eCommerce Fastlane: Shopify Growth Strategies—Where AI Efficiency Meets Human Connection

Most e-commerce teams are drowning in manual work that AI should be handling—but there's a massive gap between AI hype and AI that actually works. In this episode, discover: How autonomous agents differ from chatbots and query tools—no more babysitting or constant prompting required for repetitive tasks The exact process one D2C fitness brand used to identify influencers from their top 5% customers in 5 minutes (previously took a team of interns months) Why the disconnect between data scientists and marketers is costing you money, and how AI agents bridge that gap to free up your team for strategic work Ibby Syed is co-founder of Cotera and was one of the first data scientists at Peloton during their hypergrowth phase. He watched DTC brands scale rapidly while drowning in scattered customer data across disconnected tools. Whether you're doing $10K months or $1M months, this conversation delivers actionable insights you can implement this week. 📝 Full show notes, strategic takeaways, and resources:…

You're paying affiliate commissions on customers who were already buying from you—Josh Kennedy calls this the "$20 billion mistake." In this episode, discover: Why 2/3 of affiliate partnerships drain profit instead of driving growth—loyalty platforms and coupon sites intercept checkout without creating value The search-first framework that generated $10M in real revenue—reverse-engineer where customers already look for solutions, then build direct creator relationships How to audit your top 10 partners for cannibalization—switching from last-click to multi-touch attribution reveals who actually influences decisions versus who games the system Josh Kennedy is Founder of Imagine Marketing. He's generated over $10 million in documented affiliate revenue by focusing on upper-funnel content partnerships that drive new customers instead of intercepting existing ones. Whether you're doing $10K months or $1M months, this conversation delivers actionable insights you can implement this week. 📝 Full show notes,…

The customer acquisition playbook that built your business three years ago is actively bleeding money today. In this episode, discover: Why single-channel strategies are crushing margins as CPMs creep up year over year—and the integrated SEO + paid media approach that's reducing customer acquisition costs by treating channels as complementary systems, not competing budgets How to extract actionable BFCM insights within 1-2 weeks while you still have Q4 runway to capitalize on Christmas traffic, gift card redemptions, and January clearance The "messy middle" reality where customers hit 6-8 touchpoints in 15 minutes—and why brand recall now drives transactions before they reach your cart Russ Macumber is Co-Founder & Managing Director at Impressive Digital. He's worked with e-commerce brands from $2 million to $500 million+ in revenue since 1999, navigating the entire evolution from traditional marketing through today's multi-channel reality. Whether you're doing $10K months or $1M months, this conversation…

Here's what most brands get wrong about discounting: they launch site-wide sales that spike orders for a few days, then train customers to never buy at full price again. In this episode, discover: Why quantity-based discounting ("buy more, save more") doesn't condition customers to wait for promotions and can be a permanent offer that protects margins while lifting AOV by 30-40%. The critical difference between bulk tiered pricing and volume bundles—and how to match discount structures to how customers actually want to buy your products instead of just copying competitors. How to use strategic discounting to offset rising CAC from Google algorithm changes, with frameworks that work whether you're spending $500 or $50K monthly on ads. Katie Keith is the Founder and CEO of Barn2, serving 100,000+ stores with insights backed by millions of transactions across the WooCommerce ecosystem, now bringing that expertise to Shopify. Whether you're doing $10K months or $1M months, this conversation delivers actionable…

Most founders don't realize they're stuck in the ad creative grind until they're months deep into it. Everyone's chasing the same AI tools to pump out images and copy, but here's what they're missing: the real bottleneck isn't creating ads—it's knowing which ones will actually convert before you spend a single dollar testing them. Think about your options for a second. You could drop $15,000 with an agency and wait four to six weeks for tested ad variants. Or you could spend $50 and get 20 AI-generated, consumer-validated ad concepts in under 15 minutes—complete with data showing exactly which ones will perform best. A year ago, that second option didn't exist. But today, something's shifted. Small to mid-sized brands that've been locked out of the sophisticated testing that eight-figure operations run are finally getting access to enterprise-level consumer intelligence. Today's guest is Armen Mkrtchyan, CEO and co-founder of Extuitive, a company that emerged from Flagship Pioneering—the same innovation lab…

Here's what most founders don't realize until they're deep in the scaling trenches: that DIY Shopify store that got you to $2-3M? It's probably your biggest bottleneck right now. Your site's crawling from app bloat, conversion rates have plateaued, and expanding internationally feels like a six-month, six-figure nightmare you don't have bandwidth for. Meanwhile, the top 1% of Shopify brands are launching multi-region storefronts with localized currencies, duties, taxes, and languages—and they're live in 8-12 weeks. The difference isn't unlimited budgets or massive teams. It's knowing how to build for scale from day one. Today's guest literally helped build the Shopify Plus Partner Program. Mac King is Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Domaine, the world's largest independent Shopify design and development agency with over 350 sites launched globally. Before founding Domaine, Mac was at Shopify in the early days, flying around North America convincing agencies (including me) to become Shopify Plus…

Every time your phone rings and goes to voicemail, you're losing a customer forever. Research shows that more than 80% of potential buyers who hit voicemail don't call back—they head straight to Google and find your competitor instead. Think about what that means: someone saw your ad, got excited about your product, had a question about sizing or shipping, and was ready to buy. Then your phone rang four times, kicked to voicemail, and that $200 average order walked away. For smaller Shopify stores, the phone typically routes to someone's personal cell—which means if you're in a meeting, at dinner, or asleep, you're bleeding revenue. For larger operations, you're either paying thousands monthly for call center staff or dealing with frustrated customers navigating clunky IVR systems that make them want to hang up before they even reach a human. Either way, the phone—one of your most powerful sales and service channels—becomes your weakest link. Today's guest is Thomas Rivera, Founding Partner of NLPearl, one…

Every Shopify brand scaling beyond six figures eventually faces this moment: you've got a product people actually want, demand is building, and you decide to run a launch. Then the site crashes, bots clear out inventory in seconds, real customers get locked out, and your support inbox explodes for weeks. Whether you're dropping limited sneakers or launching a new product line, the infrastructure that works for everyday commerce completely falls apart when passionate fans show up all at once. Andrew Lipp lived this frustration firsthand—not as a store owner, but as a regular guy trying to buy Nike Stranger Things sneakers. He showed up at launch time, entered his credit card details, got a confirmation, drove to the store for pickup, and was told "we don't have your transaction." The site had crashed, they'd oversold, checkout went out of sync, and the kicker? They couldn't even refund his money because the transaction never fully processed. Meanwhile, those exact shoes were instantly listed on resale markets…

As Q4 heats up and ad costs keep climbing, most Shopify brands are stuck in the same exhausting cycle—pouring more money into Meta and TikTok ads while watching their CAC creep higher every month. You know you need to diversify, and influencer marketing seems like the obvious answer. So you start DMing creators, sending free products, maybe paying a few to post. Three months later? Crickets. Maybe you got a handful of posts, zero sales you can track, and now you're convinced "influencer marketing doesn't work for us." Here's what's actually happening: you're treating a top-of-funnel awareness channel like it's bottom-of-funnel direct response—and then measuring it with the wrong metrics entirely. It's like judging your Facebook ads purely on organic reach. The mechanics are completely different, which is why most brands are burning budget on random tactics instead of building a system that actually compounds. Today's guest has cracked the code on making influencer marketing predictable and profitable. Yash…

As Q4 heats up, Shopify brands are facing some serious pressure—rising fulfillment costs, shifting global tariffs, and the growing complexity of scaling operations beyond your garage or living room. Today's guest knows this space inside and out. Casey Armstrong, CMO at ShipBob, returns for his third appearance on the show—a rare honor reserved for guests who bring exceptional value to our community. Casey first joined us back in July 2019 for episode 52, returned in August 2021 for episode 179, and now he's back for episode 425. Over nearly seven years at ShipBob, Casey and his team have helped hundreds of Shopify merchants evolve from scrappy startups to global brands. With more than 100 million orders shipped annually across 60+ fulfillment centers worldwide, ShipBob has become an essential partner for brands crossing that $1–5M growth threshold and scaling beyond. Whether you're gearing up for Black Friday Cyber Monday or planning a multi-channel expansion, this episode is packed with actionable insights.…

Welcome to eCommerce Fastlane! Q4 is in full swing, and with it comes mounting pressure for Shopify brands—admin demands are cutting into margins, operations are getting more complex, and there's a constant buzz about AI: is it actually moving the needle, or just adding more noise? Today, we're bringing clarity to the conversation with Edu Samayoa, co-founder and CEO of Thinkr. His team is pioneering autonomous commerce through AI agents that deliver real results for Shopify brands. Whether you're scaling toward your first million or optimizing an established business, today's episode uncovers practical ways to use AI—not just to save precious founder time, but to win back lost sales and drive measurable growth. No more hype, no more overwhelm—just actionable insights that make an impact. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth…

Welcome to eCommerce Fastlane! As Q4 ramps up, Shopify brands face mounting challenges: acquisition costs are climbing, and customer expectations keep rising. How do you keep growing—in conversions, loyalty, and lifetime value—without getting bogged down by AI hype or generic advice? Today, I’m joined by Greg Tull, Director of Marketing at Classy Llama. With nearly two decades of eCommerce expertise, Greg’s team is all about practical wins—grounded, data-driven strategies and real-world customer experience solutions for scaling on Shopify Plus. Whether you’re gearing up for BFCM or just looking to build stronger customer relationships this season, you’ll discover simple, actionable ways to harness AI, design friction-free journeys, and deepen loyalty beyond the first sale. Let’s dive in. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth…

Today's episode explores a critical shift in how scaling Shopify brands can build deeper, more profitable customer relationships. As digital ad costs climb heading into Q4—with BFCM just around the corner—too many brands waste budget competing in noisy landscapes, ignoring an untapped resource for ongoing engagement and conversion: owned audiences through branded newsletters. Most DTC brands still rely solely on transactional email flows from ESPs like Klaviyo, Omnisend, or Mailchimp—abandoned carts, promotional blasts, order confirmations. But newsletters offer something fundamentally different: a direct line to engaged subscribers who actually want to hear from the brand, enabling thought leadership and relationship-building beyond the transactional nature of traditional email marketing. What if launching premium branded newsletters that drive organic growth, monetize audiences, and integrate seamlessly with Shopify didn't require expensive engineering or platform lock-in? Today's guest, Moshe Zippel,…

Sourcing a new product shouldn’t feel like a midnight scavenger hunt across time zones. Yet most Shopify founders still juggle endless email threads, clunky spreadsheets, and “good-enough” quotes that quietly erode their margins. Today’s guest, Anthony Sardain, says there’s a saner way. He created Cavela, the first fully automated, AI-powered virtual sourcing agent that taps more than 200 000 vetted factories in 40 countries and routinely shaves an average of 37% off unit costs—all while handling negotiation, quality checks, and certification audits for you. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog.

Every Shopify brand scaling beyond seven figures faces the same maddening challenge: where is your ad spend actually working? You're pouring budget into Facebook, Google, TikTok, email campaigns, and a dozen other channels—but thanks to iOS updates and platform-biased reporting, you're essentially flying blind. Worse yet, many brands are unknowingly doubling down on channels that are bleeding money while cutting budgets from their most profitable campaigns. Scott Desgrosseilliers, Founder and CEO of Wicked Reports, has spent over a decade solving exactly this problem. His marketing attribution platform has helped household names like Cheech & Chong and Neil Patel's NP Digital transition from guesswork to data-driven growth. In today's episode, Scott shares his journey from helping a lobster company crack Facebook attribution to developing the Five Forces framework—a systematic approach that turns attribution chaos into actionable growth strategies. You'll discover how to identify which campaigns deserve more…

Today's episode deconstructs the challenges that are keeping DTC founders up at night in 2025: collapsing ad returns, scattered customer journeys, and the fragmented tech stacks blocking profitable growth for Shopify brands. As email, SMS, WhatsApp, and paid social blend into an omnichannel jungle, most teams are stuck juggling disconnected dashboards, siloed point solutions, and a never-ending battle to stitch fragmented data into real clarity. The result? Wasted spend, missed opportunities, and shaky customer relationships heading into Q4. What if you could unify data—across every customer touchpoint—and finally orchestrate journeys based on real channel preferences, personalized timing, and actionable AI? Klaviyo’s latest innovations are rewriting the playbook on connected marketing, with groundbreaking features like Channel Affinity AI, a unified Campaign Builder, and identity resolution for truly 1:1 experiences. Today’s guest, Jen Kessler, VP of Product at Klaviyo and veteran of Twilio and Segment,…

Are last-minute customer doubts quietly sabotaging your Shopify store's conversion rate—even when your products shine and ad spend pays off? If abandoned carts and stalled sales feel all too familiar, this episode unlocks fresh, practical strategies for bridging the final gap between "add to cart" and "buy now." My guest today is Luca Borreani, co-founder and CMO of ZipChat AI—an agentic commerce platform that gives brands the power to instantly engage high-intent visitors, answer questions in real time, and gently nudge hesitant shoppers through to checkout. Luca's credentials run deep: he's scaled fast-growth startups, orchestrated successful exits, and won backing from investors like Sequoia Capital and Jason Calacanis. ZipChat is already trusted by thousands of Shopify stores to deliver smart, conversational experiences right at the crucial moment—when customers are deciding whether to stay or bounce. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through…

Today's episode tackles one of the biggest operational headaches facing Shopify merchants: the shipping and fulfillment maze that's quietly crushing margins and customer loyalty. From new brands shipping their first 10 orders to established companies managing 10,000+ daily shipments, merchants are drowning in carrier complexity, hidden costs, and rising customer expectations. The post-purchase experience has become make-or-break for retention—yet most brands are cobbling together fragmented solutions that create more problems than they solve. What if there was a better way? What if you could transform shipping from a necessary evil into a competitive advantage that actually drives repeat purchases and customer delight? In this episode, I'm joined by Vibhor Chhabra, Director of Product for Shipping and Taxes at Shopify. Vibhor and his team have just launched major upgrades to Shopify Shipping that are already transforming how millions of merchants handle fulfillment. We're talking new carrier partnerships,…

Today’s episode cuts straight to a costly mistake holding back serious growth for Shopify brands: disconnected marketing systems and fragmented execution. If acquisition costs are creeping up, lifetime value feels stuck, and your paid channels and retention efforts are running in silos, this is your blueprint to unify your approach and unlock real, profitable growth. Joining me is Bobby Palmieri, co-founder and CEO of Lilo Social—a two-time Inc. 5000 agency, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and one of Klaviyo’s Master Elite partners (top 0.2% worldwide). Bobby’s team manages over $100 million in ad spend for DTC brands, setting the pace with full-funnel strategy, fresh creative processes, and AI-powered insights. In this episode, we dig into Lilo Social’s holistic playbook: how their creative development, testing frameworks, and attribution models fuel momentum and breakthrough results for leading Shopify merchants. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or…

Today’s episode pulls back the curtain on the “dirty secret” stalling growth for scaling Shopify brands: operational complexity and founder bottlenecks. If hitting $2M–$5M+ in revenue has brought chaos, team misalignment, and burnout, this conversation is the wake-up call—and antidote—you need. We’re diving into the practical playbook for building a self-managing organization that breaks through the ceiling and unlocks sustainable scale. My guest is Leon van der Laan, founder of Remode Company, architect of the REMODE leadership framework, and trusted coach to 7–8 figure eCommerce founders across Europe. Leon has spent years helping DTC leaders escape “founder mode,” implement clarity-driven systems, and build companies that thrive independent of their constant oversight. Leon’s approach isn’t about more hustle—it’s about deploying a proven four-pillar framework that activates intrinsic motivation, sets meaningful goals, creates crystal-clear accountability, and operationalizes high-leverage execution.…

Today's episode pulls back the curtain on one of the highest ROI strategies for Shopify brands: AI-powered SEO and organic growth. If you're watching 98% of your paid traffic slip away before converting while acquisition costs keep climbing, this episode is your wake-up call. We're diving into the new playbook for driving organic reach that actually moves the needle. My guest is Mike Simmons, CEO of Plug In Useful, whose SEO and site speed solutions power over 30,000 Shopify stores. He's a builder and operator living on the front lines of traffic acquisition for direct-to-consumer brands. Plugin Useful's suite goes beyond "best practice" checklists. We're talking actionable recommendations, specialized keyword analysis, bulk content optimization, and tracking that shows if your SEO changes actually work. Mike shares why native solutions like Shopify Magic leave money on the table, and reveals overlooked strategies like leveraging collection pages and schema markup. Plus, his take on how AI tools like…

Today, we're diving into one of the most powerful—yet often misunderstood—strategies for Shopify brands: micro-influencer marketing. If you're tired of celebrity endorsements that feel inauthentic and paid ads with questionable ROI, this episode is for you. We're exploring how authentic voices, strategic product seeding, and user-generated content can actually supercharge your growth while reducing those brutal acquisition costs we all know too well. My guest is William Gasner, Co-founder and CMO of Stack Influence—a marketplace that's connected brands with over 11 million vetted micro and nano creators. But here's what makes William different: he's not just talking theory. He's a six-time founder who's scaled multiple seven-figure Shopify businesses before building the platform he wished existed when he was in the trenches. Stack Influence isn't your typical SaaS database where you're left to figure things out. It's a living, two-sided marketplace that automates hundreds—sometimes thousands—of…

Today, we're shining a light on an invisible profit killer lurking in many Shopify stores: technical debt. It's the hidden drag on your growth, silently creeping in as you layer on apps, experiment with new tech, and expand your team—until suddenly, you're slowed by complexity, site issues, and mounting customer headaches. My guest today is Paolo Vidali, Founder and CEO of Hidden Gears. Paolo’s team specializes in helping scaling Shopify brands get to the root of technical chaos—those “duct tape” solutions, clashing apps, and homegrown workarounds that work… until they don’t. If your store feels a bit buggier, slower, or just harder to operate as you grow, this episode is your roadmap to getting operationally lean again—before Q4 hits and every conversion counts. Paolo shares real-world examples from his agency’s work: migrating brands in and out of headless, troubleshooting mysterious checkout bugs, and auditing countless tech stacks where everyone forgot why an app or workaround even exists. The…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! Here's a painful reality that's quietly killing Shopify brands: you're spending thousands driving traffic to your store, but 98% of those visitors are complete ghosts. They browse, they leave, and you have zero way to bring them back—while your competitors who've cracked visitor identification are building massive email lists from the exact same traffic. If you're feeling the squeeze of rising acquisition costs while retention gets tougher thanks to the cookie apocalypse, this episode is your wake-up call. My guest today is Liam Millward, Co-Founder and CEO of Instant. After working with 1,000+ Shopify brands—including headliners like Liquid I.V., July Luggage, and The Oodie—Liam's team has cracked the code on turning "anonymous" traffic into high-ROI repeat customers. While most brands are still playing the "pray they come back" game with tools that identify maybe 5% of visitors, Instant routinely identifies 40-60%—turning anonymous browsers into revenue-generating…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! Here's a story that might sound familiar: you're spending $10,000+ a month on ads, traffic looks solid, but somehow you're barely breaking even. Sound familiar? The hard truth is that most Shopify merchants don't realize they have a revenue leak problem. While you're obsessing over getting more traffic, your store is quietly bleeding money through hidden conversion killers and psychological friction points that drive customers away. I see it every BFCM season—brands celebrate stellar top-line numbers only to discover their net profit has vanished into the red. The real challenge isn't getting more eyeballs; it's plugging the invisible leaks that are costing you thousands every month. My guest today is Matt Stafford, Managing Partner at Build Grow Scale. Matt's been in the trenches for nearly 30 years, scaling multiple 7- and 8-figure brands and helping close to a thousand founders break through growth plateaus. But here's what makes him different: he doesn't just tweak…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! Today, we're tackling the hidden growth killer that's sabotaging even the best DTC brands—and most founders don't see it coming until it's too late. You know the story: you've nailed product-market fit, your marketing is humming, orders are pouring in... then everything falls apart. Split shipments eat your margins. Inventory nightmares unfold. Customer complaints spike. And suddenly, you're drowning in operational chaos instead of celebrating growth. Here's the thing most brands miss: those first warning signs are almost invisible. You start solving fulfillment problems with your leadership's time—founders manually fixing orders, ops managers chasing inventory issues. You're reacting instead of scaling, and that's where growth stalls. My guest today is Aras Kolya, Chief Revenue Officer at ShipMonk, one of America's fastest-growing 3PLs that's doing things radically differently. While most 3PLs are just brokers stitching together fulfillment networks with middleware,…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! Today, we're diving deep into the evolving world of eCommerce SEO—and trust me, the game has completely changed in 2025. Joining me is Jeff Oxford, founder and CEO of 180 Marketing, an eCommerce SEO agency that's delivered an average ROI of 874% across their client base. Jeff isn't just talking theory—he's managed over 300 eCommerce SEO campaigns and runs his own dropshipping store, so he knows exactly what it takes to scale organic traffic that actually converts. Here's what makes this episode critical: while everyone's panicking about AI "killing" SEO, Jeff reveals why eCommerce SEO is actually the highest-ROI marketing channel for Shopify brands—and how the rise of ChatGPT product carousels, AI overviews, and generative search is creating massive new opportunities for brands that know how to adapt. Whether you're watching your organic traffic plateau or wondering how to get your products featured in AI-driven shopping results, this episode gives you the exact playbook…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! Today, we’re spotlighting a marketing channel that’s quietly dominating Europe, Australia, and beyond—but is still underused in North America: WhatsApp marketing. While most Shopify brands are stuck battling expensive Facebook ads and crowded email inboxes, a new frontier is emerging that offers 80–90% open rates and instant, conversational engagement. To break down this opportunity, I’m joined by Jeremy Horowitz, CEO of CocoAI. Jeremy’s background in private equity, Shopify app acquisitions, and international DTC growth gives him a unique vantage point on why WhatsApp is poised to become the next big wave for Shopify merchants—especially as brands look to expand internationally and leverage AI-powered automation. If you’re ready to move beyond traditional channels and tap into a high-value, conversational approach to commerce, this episode is your playbook for getting started. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! A fundamental shift is underway in how customers discover and purchase products, and most Shopify merchants are unaware of it. The days of relying solely on Google search are numbered as consumers increasingly turn to AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for buying advice. But here’s the problem: 80-90% of Shopify stores are currently invisible to these AI platforms. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on this new “AI Commerce” with a true industry insider. My guest is Tanner Larson, CEO of Built to Scale and author of the wildly popular book, E-commerce Evolved. Tanner has spent the last year working behind closed doors in the AI Commerce beta programs for major AI platforms, giving him a front-row seat to the biggest disruption since the smartphone. If you’ve ever wondered why your store isn’t getting recommended by AI, Tanner explains that it’s not an SEO problem—it’s an infrastructure problem. This episode is a masterclass on how to fix that visibility…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! If you’re running a Shopify store, you know the pain of email overload, endless internal threads, and the chaos that comes with managing customer conversations across multiple channels. Today, we’re tackling “inbox chaos” head-on with a tool designed to unify your team’s communication, streamline support, and bring true context-awareness to every customer interaction. Joining me is Philippe Lehoux, co-founder and CEO of Missive—a collaborative communication platform trusted by over 25,000 teams worldwide. Philippe’s spent the last decade obsessing over how to break down the silos between internal and external communication, and his platform is now a go-to for Shopify merchants who want to turn their service side from a cost center into a profit center. Whether you’re a solo founder drowning in emails or a fast-growing brand scaling your support team, you’ll hear actionable strategies to reduce context switching, leverage AI for smarter workflows, and create a seamless…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! Today, we’re diving into the world of challenger brands and what it really takes to break into—and win—in a market dominated by legacy giants. If you’ve ever walked down the cleaning aisle, you know it’s ruled by “Big Clean”—massive CPG players with decades of brand equity. But what happens when a new player, powered by celebrity founders and a mission-driven approach, decides to shake things up? Enter Clean Boss, a botanical cleaning brand co-founded by Joy Mangano (yes, the Miracle Mop inventor and inspiration for the movie “Joy”) and global superstar Pitbull. To unpack their journey, I’m joined by Nevin Jethmalani, Chief Digital Officer. Nevin’s got a front-row seat to what it takes to build a brand from scratch, leverage star power, and scale across DTC, Amazon, Walmart, and beyond. Whether you’re up against entrenched competitors or just looking for ways to stand out in a crowded market, you’ll hear actionable strategies for profitable acquisition, omnichannel growth,…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! I’m Steve Hutt, and today we’re diving into Shopify’s Summer Editions 2025—also known as the “Horizons” release. If you’re new to Editions, here’s the quick scoop: every six months, Shopify rolls out a huge batch of updates—this summer’s release features over 150 enhancements spanning the entire platform. It’s their way of showcasing what’s new, what’s improved, and how they’re helping merchants like you stay ahead in today’s ever-evolving retail landscape. Even in our digital-first world, 80% of commerce still happens in-store. Yet, so many brands are stuck juggling disconnected systems and clunky middleware. That’s why this year’s completely reimagined Shopify POS—version 10—caught my attention. It’s not just a facelift; it’s a full transformation of what unified commerce can look like, packed with features designed to supercharge your retail journey and finally bridge the gap between online and in-person selling. To unpack the details, I’m joined by Ray Reddy, Shopify’s…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane! I'm Steve Hutt, and today we're diving into something that honestly blew my mind during our conversation. Picture this: 95 million active buyers actively searching for unique products, built-in traffic you don't have to pay for, and a platform where most successful sellers never touch ads. Sounds too good to be true? That's exactly what I thought about Etsy before talking with today's guest. I'm chatting with Dylan Jahraus, who built a million-dollar Etsy shop, then pivoted to teaching others how to do the same. She's the founder of The Ultimate Etsy Ecourse and created etSEO, an AI tool that takes the guesswork out of Etsy SEO. But here's what really caught my attention—Dylan shows Shopify store owners how to use Etsy as their secret weapon for free traffic and customer research. If you've been burning cash on ads or struggling to find new customers, this conversation might just change how you think about growing your business. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and…

Welcome back to eCommerce Fastlane. I'm your host, Steve Hutt. Ever felt like negative Amazon reviews are sabotaging your hard-earned sales, or that your product listings are quietly losing ground without you even knowing? You're not alone. In today's landscape, managing your brand's reputation across both Shopify and Amazon is more critical—and more complex—than ever. I'm excited to welcome Danan Coleman, CEO of eCom Triage, to the show. Danan's been in the trenches since 2010, helping brands crack the code on legitimate Amazon review removal and proactive catalog monitoring. If you've ever wondered whether you can actually get unfair reviews taken down (without breaking Amazon's rules), or how to safeguard your listings from costly, hidden issues, this episode is for you. You'll discover the exact process Danan uses to remove 5-15% of negative reviews and how even a tiny star rating drop can slash your sales by up to 50%. What You'll Learn Amazon Review Removal Secrets: The truth about getting negative…

Ever wondered how to truly bridge the gap between your Shopify store and your retail locations? Or maybe you’ve heard the term “clienteling” tossed around by big brands and wondered if it’s just for luxury retailers, or if it can actually move the needle for your business, too? If you’re looking to drive more foot traffic, boost repeat purchases, and finally unify your online and offline experiences, today’s episode is for you. I’m thrilled to welcome back Leigh, co-founder of Endear, for a deep dive into the modern world of clienteling. Leigh has been in the trenches since before the pandemic, helping brands like Glossier, Allbirds, and Untuckit unlock the real potential of their retail stores by connecting them with their ecommerce data. Today, we’re unpacking how Endear is reimagining clienteling for the omnichannel era-making it scalable, data-driven, and accessible for every Shopify merchant ready to elevate their customer experience. What You'll Learn Clienteling Demystified: What it really means…

Are tariffs and supply chain chaos keeping you up at night? Not sure how to forecast inventory or manage cash flow when every shipment from China seems to come with a new surprise fee? If you’re a Shopify merchant importing from overseas, you’ve probably felt the sting of trade wars, unpredictable costs, and the pressure to deliver a seamless customer experience-without draining your bank account. You’re definitely not alone. Today’s DTC reality is throwing curveballs at every direct-to-consumer brand, especially those navigating the ever-evolving landscape of tariffs and global fulfillment. That’s why I’m excited to welcome back Izzy Rosenzweig, founder of Portless, for his encore appearance on the show. Izzy has been in the trenches with hundreds of brands, helping them crack the code on cash flow, inventory agility, and tariff mitigation—especially in this turbulent era of trade wars and shifting global manufacturing. What You'll Learn Surviving Tariffs: Why trade wars aren’t forever, but smart brands…

Are you drowning in marketing data from too many platforms? Feeling uncertain about where your ad dollars are actually driving results, especially after the iOS 14 tracking shakeup? Maybe you suspect wasted spend but can’t pinpoint exactly where or why? You’re definitely not alone. Many Shopify merchants grapple with fragmented data, inaccurate attribution, and the frustration of making marketing decisions based on guesswork rather than clear insights. That’s why I’m thrilled to have Gurami Tateshvili, co-founder of MyDataNinja, on the show today. As a serial entrepreneur and Harvard Business School alum who built his own e-commerce businesses and digital agency, Gurami experienced these tracking and attribution pains firsthand. He co-founded MyDataNinja specifically to solve this problem, creating a platform that unifies ecommerce metrics into a single, actionable dashboard. What You’ll Learn Navigating Post-iOS 14 Tracking: Understand the ongoing challenges and why standard pixels often fall short.…

Are you feeling like your Shopify brand could be doing more—maybe you’re struggling to connect the dots between your channels, or you know you’re not getting the most out of your existing customers? You’re not alone. So many brands sense there’s untapped growth, but with commerce evolving so quickly, it’s tough to know what to prioritize or how to fill those expertise gaps. That’s why I’m excited to welcome Dennis Yao, co-founder of The Other Group and my former lead at Shopify, to the show. Dennis has spent over 20 years in retail, wholesale, SaaS, and digital marketplaces—he’s helped mid-market and enterprise brands drive billions in revenue, and now he’s on a mission to help omnichannel brands execute smarter and grow faster. What You'll Learn Omnichannel strategy: How to move from buzzwords to practical execution across retail, DTC, wholesale, and marketplaces. Retention as a growth engine: Why nurturing “raving fans” is the smartest way to boost profitability and customer lifetime value. Social vs.…

Are you frustrated by unpredictable ROAS and rising Facebook ad costs that make scaling your Shopify brand feel impossible? You’re definitely not alone. Many brands see their first customer acquisition barely break even—or even lose money—forcing them to rely on retention just to stay afloat. In this episode, I’m joined by Manel Gomez, CEO and founder of Meta Scaling Accelerator. Since 2016, Manel has managed over $25 million in Facebook ad spend, helping e-commerce brands break through the noise and actually scale profitably. He’s not just another ad guy—he’s the creator of the “Wave Surfing” methodology, a proven system for maximizing your ad spend during peak performance windows while minimizing risk. We dig into: How to spot your brand’s natural conversion peaks using Shopify Analytics Why testing customer motivations (“angles”) beats endless audience tweaks Matching creative formats to how your customers really shop Embracing ROAS ups and downs—and how to ride those waves for profit Using AI for faster…

Are conflicting data points between Shopify and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) undermining your marketing decisions? You’re not alone—and it’s likely costing your business more than you realize. Many Shopify brands struggle to establish a reliable source of truth for their marketing performance, leading to wasted ad spend, inaccurate reporting, and missed growth opportunities. In this episode, we sit down with Josh Lauer, a marketing intelligence expert specializing in Google Analytics, data warehousing, and empowering ecommerce brands with clarity and confidence in their data. Josh shares how to bridge the gap between platform analytics (like Shopify) and marketing analytics (like GA4) to create a unified, trustworthy view of performance. With firsthand insights into the frustrations caused by data discrepancies and the transition from Universal Analytics to GA4, Josh outlines actionable strategies to help you implement robust data solutions that drive smarter decisions and scalable growth. Reach out to us! We…

You’re not alone. Many e-commerce brands are feeling the "margin crunch" as shipping costs skyrocket. Carrier rate hikes, hidden surcharges, and complex contracts can feel like unavoidable profit killers, making it harder to stay competitive and profitable. Today, we’re talking with Michael Moriarty, a strategic partner at Schooley Mitchell, an independent cost reduction consulting firm that has saved businesses over $1 billion. They specialize in uncovering savings in complex expense categories, with a strong focus on helping e-commerce brands slash their shipping costs. Michael and the Schooley Mitchell team deeply understand the intricacies of carrier contracts (FedEx, UPS, etc.) and work solely on behalf of their clients – not the carriers – to find savings and optimize shipping spend. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth…

Struggling to Find Marketing Channels That Deliver? Drowning in Rising Ad Costs? There's a Better Way. You're not alone. Many e-commerce brands are feeling the squeeze of rising ad costs and cutthroat competition. Finding profitable ways to reach new customers is getting tougher. Today, we're talking with Michael Cole, the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Everflow, a company behind a powerful partner marketing platform that empowers brands to track and scale their affiliate programs effectively. Michael brings a wealth of experience to the table, particularly from his early involvement with Shopify and BigCommerce. He deeply understands what makes these programs tick and how to leverage them for maximum impact. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog.

Are your Facebook and Google ad costs skyrocketing? Feeling like you’re throwing money into a black box with minimal returns? You’re not alone. Today, we’re diving into the trenches of paid advertising with Sam Piliero, the Founder and CEO of The Moonlighters a specialized media buying agency laser-focused on helping Shopify brands conquer Facebook and Google Ads. Sam brings incredible experience to the table, having worked with Gary Vaynerchuk at VaynerMedia and Director of Marketing at BarkBox. With over a decade of experience helping DTC brands grow and scale, Sam’s here to unpack the challenges of today’s ad landscape and share actionable strategies for success. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog.

Are your email marketing efforts falling flat? Struggling to create engaging campaigns that actually convert? What if there was a way to make your emails stand out—without spending hours coding or designing? In this episode of eCommerce Fastlane, we welcome Dmytro Kudrenko, the founder and CEO of Stripo, an innovative email design platform helping brands create high-performing emails with ease. Dmytro has revolutionized email marketing by eliminating technical roadblocks, allowing marketers to design interactive and gamified emails without touching a single line of code. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog.

Are you a Shopify store owner struggling to get noticed in a crowded marketplace? Tired of throwing money at ads with unpredictable results? Have you ever wondered how to get featured in top-tier publications like The New York Times or Vogue without breaking the bank on a costly PR agency? In this episode of eCommerce Fastlane, we welcome Gloria Chou, an award-winning PR strategist and former US diplomat, to unveil her proven framework for landing media coverage and building brand credibility. Gloria shares her expertise in helping entrepreneurs get featured in top-tier publications without the traditional expense of PR agencies. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog.

Are you a Shopify store owner struggling to find the right marketing agency? Have you been burned by agencies that overpromise and underdeliver? Are you lost in a sea of marketing options, unsure where to turn for expert guidance? In this episode of eCommerce Fastlane, we welcome Behdad Jamshidi (aka “Bee”), founder of CJAM Marketing, to shed light on a critical (and often frustrating) aspect of growing an online business: finding the right marketing partner. Bee, a seasoned marketing connector, shares his unique approach to matching merchants with agencies that truly align with their needs and goals. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog.

Are you tired of juggling disconnected tools and struggling to gain a complete view of your B2C customers? Do you want to power a new era of growth with smarter customer relationships? In this episode of eCommerce Fastlane, we welcome back Jake Cohen, VP at Klaviyo, to unveil their latest innovation: Klaviyo B2C CRM, the only customer relationship management platform built specifically for consumer brands. Discover how this all-in-one platform unifies marketing, service, and analytics to empower businesses to build more loyal customer relationships, increase engagement, and drive revenue. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog.

Are anonymous website visitors slipping through your fingers, taking potential revenue with them? Most Shopify stores convert only a small fraction of their traffic, leaving a significant amount of opportunity untapped. In this episode of eCommerce Fastlane, we speak with Francesco Gatti, Co-founder and CEO of OpenSend, about a platform that helps Shopify merchants solve this costly problem. Discover how OpenSend identifies a portion of your unknown website visitors and turns them into actionable leads, potentially recovering lost sales and deepening customer relationships. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies, check out the eCommerce Fastlane Insights Blog. TOPICS INCLUDE: Advertising, Affiliate Marketing, Amazon, Attribution, Automation, B2B, Brand, Customer Retention, Customer Support, Data + Analytics, Data Trust +…

Welcome to eCommerce Fastlane. Today, my guest is Austin Reece, Head of Product Marketing and Revenue Enablement at Gladly. In this episode, we dive deep into how AI-powered customer service is transforming the way brands engage with their customers—before, during, and after a sale. Brands like Nordstrom, Warby Parker, Crate & Barrel, and Rothy’s are using Gladly’s AI-driven customer experience platform to provide faster, more personalized support while improving retention and driving revenue. If you’ve ever felt that traditional customer service ticketing systems were holding your brand back, this episode is for you. Here’s what we cover in today’s conversation: The AI-Powered Shift in Customer Service – How brands are moving away from outdated ticket-based systems and embracing a people-first approach. True Omnichannel Support – Why unifying voice, chat, SMS, email, and social in one platform is a game-changer for eCommerce brands. AI as an Efficiency Booster, Not a Replacement – How AI empowers agents…

Welcome to eCommerce Fastlane, the podcast where we delve into the world of eCommerce and digital marketing to bring you the latest insights and strategies for success in the online retail space. In this episode, host Steve Hutt is joined by Erik Christiansen, CEO of Justuno, a leading conversion automation platform. Steve and Erik discuss the challenges and opportunities facing digital marketers today, and they explore the power of leveraging consumer data, integrating technology platforms, and creating personalized customer experiences. Tune in as they share their expertise, offer valuable insights, and provide a special discount code for the audience. It’s time to unlock the secrets to optimizing conversion rates and driving profitability in the fast-paced world of eCommerce. Reach out to us! We welcome questions and comments about this episode. Connect with us here or through our socials — your feedback is always welcome. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more ecommerce, marketing, and growth strategies,…