Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth

Margins are shrinking, debt is rising, and ecommerce brands are feeling the squeeze. In this episode of the Podcast, we dive deep into the financial realities facing DTC brands in 2025. Is the ecommerce game still worth playing? Or has the landscape shifted in ways that make profitability harder than ever? Joining Taylor are Lio from Finaloop and Drew from Iris Finance, two of the sharpest financi...

Ecommerce is facing major challenges in 2025—rising ad costs, AI disruptions, and now, new tariffs. If you’re running a brand, you need to know what’s coming and how to adapt before it’s too late. In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, we break down: The biggest threats to e-commerce right now How AI is reshaping the workforce and business costs Why traditional marketing strategies are...

2024 was all about getting the fundamentals right—fixing tracking, managing costs, and ensuring brands could survive in a tough market. But 2025? It’s time to WIN. In this episode, we break down the strategy behind breaking the model—moving beyond predictable growth and pushing into new frontiers of scale. Luke Austin, VP of Ecommerce Strategy at Common Thread Collective, shares insights from real...

Are you really measuring your ads the right way? In this episode we dive deep into the world of incrementality testing—what it is, why it’s so important, and why most brands struggle to operationalize it effectively. We break down the biggest mistakes marketers make when it comes to ad measurement and how to avoid them. Learn the secrets to building a consistent testing system, understanding your...

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the incredible growth story of Born Primitive, the ecommerce brand that has redefined what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. Founder Bear Handlon shares how the company went from selling a single product out of a garage to becoming a multimillion-dollar powerhouse in apparel, fitness, and tactical gear. We break down the secrets to...

Discover the key to transforming your ad strategy with creator-driven content that delivers real results. In this episode, Richard and Adrianne reveal how brands can integrate high-quality creator content into their campaigns to maximize performance and ROI. We’ll break down: Why most ads fall flat and how to fix them. The importance of properly briefing creators for ad success. How to align your...

Is TikTok on the verge of being banned in the United States? In this episode of the Podcast, we dive into the Supreme Court hearing that could determine TikTok’s future and its potential impact on the ecommerce industry. What does this mean for advertisers, brands, and creators who rely on TikTok as a platform? We’ll break down: The reasons behind the potential ban. How the decision could reshape...

Discover the step-by-step process behind CTC’s Prophit System, our proven method used to forecast millions in revenue for leading DTC brands.  In this video, we dive into the daily workflows, data integration techniques, and forecasting models that drive real results. From aligning 35+ critical business metrics to creating actionable insights for growth, this is the ultimate guide to building a sc...

Discover why product development is the ultimate growth engine for ecommerce brands in today’s competitive market. In this episode of the Podcast, we talk how creative, story-driven product development can fuel demand, elevate your brand, and revolutionize your marketing strategy. Learn how innovative ideas, like turning a baseball sliding mitt into a Christmas stocking, or creating custom braces...

What separates the brands that thrive from the ones that struggle in 2025? It all comes down to one thing—strategy. In this video, we dive deep into the key elements that the most successful brands are mastering to dominate the ecommerce landscape this year. From crafting compelling brand stories to building cohesive marketing plans, we’ll show you how to connect your creative vision with measurab...

Get ready for 2025 with 25 bold predictions for the future of ecommerce! From the rise of AI in media buying to the transformation of product development into the ultimate growth strategy, this episode dives deep into the trends and changes set to reshape the industry. Learn why automation will dominate, what threatens Shopify, and how brands can stay ahead in an increasingly omni-channel world. W...

This episode is brought to you by: Finaloop: https://www.finaloop.com/ Are you ready to crush your 2025 ecommerce goals? In this video, we reveal the PROPHIT System – a proven framework designed to help ecommerce brands create accurate, data-driven financial and marketing plans. Discover how to: Bridge the gap between what’s likely to occur and what you want to occur. Align your financial plan wit...

Discover the ultimate tool for optimizing your ecommerce ad budgets! In this episode, we introduce PAM—the Profit Allocation Model—a game-changing framework developed by the experts at Common Thread Collective. PAM isn’t just a tool; it’s a revolutionary system that ensures your ad spend is perfectly aligned with your profitability goals. We’ll walk you through how PAM simplifies complex decisions...

Scaling your ecommerce business is exciting—but are you unknowingly leaving profit on the table? In this episode of the Playbook Podcast, Richard and Taylor dive into the hardest (but most critical) part of scaling: achieving clarity and alignment around your financial metrics. Discover why the Prophit System is the ultimate tool for cutting through chaos, unifying your data, and driving bottom-li...

Get the inside scoop on the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) trends and what they mean for the future of ecommerce!  In this episode of the podcast, Richard and Taylor discuss early BFCM data, revealing surprising growth trends, shifting customer behaviors, and what it all means for your 2025 strategy. Here’s what we cover: How BFCM sales are evolving and what to expect in December Key...

Are you ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Time is running out, and your Q4 success depends on taking action NOW. In this episode, we reveal the 5 MUST DO strategies to dominate the busiest shopping season of the year. What You'll Learn: How to craft the perfect Black Friday offer that stands out in a crowded market. Why you MUST adjust your ad spend—and which platform will deliver the bigge...

Is AppLovin the ecommerce advertising breakthrough we’ve all been waiting for? With claims that it’s almost as good as Facebook Ads—if not better—this mobile in game ad platform has quickly become the talk of the industry. But is it worth your time, energy, and budget? In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, Richard and Taylor pull back the curtain on the hype surrounding AppLovin and r...

Dive into the latest insights from the ecommerce industry with our October State of Industry Report! Join Taylor, Steve, Jeremiah, and Yarden as they break down October’s key data trends, highlight growth opportunities, and share surprising insights about ad performance, consumer sentiment, and what it all means for Black Friday and beyond. In this episode: Why DTC growth for seven figure brands h...

Struggling to balance your Amazon sales with your DTC (direct-to-consumer) growth? In this episode, we reveal how to transform Amazon from a competitor into a crucial ally for boosting your entire ecommerce business. Join Richard and Taylor as they break down why Amazon and DTC should no longer be siloed, and how incorporating Amazon into your forecasting can revolutionize your profitability. Disc...

Welcome back to the Podcast! On this episode Taylor is joined by Joy Sharma, to discuss the explosive rise of the CTC Global Accelerator – scaling from 5 to 30 clients in just 4 months. With demand through the roof, we’re now on a mission to find exceptional talent worldwide! Highlights: How the Accelerator delivers predictable, profitable growth for 7-figure brands. Why brands are lining up – and...

Get the Prophit System: https://commonthreadco.com/pages/ecommerce-strategy In this episode of the podcast, we explore the critical disconnect between finance-driven revenue forecasting and the actual marketing actions that generate revenue. Richard and Taylor jump deep into how finance teams often miss the mark when predicting revenue growth—because they lack control over the marketing levers tha...

Are you making the critical Black Friday budget mistake that could sabotage your entire month’s revenue? In this episode of the Podcast, we talk about why underspending on Black Friday could be the biggest misstep for your November sales and how to avoid it.  Taylor breaks down the importance of concentrated spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and shares actionable insights on pacing your bu...

In this special Halloween episode Taylor and host Richard dive into the spooky truth behind Election Week’s impact on ad campaigns. With an unprecedented wave of political spending flooding digital platforms, advertisers need to prepare for shifting CPMs, reduced conversions, and increased competition—especially in swing states. From understanding the effects on Meta and Google ads to insights on...

Are you struggling to keep your ecommerce business profitable? In this episode of the podcast, we dive deep into Common Thread Collective’s Profit System—the tried-and-true method helping ecommerce brands achieve predictable, consistent growth. Join host Richard and our sales experts, Matt and Peter, as they walk us through the key steps to building a data-driven strategy for profitability, even i...

In this month's State of the Industry, we tackle some of the biggest questions facing ecommerce brands in 2024. Why are 7-figure stores seeing a slowdown in growth? How are political ad spending and shifting consumer behaviors affecting your bottom line? And most importantly, what can you do about it heading into the critical Q4 period? Join our panel of experts as we break down the data behind th...