Ecommerce Conversations

Sean Frank hopes to sell Ridge, the maker of metal-clad wallets, within three years — for $1 billion. In this conversation, he discusses that goal, the overall state of ecommerce, the perils of excessive debt, and the need to disrupt the dental market. For a condensed transcript (with embedded audio), please see: https://pec-ly.com/?6mD2 For all transcripts and audio, see: https://www.practicaleco...

Dennis Hegstad's third Shopify app is called Vigilance. It monitors and blocks the injection of unwanted coupon codes at checkout, saving merchants big bucks. He discusses the financial harm to merchants of "leaked" coupon codes, Vigilance's method of blocking their use, and more. Hegstad previously launched and sold LiveRecover, an SMS-based Shopify app for recovering abandone...

Tim Conley helps founders overcome mental hurdles and grow their businesses. Most entrepreneurs, he's observed, prefer daily operations and putting out fires. If there are no fires, entrepreneurs will sometimes set them to put them out.  In this conversation, Conley explains why entrepreneurs must evolve from the daily nitty-gritty into long-term strategists. This requires delegation, new cre...

Beardbrand founder Eric Bandholz, the host of "Ecommerce Conversations," looks back on his company's 2022 performance in detail and outlines (major) plans for 2023. It's impressive transparency to help all merchants — a must-listen. For an edited transcript with embedded audio, see:  https://pec-ly.com/?6mvL For transcripts of all episodes with audio, see: https://www.practical...

OneBlade COO Charles Pyles implemented forced economizing last spring when the company's sole investor couldn't inject additional funds. He shares his story in this week's episode, addressing cost savings, high-dollar razors, acquisition tactics, and more. For an edited transcript with embedded audio, see: https://pec-ly.com/?6mit For all transcripts and audio, see: https://www.prac...

Jackson Reiter is paid media marketer for PetPlate, a direct-to-consumer dog-food provider launched in 2016. The company sells subscriptions to "human grade" meals for dogs and, to date, has raised $32 million in funding. Reiter addresses the company's marketing funnel, paid media channels, video production, and more.  For an edited transcript with embedded audio, see: https://pec-l...

CMO Daniel Lacey tells the story of Pura, which makes and sells devices that emit fragrances and are controlled via a smartphone app. Launched in 2015, the business has scaled to 180 employees and relies mostly on influencer marketing for sales on its website and via retail partners.  For an edited transcript with embedded audio,  see: https://pec-ly.com/?6mdA For all edited transcripts and embedd...

Persistent stomach pain prompted Allison Ellsworth to formulate a prebiotic soda, which she named Poppi. That was in 2018. It's now among the fastest-growing beverage brands in the U.S., with sales of $300,000 per month. She describes her journey to host Eric Bandholz in this episode, addressing Shark Tank appearances,  dramatic scaling, plans, and more. For an edited transcript with embedded...

Ryan Hartman is chief marketing officer and co-founder of Chaiz, a startup comparison marketplace for extended automotive repair warranties. He joins the show to address the need for lower-priced warranties, the challenges of reaching consumers, signing up providers, raising capital, and more. For an edited transcript with embedded audio, please see: https://pec-ly.com/?6m1o For edited transcripts...

Jai Dolwani is chief marketing officer of Winc, a publicly-traded wine membership club. His responsibilities extend beyond marketing to technology, engineering, ecommerce, and overall omnichannel growth. Selling alcohol in the U.S. is challenging owing to 1920s-era laws on distribution and marketing and to the logistical headaches of shipping liquid. Dolwani addresses those challenges and more, in...

Jordan Elist is the founder of Mate, a direct-to-consumer seller of supplements for male sexual health.  Elist launched the business in 2020 after a career in investment banking.  He addresses in this conversation his mission of destigmatizing sexual healthcare, marketing challenges, and his insistence on science-backed product formulation. For an edited transcript, please see: https://pec-ly.com/...

Andrew Bialecki co-founded Klaviyo in 2012 as a data repository for business. Then a friend told him about Shopify. Klaviyo is now a global ecommerce-marketing juggernaut with 1,500 employees, $140 million in revenue, and $778 million in equity funding to date — including a $100 million round in August from Shopify itself. But the management of data remains central to Klaviyo’s mission. “We’re rea...

Having achieved financial success, many entrepreneurs buy a big house, perhaps an expensive vehicle. But not Steve Chou. He co-owns a thriving ecommerce business, runs a growing YouTube channel, and teaches popular courses from his "My Wife Quit Her Job" website. And he loves frugal living. "Being frugal and spending less is great for my peace of mind," he said. This is Chou&ap...

In 2021 Tim Aton was working at a marketing agency in Spokane, Washington, running campaigns for clients. Then a friend who owned a leather-goods company in Wyoming called, asking "Want to help me grow the company?" Aton made the jump, moving his family to Laramie. He's now the COO of Range Leather.  Here's his story. For an edited transcript, please see https://pec-ly.com/?6ly...

In 2015 Mike Pfeiffer made a few firearm holsters at home for his own use. Then he mentioned them on his YouTube channel, Last Line of Defense. Followers began asking if they could buy them. Fast forward to 2022, and Last Line of Defense is a Drupal-powered direct-to-consumer ecommerce business with annual revenue of $500,000.   Here's his story.  An abbreviated transcript is at https://pec-l...

Until early 2020 Matthew Gattozzi was a professional ballet dancer. Then a back injury forced a career change and the launch of Goodo Studios, his photo and video production company for ecommerce brands. "I work with established and up-and-coming brands by understanding how to use and leverage content for revenue, " he says.  For an edited transcript, see https://pec-ly.com/?6ljo.

Patrick Coddou co-founded Supply.co in 2015. The DTC seller of razors and shaving supplies has experienced the rise and fall and rise again of many ecommerce brands. Covid created a sales boom. iOS 14.5 decimated profits. Diversifying acquisition channels has restored growth and earnings — so much so that Coddou has sold his business.  He tells the story in this episode with host Eric Bandholz.  F...

Fringe Sport is a leading online seller of home-based barbells and exercise equipment. Peter Keller founded the company in 2010 in Austin, Texas, where it remains. In this his second appearance on the podcast, he speaks with host Eric Bandholz on priorities — business and life — and his motivations for running Fringe.  See the edited transcript at https://pec-ly.com/?6l4m.

Jon Tucker founded HelpFlow, an outsourced customer service provider, in 2015. The company has thrived, focusing on ecommerce brands and an extensive onboarding process to understand a client's products, customer needs, and much more.  In this episode, Tucker discusses his company's journey with host Eric Bandholz.   For an edited transcript, please go to https://pec-ly.com/?6kYz.

Apple's iOS change in May 2021 continues to impact advertising. To Triple Whale, an Austin, Texas-based analytics provider, the change is a debacle for merchants and an opportunity for the company. Rabah Rahil is Triple Whale's chief marketing officer. He recently joined host Eric Bandholz to discuss the impact of iOS 14.5 and the need for accurate attribution, ad testing, and more. For...

PeachBbies launched in 2019 as a direct-to-consumer seller of slime, the squishy-stretchy substance, mostly for kids. Fast forward to 2022 and the company's TikTok and YouTube channels have a whopping 5 million and 1.5 million followers, respectively. PeachyBbies' co-founder tells the story.

Drew Fallon launched Mad Rabbit, a direct-to-consumer tattoo skincare company, with two college buddies shortly after graduating in 2019.  Two years later, the company hit $3 million in annual revenue — as a side hustle.  He describes the company's rise and future in this terrific interview. (Read the edited transcript at https://pec-ly.com/?6ke7.) 

Chisos Boots, a handcrafted bootmaker in Austin, Texas, drives 90% of its revenue online. But its sole physical store serves as a gathering place and hosts two large annual events. Founder Will Roman explains in this week's episode with host Eric Bandholz. 

Nathan Allebach began managing the Twitter account for Steak-umm, the food brand, in 2017. It had 1,000 followers. It's now over 200,000. He speaks with host Eric Bandholz in this week's episode, addressing social media branding, divisive content, and more. 

Having successfully launched Spiceology, a DTC food seller, in 2012, Pete Taylor semi-retired. That was three years ago, after he had hired executives to run the company. He moved to Maui, took a year off, and reflected on his next venture. Fast forward to 2022, and that venture is Midas Brands, a multi-site consumer package goods company.