eCommerce Allstars

I’ve got this t-shirt—wish I wore it today—that says, "One of us is right. The other one is you." 🤔 That’s the mindset too many leaders have. They think they’ve got all the answers, but here’s the truth:  you don’t . When challenges pop up, a lot of leaders turn to their exec team for solutions. But what they  don’t  do is ask their people. Whether it's the janitor or the VP, it doesn't matter. G...

When is the right time to expand your team? 🤔 It’s a loaded question with many variables. So let’s break it down. First, ask yourself:  Why do I want to expand my team? Is it because you’re overwhelmed with tasks that don’t excite you? Or are you bogged down with work that pulls you away from your  area of genius ? 🌟 If it’s the latter, that’s a valid reason to consider bringing someone on board...

I’ve been hearing a lot lately from leaders frustrated with employees who are constantly calling in sick or missing key days. 🤒 Yes, life happens, and sometimes illness does too.  But if it’s a pattern—if they’re not showing up when you need them most—maybe there’s a bigger issue. 🚩 First, ask yourself:  Are they bought into the company’s mission? Are they truly aligned with the deeper "why" beh...

"Practice Makes Perfect" – The Biggest Myth You've Heard. 🚫 Let me break it down:  Perfect practice  makes perfect. But here’s the thing – nobody is perfect. So, what do we do? If you’re practicing something  incorrectly , guess what? You’ll just get better at doing it wrong. 🧠  Muscle memory kicks in whether it’s in sports 🏀 or business 💼. The more you repeat something the same way, the more...

You've worked so hard to land that first sale... but don’t stop there. The real money? It’s in your repeat customers. 🛍️ Think about it. One of the  highest open rates  you’ll ever see in your email marketing comes from that post-purchase series. People  love  to open those "Thank you for your order!" emails. They're excited about their purchase, and that excitement is your chance to keep them eng...

🎯  Finding the right people can be tough , right? We all know it. But here’s the thing I always look for:  Make sure they align with your mission . 🚀 Your company's success hinges on  building around people  who share the same core values. This alignment drives your team toward long-term success. Now, I have a methodology that flips traditional job postings upside down. 📄 But today, I’m not her...

Are you thinking about scaling your business to the next level, especially in the e-commerce space?  🚀 Let's talk about international shipping and fulfillment. 🌍 Expanding globally isn't just about strategy—remember what I always say,  #FckStrategy —it's about having the right systems in place. Before you dive into global expansion, take a hard look at your current setup. The three key areas to...

📦  To 3PL or not to 3PL? -  That is the question. When considering whether to manage shipping and fulfillment in-house or outsource it to a 3PL, the decision is anything but simple.  It’s about aligning your team’s skills, understanding fulfillment as a crucial part of your customer experience, and weighing factors like cost, speed, and inventory management. Remember, fulfillment isn’t just logis...

Are you ready to level up your international shipping game?  🌍 Let’s dive into customs fees and the options you have for handling them: 1️⃣  DAP (Delivered at Place): The customer pays for shipping and additional customs fees upon delivery. This method can lead to surprises at the door, so transparency is crucial. 2️⃣  DDP (Delivery Duty Paid): The customer pays all fees upfront at checkout. This...

🚫  Stop wasting time and money on CRO audits  that promise quick fixes but deliver nothing more than cookie-cutter results. Your brand's success doesn't come from mimicking the competition; it comes from telling your unique story. 🌟 Instead of following the herd, focus on what truly drives your company. Be authentic. Be transparent. If making money is your mission, own it—your customers will app...

🛠️  Want to boost your conversion rates? Stop chasing the latest CRO audit or magic bullet strategy. The truth is,  the key to success lies in your  processes . When your team has clear, well-defined processes to follow, they can regularly check and balance your CRO efforts, ensuring continuous improvement without the need for outside "gurus" or overpriced audits. Your team should own the process...

🚀 Yes, competition is fierce—especially in the e-commerce and D2C space. But instead of getting overwhelmed, it’s time to double, triple, and even quadruple down on your **systems**. When your internal infrastructure is running like a well-oiled machine, you're better positioned to navigate tough times. This isn't just about keeping up—it's about creating efficiencies, improving margins, and maki...

One of my all-time favorite movies is  Field of Dreams,  and it holds a powerful lesson about discovering your area of genius. 🎥⚾ In the movie, there's a character named Moonlight Graham, a real-life baseball player who got to play in the major leagues but never got to bat. The main character, Ray Kinsella, says to him,  "It would kill some men to get that close to their dreams and not touch it....

💡 I get asked a lot: How do you guide your staff into their area of genius, especially when they’re working outside of it? The first step seems simple—just ask them. WRONG! Here's the reality: 🔍 Many people don’t actually know what they’re amazing at or what they struggle with. What we see as our strengths or weaknesses might not align with reality. So, instead of just asking, get to know your p...

🚀 As a leader, staying in your area of genius is non-negotiable. It's easy to get pulled into tasks that drain your energy, but identifying those energy-sucking tasks is crucial. These are your kryptonite 🦸‍♂️—the things that pull you out of your genius zone and, ultimately, stifle your business. Here’s the kicker: those very tasks that you dread? Someone else in your organization thrives on the...

Customer service is often the most crucial area to implement a solid system, especially as your company grows and the volume of inquiries, returns, and challenges skyrockets.  📈💬 Templated responses, SOPs, and step-by-step guides become essential.  But here’s where many get it wrong: relying solely on cheaper labor or bots, focusing on efficiency at the expense of personal touch. 🚫🤖  This appr...

After coming back from a holiday filled with both fantastic and forgettable dining experiences, one thing became clear: the experience can make or break a restaurant.  🍽️ Imagine being at your favorite spot, anticipating that meal you’ve been craving, only to be let down by slow, chaotic service. That disappointment lingers, and in many cases, it’s enough to ensure you never return. Now, let’s tra...

When it comes to picking a CRM system, the answer is simple: Don’t pick it yourself.  ❌ As a leader, your role isn’t to dictate the tools your team uses—it’s to empower them to choose what works best. Your customer service team is in the trenches every day, handling the workflows, pain points, and needs that a CRM must address. They know better than anyone what features will make their job easier...

This is a fun one because many companies nail their mission-driven approach, BUT... 🎯 Take a sustainable company, for example. They have people driven by the mission, and processes aligned with sustainability, and then they choose tech and tools. But here’s where it gets tricky: Is your hosting solution for your website zero emissions or solar-powered? ☀️🌱 Your tech and tools need to meet the sa...

I often get asked, "What is a system?" 🤔 Systems mean so many things to so many people. To me, a system stops chaos in your organization. A proper system can solve any problem. When you face a challenge in your business, having a proper system and framework lets you easily diagnose and fix the issue quickly. My system revolves around a simple framework: people, processes, and tech/tools...

I empower entrepreneurs to do more of what you love and less of what you don't, so you can make your mission a reality. 🌟 So, what does that mean? Let's dissect it. 🧐 Your mission is something you feel deep inside, driving you every day. This applies to everyone, from a one-person business to a 50-person business and beyond. Your mission isn't just a fleeting passion; it's what y...

I did a post—if you missed it, go back and check it out—on what differentiates businesses that last versus those that don't. 📅💼 We found out that it's a myth that strategy has anything to do with it. Strategy has nothing to do with whether your business is built to last or not. Why do I say that? "You don't rise to the level of your strategy, you fall to the level of your system...

Remember learning to walk? You fell, got up, and repeated until you nailed it. That resilience was built early, but as we age, life knocks us down, and our mindset shifts. It’s easy to get stuck in failures, but just like in baseball, where a player is considered an All-Star if they get a hit 1 out of every 12 pitches, success isn’t just about skill—it’s about resilience. 💪 The key is to have a s...

Years ago, I had the chance to meet Rodney Mullen, a legend in skateboarding. 🛹 He’s the pioneer who set the stage for figures like Tony Hawk. Despite not being a skateboarder myself, I was struck by Rodney’s insight on success. When I asked him about his achievements, he spoke about falling countless times before mastering his tricks. His key to success? “You have to fall in such a way that you...

Earlier this week, I talked about the importance of having resilient systems. Today, let's dive into another critical element: mission. 🎯 When you have a mission, you create an additional layer of resilience. Your mission is your "why," driving you forward regardless of the obstacles. It’s the reason you persevere through the toughest days, because you know you're creating a pos...