Honest Ecommerce

Andrew is a self-proclaimed tragic sneaker fan and proven brand builder. After nearly a decade of leading multiple marketing functions at Google, Andrew and two of his colleagues embarked on a mission to build the world’s fairest hype commerce platform. As CEO, Andrew leverages his marketing expertise and first-hand fandom experience to drive this mission forward. After launching just over a year ago, EQL has managed more than 10,000 high-heat launches in 15 markets. When not helping culture-making brands get their goods into the hands of real fans, Andrew can be found spending time with his wife and three children, and dressing younger than he should. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [03:51] Crafting launches that reward real customers [06:06] Callouts [06:16] Streamlining experiences through integrations [07:51] Adding connection where generic tools fall short [10:25] Designing pre, in, and post-launch strategies [13:29] Connecting with audiences in launch moments [19:32] Partnering with experts for better launches Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Better launches for in-demand products eql.com/ Andrew Lipp au.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lipp-7b291722 If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Dan Abel Jr. is the Chief Chocolate Officer of two beloved St. Louis-based companies: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company and Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier. Dan occasionally goes by another nickname: “Willy Wonka of the Midwest.” But no matter what you call him, he’ll never forget his roots. Dan is a 2nd Generation Chocolatier & son of the founder of Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company. Along with his two siblings, Dan oversees the operations of both Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company and Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier. Manufacturing, distribution, national sales channel and product development are the key areas to Dan’s focus. Currently the Abel family is expanding its manufacturing facility, adding a bar and a café – and Dan is very instrumental in the construction management and development of both concepts while continuing to push growth. Dan is married with three children –enjoys playing golf, gardening with his young children and spending time with his family. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:32] Sponsor: Taboola [01:48] Growing ventures through deep personal ties [03:01] Finding purpose through early hands-on work [04:29] Optimizing small resources for maximum impact [05:53] Building presence through hands-on outreach [07:56] Leveraging sampling to win customer trust [09:00] Sponsor: Next Insurance [10:12] Creating impact with hands-on marketing [15:18] Callouts [15:28] Attending trade shows to drive direct sales [16:35] Sponsor: Electric Eye [17:44] Sponsor: Freight Fright [19:44] Acquiring companies to accelerate growth [26:11] Delivering customer value despite COVID pressure [30:25] Creating connection through thoughtful service [31:41] Reinvesting in technology to enhance experience [34:34] Experimenting with old and new strategies [35:25] Solving problems through direct involvement Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Handcrafted Artisan Chocolates chocolatechocolate.com/ Handcrafted Chocolatier bissingers.com/ Follow Dan Abel Jr. linkedin.com/in/dan-abel-jr-15541765 Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/ Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Turn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honest If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Christine Monaghan is a builder of growth engines and a weaver of stories, helping brands scale from startup chaos to sustainable success. She blends storytelling with systems, tech with brand, and strategy with hands-on execution to deliver results that last. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:33] Sponsor: Taboola [01:49] Building brands through storytelling [04:34] Tracing the roots of storytelling [06:23] Sponsor: Next Insurance [07:36] Evaluating early-stage customer signals [10:09] Testing assumptions about customers [12:22] Callouts [12:32] Surveying customers to validate assumptions [14:55] Leveraging insights to improve messaging [18:15] Testing media to find what converts [21:28] Sponsor: Electric Eye [22:33] Sponsor: Freight Right [24:36] Connecting blogs to nurture discovery [27:15] Targeting platforms where customers exist [28:58] Optimizing ads for long-term growth [34:48] Understanding top-of-funnel users Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube The modern way to drink milk almondcow.co/ Follow Christine Monaghan linkedin.com/in/christine-monaghan Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/ Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Turn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honest If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Michelle Songy is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder of Press Hook, a platform that helps brands get media coverage through a hybrid model of earned, affiliate, and paid press opportunities. Prior to Press Hook, Michelle founded and sold Cake Technologies to American Express. She’s passionate about making PR more accessible and transparent for small businesses, especially mission-driven consumer brands. Press Hook is used by 1,000+ companies— from early-stage startups to category leaders— to connect directly with journalists, newsletters, and podcasts that drive real product discovery. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:56] Realizing the need to master your own PR [02:36] Understanding why generic pitching fails [05:21] Boosting discovery via trusted publishers [08:06] Navigating earned, paid, and affiliate media [11:26] Callouts [11:40] Standing out with visuals and clarity [15:26] Adapting strategies to decentralized media [18:58] Enhancing discoverability in crowded markets [20:57] Building systems before scaling PR Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube AI-driven media relations and PR pantform presshook.com/ Follow Michelle Songy linkedin.com/in/michellesongy If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Elina Panteleyeva is the founder of Dood Woof, a 7-figure brand built specifically for Doodle dog breeds. After getting laid off, she bootstrapped her business from $0 to 7 figures in 15 months with no prior Ecommerce experience, no team and no outside investors. outside funding. Elina scaled fast by focusing on niche product-market fit, building a raving fan base, and using scrappy organic marketing to drive Amazon and TikTok Shop growth. Now, she helps other founders grow and scale their eCommerce brands profitably by building a brand that serves a specific group of people. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:34] Sponsor: Taboola [01:44] Building products around customer pain points [02:53] Identifying problems through community research [05:19] Sponsor: Next Insurance [06:32] Balancing product creation with marketing [06:48] Building trust through storytelling [09:15] Collecting feedback to shape products [10:50] Creating scarcity to drive excitement [12:38] Identifying niches with specific pain points [13:47] Sponsor: Electric Eye [14:56] Sponsor: Freight Right [16:56] Collecting reviews to build credibility [18:37] Training mindset to handle uncertainty [21:59] Discovering entrepreneurial instincts early [22:29] Focusing on one channel before diversifying [25:34] Leveraging micro-influencers for growth Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Creating Healthy Happy Lives for Doodles doodwoof.com/ Follow Elina Panteleyeva instagram.com/doodwoofco/?hl=en Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/ Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Turn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honest If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Jennifer is the Director of DTC, Martech, and Digital Compliance at OLLY, a Unilever-owned vitamin/supplement brand, and a seasoned eCommerce veteran based in the Bay Area. She specializes in building digital marketing programs, profitable eCommerce stores, and seamless customer experiences. Her expertise includes advanced Martech ecosystems, customer data platforms (CDPs), marketing automation, and ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Jennifer’s skills span web development, UX/UI design, inventory management, logistics, and omni-channel retailing. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:39] Sponsor: Taboola [01:58] Solving customer needs with simplicity [04:05] Sponsor: Next Insurance [05:19] Leveraging cross-brand learnings for growth [08:37] Using D2C as a customer learning engine [12:00] Callouts [12:11] Evaluating tools that streamline operations [13:37] Reviving traditional marketing with modern tech [16:52] Sponsor: Electric Eye & Freight Fright [20:01] Testing unconventional marketing strategies [21:19] Balancing responsibility with limited control [24:58] Focusing on product value over flashy design Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Olly Vitamins and Supplements olly.com/ Follow Jennifer Peters linkedin.com/in/jennifer-peters-3bbb6220 Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/ Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Turn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honest If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Scott Desgrosseilliers is the founder and CEO of Wicked Reports, a leading first-party marketing attribution platform for high-growth eCommerce brands. With over a decade of experience analyzing billions in ad spend, Scott helps marketers cut through the noise to find what’s really driving ROI. He’s the creator of the 5 Forces System, a proven framework that turns messy marketing data into clear, confident decisions. Before Wicked Reports, Scott led and consulted on database and process management applications at Motorola, Quest Diagnostics, Breck Shampoo, Ovaltine, the Hong Kong 911 department, and Apartments.com. When not leading Wicked Reports, Scott can be found in Marblehead Massachusetts playing pickleball, meditating, or on the boat with the family. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:37] Questioning attribution in marketing [06:44] The truth about “more is better” marketing [07:36] Choosing channels for first campaigns [09:34] Starting funnels with small spend [11:16] Debunking marketing ROI lies [14:24] Navigating attribution for customer journeys [16:51] Distinguishing case studies from reality [19:07] Exploring the Five Forces framework [27:24] Seeing emotional spending on paid ads [27:50] Recording client interaction for accountability [28:53] Highlighting effective AI campaign analysis [31:21] Streamlining insights for effective decisions Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Multitouch marketing attribution software www.wickedreports.com/ Follow Scott Desgrosseilliers www.linkedin.com/in/scottd71/ If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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

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

Filipe Castro Matos is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Altar.io, where he helps founders go from idea to MVP with clarity and speed. With over a decade of experience across B2C and B2B startups—including an early exit, viral growth experiments, and advising dozens of founders—Filipe specializes in helping teams find their first customers and build Go-to-Market strategies that actually work. His work today centers on solving one of the biggest problems in early-stage startups: the gap between building and growing. He's quietly building something new to bridge that gap. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:19] Learning ecommerce by evolving with companies [02:50] Avoiding guesswork through real user engagement [04:57] Avoiding costly guesses in early channels [07:24] Finding people who match your avatar [08:23] Returning to basics for direction clarity [08:51] Distinguishing buyers from friendly critics [11:29] Starting small when validating ideas [14:36] Simplifying business ideas through existing tools [15:29] Stay updated with new episodes [15:40] Capturing insights for go-to-market [17:36] Separating problem discovery from solutions [19:55] Going where the market is active [21:10] Introducing payments only after solutions [22:24] Digesting conversations into ICP [23:17] Pulling branding assets from real conversations [24:56] Testing organically before paid ads [27:04] Building a brand as key differentiator Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Digital products for entrepreneurs and business leaders: altar.io/us/ Follow Filipe Castro Matos linkedin.com/in/filipecastromatos If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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

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

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

Sonja Grasser is the Founder of Retention Theory, a consultancy helping CPG brands turn one-time buyers into loyal repeat customers through data-driven retention systems. With a background that spans law school, 60+ countries of travel, and hands-on work with brands like MaryRuth’s Organics, Sonja brings a uniquely behavioral approach to customer retention: rooted in psychology, not playbooks. After landing in retention by accident as a German-speaking marketer, Sonja discovered her passion for understanding why customers buy, not just what they buy. Her global perspective and analytical mindset help founders identify churn before it happens, build smarter lifecycle flows, and create experiences that keep customers coming back. Whether you’re a CPG founder tired of chasing acquisition or an operator ready to make retention your growth engine, Sonja shares a masterclass in turning customer behavior into predictable, sustainable revenue. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:33] Intro [01:05] Helping brands turn retention into revenue [01:30] Connecting communication to customer longevity [02:08] Identifying patterns behind consumable success [02:55] Leveraging analytical thinking for stronger retention [04:00] Educating first-time buyers before selling again [05:25] Helping buyers at their exact stage of the journey [07:11] Designing flows that nurture interest into action [07:45] Applying retention rules across every direct channel [08:18] Stay updated with new episodes [08:29] Spotting churn before customers disappear [10:19] Timing recovery emails before customers drift away [11:39] Resolving customer issues before they walk away [12:27] Setting triggers that match real customer behavior [14:16] Focusing on results-driven storytelling for CPG [15:26] Evaluating why memberships don’t always translate [16:36] Building loyalty from your first 100 buyers [17:07] Layering time data to reveal true retention health [19:08] Applying psychology to make retention truly work Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Helps Ecommerce brands with retention marketing retentiontheory.com/ Follow Sonja Grasser linkedin.com/in/sonjagrasser If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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

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

Bradley Keefer is the Chief Revenue Officer and Justin Jefferson is the VP of Strategy & Insights at Keen Decision Systems, where Bayesian-powered marketing mix modeling meets scenario planning and outcome forecasting, helping brands move from rearview analytics to predictive decisioning. With decades of combined experience across SaaS, analytics, and brand strategy, Bradley and Justin are redefining how marketers plan, forecast, and invest. Instead of treating marketing as a cost center, they help brands model “what if” scenarios, forecasting how every incremental dollar drives revenue across channels. Whether you’re scaling a fast-growing brand or managing a multimillion-dollar marketing budget, Bradley and Justin offer a masterclass in using data to make confident, forward-looking decisions that compound over time. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:38] Intro [01:12] Measuring how marketing spend drives growth [02:29] Building models that adapt to brand maturity [04:35] Balancing brand building with performance spend [07:24] Shifting focus from capturing to creating demand [08:41] Driving demand to boost bottom-funnel returns [09:34] Breaking growth limits with data-driven planning [12:49] Connecting viral moments to sustain momentum [14:50] Building brands that go beyond ad optimization [15:30] Stay updated with new episodes [15:43] Simplifying setup for data-heavy marketing tools [18:44] Designing analytics tools for marketing teams [20:23] Updating models fast to learn and adapt quicker [22:42] Using data to balance old and new media spend Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Marketing mix modeling powered by AI keends.com/ Follow Bradley Keefer linkedin.com/in/bradley-keefer Follow Justin Jefferson linkedin.com/in/justin-a-jefferson If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Eugene Chew is the Global Chief Operating Officer at BikesOnline.com, a leading direct-to-consumer cycling retailer in the U.S. and Australia and the exclusive distributor of Polygon and Superior bikes. From the early days of the internet to scaling a global Ecommerce operation, Eugene has built a career at the intersection of creativity, data, and operational excellence. Before joining BikesOnline, he led digital transformation as Chief Digital Officer at J. Walter Thompson (WPP) and served as Greater China Regional Head at Lion (Kirin). At BikesOnline, Eugene and his team are redefining what it means to sell complex, logistics-heavy products online. From solving “dirty freight” challenges to perfecting the post-purchase experience, he’s proving that operational rigor and creative problem-solving can turn friction into a competitive moat. Beyond Ecommerce, Eugene is also an avid cyclist, gardener, and tea enthusiast — running Tea Urchin, his aged tea business that reflects his love for craftsmanship and detail. Whether you’re scaling a DTC brand, optimizing supply chains, or navigating global expansion with a lean team, Eugene offers an inside look at how to balance creativity, data, and discipline to build a sustainable business that lasts. This episode also mentions insights from Izzy Rosenzweig of Portless on rethinking global fulfillment, and Kyle Hency of GoodDay Software on building better systems for modern Shopify brands. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:38] Intro [01:36] Naming a brand that stands the test of time [02:09] Predicting automation in ad buying early on [05:01] Learning innovation from China’s all-in-one model [06:01] Balancing innovation with Western logistics limits [08:55] Recognizing the shift toward direct brand work [10:12] Shifting from service work to physical operations [11:50] Managing cash flow under market uncertainty [12:31] Stay updated with new episodes [12:41] Helping founders scale beyond day-to-day ops [13:27] Finding opportunity in a pandemic-era pivot [14:01] Designing packaging that simplifies assembly [15:30] Diversifying suppliers to reduce risk exposure [17:48] Protecting margins from tariff and fraud risks [19:01] Choosing Shopify for flexibility and speed [22:36] Hiring agencies to guide complex migrations [25:05] Training teams before adding new integrations [27:18] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye & Heatmap [29:59] Partnering with experts where specialization wins [31:58] Gaining perspective from cross-industry learnings [34:27] Avoiding costly trial-and-error learning [36:34] Prioritizing projects with impact and simplicity [41:20] Managing cost challenges in global logistics [44:50] Preparing for tariffs with flexible strategies Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Premium bikes at unbeatable prices, direct from manufacturers bikesonline.com/ Follow Eugene Chew linkedin.com/in/eugenechew Mentioned episode with Izzy Rosenzweig of Portless: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpbeHvv3_1Q Mentioned episode with Kyle Hency of GoodDay Software: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNsUfgl9E4 Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Clear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honest If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Jeremy Barker is the founder and CEO of Murphy Door, best known for transforming hidden doors and space-saving furniture into a thriving direct-to-consumer brand. From humble beginnings to Fortune’s Most Innovative Companies 2025, Jeremy has built Murphy Door into the industry leader in functional design and custom craftsmanship. With Murphy Door, Jeremy is redefining what it means to blend utility, aesthetics, and engineering. What started as a bold idea, turning bookcases into fully functional hidden doors has scaled into a multi-million-dollar business recognized nationwide. By combining product innovation with viral social media, Murphy Door has grown from scrappy startup to household name. Jeremy’s story blends grit with vision. From serving as a firefighter and paramedic, to living out of his car while learning how to face failure head-on, to now running one of America’s most innovative companies, he’s proof that persistence and transparency can turn customers into lifelong advocates. Whether you’re scaling a DTC brand, looking to harness social media for growth, or exploring how AI and software can reshape customer experience, Jeremy offers an unfiltered look at what it takes to build with purpose and why owning mistakes early is the fastest path to building trust. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:43] Intro [01:16] Turning bold ideas into real products [02:04] Growing sales with early Facebook ads [07:05] Securing patents to gain attention [09:32] Stay updated with new episodes [09:42] Turning mistakes into loyal fans [14:56] Managing expectations with transparency [17:08] Simplifying processes to prevent confusion [19:00] Owning mistakes to improve clients’ trust [20:11] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye & Heatmap [22:52] Leveraging partnerships to fuel growth [24:01] Empowering customers to tell stories [26:42] Rewarding referrals with revenue share [31:12] Learning to test before scaling spend [34:53] Preventing conflicts with partner clarity Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Custom-built, multi-purpose hideaway doors murphydoor.com/ Follow Jeremy Barker linkedin.com/in/jeremy-barker-02007648 Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Clear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honest If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Nathan Snell is a founder, executive, and three-time entrepreneur best known for co-founding nCino, the global leader in cloud banking, and now Raleon, an AI retention platform for DTC brands. With 15+ years in fintech, marketing technology, and AI, Nathan has built products that don’t just scale companies, they transform entire markets, including a 10-figure exit. With Raleon, Nathan is reimagining retention for Ecommerce. Instead of bloated teams or endless manual work, Raleon acts like a teammate, helping DTC brands and agencies handle retention 50% faster while driving more revenue. From campaign planning to segmentation, it automates the tactical grind so marketers can focus on strategy and growth. Nathan’s story blends technical expertise with market-shaping vision. From scaling nCino into a public company, to investing as an active angel, to now tackling one of Ecommerce’s biggest pain points, retention, he’s seen how AI can accelerate results but still requires human pilots to go beyond “average” output. Whether you’re building a lean DTC team, rethinking retention marketing, or trying to cut through the hype of AI, Nathan offers a grounded look at how to combine automation, brand taste, and strategy to drive the next era of Ecommerce growth. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:22] Intro [00:46] Building expertise in workflow automation [01:46] Experimenting with LLMs in workflows [03:18] Comparing AI models for DTC marketing [04:01] Starting email AI with copywriting [05:08] Fine-tuning prompts for better outputs [06:40] Elevating outputs with better context setting [08:08] Analyzing past campaigns to guide outputs [09:50] Stay updated with new episodes [10:02] Automating segmentation and copy at once [11:57] Recognizing AI delivers average by default [13:38] Editing outputs instead of chasing perfect prompts [15:20] Connecting Klaviyo and Shopify for campaigns [17:41] Automating learning cycles across campaigns [19:14] Guiding systems instead of replacing teams Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Automate DTC retention marketing with AI raleon.io/ Follow Nathan Snell linkedin.com/in/nathansnell If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Ty Haney is a serial entrepreneur and three-time founder best known for building Outdoor Voices into one of the most recognizable activewear brands of the last decade. After proving that approachable, inclusive movement could compete with performance-first giants, Ty went on to launch Joggy, a natural energy brand, and TYB, a community commerce platform powering engagement for 200+ brands including Rare Beauty, Glossier, OUAI, and Urban Outfitters. What started as a personal pain point, wanting activewear that reflected her own lifestyle has scaled into a playbook for how to turn authenticity into category-defining brands. With TYB, Ty is now helping consumer companies reimagine loyalty, moving beyond points and email blasts into gamified, multi-brand ecosystems where fans prove their status, earn rewards, and build daily habits with the brands they love. Ty’s story blends personal insight with category innovation. From turning Outdoor Voices into a movement brand, to navigating the challenges of inventory-heavy DTC, to now building a software platform that redefines how brands grow, she’s seen the ups, downs, and pivots that come with scaling in Ecommerce. Whether you’re building a DTC brand, rethinking customer loyalty, or searching for new ways to deepen community engagement, Ty offers an unfiltered look at what it takes to transform personal pain points into platforms that fuel the next era of growth. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:24] Intro [01:08] Starting a brand from personal pain points [02:34] Expanding offerings while simplifying choice [04:40] Focusing on product before scaling [06:17] Building go-to-market around community [07:36] Stay updated with new episodes [07:48] Building momentum with early funding [08:27] Pioneering UGC early on Instagram [10:06] Challenging the direct-to-consumer thesis [12:16] Building TYB from hard-earned lessons [13:21] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap, Grow [16:30] Starting new ventures after stepping away [17:33] Building TYB as a rewards platform [18:56] Expanding into Target and Erewhon retail [20:51] Scaling community commerce into growth [23:21] Expanding loyalty into daily engagement [27:47] Inviting brands to build fan channels Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Technical apparel for recreation outdoorvoices.com/ Plant-based steady energy supplements getjoggy.com/ Community rewards platform, where community engagement pays off tyb.xyz/ Follow Ty Haney linkedin.com/in/ty-haney-a4b1561a Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Clear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honest The Premier Conference for Ecommerce Operators joingrow.com If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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

Yoav Oz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rep AI, the conversational commerce platform giving online shoppers the kind of guided experience you’d expect from an in-store salesperson. The spark came from Yoav’s own frustration: landing on ecommerce sites where he was ready to buy but stuck with eight pages of product copy and no one to answer his questions. Call centers felt broken. Chatbots felt generic. Out of that gap came Rep, short for “representative”: an AI sales assistant trained to step in at the exact right moment, with the context of everything a shopper has clicked, viewed, or abandoned. Yoav isn’t building alone. Alongside him is Shauli Mizrahi, Rep’s CTO and co-founder, who brings years of experience in behavioral AI. Together, they’ve built a tool that doesn’t just cut support costs: it upsells, converts hesitant browsers, and helps brands maximize the traffic they’ve already paid to bring in. Their story blends SaaS know-how with ecommerce scrappiness: from proving AI could act like a real salesperson, to showing how conversational data can optimize entire funnels, to scaling integrations that slot into any brand’s existing stack. Whether you’re running a DTC store, trying to push up average order value, or rethinking how AI fits into your tech stack, Yoav shares a candid look at why the ecommerce funnel is broken and how Rep AI is working to fix it. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:48] Intro [01:22] Sharing career paths before entrepreneurship [03:23] Bridging gaps between chatbots and consumers [07:01] Shifting mindset from support to revenue [08:33] Training AI with millions of conversations [12:55] Optimizing websites beyond guesswork [15:41] Creating experiences that drive purchases [17:16] Personalizing offers beyond discounts [18:11] Customizing tone of voice for every brand Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube eCommerce shopping AI agent www.hellorep.ai/ Follow Yoav Oz linkedin.com/in/yoavoz Follow Shauli Mizrahi linkedin.com/in/shaulimizrachy If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts . It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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

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