand, scaling their Amazon sales from $10,000 a month to $400,000 a month. This experience inspired her to launch ROI Swift in 2015, where she has since dedicated her efforts to helping consumer brands grow strategically and profitably.The conversation explored why Amazon remains such a powerful platform for entrepreneurs. Carolyn emphasized Amazon's constant reinvention, from books to A-to-Z retail to becoming a major advertising powerhouse. She explained her firm's process: every brand they work with gets a five-person team specializing in account management, advertising, copywriting, design, and organic growth. Their focus is simple—drive more traffic and increase conversion rates, while ensuring profitability and protecting brands from common pitfalls on Amazon.Carolyn shared insights from client engagements, such as reimagining packaging for a floss-pick brand that saved 25% on fulfillment costs, equating to an additional $1 per unit in profits. She described the importance of SKU-level profitability analysis, as some products may look successful but generate little return after fees and advertising. Carolyn also touched on “product cloning,” where analyzing customer reviews led to new market opportunities, such as repositioning grip tape as “chef's grip tape,” which doubled revenue without cannibalizing the original product line.Beyond Amazon strategy, Carolyn encouraged entrepreneurs to think big, start earlier in life, and embrace risk before family and obligations make risk-taking harder. She recommended books like 10X Is Easier Than 2X and Die With Zero for mindset shifts around growth and legacy. Kenner added his perspective on AI-related tax credits, underscoring how innovation can bring hidden financial advantages. Carolyn closed by highlighting ROI Swift's business model—retainer plus a percentage of growth, aligning agency incentives with client success. She left listeners with a clear takeaway: Amazon growth is possible and profitable when approached with strategy, data, and long-term vision.Takeaways• Carolyn aims to help 500 brands grow profitably.• Data is crucial for understanding market potential.• Traffic and conversion are key to Amazon success.• ROI Swift provides a holistic approach to brand growth.• Innovative product strategies can significantly increase revenue.• Engagement with clients includes a dedicated team of experts.• Understanding market size is essential for growth.• Entrepreneurs should start their businesses early.• Books can serve as a powerful marketing tool.• The right decisions can prevent businesses from failing.Sound Bites• Help you grow your brand.• Data wins arguments.• We do an assessment.Listen & Subscribe for More:

NEXE Innovations President Ash Guglani joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce an exciting expansion of the company's product portfolio, unveiling the launch of four new coffee SKUs in collaboration with a leading North American distributor specializing in office coffee services and retail channels. Since beginning this partnership in February 2025, NEXE has seen consistent customer engagement through recurring orders, underscoring strong market demand for its products. The first SKU in this launch is a seasonal pumpkin-flavored coffee pod, of which the company has already produced and distributed six pallets across U.S. and Canadian markets. Looking ahead, NEXE is actively developing three additional SKUs — decaf, vanilla, and bananas foster — which are expected to hit the market in the near term. These offerings are designed to cater to diverse consumer preferences while maintaining the company's focus on high-quality, innovative coffee experiences. Beyond these initial launches, NEXE and its distribution partner plan to introduce at least ten more SKUs over the coming months. At the same time, the company is in advanced discussions with potential new partners to expand its distribution network, aiming to secure broader market access and reach more consumers across North America. NEXE remains dedicated to sustainable innovation, particularly in packaging and product development. Through strategic partnerships and environmentally conscious initiatives, the company continues to position itself as a forward-thinking leader in the coffee industry, blending quality, variety, and sustainability. #proactiveinvestors #nexeinnovationsinc #tsxv #nexe #otc #nexnf #Sustainability #CoffeePods #EcoFriendlyProducts #Manufacturing #PatentTechnology #StrategicPartnerships #AshGuglani #ProactiveInvestors #GreenTechnology

Dododots started with a simple idea from Malaysian co-founders Ethan Wong and Esther Erin: if pimple patches help heal, they should also help you feel fine being seen. Instead of hiding blemishes, their fully coloured patches invite people to wear them proudly, cute, expressive, and effective.   The brand is playful with a purpose: acne care, minus the shame. What began as they are fixing their own “bad skin day” moments quickly clicked with Gen Z. Pop-ups, vending machines, and behind-the-scenes clips turned customers into a community and the founders keep that bond strong with random visits to retail stores, in-person chats, and high-touch social media engagement.   By showing the real work and the real skin, Ethan and Esther built trust one honest post at a time. On product, Dododots keeps levelling up. Standout launch: Dodoskin, a concealer pimple patch in multiple skin-tone shades that treats while blending in for class, meetings, or shoots. Practical, selfie-friendly, and true to the brand promise, effective skincare that fits real life. Momentum followed. Retail rollouts, collabs, and social virality pushed Dododots beyond a single SKU into a recognisable label on Malaysian shelves and feeds.   Today, the brand ships to and is stocked across 10+ countries, carrying the same message wherever it lands: be kind to your skin, and confident in your day. Ethan and Esther are still building in public, expanding shades and styles, testing new formats, and showing up where fans already hang out. Their customer playbook is simple: show up, listen, respond, iterate. The North Star remains the same: make acne care effective, expressive, and inclusive, so people can live, laugh   and show up, dot and all.

In this episode, host Josh interviews Steve Simonsen, CEO of SYMO Global, about strategies for private label sellers and brands facing economic challenges like inflation, rising Amazon fees, and shrinking margins. Steve shares actionable advice on SKU-level profitability analysis, disciplined inventory management, negotiating with suppliers, and liquidating slow-moving products. He emphasizes the importance of understanding financial statements and maintaining financial discipline. The conversation offers practical tips for navigating uncertain demand and highlights the need for proactive, data-driven decision-making to thrive during tough economic times.Chapters:Introduction & Economic Context (00:00:00)Josh introduces Steve Simonsen and sets the stage: inflation, rising Amazon fees, squeezed margins, and a pending recession.State of the Economy & Inventory Focus (00:00:55)Steve discusses the reality of the recession, economic slowdown, and the importance of managing inventory on the balance sheet.SKU-Level Profitability & Declining Unit Sales (00:02:03)Emphasis on granular SKU-level profitability analysis and the impact of declining unit sales despite higher top-line revenue.Supplier Negotiations & Cost Control (00:04:04)Strategies for negotiating with suppliers, leveraging currency shifts, and pushing back on costs to improve margins.Inventory Valuation & Trash to Cash (00:05:58)Advice on devaluing inventory, taking write-offs, and converting slow-moving inventory into cash.Liquidation Strategies & Q4 Considerations (00:07:21)How to liquidate inventory, use Q4 for retail-value sales, and categorize inventory for effective action.Actionable Takeaways Recap (00:08:46)Josh summarizes three actionable takeaways: SKU-level analysis, turning trash to cash, and cautious inventory forecasting.Financial Discipline & Mindset (00:11:06)Steve stresses the importance of understanding financials, cash flow, and developing discipline during tough economic times.Closing Thoughts & Contact Info (00:13:44)Final advice on mindset, encouragement for entrepreneurs, and where to follow or contact Steve.Links and Mentions:Tools and WebsitesParsimonyAdditional ResourcesSteve Simonsen on LinkedInTranscript:Josh 00:00:00  Today I'm speaking with Steve Simonsen, owner and CEO of SYMO Global. Steve, you've got such great experience. You have. It sounds like a great network in terms of supplier relationships. Because of your vast experience with SYMO Global, you've already got so many different contacts in those different countries as we were in a difficult economic period right now. Right. We have inflation that's been going up. Amazon fees continue to go up, right. margins are getting squeezed. And then we have this pending recession on our hands where consumers are starting to pull back on some of the consumer spending. I think we're seeing that. I want to ask what you're seeing from your perspective. And then for our audience that are established brands that want to take it to the next level. What should they be doing? What strategies should they be employing over the next little while?Steve 00:00:55  Gosh, yeah, that's there's a lot in there. And the truth is, like we're already in a recession, right? It doesn't matter what the politicians say.Steve 00:01:04  It matters only what the numbers say. And the numbers are very clear, right? There is a slowdown, not just a slowdown, a reduction of economic output. And that doesn't mean the world's coming to an end. It just means there are some economic, reasonable laws that have to be dealt with. Right. It's like gravity. You can't argue whether gravity exists or not. It's there and you have to deal with it. So, what that means to us is like dealing with, you know, a reducing kind of economy and an increasing level of inflation. This is the ultimate squeeze. Nobody wants to see it, but where it's upon us. So we're we're we approached this from a very disciplined mathematics perspective. Like we especially we look at the balance sheet. It's like what is the biggest thing on the balance sheet we need to manage. And for private label sellers it's all about inventory, right? There's nothing bigger on your balance sheet typically that inventory. You know, maybe you got some cash here and there.Steve 00:02:03  But if you're a growing business, inventory is dominating that balance sheet. And that means that inventory, which, you know, may exist as a single line item on your financials, I don't know. But we get granular. We want to know every line item. We want to know every Asin, every SKU. However you refer to it and we want to know its profitability. We want to know what people are going to do when it comes to crunch time, right. If demand goes down, I'm here's a little insider secret. It's already gone down, right? Yeah. Units sold are already down the the cost or the pricing. In other words, the sell through may be higher, but that's that's a misleading stat. Yeah. Even if sales are up 8%. You got inflation units are down for sure. Correct. It's not in every category but many categories are experiencing it. So we've got to get scrutiny to level ten on every, every line item on that inventory sheet.Josh 00:02:57  Yeah, I think that's words of wisdom right there, because we are also seeing that from our perspective.Josh 00:03:03  You know, a lot of our products are more in the, you know, consumer discretionary items here. And so they're not essential for people. But we have also started to see year over year sales declines in the number of units that are being sold. Now our, you know, top line revenue looks good. Well, that's because we've increased prices to make up for the increase in Amazon fees and inflation and all of that. So to your point like don't just look at you know, hey, this aggregate number amount of money that's being sold or whatever, you know, Washington wants to, you know, state publicly, you know, with, oh, things are just fine. Like, look at these numbers. At the end of the day, there are fewer numbers of fewer units being sold. you know, the consumers are starting to pull back. So, Steve, what is something that you do as you work with, you know, your suppliers? Is there a way that you can reduce, you know, whether it be your Cogs or reduce like your mocks for certain products.Josh 00:04:04  Like how do you navigate this delicate balance of like, I don't know how big of a pullback this is going to be, but I don't want to just I'm not going to order and say, hey, whatever we did in 2021, let's let's do that because that's what's going to happen.Steve 00:04:17  Well, it is it's the ultimate question, but it's it also just goes back to the most simple, basics. It's like, you know what? Every controllable variable you better push on. Right. So currency is wildly shifted year over year between China and the US as an example. You better take advantage of that and at least understand that many times if you try to just call your supplier and go, hey, great news. There's been a 10% shift in currency. That means I get a 10% discount on my products. Now they'll go, no, no, no, we had a cost increase of labor and the cost increase of Covid. You know, there are plenty of reasons they want to they want to fight against you.Steve 00:04:54  but I'm telling you proactively that every point, whether it is the inputs of raw materials and checking those commodity prices, whether it's currency, like every piece of that puzzle you need to push back ...

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Jen Laughlin from WeSupplyTrades to break down how contractors can cut material costs without sacrificing quality. From OEM parts to exclusive brands, John and Jen dig into real-world ways to protect margin, get parts fast (even if you're rural), and build supplier partnerships that actually help you scale.They dive into shipping realities (UPS vs. LTL), why exclusives like Stream33/Breeze33/Bright33 can be margin game-changers, how to handle fraudulent tool orders, and what trust + open communication with your wholesaler should look like. John shares how swapping SKUs and auditing his top 500 items unlocked big savings inside a $30M home service company. Together, they unpack:Being the “lifeline” for hard-to-find OEM parts (and why that wins lifetime customers)The SKU audit playbook: start with your top 500 and swap line by linePartnering with wholesalers in 2025: trust, feedback loops, and clear expectationsFacility maintenance & rural logistics: stocking strategy without bloating inventory

AI or rules, what really wins in Amazon PPC? Uncover the truth about Amazon ads automation, smarter bidding, and scaling Amazon strategies sellers need to know today. ► Instagram: instagram.com/serioussellerspodcast ► Free Amazon Seller Chrome Extension: https://h10.me/extension ► Sign Up For Helium 10: https://h10.me/signup  (Use SSP10 To Save 10% For Life) ► Learn How To Sell on Amazon: https://h10.me/ft ► Watch The Podcasts On YouTube: youtube.com/@Helium10/videos Curious about how AI and Rules can revolutionize your Amazon advertising strategy? Imagine harnessing the power of emerging AI tools to supercharge your PPC campaigns and keep your brand ahead of the competition. Join us as Destaney Wishon shares her expertise on striking the perfect balance between AI, automation, and rule-based approaches to unlock the full potential of your Amazon advertising efforts. Our conversation takes an insightful turn as we explore the complexities of managing advertising campaigns for brands with intricate SKU lines and varied objectives. Destaney unpacks the nuances of using AI and rules-based systems, revealing how to leverage these tools without losing sight of your brand's unique insights and goals. We get into the importance of contextual understanding when evaluating key metrics like ACoS, ensuring that your strategies align with your specific product types and campaign goals. Plus, uncover the trade-offs between automation and manual control, and learn how agencies can enhance operational efficiency while maintaining that all-important personal touch. But that's not all. We offer a comprehensive guide to optimizing your advertising strategies with Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) and audience targeting techniques. You'll learn how to use Helium 10 Ads to set up AMC instances and discover practical tips for building profitable audience segments. From increasing your Return on Advertising Spend (ROAS) to avoiding campaign cannibalization, we equip you with the tools and insights necessary to thrive in a competitive Amazon marketplace. To top it off, we invite you to subscribe to the Serious Sellers Podcast's new YouTube channel for a chance to win a one-on-one session with either Carrie, Bradley, or Shivali, offering personal insights and a unique opportunity to enhance your advertising game. In episode 701 of the Serious Sellers Podcast, Carrie and Destaney discuss: 00:59 - AI vs Automation in Amazon Advertising 06:47 - Optimizing AI for Different Goals  09:30 - Advanced Strategies for Amazon Advertising 10:14 - Interpreting ACoS for Amazon PPC Success  15:53 - AI vs. Keyword Harvesting in Marketing 18:38 - Importance of Video in Amazon Advertising 22:37 - Strategies for Amazon Ad Console 31:23 - Optimizing PPC Campaigns for Improved ROAS 34:24 - Engagement Incentives for Video Viewers

One missed forecast. One overstocked SKU. One supplier delay.How much risk is really accounted for in your retail business strategy?In this episode of The Buyerside Chat, we're chatting about how to mitigate risk in your product-based business.Whether you're focused on DTC, wholesale, or a mix of both, the reality is: things still feel shaky right now. Costs are creeping up, tariffs are shifting, and consumer (and retailer) spending is cautious. And while you can't control the economy, you can take a page from the corporate retail playbook to protect your biz (and your profits) from outside chaos.In this episode, I'll walk you through how retail buyers manage risk, what to actually look at when making strategic calls in your business, and how to avoid being the brand with a warehouse full of inventory and zero cash to show for it.What you'll hear:The biggest risk hiding in plain sight in your businessHow to remove emotion and think like a corporate buyerMy favorite “on order” strategy to protect your cash flow and profitabilityWhat to do if one customer or supplier holds too much powerSigns you need to reduce your next buy (and how to pivot)The #1 mindset shift that separates thriving brands from struggling onesMentioned in this chat: Goal Setting WorkshopThis is not your average workshop. You'll get my personal planning spreadsheet (used with 1:1 clients + in my own product biz) and step-by-step videos to walk you through goal setting, inventory planning, and profitability forecasting. A game-changer if you're ready to lead like a buyer.LOOKING TO GROW YOUR WHOLESALE BUSINESS ON FAIRE? 1) Learn what buyers are looking for on Faire. Listen to the FREE private podcast series Unlocking Faire - Get instant access HERE2) Get my exact growth strategy inside the FREE workshop, The Faire Success Blueprint Watch now HERE3) Ready to take action and scale on Faire? Check out The Faire BootcampNEED STRATEGIC SUPPORT IN YOUR BUSINESS? 1) Build out a sustainable strategy with the Goal Setting Workshop HERE2) Explore private mentorship with Kristin HERE (limited spots available)LET'S CONNECT!Want to leave a Question to air on the podcast (OR leave a little podcast love note)? CALL IN TO THE ‘BUYER HOTLINE' HEREWebsite: kristinfishercoaching.comInstagram @kristinfishercoachingContact: hello@kristinfishercoaching.com

On this episode of the Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabriella Barkho and Melissa Daniels break down Dick's Sporting Goods' $2.4 billion acquisition of Foot Locker. They also discuss the debut of the Girl Scouts' newest cookie, the Exploremores, and how the organization has evolved from door-to-door sales to SMS-powered marketing. For this week's featured segment, Daniels sits down with AG1 CEO Kat Cole. The green supplement giant pulled in $600 million in revenue last year with a single SKU, but 2025 has brought major growth: a reformulated powder called NextGen with new flavors, the launch of its first sleep product AGZ, and a wholesale partnership with Costco. Cole shares how AG1 invests in R&D — from triple-blind testing to scaling supply chains — and why adding more probiotics or B vitamins comes with big costs.

On this episode, I'm joined by Kristina Tucker, the longtime Minister of Enlightenment at The Republic of Tea.   We explore the brand's 30-year journey from launching the first certified Organic tea in 2003 to piloting new Regenerative Organic Certified® SKUs today. Kristina shares how the company sources over 400 teas and herbs from more than 80 growing regions, and what it takes to balance innovation, ingredient integrity, and supply chain complexity at scale.   We dive into how regenerative fits into their historical sourcing evolution — from organic to biodynamic to ROC™ — and why the brand is taking a thoughtful, "wait and learn" approach to rolling out regenerative products across their massive catalog.   You'll also hear about the product, packaging, and business decisions that have contributed to their success and longevity in the tea category, their super unique fax-based origin story, and their commitment to supporting smallholder farmers across the globe.   So pour yourself something to sip on and get ready to learn about this Republic and its Ministers, Ambassadors, Citizens, and Embassies.   Episode Highlights:  

What does it take to successfully reinvent a heritage beauty brand? Industry veteran Dawn Hilarczyk is on a mission to completely transform Borghese, the 68-year-old heritage brand famous for its Italian skin care and Fango mud masks — and it's working.  In today's episode, Hilarczyk dives into the nitty-gritty of her brand turnaround efforts. She breaks down her strategy in great detail, from cleaning up the brand's Amazon presence and expanding into Ulta Beauty, to reestablishing a social presence and reducing the brand's SKU count from 87 to 27.  But first, host Lexy Lebsack is joined by Glossy senior reporter Emily Jensen to walk through the biggest news stories of the week.  First up is specialty beauty retailer Violet Grey's acquisition of clean beauty retailer The Detox Market. The deal was reportedly quietly closed earlier this year. Founder Cassanda Grey purchased Violet Grey in September of 2024 from Farfetch alongside private-equity investor Sherif Guirgis, who later transitioned into its CEO.  Lebsack and Jensen also discuss the latest GLP-1 news, including a possible new pill form of the drug and the rumored connection between the rise of GLP-1s and gourmand fragrances.  Finally, the duo discuss changes at Estée Lauder Companies-owned Tom Ford, including new spokesperson Tilda Swinton and new creative director Haider Ackermann, and what it all means for luxury fragrance. 

The consumer goods and retail industries face an overwhelming challenge: too much fragmented data and too little clarity. From mismatched retailer reports to legacy systems that can't keep up with today's SKU volumes, many organizations find themselves bogged down in “data indigestion” instead of actionable insights. Today's guest is Henrique Wakil Moyses, Vice President of Data Science at Crisp. Crisp is a data platform designed for the consumer goods ecosystem, helping brands, retailers, and distributors harmonize fragmented data from multiple sources. By providing real-time visibility into sales, inventory, and supply chain signals, Crisp enables faster, data-driven decisions that reduce waste and improve business outcomes. Henrique joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to break down how CPG and retail leaders can cut through this complexity. He explains why building a data-driven culture is the first barrier to overcome, how to align AI adoption with ROI, and where brands are already seeing the biggest payoffs—such as supply chain optimization, inventory forecasting, and personalized retail experiences. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business' podcast! This episode is sponsored by Crisp. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.

一直在中国市场顺风顺水的山姆会员店，最近被骂上热搜——「进店的会员资格每年要收几百块钱，店里卖得却是随处可见的大众品牌？！」 盼盼、卫龙、好丽友、溜溜梅这些大众品牌的品质真的不行吗？ 究竟是山姆的品控出了问题，还是选品逻辑与品牌心智错位？ 在众多制造业引领全球的同时，为什么中国消费者依然对本土食品品牌缺乏信任？ 中国消费者需求众口难调，山姆的大包装精选SKU模式还能走多远？ 山姆模式未来在中国市场的真正难点是什么？ 新书出版 黄海的新书《趋势红利：新商业增长机会》即将出版。书中谈到了中国商业的五大趋势，你可以找到和自己业务相关的趋势有哪些、新的方向在哪里。 添加疯投圈课代表微信（方式见下方会员社群），以便第一时间收到发售通知。 疯投圈会员福利：通过会员社群内链接下单，将会获得限量的黄海亲笔签名版本哟～ 会员社群 疯投圈开设有会员社群，在这里您可以结识志同道合的朋友、发现业务合作的伙伴。每年我们会在北京、上海、深圳、广州四个城市举办仅限会员参加的线下活动，其他城市也会不定期举行小型的会员聚餐、聚会。通过面对面的交流,您可以与其他会员进一步加深了解、促成合作。 会员还可以阅读由疯投圈播客节目内容重新人工整理编辑而成的《疯投圈文字精选》，适合阅读习惯，方便查询检索节目中提到的图表、数据、观点、结论。 微信搜索关注「疯投圈」服务号并发送关键词「会员」了解详情和加入社群。 商务合作 商务合作请发送电子邮件至 biz@crazy.capital

Apologies for being a day late, as the Labor Day holiday delayed the episode. But at least there's plenty to discuss on this episode, mainly PlayStation, as a leak has surfaced from the reliable Moore's Law is Dead, stating that the PlayStation 6 Portable could be available at the launch of the console and will be presented as its own unique SKU, and not tied to the console like the PS Portal. Is this forward-thinking by Sony? Or could this become another Series S-type situation? Sean and Marc discuss it all. Also, does the departure of the Fairgames Creative Director count as catching failure early or late in the process? Hermen Hulst gave an interview discussing the failure of Concord and how they want to avoid that at all costs in the future. Plus, Marc has finished Donkey Kong Bananza, Sean keeps moseying along in Mafia: The Old Country, Xbox also has its own news with a Call of Duty movie in the works at Paramount, layoff fears at Candy Crush maker King, and Take-Two almost saved Perfect Dark, Nintendo being weirdly selective with Switch 2 Devkits, and a lot more on this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX!You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/OCT1cBvn6AM

Did Celsius Holdings and PepsiCo just pull-off the biggest “trade” the U.S. energy drinks market has seen over the past decade? I instantly felt like the beverage industry version of ESPN analyst Adam Schefter reporting on an NFL trade when I started to read the press release titled “Celsius Holdings and PepsiCo Strengthen Long-Term Strategic Partnership.” Essentially, CELSIUS acquired the Rockstar Energy brand (and $585 million in cash considerations), in return for PepsiCo receiving newly issued convertible 5% preferred stock, an additional board of directors seat, and the Alani Nu DSD distribution rights. And it reminded me of the all-time biggest “trade” within the energy drinks market that was announced in August 2014, involving Monster Beverage Corporation and The Coca-Cola Company entering into a long-term strategic partnership to accelerate growth for both companies in the fast-growing, global energy drink category. And beyond swapping brand assets, key terms of their current distribution agreement (like contract length, geographical expansion, and categorical exclusivity) were amended. But speaking of amended distribution agreements…the CELSIUS, PepsiCo, and Alani Nu DSD story likely began sometime in the second half of 2023 (when co-owners of Alani Nu started exploring sale options) but really started to heat up when a distribution agreement revision happened between CELSIUS and PepsiCo in early 2024. But then when the CELSIUS and Alani Nu deal was officially announced in February 2025, I quickly started shouting about this upcoming “short-term reward versus long-term risk” strategic roadmap decision involving Alani Nu distribution. And everyone knew the most obvious decision to optimize for a “short-term reward” was Celsius Holdings transitioning Alani Nu from its current piecemealed national (mostly independent) DSD network to the PepsiCo system. Yet, it's the question around “timing” that got me fired up! Alani Nu has been an absolute rocket ship brand over the last few years…which had been essentially built off the back of its current DSD distribution network. Though, from my very first content talking about the M&A announcement…I believed the best near-term strategic plan involved Alani Nu distribution network continuity because (1) it would minimize platform “key customer risk,” (2) strengthen focus on other business integration elements, but (3) lowers cannibalization risk significantly. And it's that last point around cannibalization risk, which (in my opinion) has become even more prominent after quickness of the distribution transition decision. Though, another expected strategic alignment got unlocked when Celsius Holdings took ownership of the Rockstar Energy brand…making them PepsiCo's strategic energy drink captain. And that essentially means Celsius Holdings will have the opportunity to drive the strategic direction of a unified energy portfolio through seamless planogram design, SKU prioritization, and promotional execution. Nevertheless, the biggest question revolves around whether Rockstar Energy will be net-additive or net-subtractive to the Celsius Holdings portfolio? And then lastly, my first principles thinking content will cover the energy drinks market implications from a new round of the DSD musical chairs game within the energy drinks category to exploring if more large-scale energy drinks market consolidation will happen soon.

Matt Lolli came to Workstand after a long career working in successful bike shops. Matt works with brands and suppliers who want to use Workstand technology and services to support local bike shops in growing sales and better serve their customers.Here's a high-level overview of Brand & Supplier services that we'll be discussing in detail later in the episode. Why do brands and suppliers choose to engage with us? What is in it for merchants? Catalog EnrichmentCornerstone of our service - adds products to the Workstand libraryReduces work for dealers - allows them to devote more time to what they're good atFree for brands & suppliersPrice IntegrityUpdates your pricing (MAP + MSRP) across our ecosystem with a single file upload to correct accidental pricing violations Supplier SyncAllows dealers to display an expanded inventory assortment they don't have room to stock, or are sold out of, that is available in a supplier's warehouse. Supplier FulfillmentAllows dealers to capture sales transactions online and pass the fulfillment process to their suppliers.Suppliers get more sales activity out of their existing network of dealers, and by leveraging their logistical excellence, get products into the hands of customers faster & more efficiently.Buy Local NowProduct location integration that connects ready-to-buy consumers on a brand's consumer-facing website with stocking dealers nearby.Retailers need not be a subscribing hosted dealer to be included in the search results (Free BLN Accounts) Buy Local Now PROWe offer brands a twice daily report that shares dealer's stocking levels down to the SKU level (QOH). Partner PagesWorkstand can build marketing campaigns using a brand's assets to promote and amplify product launch, national campaign style sales, evergreen brand pages, and more.Wrap upHow can brands and suppliers get involved? Email matt.l@workstand.comWhat should individual merchants do if they work with a brand that isn't working with us yet but should be? Tell the brands to reach out to Matt!Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInRyan Atkinson, President + Co-OwnerMark Still, Business DevelopmentWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

 In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Bart Gadeyne, founder and CEO of Optioryx, about how his company helps warehouses digitize and optimize warehouse operations. Drawing on over a decade of experience in logistics optimization, Bart shares how Optioryx began with solving “too much air in shipments” and grew into a suite of AI-powered tools for 3D load building, slotting, picking optimization, and mobile SKU dimensioning. The conversation explores why accurate master data is critical before implementing automation, how to evaluate AI's role in your operation, and how digital twins can provide actionable insights without costly IoT integrations. Bart also offers a practical roadmap for warehouse leaders to identify high-impact optimization opportunities before making investments in robotics or full automation. Find EPG at IntraLogistex Miami in September! Get better visibility with Surgere. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Coasting kills e-commerce brands. In this episode of Built by Business with Andy Isom, we break down why standing still is the fastest way to lose ground on Amazon and in e-commerce.   You'll learn how to spot the signs of market maturity, why the product life cycle applies to every SKU you launch, and what “investing in growth” actually looks like in today's competitive landscape. From new product lines to better brand assets to customer retention strategies, Andy shares how successful founders stay ahead of decline.   We'll also cover why Amazon's algorithm punishes inactivity, how competitors exploit complacency, and the exact steps to break free from stagnation before your top seller flatlines.   All my resources here: www.andyisom.com  

From the bustling streets of New York City's Little Italy, we journey into the heart of Italian American culture—spotlighting Boston's unparalleled feast traditions. Special guest Mark Tosi, president and owner of the iconic Pastene brand, joins us to share the company's enduring legacy and deep ties to communities across North America. Together, we celebrate the vibrant spirit of Boston's feasts while reflecting on the decline of similar traditions elsewhere.   We explore surprising trends in the Italian-American food industry, from the pandemic-era revival of beloved staples like pasta and pastina to the unexpected return of discontinued favorites. Along the way, we unpack the behind-the-scenes realities of supermarket shelf space and SKU management, underscoring why supporting artisanal brands is essential to preserving culinary heritage.   Our conversation also delves into the dynamics of family-owned businesses—the balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation, the weight of generational responsibility, and the personal stories that keep these enterprises alive. This episode is a celebration of family meals, cultural identity, and the authentic flavors that connect generations and define the Italian-American experience.   PASTENE'S WEBSITE: https://www.pastene.com/   SOCIALS: Insta: @pasteneusa X: @PasteneUSA Facebook: The Pastene Company

Ever wondered why all baby toys are so bright and loud? all primary and neon colors? Aesthetic-focused moms are craving a change. In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, I'm bringing you a powerful coaching session that spotlights someone who's filling that market opportunity. Playcor is a brand on a mission to make toys that look as beautiful as the homes they live in.Courtney Smithee, an interior designer turned toy inventor and student of Toy Creators Academy, is the founder of Playcor, a line of high-end, neutral-colored silicone toys that blend beautifully into modern homes. These aren't just kids' toys in a different colorway, but they're multifunctional age-appropriate playthings that double as home decor. Imagine a designer-quality scalloped bowl that doubles as a rattle, and decorative silicone balls that are both chic and safe for play. That's Playcor.In this episode, you'll hear how Courtney is managing product development, navigating international factory communications while pregnant, and finding clarity in the chaotic early stages of launching a toy brand. We dig into her most challenging SKU, how she's simplifying her marketing strategy as a mom of three, and the major mindset shifts that helped her go from overwhelmed to intentional.We'll also celebrate some BIG wins like the moment guests walked into her home, saw her toy prototypes on display, and didn't even realize they were toys.So if you've got a creative idea and you're wondering if it has a place in the toy world, let this episode be your sign. Tune in, get inspired, and imagine what you could create, maybe even inside Toy Creators Academy with me by your side.Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass

Last summer, it was a protein Ice Cream experiential marketing event. And now it's a collaboration with my fellow dessert loving Ohioan Christina Tosi (Founder of Milk Bar). Come on Premier Protein…I'm feeling super left out! BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR) is a portfolio that owns a collection of convenient nutrition brands like Premier Protein and Dymatize Nutrition, which was previously wholly-owned by Post Holdings. A fast-paced and busy lifestyle is pushing consumers to switch to quick and healthy meal options. This has resulted in above average categorical growth rates and increased household penetration of RTD protein shakes that promote active lifestyles. Additionally, powders are becoming more mainstream, and category proliferation has created an environment where more consumers are purchasing both every day and performance nutrition positioned protein products at grocery stores and mass retailers. Bellring Brands reported 2025 Q3 net sales of $547.5 million, which was up 6.2% YoY. Premier Protein (~90% of BellRing Brands total revenue) grew 6% YoY, which came from an nearly equal amount of volume growth and price increases. Dymatize Nutrition was up 5.4% YoY, stemming from volume increases within international markets and new product introductions. In response to these elevated sports nutrition competitive threats, BellRing Brands has attempted to invest further into Dymatize brand marketing and restarting product innovation. Though, I'd say neither effort has resulted in meaningful success yet. Moreover, I provide three deep dives into the functional CPG portfolio's "hero SKU families" of Premier Protein RTD protein shakes and Premier Protein and Dymatize protein powders. But my latest first principles thinking content will examine the recent Premier Protein packaging refresh and how the leading protein shake brand (understanding the power of an afternoon sweet treat) has consistently found ways to highlight the versatility of their product that doesn't sacrifice flavor for nutrition. The Premier Protein and Milk Bar menu includes a Blueberry Pancake Super Cookie, Mega Milkshake Caramel Cake, and Power-Packed Tiramisu Truffle. But here's the sad part for me (and many of you too), these decadent protein treats are only available at Milk Bar flagship locations and for delivery in the select markets. And since I currently don't have any business travel planned over the next several weeks to those cities…I'll have to hope they extend this collaboration into packaged goods one day in the future!

In the world of craft beer, it's rare to see a regional brewery consistently post double-digit growth — especially as the craft beer category contracts. But that's exactly what Iowa-based Big Grove Brewery has done, posting strong gains every year since 2018. The company is now on track to sell more than 500,000 cases in 2025 — with a full 90% of those sales coming from within Iowa.In this episode, we sit down with Matt Swift, Big Grove's co-founder and CEO, to find out how he's building one of the most successful breweries in the country by doing things a little differently.Matt shares how he:Built a best-selling product line in the Easy Eddy hazy IPA family Created deep community ties through taprooms, university partnerships, and local philanthropyTook a deliberate “inch wide, mile deep” strategy — dominating in-state sales before expanding Structured the portfolio into clearly defined product “families” that drive trial and loyalty at shelfContinued investing in draft sales, even as other craft brands pulled backWorks with distributors as true partnerships, planning A&P budgets and activations 9 months out We also talk about the risks Matt wishes he'd taken earlier, how he approaches SKU rationalization, and why he believes lighter, lower-alc and non-alc beers will play a big part in the future of the category.If you're a beverage entrepreneur thinking about growth — whether via taprooms, retail, or distributor relationships — this episode is filled with battle-tested insights. Don't miss it.Last Call:In this week's sponsored Last Call, we talk with Alex Cherniavsky, Managing Partner at SWIG Partners, about how to turn new distributor relationships into long-term success.SWIG is a supplier–distributor matchmaking service that's placed dozens of brands — and Alex has seen what works (and what fails). In this episode, she shares the most common missteps and how to avoid them.Don't miss our next episode, dropping on 8/13.For the latest updates, follow us:Business of Drinks:YouTubeLinkedInInstagram @bizofdrinksErica Duecy, co-host: Erica Duecy is founder and co-host of Business of Drinks and one of the drinks industry's most accomplished digital and content strategists. She runs the consultancy and advisory arm of Business of Drinks and has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other hospitality and drinks tech companies.LinkedInInstagram @ericaduecyScott Rosenbaum, co-host: Scott Rosenbaum is co-host of Business of Drinks and a veteran strategist and analyst with deep experience building drinks portfolios. Most recently, he was the Portfolio Development Director at Distill Ventures. Prior to that, he was the Vice President of T. Edward Wines & Spirits, a New York-based importer and distributor.LinkedInCaroline Lamb, contributor: Caroline is a producer and on-air contributor at Business of Drinks and a key account sales and marketing specialist at AHD Vintners, a Michigan-based importer and distributor.LinkedInInstagram @borkalineSPONSOR: SWIG Partners is exclusively offering $100 off their supplier-distributor matchmaking fee when you mention the Business of Drinks podcast, or inquire via this link: ⁠https://www.swigpartners.com/businessofdrinksIf you enjoyed today's conversation, follow Business of Drinks wherever you're listening, and don't forget to rate and review us. Your support helps us reach new listeners passionate about the drinks industry. Thank you!

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!

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I'm thrilled to welcome back Chris Jones, Founder and CEO of Cannabis Xpress, for his third appearance on the show. Chris offers an insider's view of the fast-changing cannabis retail landscape in Canada. Since we last spoke, Cannabis Xpress has grown to 21 stores—14 in Ontario and 7 in New Brunswick—becoming the largest private cannabis retailer in New Brunswick.Chris shares how his focus on underserved communities and cost-efficient, compact store formats has created a sustainable and profitable business model in a sector plagued by high overhead, oversupply, and stiff competition. He explains why small-town locations, limited SKU count, and fast, expert service are at the heart of his winning value proposition.We explore the broader industry landscape, including how Ontario's cannabis market has peaked and is now in a correction phase, with closures and lease renewals looming. Chris offers a frank take on regulatory blind spots that allowed a flood of stores—sometimes side by side—without proper planning. He also speaks to the remaining dominance of the illicit market, and how changes to edible dosage limits, store hours, and licensing could help bring more consumers into the legal fold.Chris doesn't shy away from highlighting the pros and cons of the Canadian system compared to U.S. states like California and New York, where regulatory complexity and taxation have stifled growth. Yet, he remains optimistic about the future of cannabis retail—both in Canada and abroad.Looking ahead, Chris reveals plans to pursue more licenses in Atlantic Canada, potentially introduce private label products, and eventually sell the business. Despite a challenging retail environment, Cannabis Xpress is not just surviving—it's thriving, with over $10 million in revenue and 70 employees across Canada. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Double Your Apparel Brand's Revenue by Doing Half the Work | The Power of SKU Rationalization Are you burning out your team and draining your profits by offering too many products?  Did you know you can actually double your revenue by doing less? In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel explains the strategy of SKU rationalization, the proven process of reducing your product line to focus on what actually sells. Learn why trimming your assortment can double (or even triple) your revenue without piling on more work or marketing expense. We break down the step-by-step approach to identifying your losing SKUs, weeding out the waste in your inventory, and setting your business up for sustainable growth, even if you're a small startup. Plus, discover how a single decision took one brand from $25 million to $60 million in sales. Don't forget to register for our upcoming SKU Rationalization Workshop, taking place on Friday, July 25th at 1:30pm EST, where you'll learn how to implement this process inside your own brand. Sign up for the SKU Rationalization Workshop here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/sku In this episode, you'll hear: - What SKU rationalization is and why it matters - How to identify your winning and losing SKUs - The impact of too many products on your team and customers - The “weeding out the waste” analogy for product lines - Details of the upcoming SKU Rationalization Workshop   Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!   We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.   

If your product isn't converting, that doesn't mean it's a loser. It might just be misunderstood. In this episode of Built by Business, Andy Isom breaks down how to reposition existing products for new use cases, seasonal campaigns, or customer segments—without creating a single new SKU.   You'll learn 4 proven re-angling strategies that help brands drive fresh traffic, increase conversions, and stay relevant all year long.   Get a free brand audit here: www.weavos.io  

According to the State of Sales Enablement Report 2024, 31% of organizations are preparing to launch a new product or service as a key go-to-market initiative. So, how can you prepare your sellers to be ready for a successful product or service launch that drives business results? Riley Rogers: Hi, and welcome to the Win Win podcast. I’m your host, Riley Rogers. Join us as we dive into changing trends in the workplace and how to navigate them successfully. Here to discuss this topic is Kate Stringfield, senior manager of revenue enablement at Dialpad. Thank you so much for joining us, Kate. Before we get started, I’d love to learn a little bit more about yourself, your role, and your background. Kate Stringfield: Yeah, so I’m Kate Stringfield, as you called out. Was in sales prior to being in enablement, and I was in sales for about seven years, both in hospitality as well as SaaS. And then I made the jump into enablement around six years ago, and now I’m over at Dialpad. RR: Amazing. Thank you for sharing that. I feel like it’s always so helpful to get insight from people who make that transition and have experience on both sides of the playing field.We’re so excited to have you on the podcast for that reason. You have such extensive experience as both a sales and sales enablement leader. So can you maybe walk us through your journey into enablement, how you made that shift, and then maybe a little bit about how that sales background helps influence your enablement strategy? KS: Yeah, so I was in hotels, like I mentioned, for a number of years, and I found my passion helping other people as they started out in their new roles and getting them up to speed. And so when I made the move into SaaS, I learned about this cool role called enablement, and I was like, oh my gosh, I gotta—I gotta learn more and get into that.So since helping others be successful was a—or still is—a passion of mine, I made that jump. And once I landed in an enablement position, I was like, man, I found my place.So I spent a number of years doing enablement for the sellers that I was once a seller for—like, I was doing that role. And then I did another two and a half years in enablement at an enablement company, where I focused on role-specific enablement, as well as launching a sales methodology, three sales motion changes, and various other initiatives that I supported along the way.And then I moved over into Dialpad, where I’m now leading a team of six incredibly gifted, talented revenue enablers across sales, success, and partner enablement. RR: Wonderful. Thank you for walking us through that. It seems like it’s been quite the journey to get where you are today. I’m curious then—we’ve talked about how it informs your strategy—but maybe how does it inform action?So I kind of want to shift gears a little bit and maybe talk about a recent initiative that I know Dialpad has been running, which is that you rolled out a new SKU after an acquisition, and product launch has become a priority for you this year. So can you maybe talk to us a little bit about that initiative? KS: Yeah, absolutely. So making sure that our product is up to speed and ahead of the market is imperative. And so, gosh, around eight months ago, back in October, we acquired a WFM company—so workforce management—which is part of a solution of ours that we did not currently have. So we acquired a company in order to offer that as a complementary solution with what we already had.This was a completely new product line, and we had to figure out, okay, how could we enable our reps to be able to go ahead and sell this? And it’s a slightly different selling motion, so we had to talk through what is it, why does it matter, as well as how do they then position the value of it. And so in true SaaS fashion, we were also, in addition to launching this new SKU, we also had other product enhancements that we were sharing along the same time, as well as a rebranding and new marketing strategy and a new pitch deck.So there was a lot going on. So we had to make sure that we also landed this and landed it well. And so we did some pre-launch awareness where we equipped our sellers with content in the form of kits as well as micro-learnings and giving them the foundation to get them ready for that launch moment so they could start having introductory conversations with customers.So how do you first scope that? Then we did our launch moment and made our just-in-time much more robust and turned them into true sales plays where they learned how to really position this product in the right way and along the whole sales process. And with that, we also did additional learning moments, such as full-blown e-learnings and certifications for how to sell this.Then we really wanted to focus on reinforcement that stuck, and so we looked at, okay, how can we get our managers speaking about this product in team meetings? What kind of activities could we give to managers to run in team meetings, such as trainings in a box? And how can we continue to evolve the conversation and get our reps learning more?And so we focused on PEC talk as well as more thorough, in-depth enablement from a product standpoint, and then that later along the line sales motion and how to sell that. And overall, we saw around $500,000 of closed-won sales initially, and we built around $3 million in pipeline. And through that, we also looked at data with the kit and with the play that—you know, the kit that shifted into the play—and a lot of our reps were using it. There was high adoption of it. They were going back to it multiple times and spending about four minutes consuming the content.And so we were able to track, alright, they did the enablement, they were using the content and sharing it with customers, and then that translated to those closed-won numbers and that pipeline build that I discussed. RR: That sounds like such a thoughtful approach and also like quite a lot of work. I’m sure that was quite difficult to execute, but I love that you’re already seeing the results that you’re looking for. I’d like to maybe dig a little bit more into kind of the initial concept phases where you’re staring down the barrel of this initiative.What kind of challenges do you see reps tending to face when it comes to things like product launch, and what were your best practices for overcoming them as you were executing over the next few months? KS: Yeah, information overload is a big one. And it’s one that—you know, I mentioned we did this in conjunction with other product enhancements and a marketing branding shift in our messaging, as well as a pitch deck launch.So you know, besides that, reps are always being overloaded with information, and so that’s always something you have to contend with as a challenge. Also, when reps are learning about how to sell a new product, it’s something that’s outside of their existing knowledge and skill set a lot of the time or, you know, is just stretching them in a different way.And so you have to figure out how to use the foundation that they already had and build upon that. And then sometimes there’s additional complexities as well. And so when I think about those challenges and how to solve for them, I think about, you know, making sure that you’re taking a crawl-walk-run approach with those product launch moments and building upon what they already have to get them into that run state, but not expecting them to run right out of the gate—which a lot of times is an expectation that happens.So making sure that we’re setting them up for success in learning and building upon that learning, and then also creating resources that really meet them where they are in their tenure and their journey, and being able to translate complex information into simple information that they can digest, consume, put into practice, and then go and evangelize.And then also weaving in sales subject matter experts that really know how to sell your current product and what talking to your customers is like currently, and using them as subject matter experts to really inform that sales motion of that product launch. RR: Great. I think those are all wonderful strategies. And I know kind of a common one when it comes to product launch that you need to keep in mind is just how crucial cross-functional alignment is for the success of a launch. So can you talk to me a little bit about how you create and maybe maintain alignment as you’re building and executing your launch enablement strategy? KS: Yeah, it is so critical. And communication in general in all relationships is so important. And so this is one that really is the make-or-break fail point in a lot of companies. And so having regular touchpoints with subject matter experts across various teams such as—you know, as I called out, sales and success—but also product marketing and other marketing teams. Operations is another really key one.There are so many different teams, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a business transformation team or a project management team that’s there to foster all of those cross-functional relationships and create that alignment.We work really closely with our product managers and our product teams. We meet with them regularly within our enablement role. In fact, we have somebody in enablement at Dialpad that’s focused on our product and pricing strategy, and so he has these deep relationships with these different teams and different individuals across the business.Additionally, we have a product launch playbook that we have socialized with these cross-functional partners so they know what that playbook looks like, how it can act modularly, and where they play in the process of the playbook—or where they fit into the process, so to speak.And so that really helps us create that alignment and speak the same language. Lastly, we focus on retrospectives—so making sure that we’re learning from each product launch or product release to the next, and by performing retrospectives and having that discussion over, hey, what worked really well, what maybe didn’t work as well, and what can we make better the next time? RR: I love those strategies. I think the Product Launch Playbook is such a clever idea to kind of get everybody on board and aligned with what you’re expected to accomplish. I also love the idea of coming back and reviewing. Sometimes the business runs so fast that you feel like you can’t, but that moment is just as essential—almost—as that next product launch. So I love to hear that.Thinking then of how you’re launching, I’d also like to know a little bit about once you’ve established alignment, how you’re then developing that launch strategy to start running with. Could you talk me through the components of your launch strategy and then maybe how you’re partnering with an enablement platform to support and scale it? KS: Yeah, so that product launch playbook is key. And making sure that it’s modular and nimble to work with various forms or shapes and sizes in which products or, you know, product launch moments happen.Highspot is truly the home—or I guess any platform that people might use—to host just-in-time resources. For us, it’s Highspot, and it truly is the home and where we expect reps to go to first. And so if we think about it in that way, we need to build around that concept.So having that host pre-launch and post-launch and launch materials, having it give guidelines on how to execute—whether it is, you know, as an SDR, BDR, ADR, picking up the phone, what to say, how sellers should be selling the product, how our Customer Success Managers should be reviewing adoption for the product—all needs to live there.We also focus on asynchronous learning, so making sure that we’re not pulling reps out of prime-time selling and giving them space and time to learn on their own, but also checking their knowledge through knowledge checks and certifications. And then all of this new information happening during a product launch needs to, in some way, shape, or form, be folded into onboarding.So thinking about how that comes back into onboarding so that reps who start tomorrow can benefit from that information and be able to hit the ground running. RR: Yeah, there are a lot of different lenses to look at it and areas in which it needs to be embedded, so that all makes sense. On the note of enablement platforms, I know that Dialpad had previously partnered with another enablement solution, so can you maybe share why Highspot was the better fit for your organization as well as how it supports your enablement strategy today? KS: Yeah, Highspot is integral.It’s integral in that it is where our reps start their day and where they end their day. It hosts all of our content, both internal-facing and external-facing. So Highspot is a game changer for us because within my team it’s easy for us to manage from an admin perspective and to practice governance across the various teams that are content creators or host content and manage it there.Our reps are familiar with using it. That’s another thing—you know, having a solution like Highspot is something that reps come to expect nowadays, and so they’re familiar with it, they know how to use it, and we’re constantly thinking about how they interact with it and how we can train them to interact with it better.Our Highspot team—so the team that helps us at Highspot—is a differentiator. So that is our CSM and our AM. So Jess, Emily, our Technical Account Manager Brian, and Matt Hunin, our Solutions Engineer, all help us be able to learn the latest and greatest, utilize what we already have, and maximize our value.And then potentially look at other things that might help us as we overall, as a company, shift to more of a just-in-time strategy. So moving away from live sessions that people are going to forget most of what you said, moving away from, you know, long e-learnings, and more of, okay, I’m in—you know, I have to prepare for this call in 15 minutes—where am I going to find that information?Surfacing it up in Highspot and making it easy to find has become a game changer in helping them—meeting them where they're at and giving them the information they need to be successful.And then we can use data from Highspot and correlate that to leading indicators on whether reps are doing the kind of behaviors we want to see and how that ties to business outcomes. And are the reps actually closing deals or protecting revenue as a result? RR: Well, that’s all great to hear, and I always love to hear a really positive experience. I’m so glad that your account team is there to support you through all of it.We have heard through the grapevine, actually, that you’re doing some really awesome work with the platform, and one area where you’ve seen a lot of success is actually through Digital Rooms—with over 342 Digital Rooms created in Highspot, as well as a 9% increase in external engagement, which is wonderful just to call that out.So what are some of your best practices for driving that adoption? KS: Yeah, yeah. We moved to Digital Rooms just last year, if you can believe it, from pitch templates. And one of the things we did first off was—there was a Highspot University course around Digital Rooms that we took, and we also used materials that we were able to find from Highspot so we could become proficient ourselves as the people that were enabling the reps.We then built a dedicated Digital Room kit to help reps get familiar with the why and the how of Digital Rooms and provided them with walkthroughs. And then we hosted sessions, we did asynchronous learning, we do one-on-one support for our reps on why it’s important, how to build, how to find engagement and analytics.And we regularly also work with reps to get feedback—so figure out what’s working, how do we build templates that make it really easy for them to add in what they want to add in, what information do they always add in so we can just add it into the template for them.Another thing that we thought about was—we use Consensus for demo videos, and so integrating Consensus into there, and how do we make that easy?We have also thought about Digital Rooms not just for sales. We’ve thought about it for our sales development reps and what are their use cases, and built templates for them, and done specific training for them, and gotten feedback from them.We’ve also thought about the post-sales journey a lot. So how do we get our client sales reps using it to position cross-sell and upsell? And then customer success—where do we feed in content for QBRs or other conversations that they’re having with customers and integrating in their feedback to make their templates better?So we’re always thinking about how to get our reps more and more proficient and making that a focal point month over month. And we’re really excited for some of the enhancements coming to Digital Rooms that we’re going to capitalize on moving forward and making sure our reps know how to use it. RR: Yeah. I love that you led with educating yourself first, because how can you enable on something that you haven’t been in those weeds with as well?Well, that’s one of the biggest things you can give your reps—is to build with them in mind. You know their work, you can build something for them, and then actually they’ll use it. It sounds simple, but it’s really hard to do.So I’d love to hear a little bit of a shift in focus, but I’m curious if you could walk me through how you measure the impact of—and maybe then begin to optimize—some of your enablement efforts? KS: Yeah, I think about measuring impact of enablement in three ways. So you have the first prong, which is your enablement effort in general. So how do you measure enablement through, like, what activities are you doing?So this is—you know, if you think about the Kirkpatrick model—this is Level 1 and Level 2: Was your training effective? Were you able to certify, you know, X number of reps? That sort of thing. Those are examples of that.Then I think about the second prong, which is leading indicators. And this is about behavior. Are the reps able to take what they have learned and apply it to their daily workflow?Maybe it looks like building pipeline, maybe it looks like having certain conversations with customers or sending information to customers. You know, it could be various things that are that kind of Level 3 of Kirkpatrick.And then the third prong is at Level 4—so thinking about those business outcomes that are the goals of why you are doing this whole enablement approach to begin with. What kind of revenue are you trying to impact? Are you trying to impact conversion rates, you know, average deal size? Are you trying to increase revenue? Are you trying to protect revenue—so reduce churn and downsell?Those are all things that, you know, are on my mind. And then the correlation between the three—the correlation between the enablement efforts, the behavior change that you’re seeing through leading indicators, and the business outcomes.And so when it comes to then, okay, we’ve launched something, we’ve measured it, and now we’re trying to optimize it—it is then looking at, alright, what are the different checkpoints along the way in which we can say, did we do our job? Or do we need to go back and do more?And so maybe it looks like, hey, are they actually reviewing the play or the kits? Are they sending the content to customers? If not, why? We can ask those questions, because we can see the data on whether or not they’re doing it. Are they saying it in customer conversations? That looks like utilizing a conversational intelligence tool to see if they’re actually using it in those conversations.We can start to dig into all the different pieces and figure out where we need to refine our enablement approach to fill that gap.And so we can utilize Highspot to do that, our data in Salesforce to do that, conversational intelligence data. There are many different ways, but just having that data to dig into it, and then asking questions to reps is so important. RR: Thanks so much for that really thoughtful step-by-step walkthrough. I think that’s really actionable, and I think our listeners will take a lot away from it. I know that measurement is always going to kind of be difficult for enablement teams, so I love just hearing how folks have developed real actionable strategies for making it happen.But on the subject of measurement, I’d love to know—since implementing Highspot, what business results have you achieved? Any wins that you could share or just anything that you’re proud of that you’ve accomplished over at Dialpad? KS: Yeah, I’m proud of so much. Our team has done a phenomenal job, and as you called out—you know, the successes with Digital Rooms and that new product that we launched, that new SKU—those are really huge.Additionally, we have utilized Highspot to realize over $16 million of influenced revenue in just 2024 alone within our revenue organization. That is such a testament to how much our reps have Highspot integrated into their day-to-day life, and then how they use that information to speak to customers, how they use their messaging, and then how that behavior results in those closed-won opportunities.Additionally, partner is such a huge focus of Dialpad—so our partnerships with our resellers, our partnership with our channel—and we have seen a high increase: 23% of our partner material being used and being viewed and then being leveraged, which is also something I’m very proud of.And then the project that I’m currently working on that I’m proud of—but, you know, time will tell on results—is I’m working on a robust governance strategy so we can really take Highspot to the next level and make our cross-functional partners more of the partners in how the content gets delivered to our reps.And so I’m really looking forward to rolling out our more robust governance strategy this year. RR: We’ll stay tuned on how it goes. I mean, those are already incredible results, so thank you so much for sharing.Just one last question for you before we close out—would love for you to share maybe what the biggest pieces of advice you’d give other enablement leaders to help them drive a successful product launch. KS: I think the modular Product Launch Playbook has been huge—so having a laid-out plan for how you would run a product launch from start to finish in enablement and making sure that it fits all sizes, shapes, and formations of what a product launch might look like.And then the other piece of advice I would give is having regular communication and good working relationships across multiple cross-functional partners so that siloed work becomes less of a thing you have to battle. Because that just means that, you know, working together, we all lift each other up.And so that’s something that then trickles down to our reps, but then also trickles out to our customers and makes them more willing to buy from us. So I think cross-functional relationships are just so key—and so keep on working on those relationships. RR: Those are both fantastic pieces of advice, so thank you for taking the time to come share these insights with us. I think I speak for myself and our listeners when I say that I learned a lot of valuable information and was taking notes for sure.To our audience, thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Win-Win podcast. Be sure to tune in next time for more insights on how you can maximize enablement success with Highspot.

Steven is the founder of My Amazon Guy, an agency that manages over $1.2 billion in annual sales across 400+ brands on Amazon. A best-selling author of "Amazon Selling Tips" and former TV reporter, Steven brings over a decade of eCommerce expertise. My Amazon Guy, with a team of 550+ employees, specializes in boosting traffic and sales for Amazon brands. Steven is also the owner of My Refund Guy and several Amazon brands, while his YouTube tutorials, viewed by millions, provide expert insights on navigating Amazon challenges.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Evolving landscape of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) on Amazon.Impact of Amazon's AI initiatives, particularly the introduction of "Rufus."Stability of foundational SEO practices despite new AI developments.Changes in Amazon's title requirements and their implications for SEO.Strategies for launching new products, including the use of long-tail keywords.Importance of high-quality visuals and main product images in driving sales.Regular audits of Seller Central settings for optimization.Key SEO factors influencing performance, such as click-through rates and organic sales.Collaboration and information sharing among Amazon sellers.Continuous innovation and product launches as essential for maintaining competitiveness.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Steven Pope, founder of My Amazon Guy, an agency managing over $12 billion in annual sales across 400+ brands on Amazon. The discussion focuses on the evolving landscape of SEO and AI within Amazon. Steven highlights Amazon's AI initiatives, particularly "Rufus," and their impact on SEO strategies. He emphasizes the enduring importance of foundational SEO practices, optimizing product listings, and the critical role of high-quality visuals. Steven also shares actionable insights on dynamic pricing, launching new products, and leveraging data analytics for continuous improvement.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Measure and Review Data: Regularly analyze SKU performance to identify trends and make informed decisions.Focus on Visual Content: Prioritize high-quality images and engaging product presentations to attract buyers.Implement Dynamic Pricing: Be flexible with pricing strategies to optimize sales and maintain competitiveness.Resources mentioned in this episode:Here are the mentions with timestamps arranged by topic:Ecomm BreakthroughJosh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough YouTubeeComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comAmazonMy Amazon GuyMy Refund GuyAmazon Seller CentralAmazon Brand AnalyticsSearch Query Performance ReportPickFuAmazon A/B TestingPerplexity AIHelium 10Amazon Selling Tips by Steven PopeTranscending the Levels of Consciousness: The Stairway to Enlightenment by David R. HawkinsPower vs. Force by David R. HawkinsDan KennedyJohn AspinallSpecial Mention(s):Adam “Heist” Runquist on LinkedInKevin King on LinkedInMichael E. Gerber on LinkedInRelated Episode(s):“Cracking the Amazon Code: Learn From Adam Heist's Brand Scaling Secrets” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Kevin King's Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm Breakthrough PodcastEpisode SponsorThis episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures. I started Hadley Designs in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years.I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks.If you've hit a plateau and want to know the next steps to take your business to the next level, then go to www.EcommBreakthrough.com (that's Ecomm with two M's) to learn more.Transcript AreaJosh Hadley 00:00:00  Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm your host, Josh Hadley, where I interview the top business leaders in e-commerce. Past guests include Kevin King, Michael Gerber, author of The E-myth and Aaron Cordova's. Today we've got a special returning guest. He is Steven Pope from my Amazon guy, and today we are going to be talking all about SEO and AI, and how the world of Amazon and SEO is changing. Or rather, is it not changing on Amazon, and are the tactics of how we need to write our titles and our b...

“The hardest part of robotics isn't actually doing robotics. It's providing a solution that solves a real customer problem.” Melonee Wise's quote from this episode is a good summary of what we talk about in this episode – practical, real-world applications of the technology we see hyped.Robotics, AMRs, humanoid robots, automation, AI – all of these things are hot topics in manufacturing. But the truth is that these solutions may not always result in the most exciting or sexiest applications. But when they're eliminating boring, laborious tasks, it's a huge opportunity across the industry.For part two of our Automate 2025 special episode, we hear from five incredible people, all from different areas of manufacturing, automation and robotics.We kick things off with Melonee Wise from Agility Robotics who you may have heard on the show before. She talks about the practical applications of using humanoid robots and where the industry is headed, while also talking through the biggest concern of adopting this new tech – safety.We kick things off with Melonee Wise from Agility Robotics who you may have heard on the show before. She talks about the practical applications of using humanoid robots and where the industry is headed, while also talking through the biggest concern of adopting this new tech – safety.Glen Guernsey from JR Automation talks about the biggest changes in warehouse automation today – including the ability to handle random SKU palletization. We chat with Zoie Rittling of OnLogic and Michael Maxey from ZEDEDA, about how right sizing AI at the edge is about eliminating boring work. And finally, Robert Ponsonby from Arduino talks about the interoperability and open-source solutions that drive innovation. All are slightly different takes on automation's new capabilities but offer truly great insights for anyone working in manufacturing thinking about the future. In this episode, find out:Melonee talks through Agility Robotics' humanoid demo and the practical applications of this techWhy Agility Robotics focused on bulk material handling at the beginning and takes a tiered approach to complexity Why robots performing individual tasks isn't what's important – it's how this connects to other systems and solves overall problemsWhere the humanoid market is likely headed compared to AMRsWhat the new safety standard means for humanoid implementation and how we could realistically see cooperatively safe humanoids working alongside humansGlen talks about the biggest changes we're seeing in warehouse automation, including the ability to handle random SKU palletizationWhy the labor shortage will need to be supplemented with automationPractical applications of AGVs and AMRs in warehouse operationsWhat the warehouse of the future will look likeZoie and Michael describe edge architecture and how it applies to managing applicationsHow the industry can right-size AI at the edge and how this will look different from using cloud applicationsWhy you need to prioritize integration when looking for the best AI partnersRobert defines interoperability and Arduino's approach to open-source softwareHow interoperability in open source allows for innovation, empowering teams, and rapid deploymentEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:"The most innovative thing that's out there has to do with random SKU palletization... up until recently with the advances in AI and advances in vision systems, this was not something that was easily done." – Glen Guernsey"We've seen on average for rollouts on projects,

What You'll Learn:Why supply chain must sit at the strategy table - not behind itHow SKU discipline drives faster growth and cleaner marginsWhat “AI as servant” really means in ops leadershipWhy executional control beats theoretical plans every timeWhat separates founders who scale from those who stallHow to balance autonomy and shared services in multi-brand orgsHow ops becomes the difference between brand hype and brand healthQuotes:[00:07:25] – “Everything is theoretical - until the customer doesn't get their order.” - JuE Wong[00:22:25] – “World domination with one SKU is better than SKU proliferation going nowhere.” - JuE Wong[00:30:59] – “AI is your servant, not your master.”  - JuE Wong[00:35:08] – “If you're not making money, it's a hobby.”  - JuE WongAbout the Guest:JuE Wong is CEO of PBG, a PE-backed portfolio of six brands and three manufacturers. A six-time CEO across public and private companies, she's known for scaling teams, transforming operations, and embedding supply chain as a core lever for growth, not just cost.Links Mentioned:JuE Wong on LinkedInPerformance Beauty Group Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you're a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don't miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

DESCRIPTION The Category Disruptors Series continues!   It's time for Part 3 in our series spotlighting the female CEOs and founders behind some of the fastest-growing and most innovative brands in their categories.   In this episode, we spotlight Laurel Orley, co-founder and CEO of Daily Crunch—the sprouted nut snack brand shaking up what they call the “trusty but dusty” nut category.   It's a thoughtful conversation and another strong addition to the series—tune in for the full story.   "There's a lot of FOMO out there. You see unicorn brands doing amazing, and it's so easy to think: how did they make $1M in 5 minutes? Why not me? But you have to stay on your path." Laurel Orley   KEY TAKEAWAYS In this episode, Laurel, Julie, and Jordan discuss:  Laurel Orley's transition from a career at major brands like Unilever to founding Daily Crunch Snacks, inspired by her aunt's unique sprouted nut process. How Daily Crunch's sprouted, dehydrated nuts stand out for their crunch, health benefits, and clean label. The creative process behind their flavors, including collaborations with other brand and the upcycling of pickle ends for sustainability. Daily Crunch's commitment to women-owned certification and giving back through mental health initiatives Laurel shares how her corporate background provided valuable skills, but also discusses the steep learning curve and differences when moving to a founder role. The role of accelerators like SKU, mentorship, and the Vanderbilt intern pipeline in helping Daily Crunch grow and evolve. Hard-earned lessons in supply chain, pricing, product launches, and the realities of growing a snack brand during the pandemic. Exciting updates for 2025, including a new flavor and refreshed packaging highlighting nutritional benefits. The importance of staying focused on your own brand journey, leveraging available resources, and maintaining a mindset of continual learning.  

Michael Falls of Reveel & Jennifer Mitchell of GOAT Group talk about tariffs, network design, SKU analysis, carrier negotiation and decision intelligence.  IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.22] An introduction to Michael, his background, and what excites him about supply chain. “Work smarter, not harder – that's what I'm passionate about. There's great technology out there that shippers can leverage, but so many people are still working out of spreadsheets. That hasn't changed as rapidly in our industry as it has in others.” [03.49] An overview of Reveel, who they are, and what they do. “Our CEO always says that modeling is the hill we're going to die on. We have a lot of tools in our repertoire that are different to a lot of the other analytics tools on the market.” [04.36] An introduction to Jennifer, her background, and her company GOAT Group. [05.58] An overview of the current tariff landscape, and how businesses are approaching adaptability and cost impacts. “We're now in a period where shippers have a new normal, which is: we don't know what the future will hold, but we know we're going to have to adapt to change.” “Now there's a very public conversation around who absorbs the cost of tariffs. Tariffs are here to stay. The question is: are consumers going to pay for them, or are companies going to absorb the cost and use that as a competitive advantage?” [07.55] How tariffs have impacted GOAT Group, and why increased tariffs for China are driving up apparel costs and forcing companies to rethink their manufacturing locations. [09.07] From cost volatility to the impact of the unknown, the biggest negative impacts, driven by the current tariff landscape, for shippers. “It's ever-changing. The minute you make a decision to do something, it changes and you're back to square one.” [11.34] Network design and optimization, and why shippers need intelligence, agility, and a strategic command of their shipping network to manage current volatility. [14.28] How network design and optimization can help companies to design more efficient distribution strategies, what those strategies might look like, and the positive impact they can have for shippers. [15.16] How SKU profitability analysis can help businesses identify problem products and make more informed decisions on their portfolio. “There's much more that you can do with SKU level insights than just explore profitability.” [17.13] Why contract negotiations have changed, and how Reveel can help to simulate ‘what-if' scenarios and compare carrier performance so shippers can push for reductions or pivot. “You can't manage what you don't measure. So we empower our customers to measure all the KPIs that are going to impact their transportation spend.” “The duopoly is over!.. Carrier contract negotiation is becoming an ongoing activity.” [20.07] The importance of flexibility and expanding carrier options to reduce dependency, lower cost, and improve customer experience. “Flexibility is crucial… Customers expect more from delivery, they expect it faster, more personalized. The bigger carriers are very rigid in what they do and a lot of these emerging carriers have more flexibility, they're more customizable to your company.” [21.23] Why, when tariffs are out of our control, intelligence is the best defence, how companies can use intelligence to stay competitive, and why parcel spend management can be an organizations competitive advantage in an unpredictable global market. “There's so much noise. Carrier billing data has hundreds of elements, it's not normalized… Having a shipping intelligence platform helps arm you with the most important insights at a glance.” “A lot of shippers are just resigned to this belief that the carriers are going to do what the carriers are going to do, and we have to sit back and take it… But I would say that any shipper has between 5-30% of spend that's available to be eliminated.” [23.47] The ideal client for Reveel, and the types of clients they're currently onboarding most. [24.41] GOAT group's experience with onboarding and implementation with Reveel. [25.52] The biggest challenges GOAT Group were experiencing, why they chose to work with Reveel, and the benefits they see from their ongoing partnership. [27.38] In a constantly evolving market, what shippers might expect over the next few months. “The only thing we know for sure is that more change is coming!.. But the shippers that have the best data, the best data-driven insights, and the best technology are ultimately the ones that are going to come out ahead.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Reveel's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Reveel and keep up to date with the latest over   on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Michael or Jennifer on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Reveel, check out 453: Driving Supply Chain Innovation with Reveel and Deposco or 357: Leverage the Power of Shipping Intelligence, with Reveel.

Drawing on her background in winemaking and Silicon Valley, Ashley Leonard, Founder and CEO of Innovint, has developed a modern platform that tracks everything from the vineyard to the bottle.  From getting granular with COGS to automating TTB compliance, Innovint gets the winery out of spreadsheets and into a modern, cloud-based, mobile-centric system. This system is designed to accomplish Innovint's mission: Helping wineries run better businesses. Detailed Show Notes: Innovint overview - mobile-driven winemaking platform, tracks and manages all winemaking options, and automates compliance>600 winery clients (~80% of wineries still using Excel)92% of clients in North America, 8% InternationalMission: helping wineries run better businessesTTB requires reporting for producers >500 cases4 productsGrow - vineyard tracking platform from the winemaker's lens; phenology dates, yield estimates, applications, harvest scheduling, historical trendsMake - winemaking from fruit reception to bottling; work enablement platform with digital work ordersFinance - tracks all costs associated with making wine, final COGS; the finance team applies overheadsSupply (2025 launch) - case goods management, inventory tracking, integrates with DTC platforms & distributors, has allocations as a planning toolHas open APIs; integrates with TankNet and VinWizard for winery automation, receives data back for actions taken; integrates with quality control labs (e.g., ETS) and can take action more quicklyCore benefitsKey differentiator: profitability per SKU and true COGS/product (w/o Innovint, calculated once per year)Efficiency, working smarter, better decision making, and more transparencyReporting to be able to manage qualitySome wineries use data to track carbon footprint (e.g., water use, weight of glass)Reduces the risk of an auditCompliance reporting (e.g., TTB 5120, export reports) - Gloria Ferrer went from 3 people over 2 days to 15 minutes for 1 personLarger wineries tend to have more tangible benefitsDomaine Chandon saved $75k annually by making the workflow paperlessPatz & Hall saving 40 hours/monthOnboarding5-step self-serve process (vineyard sources, lots, volume, vessels, current inventory) takes a couple of days for small wineriesPremium package for larger wineries includes team training, and full data migration takes 2-8 weeksPricing - SaaS modelScales based on size (production) and complexity (# of locations) of the wineryNot user or usage-basedImplementation ~$1-2kSubscription starts at $2,400/year for a boutique winery for MakeMarketing - “has tried it all”, tries to add value to the end userDoes a lot of speaking engagements/webinars on being a healthy wineryManages The Punchdown, a free digital community that is a peer-to-peer exchangeReferrals from clients are the most effective marketingLaunched the State of the Wine Business Health Report (2024) - surveyed with >500 participantsTo reach wineries that don't go to conferences - LinkedIn/social, co-marketing, financial webinarsPaid advertising sometimes works, but it's not a top lead generatorBarrier to purchase - resistance to change, case studies help overcome (e.g., Domaine Carneros saw what Chandon was doing and bought the product)The product roadmap includes Supply module, AI applications, and embedded tools Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most Amazon brand owners blame ads for shrinking profits—but the real killer might be hiding in your inventory.   In this episode, I break down the silent profit leaks that sneak past your ad dashboard but impact your P&L: slow sell-through, poor inventory utilization, over-ordering, and mounting FBA storage fees. I'll give you a practical checklist to audit your inventory strategy, including how to catch flat TACoS with falling profit, calculate SKU-level break-even sell-through rates, and stop reordering out of fear.   Plus, I kick things off with: Two Amazon Seller Central News updates you may have missed this week. A quick look inside some creative projects I'm working on for agency clients.   If you're ready to plug holes in your Amazon Inventory Boat, this one's for you. ⛵️   Get your free Amazon Brand Audit at www.weavos.io

In this special Tier 11 lab episode, Ralph Burns and John Moran pull back the curtain on a powerful new Meta ad tactic: the CAPI import strategy. Learn how to eliminate costly data duplication, master new customer acquisition cost (NCAC) tracking by individual SKU, and scale your Advantage+ campaigns using a two-ad-set system that blends testing and scaling. If you're running Meta or Google Ads and want accurate reporting, optimized spend, and smarter campaign architecture, this is the episode to study.Whether you're a CMO managing complex eComm portfolios or a media buyer navigating messy data, this one's packed with Tier 11's real-time breakthroughs—tested with their own money before hitting client campaigns.Chapters:00:00:00 - Dive Into the Latest from Perpetual Traffic00:01:06 - Meet John Moran & the Game-Changing CAPI Import Shift00:02:19 - Killing Duplicate Data: The Key to Smarter Ad Spend00:04:09 - How Advantage+ and NAC Unlock Scalable Profits00:07:11 - Inside the Lab: Strategy Shakeups and Bold Rebrands00:09:22 - Real Ad Results: Behind-the-Scenes of a Meta Campaign Makeover00:22:04 - Breaking Down Meta's New Campaign Framework00:34:19 - Creative Testing: What's Actually Working Right Now00:34:57 - Perry Belcher's Email Playbook That Still Prints Money00:35:39 - The Secret Sauce: Layering Strategies for Maximum Impact00:36:00 - Your Weekly Traffic Fix + Hot Seat Q&A Begins00:37:30 - How to Capture Distressed Seller Leads (The Smart Way)00:41:54 - Unlocking the Power of the Feeder Strategy00:43:35 - Winning in High CPC Markets Without Burning Cash00:46:16 - How Small Brands Can Dominate with Feeder & Meta00:49:58 - YouTube Meets Demand Gen: The Feeder Funnel 2.000:58:51 - Cracking the Code on Standard Shopping Optimization01:02:18 - Wrap-Up: Big Takeaways & What's Coming NextLINKS AND RESOURCES:About deduplication for Meta Pixel and Conversions API eventsMatt Apps - Executive ProducerThe MAJOR Meta Advantage+ Changes You Must KnowThe Billionaires ClubTier 11 JobsPerpetual Traffic on YouTubeTiereleven.comMongoose MediaPerpetual Traffic SurveyPerpetual Traffic WebsiteFollow Perpetual Traffic on TwitterConnect with Lauren on Instagram and Connect with Ralph on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us...