Shows
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastInfluencer Whitelisting: What It Is & How to StartHere's something most merchants don't realize: you can run paid ads through an influencer's handle instead of your own. It's called whitelisting, and it converts about 15% better. Brad Hoos, CEO of Outloud Group and owner of Shopify store MuskOx Flannels, has been doing influencer marketing since YouTube was mostly cat videos. In this episode, he breaks down how whitelisting works step by step, why he thinks of creators as "decentralized media companies," and what most brands overthink when they're just getting started.SPONSORSSwym — Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurt...
2026-02-0347 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe Financial Blind Spot Costing 7-Figure Stores Millions"You can't control tariffs. You can't control the weather. But you can control what's happening within your business."Salena Knight has audited thousands of retail businesses since 2007 and found that 4 out of 5 seven-figure stores share the same blind spot—and it's not marketing. It's money. We talked about why inventory is secretly taxable cash sitting on your shelves, how one brand increased profit margins 30% by auditing their pick-and-pack costs, and why running a 30% off sale on luxury products got zero orders.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/ku...
2026-01-2750 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastA Mushroom Brand's Bet Against Booze"I would have invested 100% of all of the money that we raised into Meta. I would have done nothing else but secure that one channel first."After launching Troop, a functional mushroom gummy brand, Jake Mellman discovered that community events and sampling don't pay the bills. What does: Meta ads, a 76% contribution margin, and defaulting customers to quarterly subscriptions. Now he's applied those lessons to Psilly Goose, a functional beverage targeting the 46% of American adults who've stopped drinking. The challenge: THC restrictions, heavy shipping costs, and a farm bill that could shut him down by November.
2026-01-2051 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe First Shop Mini"Shop has this amazing opportunity to convert shoppers into people that are being entertained by shoppable content."Bill Staley built the first Shop Mini to launch on Shopify's Shop app. Food Social brings 10,000+ shoppable recipes to 200 million potential users. We dig into why Shop is Shopify's most underrated channel, how personalization matches recipes to purchase history, and why intent-based shopping beats interruption marketing every time.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify...
2026-01-1526 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe Period Brand That Won $1.5M in Pitch ContestsDana Roberts spent years watching fifth-grade girls panic through their first periods with ill-fitting products and no preparation. The period care aisle hadn't changed in decades. Same brands. Same sizing that was never designed for a 10-year-old's body. When she pitched the idea to her god-sister, Dr. Monica Williams, she got a polite brush-off. Years later, Monica's own daughter started showing signs of puberty, and suddenly the problem wasn't theoretical anymore.What followed was a brutal education in bootstrapping: churning through agencies, surviving iOS 14.5, and funding an entire company through pitch competitions because traditional VCs wouldn't write...
2026-01-1348 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe €330M Exit Guy Shares His Europe Playbook"We were close to closing the company two or three times. Every winter was like, okay, that's it. Goodbye company."Chris Erthel built Meller sunglasses from a Spanish side project into a brand that sells a pair every 28 seconds. Along the way, he helped scale HelloBody from €30M to €107M as fractional CMO before its €330M exit to Henkel. We talked about why US brands fail in Europe, the cultural quirks that kill conversions in Germany, and why Italy requires cash on delivery or you're dead on arrival. He's run 3,500+ A/B tests and shares counterintuitive findings that c...
2026-01-0647 min
The Unofficial Shopify Podcast$1.7M BFCM: Inside Montana Knife Company's Black FridayMontana Knife Company pulled in $1.7 million over Black Friday weekend without discounting a single knife. Co-founder Brandon Horoho explains how: five targeted product drops, one for each customer persona. An email cadence so aggressive he was watching unsubscribe rates like a hawk. And a VIP program where the reward shows up unannounced in your mailbox. It's a story about knowing exactly who your customer is and giving them what they want before they ask. Also: why Brandon actually high-fives when his repeat customer rate goes down.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & more
2025-12-3053 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastNative A/B Testing Hits Shopify: What You Need to Know"It's really about helping merchants become more informed, helping them make more bold decisions."Aaron Glazer, Product Lead at Shopify, reveals two features from Winter '26 Edition that change how merchants test and optimize their stores. Rollouts brings native split testing directly into the admin. SimGym deploys AI agents trained on billions of purchases to find what's broken before real customers do.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting...
2025-12-2332 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSHOPIFY EDITIONS WINTER '26Shopify just dropped their "Renaissance Edition" with 150+ product updates. We cut through the noise. Sidekick finally works—I use it daily now for reports, segments, and Flow automations. Native A/B testing arrives with Rollouts and SimGym. The new Product Network let one early adopter earn $1,400 in commission in 30 days. And Shop App? #1 in the App Store over BFCM. Here's what actually matters for store owners.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Bu...
2025-12-1639 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastWhy Your Creative Strategy Is Burning Cash"Do you care enough about new customer acquisition? What you care about shows up based off of your actions, not your thoughts or your words."Meta's Andromeda update broke everyone's brain and most brands still haven't recovered. Nehal Kazim, CEO of Ad Pros, argues that the industry overcorrected by wildly overproducing content, burning through budgets on concepts that never receive meaningful spend. His math: you're paying $250-500 per asset for creatives that never get tested. Kazim has spent 13 years running campaigns for brands like Canada Goose and DTC companies doing $10-16 million a month. His solution is...
2025-12-0955 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastShe Sold 250K Shampoo Bars Without Amazon or AdsKate Assaraf tried every plastic-free shampoo bar on the market. They sat in her shower like, and I'm quoting here, "tombstones." Failed products. Dead ends. So she decided to make her own. Without Instagram ads. Without Amazon. Without any of the things you're supposed to need to build a business. Today on our program, we follow Kate's journey from beauty industry veteran to the woman who said no to everything, and built a million-dollar company anyway.In this episode, we explore how Kate sold 250,000 shampoo bars in 4 years while refusing Meta ads, Amazon listings, and influencer partnerships...
2025-12-0248 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastWhat Discounts Actually Make People Buy (Study)There's this thing that happens when you run an e-commerce store. You know you need to discount, but you're terrified. Terrified of training customers to wait for sales. Terrified of looking cheap. So you do nothing, or worse, you slap WELCOME10 on your popup and call it a day. Meanwhile, the big brands? They're discounting constantly. Just invisibly.Cara Marin from Seguno looked at 162,000 discount code sets. Real data from real stores. And what she found flips everything we thought we knew. The most successful stores discount more, not less. They just do it smarter. With unique...
2025-11-2541 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThis Founder Automated Influencer Outreach CompletelySo there's this guy, Bora Celik. Software engineer, thirty years in the game. Last year he tells his investors something crazy: SaaS is dead. Not dying. Dead. And here's the thing - he might be right. See, while everyone's playing with ChatGPT, asking it questions, Bora's building these things called AI agents. They don't just answer questions. They do the work. Like, actually reach out to influencers, negotiate deals, send products, follow up. No humans involved. One of his clients, Harney & Sons Tea, they've got agents running their entire influencer program. The agents find people, check their engagement rates...
2025-11-1845 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBuff Clucks: From Homework Assignment to 7-Figure Chicken BrandSo there's this moment in 2022 where Celia Hatch wakes up from a dream about chicken supplements called "Chicken Spice." She thinks it's ridiculous. Fast forward to today, and she's running a seven-figure business serving America's 13% of households with backyard chickens.The twist is it started as her teenage son's eighth-grade homework assignment. He made $500 selling herbs in craft bags, then quit. Ms. Hatch, a serial entrepreneur with 16 businesses behind her, picked it up and scaled Buff Clucks to seven figures in 18 months using Meta advertising, landing pages, and subscription bundling.This is a story about...
2025-11-1148 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastWhat's New in Shopify: November 2025Shopify just went from 100 variants per product to 2,048. Shopify Partners Kurt Elster and Paul Reda tested it and found out there's a secret limit at 250 where everything changes. Your theme might work perfectly, it might half-work, or it might completely break depending on when it was built.They also dig into the new VS Code-based theme editor (developers love it, merchants hate it), the "unlisted" product status that's perfect for hiding free gifts and private sales, and Kurt reveals the one homepage element that gets clicked more than anything else—you're probably not using it right....
2025-11-0435 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBlack Friday Starts Early: The 3-Week Email StrategyKurt and Filip break down buy-two-get-two offers that crush percentage discounts, why five emails on Black Friday is actually conservative, and the three-week framework 8-figure brands use to win Q4. If you're planning to send a couple emails on Cyber Monday and call it done, this episode will make you rethink everything.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSFilip Pejic...
2025-10-2850 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastAccessibility: Bet Hannon's 4-Step Fix"These tools rely on automation that only catches 30% of issues. And for blind users with screen readers? The overlays often conflict with their assistive tech—making the site harder to use."Bet Hannon runs AccessiCart, an agency that fixes accessibility problems for e-commerce stores—usually right after they've been sued. We talked about why "quick fix" overlay plugins are making the problem worse, the four accessibility issues you can fix right now, and what the European Accessibility Act's €100K fines mean for US-based stores.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moreg...
2025-10-2144 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSmart Marketer Live 2025I spent three days at Smart Marketer Live in Denver, capturing raw conversations with agency owners, brand founders, and Meta reps about what's actually working in 2025.This isn't your typical conference recap. We're talking about Meta's Andromeda update that killed everyone's ad performance over the summer, why TikTok Shop might be a trap, and how a chicken supplement business owner plans to poach employees like she's manifesting herbs.Featuring Beav Brodie (Tactical Baby Gear), Brett Curry (OMG Commerce), Attila from Smart Marketer, and Celia Hatch (Buff Clucks).SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists...
2025-10-1457 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastJomboy's 3-in-1 Store + ChatGPT Shopping ArrivesSo there's this baseball media company. They make shirts about guys with nicknames like "The Big Dumper." And they needed three different store experiences, but only wanted to use one store. What our co-host Paul Reda figured out next is either brilliant or insane. Maybe both.Today on the show, we're asking: when does a hack become a feature? When does one store become three? And why would anyone voluntarily remove every frontend app from their Shopify store? Plus, ChatGPT can now sell your products directly. No, really. We'll explain how that works and why Kurt thinks...
2025-10-0740 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSEO Is Dead. Long Live GEO. w/ Domaine's Mac King"ChatGPT is not that sophisticated yet. So for marketers, what that means is there are real ways right now for arbitrage in this short period of time before ChatGPT gets good enough to say, no, we're only showing the proper result."Mac King from Domaine breaks down why merchants are seeing ChatGPT and Perplexity show up as referral sources in their analytics—and what to do about it. We talked about the terminology wars (GEO vs AEO vs AI search optimization), why AI engines favor content from Google's 10th page, and the Reddit strategies that actually work wi...
2025-09-3051 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastJamil Bhuya: Why Store Owners Can't See Conversion KillersJamil Bhuya has scaled businesses across three wildly different industries: restaurants, beauty, and now Shopify agencies. That multi-industry perspective gives him a unique superpower—he can spot the conversion killers that store owners become blind to. We talked about why fresh eyes matter more than fancy tools, the psychology behind purchase objections, and how being too close to your business destroys your ability to see what customers actually need.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.com...
2025-09-2349 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBots, Fraud, & Other Online Store BSWe're seeing 10x more bots than humans on client stores. Fraudsters are buying your cheapest items to test stolen credit cards. Your SEO agency wants 150 new collections.This week, we dig into the actual problems hitting Shopify stores right now. Not theory, not best practices, but the real BS we're fixing for clients. We break down why your analytics are lying, how to stop credit card testers, and whether more granular SEO collections are brilliant or idiotic.Plus: The free Shopify app that caught a critical launch mistake, proof that ChatGPT drives revenue, and beta...
2025-09-1643 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe $720K Exit That Disappeared"I'm not very good at success. That's something I learned as part of this."Ben Knegendorf went from forklift operator at Walmart to selling his stake in an indoor golf business for $720,000. Then he watched most of it disappear through lifestyle creep, speculative investments, and financial ignorance. His second exit was different - and his brutal honesty about where the money went offers real lessons for entrepreneurs facing their first big payday.SponsorsSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for...
2025-09-0943 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThey Bought a 'Hated' Shopify App for 2X Revenue (Now Worth Millions)Also available on YouTube: youtu.be/gGdS45JY2YoAndrew Le and Tu Pham acquired Edit Order, a distressed Shopify app with a terrible reputation, for just 2x revenue in 2015. Ten years later, they've transformed it into Cleverific—a multi-million dollar order editing powerhouse.Guests:Andrew Le - Co-founder & Lead Developer, CleverificTu Pham - Co-founder, Marketing & Design, CleverificWebsite: https://cleverific.com/SponsorsSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build hi...
2025-09-0248 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastWhy Shopify's Shipping Just Got Way BetterAlso on YouTube: youtu.be/56r_UJZbtLg"We want to make sure that merchants who are starting their business who don't know what are all the jobs they need to take care of for shipping to merchants who are thriving and understand the space and have complex workflows, we can solve this problem for everybody."Vibhor Chhabra, Director of Product at Shopify, breaks down how Shopify Shipping has evolved into something completely different from what you might remember. We covered the new carrier integrations (including FedEx), bulk label printing for up to 250 orders, automatic shipping...
2025-08-2642 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe £500K Exit That Saved Jayden Clark's SanityAlso on YouTube: YouTube: youtu.be/p1PO9o9Se5o"I'm not very good at success. That's something I learned as part of this. I actually think probably most of us aren't very good at success."Jayden Clark thought he'd cracked the code on dropshipping success. Then his seven-figure business nearly broke him. We talked about why he sold for £500K instead of holding out for millions, the SEO and paid ad strategies that drove his rapid growth, and how a 90-minute massage changed everything.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back i...
2025-08-1256 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow Shine Supply Hit $7M/yr Without Paid AdsAlso Available on YouTube: youtu.be/_nqN9HyOpxMWhat happens when a 23-year-old refuses to play the ecommerce advertising game? Colby Stevens built Shine Supply into a $7M detailing brand using nothing but Instagram ASMR videos, authentic storytelling, and a "people over profit" philosophy.No paid ads until last month. No Amazon. No selling out to scale.Instead: 80,000 Instagram followers, hundreds of photo reviews, and a community that buys because they believe in the brand, not just the product.Colby breaks down the exact strategies that grew their family's Shopify store...
2025-07-2936 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSEO for AI: What Works, What’s Snake OilAvailable on YouTube: youtu.be/qdpFmuFD8yEShopify merchants are getting pitched AI SEO “solutions” left and right—none of them proven. So I called Jason Berkowitz, an SEO who actually knows the game, to answer the real question: what should you actually do to rank in an AI-powered world? (Spoiler: most of it’s nonsense.) We break down what’s real, what’s trash, and why good SEO still wins—even in a sea of chatbots and grifters.SponsorsZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyViralsweep – Create sweepstakes, contests, and giveawaysLinks
2025-07-0143 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSEO in 2025: What Still Works for ShopifyStill trying to crack the SEO code in 2025? Jeff Oxford has worked on 300+ eCommerce sites, and he’s here to share what actually works for Shopify merchants now. From why your $300 product may be killing your rankings to how AI tools can scale your SEO ops, Jeff cuts through the noise. This episode delivers a tactical, no-fluff breakdown of SEO strategy in a search landscape increasingly shaped by AI, user behavior, and smarter content.Sponsors:Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels: zipify.com/KURTCleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify: cleverific.com/unofficialAddress Validator – Reduce delivery address errors: addressv...
2025-05-2050 min
The Unofficial Shopify Podcast700K YouTube Subs to Shopify SalesHer fans call her "The Queen of Air Fryers." She gave away recipes. Her fans demanded a cookbook. One $15 PDF later, Cathy Yoder had a 5-figure launch weekend—and she hasn't looked back. With over 700K subscribers, Cathy built a content-powered Shopify business that turns viewers into superfans (and customers).In this episode, Cathy breaks down:How to use YouTube as your #1 lead-gen channelBuilding products based on comment section goldWhat flopped, what worked, and why done > perfectIntegrating YouTube with Shopify for seamless salesIf you're a creator, a merchant, or both—this is the funnel play...
2025-04-1547 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastPit Viper: These Shades Print MoneyPit Viper isn’t for everyone. And that might be the secret to its success.It starts with a guy on a ski trip. His sunglasses break. So, naturally, he walks into a military surplus store, finds an old pair of ballistic glasses from the early 90s, and thinks, these are perfect.Fast forward a few years, and those surplus shades—once traded for beers and ski lifts—have turned into Pit Viper, a brand worth millions.But here’s the question: how do you build a business that doesn’t just sell sunglasses...
2025-04-0843 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastShopify Dev AMA: Store Spying, AI Tools, and TrendsTwo Shopify Partners get real in an AMA packed with listener questions. Store spying tricks, AI fails, bold 2025 predictions, a garage full of jacked-up cars, and a sneak peek at their next app.What you’ll learn:How to spy on Shopify stores using public endpoints and browser toolsWhat’s broken (and what’s promising) in Shopify’s new AI toolsHow devs actually use ChatGPT to write Shopify codeEmail marketing best practices, including double opt-in insightsA look behind the scenes at a new Shopify app in developmentSponsors:Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels: http://zipify.com...
2025-04-0139 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe Store That Won March MadnessMegan Smalley didn’t plan to build a powerhouse ecommerce brand. Scarlet & Gold started as a creative side project—until she got laid off.Fast forward 12 years, and Scarlet & Gold is one of the only women-owned businesses licensed for NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) merch on Shopify. This March, their Shopify sales are up 74.2% year-over-year—with over 53.6% of those sales tied to March Madness merchandise.And here’s the kicker: 69.5% of their basketball sales come from just two NIL deals.So how did she do it? What makes NIL merch so powerful? And what’s i...
2025-03-1846 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow a Twitter Account Became a Thriving Shopify Brand“Rainier Watch started as me shouting into the void about whether the mountain was out. Now, it’s a brand in REI. Didn’t see that coming.”David Lindahl started Rainier Watch as a simple Twitter account—just a guy posting updates on whether Mount Rainier was visible that day. No business plan, no grand vision. Just a love for the mountain.But then people started following. They started asking for stickers. And suddenly, David found himself running an e-commerce brand. What began as a hobby turned into a business selling apparel, getting into retail stores lik...
2025-02-1847 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastReinventing Oral Care: The Slate Flosser StoryIn this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, Brynn Snyder, co-founder of Slate Flosser, shares how she and her dentist husband tackled one of the most overlooked aspects of health—flossing. Together, they reimagined oral care with a product that could prevent gum disease, heart issues, and more.But flossing is just the beginning. This episode dives into their journey through a $194K Kickstarter campaign, battling knockoffs on Amazon, and scaling a Shopify store with sustainability and innovation at its core.Brynn reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating a physical product, why subscription models ar...
2025-02-1142 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastWhy Shopify’s Planet App is Good for Business (and the Earth)“Why not try it? Planet is low-risk, easy to configure, and can have a meaningful impact on your brand and the planet.”Discover how Shopify Planet helps merchants make a positive environmental impact while boosting customer trust and conversions. David Vranicar, Shopify’s sustainability operations lead, explains how this innovative app enables carbon-neutral shipping with zero hassle. Learn how it works, why it benefits your business, and what it means for your customers.Show LinksShopify Planet: https://apps.shopify.com/planetReach out to the Planet team: planet [at] shopify.comSpon...
2025-01-2847 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastMontana Knife Company: American-Made Knife EmpireWhat if your side hustle turned into an 8-figure brand selling out every week?Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DxGxZ20rfQIMontana Knife Company’s Brandon Horoho shares the journey from launching during COVID to building a global brand rooted in American manufacturing. Discover how MKC redefined success with transparency, customer engagement, and relentless marketing.Episode Highlights:Why MKC chose Shopify as their platform and how it drives their success.The secrets behind MKC’s 120+ consecutive weekly product sellouts.How owning your email list can outshine ad spend.Building a thriving dire...
2025-01-2149 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastGrowing a Supps Brand to $70M in 2.5 YearsDevyn Merklin, former CMO of Livingood Daily, shares the raw truth behind scaling a supplement brand to $70M in annual revenue. From relentless testing to mastering Shopify funnels, Devyn provides a thoughtful analysis of the strategies that worked, the mistakes that taught valuable lessons, and how brands can apply these insights to their own growth journeys.LinksPeopleDevyn MerklinDr. Blake LivingoodEzra FirestoneRandall PitchRussell BrunsonBrandsHooniganLivingood DailyOffsetSmart MarketerAppsPrintfulViralSweepToolsKajabiClickFunnelsServicesFlippaEmpire FlippersBuyBizSellThe XScaleSponsorsZipifyCleverificBoost Filter & SearchHelp the...
2025-01-1451 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastAvoiding CRO myths“Look, if you redesign your grocery store and I can’t find the chicken or checkout clerk I like, I’m shopping somewhere else.”How do you turn clicks into customers without falling for CRO myths? Oliver Kenyon, CEO of ConversionWise, exposes the lazy habits holding Shopify stores back and shares proven strategies to boost sales. It’s all about clarity, problem-solving, and delivering customer value—no gimmicks, just real results. This episode is packed with actionable insights to transform your Shopify store into a revenue machine.LinksOliver KenyonOliver's ConversionWi...
2025-01-0745 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow This Athlete Built a $10M Sock Brand"I wanted to create a product that could be the yoga pant for the foot."Rob Fraser, former pro cyclist and the founder of Outway, believes socks should do more than cover your feet. Drawing from his background in sport, Fraser has crafted a brand that blends durability with everyday style. In this episode, he shares the unlikely story of how a thousand-dollar loan sparked a $10 million business, tapping into the potential of a $50 billion market. What follows is a lesson in resilience, as Fraser discusses growth, innovation, and the quest to make socks worthy of serious...
2024-12-3143 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastWhy Mizzen+Main’s $100M Founder Left to Build a Baby MonitorKevin Lavelle’s got a knack for big ideas and starting fresh. First, he took on menswear with Mizzen+Main, bringing performance fabric to dress shirts and making them a hit with pro athletes and office rebels alike. Now he’s back with something new—a baby monitor. Yep, from dress shirts to baby tech. In this episode, he breaks down the whole journey: the wild beginnings, early mistakes, and how he built a brand from scratch, twice. It’s a sharp take on the wins, the losses, and why some ideas just stick around until you finally make them hap...
2024-12-2449 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastTurning Scratched Lenses into 8 Figures“We’re doing about 1,500 pairs a day… we’re gonna hit eight figures this year, probably next year for sure.”You know that favorite pair of sunglasses you can’t throw away? Brandon Dill turned that frustration into an 8-figure business. He’s the founder of Fuse Lenses, a brand built on bringing those scratched shades back to life.In this episode, we trace Brandon’s journey from side hustle to scaling a manufacturing business, built on curiosity, ingenuity, and a lot of hustle. But it’s not all smooth sailing—Brandon dives into the realities of cash fl...
2024-12-1743 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastShopify’s New Customer AccountsTired of logging into five different portals just to make a return? Shopify says enough. Patrick Millegan joins Kurt Elster to talk about the new customer account extensions, designed to simplify logins, reduce support headaches, and make online shopping enjoyable again. It’s a step forward for UX that proves e-commerce should be easy for everyone.LinksGet all the info on what's new: Shopify Editions Winter ’25More people & links:Patrick Millegan (Senior Product Lead, Shopify)Kurt Elster (Host, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast)Keap AthleticsCleverificShopify FlowSufioUproShop PayHydrogenSponsorsZipifyCleverificOmnisendHelp...
2024-12-1143 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSmart Marketer Live RecapMindset, AI, and ghost hunting— Smart Marketer Live wasn’t your typical marketing event. We break down the big ideas that got us thinking (and laughing) in Denver. You'll get an inside look at the conference, featuring attendee interviews that explore themes like artificial intelligence in business, strategic reinvestment, and the evolving role of mindset in small business success.SponsorsZipifyCleverificOmnisendHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our...
2024-12-1043 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBuilding a Successful Shopify App & CommunityHarshdeep Singh Hura didn’t just stumble into the Shopify partner community—he helped build it. In this episode, we meet the first-ever recipient of the Shopify Community Award, whose open-source projects now power nearly 8% of the app ecosystem.Harshdeep shares his 10-year journey, from hacking together iOS apps as a teenager to leading a full-service Shopify agency, and ultimately shifting his focus to empowering developers and merchants alike. We delve into the art of app development—where solving real problems beats engineering perfection—and explore how community, open-source contributions, and a touch of humor shaped Harshdeep’s path. Al...
2024-12-0345 min
The Unofficial Shopify Podcast10,000 UX Audits Later: How Oddit Boosts Shopify Sales (Without Data or Meetings)What if you could boost your Shopify sales without relying on data or endless meetings? Oddit's unconventional approach has turned heads—stripping away feedback loops, simplifying designs, and focusing on clarity above all else. Oddit co-founder Shaun Brandt joins to share his experience delivering over 10,000 UX audits, helping brands increase conversions by fixing the basics.🎯 Episode Highlights:Why Oddit doesn’t rely on data for UX audits and what makes their approach work.The most common mistakes Shopify stores make with navigation and communication.How Shaun’s team has optimized over 10,000 stores using clear, actionable design improveme...
2024-11-2648 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastFrom $800K to $26M: Depesh Mandalia’s Facebook Ads Story“It’s truly magic. That’s the word I use internally to describe what we’re doing here.”What if you could turn $800K into $26 million in just 18 months—using nothing but Facebook ads? That’s exactly what Depesh Mandalia did. In this episode, he breaks down how he went from figuring out Facebook ads the hard way to running an agency that’s managed over $100 million in client revenue. Depesh doesn’t hold back on the real wins, the messy failures, and the lessons learned from scaling campaigns that most of us can only dream about.We dig into w...
2024-11-1945 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe Black Friday Email Guide for Real-World Brands“Honestly, I think my best customers don’t even look at the discounts. They get the email, see the new pants, and just say, ‘I want them.’”Black Friday: the annual marketing frenzy brands prep for all year. Kurt Elster sits down with Colby Kane of Aviator USA, who has a refreshingly different approach. No cringe sales gimmicks, just a smart, no-nonsense plan. Colby shares his early-access tactics, simple email flows, and why staying low-key can outperform loud, constant discounting. They dig into why subtle beats loud, how to run discounts without gutting brand value, and how a straight...
2024-11-1246 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow Downpay Solves Payment Challenges | The Unofficial Shopify Podcast"I can't stop talking about partial payment, apparently." – Diana BirsanCo-founder of Downpay and former Shopify Product Manager, Diana Birsan, joins us to break down how she built Downpay, the app that lets merchants offer partial payments for pre-orders, custom-made products, and more. It’s a potential game-changer for stores with long lead times and high-ticket items. Diana shares how she made the leap from a stable gig at Shopify to starting her own thing. Want to know how partial payments could boost your sales? This episode has the answers.LinksDownpayFollow Diana Birsan on L...
2024-11-0541 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow Shopify Built a Financial Hub to Empower Entrepreneurs“It’s truly magic. That’s the word I use internally to describe what we’re doing here.”We chat with Vikram Anreddy, Head of Product for Finance at Shopify, about how Shopify is making money management way easier for merchants. Taxes, loans, cash flow—it’s all getting simplified with Shopify Finance, a one-stop shop for all your business finances. Vikram walks us through how this whole idea came about, what problems they’re solving, and what’s next. If managing your money has ever made you want to pull your hair out, this one’s for you. Plus, who k...
2024-10-2942 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastTikTok Shop Made This Stationary Store Go Viral“Most brands just send out samples and then it’s done. We go the extra mile that 99% of brands do not do.”Building a multi-million dollar business typically involves more than wedding invitations and viral TikToks. Yet for Josh Hadley, it began precisely there. In this episode, he recounts the evolution of his e-commerce brand, Hadley Designs, from a niche stationery shop to an 8-figure operation navigating the complex terrain of Amazon and Shopify. The conversation with Kurt Elster explores how TikTok Shop became a surprising growth catalyst, offering a modern twist on the age-old challenge of acquir...
2024-10-2244 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastPR Strategy for Shopify Stores“PR is the highest leverage activity, and we’re not taught that because it’s easier to just create a reel and hope it goes viral.”In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, we meet Gloria Chou, a PR coach on a mission to break down the barriers of traditional media. Gloria didn’t take the expected path into public relations—she reinvented it. She shares how she went from diplomat to helping small businesses earn coveted media spots in outlets like Forbes and The New York Times, using her unique CPR method for pitching. We explore the...
2024-10-1543 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSHOP CAMPAIGNS: Deep DiveAlso available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/djnSFyBsB7MWe explore Shopify’s latest updates to simplify customer acquisition through its Shop Campaigns tool.Host Kurt Elster talks with Shopify's Andrius Baranauskas, Product Director for Shop Campaigns, Shopify's not-so-secret weapon for getting new customers on autopilot.Later, Nathan Onesian, Director of Ecommerce from melin, and Nick Daniels, Senior Ecommerce Manager, from OluKai spill how Shop Campaigns turned into their secret weapon for scaling fast.Key Takeaways:What is Shop Campaigns and how it simplifies customer acquisitionThe power of Shop Cash to...
2024-10-0850 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastMeet $100M+ Chubbies Co-Founder Kyle Hency“I’m a builder. I want to be building a team, building an exceptional product, and competing every day.”Kyle Hency had a simple goal: create a brand that speaks authentically to men like him. What started as a fun idea among friends quickly grew into Chubbies, a $100M+ brand known for its short shorts and unapologetic personality. In this episode, Kyle reflects on the early days of experimenting with marketing, the challenges of scaling, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way. We explore how he transitioned from building Chubbies to co-founding Loop Returns, and now, his la...
2024-10-0146 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastTop Pickleball Creator's Video Content Strategy"Our number one best-selling product… it’s called the Dink Master."Enhance Pickleball's Connor Hance shares his incredible journey from college tennis player to the leading content creator and entrepreneur in the fast-growing world of pickleball.🎯 Episode Highlights:Connor's transition from tennis to pickleball during the pandemic.How Connor’s first product sold over $1,000 a day on Amazon.The viral content strategy that grew his YouTube channel to 100 million views.Building a six-figure business without paid advertising.Insights into product development and scaling an e-commerce brand.Connor’s advice on leveraging social media to drive brand...
2024-09-2449 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow a Reddit Post Led to a $5M Skincare BrandHear how Austin Beals hacked his way out of a chronic skin condition to create Dermazen, a skincare brand that’s bringing in $5 million a year. No investors, no BS— just one man’s obsessive quest to relieve his own seborrheic dermatitis symptoms that turned into a product line changing lives. Austin talks about bootstrapping with a small SBA loan, leveraging niche Reddit communities, and the guerilla marketing tactics that propelled his brand into the big leagues. This is the blueprint for turning your personal problems into a game-changing business.Show LinksDermazenr/sebdermDisrupter SchoolVocal VideoInsta: @austin...
2024-09-1750 minThe Unofficial Shopify PodcastInside the Shadowy World of Returns FraudTackle the increasingly troubling issue of returns fraud in the e-commerce world. As return fraud rises, this once-overlooked issue is now a major concern for online retailers. You'll learn how fraudsters are gaming the system and the wild, often unnoticed, methods they're using to rip off small businesses. Brace yourself for a journey into the less-talked-about side of your shopping cart. Join us as we explore the critical steps needed to combat this growing challenge.Show Linksnofraud.com - check out their blog which has resources on return fraud, covering all the different types & prevention...
2024-09-1053 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBoost Conversions with Build Grow Scale’s CRO Tips“Most Shopify themes are built by developers to create an online store catalog, not a converting funnel.”In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, Kurt Elster talks with Matthew Stafford, the CEO of BuildGrowScale, about finding success in e-commerce. Stafford, who went from selling t-shirts to mastering conversion rate optimization (CRO), shares his journey and offers practical advice for Shopify store owners. He discusses how to boost conversion rates, improve site speed, and create better user experiences. Whether you’re an experienced store owner or just starting out, Stafford’s insights will help you navigate the challeng...
2024-09-0349 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastGoodsellas: Why Movie Spoof Ads are Total GeniusStep into the rebellious side of marketing with this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast. Molly Pittman from Smart Marketer joins to rip up the rulebook on conventional advertising. We dive into the creation of "Goodsellas," a grassroots, "Goodfellas"-inspired commercial that flips traditional marketing on its head. Their conversation reveals the intricacies of creating a commercial that’s not just a spoof, but a smart, cost-effective marketing strategy. This episode is more than just a behind-the-scenes glimpse; it’s an invitation to reconsider the power and potential of creative thinking in the digital marketplace, challenging listeners to think diff...
2024-08-2738 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastInsider Tips on Buying & Selling Shopify Stores"Buying a business is so much faster than building one and so much safer if you buy big enough."Also on YouTube: youtu.be/BuDtoDsC4tAGet the inside scoop on buying and selling Shopify stores from Gregory Elfrink at Empire Flippers. From the highs of a $13 million payday to the lows of emotional burnout, Gregory spills the secrets and dirty truths of the business game. Gregory, with over eight years of experience, shares valuable insights on the benefits of acquiring an established business, essential steps for preparing a store for sale, and key factors...
2024-08-2048 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastInside Shopify’s Major Checkout UpgradeAlso on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fIDw3fvPPgIUnpack the intricacies of Shopify's Checkout Extensibility— a feature poised to revolutionize online commerce.Michael Elmgreen, Shopify's Product Director, discusses the rationale behind this upgrade, enhancing security and streamlining customization.Blake Waldron provides a developer's-eye view of the migration, shedding light on the nuanced challenges and opportunities it presents.Brett Fish navigates the complex terrain of data layer implementation, ensuring that critical marketing integrations remain intact. \With global commerce evolving, this episode offers a sophisticated look at the future of digital checkouts, where efficiency and innovation converge....
2024-08-131h 02
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBuilding a Sustainable Activewear Brand from ScratchReprise Activewear founder Mary Bemis takes us through her incredible journey from launching a Kickstarter campaign to building a sustainable activewear brand that has caught the attention of Self Magazine and The View. She opens up about the gritty realities of bootstrapping—dealing with shady manufacturers, losing thousands, and balancing a day job while building her brand. This episode is a deep dive into the world of sustainable fashion, offering inspiration and practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference. Listen in to hear how Mary turned her passion for a healthier lifestyle into a thriving business.
2024-08-0651 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe Declining Churn FallacyGet ready for a deep dive into what really makes customers stick around or peace out. Professor Daniel McCarthy unravels the myths around churn rates and why a low number isn't always a high-five moment for businesses. If data drives your decisions, this episode is an indispensable resource for anyone navigating the complexities of subscription businesses.Show LinksRetention SpreadsheetPPT DeckYouTube Video Series:First Video (One Segment Model)Second Video (Two Segment Model)Third Video (Beta Geometric Model)LinkedIn: Daniel McCarthyTwitter: @d_mccarChurn Fallacy PaperSponsorsFree 30-day trial of Zipify OCUFinale InventoryGrowth Collective
2024-07-3047 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow Dapper Boi is Smashing Fashion's Gender LimitsVicky Pasche, a Shark Tank alum and co-founder of Dapper Boi, reveals how a personal quest for authenticity led to the creation of a groundbreaking apparel line.Dapper Boi's innovative apparel line challenges traditional fashion norms by offering all-gender, size-inclusive clothing. Vicky discusses her journey from personal struggle to entrepreneurial success, touching on the brand's origins, its pivotal appearance on Shark Tank, and its commitment to fostering inclusivity in fashion. Explore how Dapper Boi has navigated industry challenges and cultivated a loyal customer base through a distinct business model that emphasizes authenticity and body positivity. Join us...
2024-07-2347 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastMastering Shopify App DevelopmentSit down with the insightful Mat De Sousa, a trailblazing Shopify app developer whose creations, Wide Bundle and Wide Review, have generated enviable annual recurring revenues. His story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that flourishes within the Shopify community and serves as inspiration for anyone looking to innovate in this space.Listen in as we explore the art of transforming a simple idea into a thriving Shopify app. By honing in on customer pain points, asking the right questions, and targeting niche markets, we unravel how app developers can create solutions that resonate with users...
2024-07-0948 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastEditions.dev 2024 Trip ReportAlso available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mi3iKmZBxREWe’ve got all the highlights from the Shopify Editions.dev conference in Toronto. With exclusive insights from Harley Finkelstein, Shopify's president, we unpack the exciting upcoming updates designed to keep the Shopify intuitive admin interface effortless for all merchants, big and small.Show Linkseditions.devShopify Editions | Summer '24SponsorsZipifyCleverificNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wh...
2024-07-0245 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastIs Faire is a Must-Have for Wholesale?"Faire really helps us connect and buy wholesale merchandise, and it's cheaper than trade shows."Discover how 'FAIRE really helps us connect and buy wholesale merchandise,' as Emily Grey of Flourish Market explains the transformative effects of integrating Faire with Shopify, a B2B platform for retailers to buy products for their shops.Emily offers key insights into pricing strategies and tackles common wholesale challenges. Learn how leveraging Faire can transform your retail business. Tune in for actionable advice on optimizing your e-commerce setup through Faire and Shopify.Show LinksFaireShopify...
2024-06-2544 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastAffiliate Marketing's New Content CodeGet the inside scoop on how to revolutionize your affiliate content game. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it. Dive into the strategies that are setting today's affiliate marketers apart from the pack.Forget what you thought you knew about affiliate marketing; it's not just bloggers and review sites anymore. We're talking influencers, social media creators, and yes, even your own customers turning into affiliate powerhouses.Noah breaks down the nuts and bolts of setting up a modern affiliate program. We dive into the mechanics and the mindset needed to...
2024-06-1846 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSlumberkins: From Craft Fairs to Shark TankAlso available with video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/-qxIqPtAYhEJoin us as we explore the journey of Kelly Oriard and Kaylee Christensen, founders of Slumberkins, an emotional wellness brand dedicated to fostering children's self-esteem and mindfulness.Learn how these educators-turned-entrepreneurs brought Bigfoot and Sloth to life and navigated high-stakes environments like Shark Tank and the Silicon Valley Bank crash.Discover how their focus on transparency, authenticity, and community support transformed challenges into opportunities, leading to a TV show with the Jim Henson Company.Tune in to hear their practical strategies for building a resilient brand...
2024-06-1151 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBuying Over Building a Business"It's just a hell of a lot easier to optimize a business than to start something from scratch."Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tbVh1J1sOEQDrew Sanocki has a knack for transforming struggling businesses into profitable ventures. In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, host Kurt Elster taps into Drew's extensive experience to uncover the strategies that have driven his success. With over two decades in e-commerce, Drew shares why he often opts to buy businesses rather than starting from scratch. He reveals how this approach allows him to leverage existing asse...
2024-05-2846 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastKatanas, Candy, & a Billion ViewsAlso available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DFUi5Cq8YuoWe're slicing deep into the world of e-commerce with Isaac Medeiros, the man behind MiniKatana and Kanpai Foods. After using TikTok to sell out of his swords, he's become bearish on the platform and gone all in on YouTube Shorts. Isaac's ingenious marketing on YouTube Shorts has racked up a billion views and millions of subscribers. More recently, Isaac has built a manufacturing facility in LA and begun producing his own line of candy called Kanpai Foods. It's a tale of adaptability, understanding market dynamics, and seizing...
2024-05-2141 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastGlam-Aholic: From Blog to $50M Fashion BrandDetroit's Mia Ray took her passion for fashion from a blog to a $50M Glam-aholic empireWatch: https://youtu.be/OqGQTRpjuJQFrom her roots in Detroit, Mia dishes on turning a passion for fashion into a flourishing lifestyle empire, all while keeping it real and relatable.We dive into the highs and lows of building a brand, the game-changing role of social media, and how staying true to yourself can be your biggest asset in business.Expect unfiltered insights and raw stories from the frontline of building a business against all...
2024-05-1449 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastThe Business of Star Wars NostalgiaCould you turn your geeky hobby into a thriving business?In this week’s episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, we follow Mike Freeman, the mastermind behind Fourth Moon Toys, as he shares his transformative journey from a casual Star Wars collector to the owner of a booming online and retail business. Drawing on his experiences from the early days of internet trading to launching a niche market venture on Shopify, Mike reveals the challenges and triumphs of turning a passionate hobby into a successful enterprise. Tune in to discover how community engagement and a steadfast commitment to...
2024-05-0746 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastChatbots Aren't Dead: How AI Is Selling BackpacksWe're talking AI chatbots as a top of funnel marketing medium with Recycled Firefighter founder Jake Starr. Jake spills the tea on turning his unique products (recycled firehose American flags!) into a digital sensation earning 20,000 email subscribers monthly, thanks to his new chatty AI sidekick. Dive into the fun and quirky world of Jake's creation 'Josh' the sales bot, and uncover how AI is the secret sauce to customer engagement and skyrocketing sales. It's a blend of old-school crafting meets new-school tech. If you're looking for a new top of funnel strategy to engage prospective customers, this is it.
2024-04-3042 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastStreamlining SEO on ShopifyDid you know over 60% of online experiences start with a search engine? In e-commerce, visibility in these search results is crucial for success.This episode dives into SEO Tools & Tactics for Shopify. Joining us is experienced SEO professional Patrick Rice, who shares the strategies and tools he uses with his Shopify clients.We delve into the practical use of tools like SEMrush, Matrixify, and ChatGPT, exploring their impact on online store visibility. Patrick provides valuable insights on selecting the right keywords and effectively optimizing product pages.Tune in to enhance your store's SEO...
2024-04-2351 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastQuiz Funnel StrategiesWhat if the simple act of asking your customers the right questions could transform your e-commerce store? From segmenting audiences to personalizing product recommendations, guest Chanti Zak shows how quizzes can do more than just engage—they can drive sales and deepen connections. Join us as we uncover the hidden power of quizzes in the digital marketplace, where every answer can lead to a new discovery about your business and your customers.Show LinksChantiZak.comOctaneInteractJones Road QuizzesChanti's QuizzesSponsorsFree 30-day trial of Zipify OCUFinale InventoryGrowth CollectiveNever miss an episodeSu...
2024-04-1643 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastCashflow Tips from an Ecom CFO"The financially sound & successful e-commerce businesses are lean as long as they can be. They keep costs down and are just careful." – Matt Putra Unlock the secrets to a more secure financial future with guidance from fractional CFO Matt Putra, whose expertise in cash flow management is a lifeline for e-commerce businesses swimming in unpredictable waters. Together with Matt, we dissect the strategies that can help you avoid cash emergencies and achieve sustainable growth. From negotiating with suppliers like a seasoned diplomat to harnessing the power of financing, we've got your back on the voyage to fiscal sta...
2024-04-0945 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastFrom Code to Craft: Rustic & Main's RiseWhen Mike Yarbrough swapped his software development hat for a craftsman's apron to manage carpal tunnel syndrome, he didn't just mend his physical ailments—he forged a new path as an entrepreneur. Rustic & Main sprouted from his love for woodworking, evolving from a garage project into a bustling hub where historic materials are transformed into rings with stories. This episode peels back the curtain on Mike's favorite creations, like the Muir ring and the USS North Carolina battleship teak ring, offering a peek into the soulful process of preserving history through jewelry.As Mike and his wife na...
2024-04-0250 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow Chubbies Built a Menswear Movement"We were the luckiest people in the world to be able to do this stuff."Full Video Interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fEUf9MTXk4cThis week, I'm joined by Preston Rutherford, co-founder of the Chubbies Shorts empire that's been redefining men's fashion with a splash of retro and an avalanche of fun since 2011. Preston, a Stanford grad with a knack for spotting gaps in the fashion world, shares how a simple idea of retro shorts spiraled into a nationwide trend.Preston walks us through the early days of selling shorts right...
2024-03-2644 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcasteCommerceFuel Live 2024In this episode, we're heading to the vibrant and bustling eCommerceFuel Live 2024 in New Orleans. Join me, Kurt Elster, for raw, unscripted conversations with some of the biggest names in eCommerce. Get ready to hear from Brett Curry of OMGcommerce, Elaine Eason at QuietLight, Eulalie Cook from Tadpull, Jimmy Kim of Sendlane, and the incredibly talented copywriter Lianna Patch. We'll also dive into insights with Taylor Holiday from Common Thread Collective, among other notable guests. This episode is all about getting to the heart of eCommerce - the unfiltered, real-world experiences and strategies from those who breathe life into...
2024-03-191h 04
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastInsights for European eCommerce SuccessListen in as we tackle the intricate world of e-commerce internationalization, with a particular focus on the contrasting landscapes between North America and Europe. I'm joined by David Simoas, an expert in the field hailing from the Czech Republic, who shares his rich experience navigating through the complex terrain of culturally diverse European markets. We dissect the ease of conducting e-commerce in the States and how it starkly differs from Europe's language barriers, currency variations, and a maze of regulations that could befuddle even the most seasoned entrepreneurs.Venturing across borders in the digital marketplace brings a...
2024-03-1240 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastTroop's Mushroom Supplement SuccessWhen the world turned upside down, Jake Mellman and Stephanie Moyal found resilience in an unexpected place: the humble mushroom. Their spirited discussion with us captures the essence of their company, Troop, which crafts delightful functional mushroom gummies. Through their narrative, we learn how the global shift in health consciousness and Jake's personal aftermath of a ski accident converged with Stephanie's entrepreneurial spirit, leading to the birth of a brand that's not just about supplements but about seizing opportunity in the face of adversity.Timestamps(00:00) The Rise of Mushroom Supplements(06:43) From Mushroom Enthusiasts...
2024-03-0547 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastLet's Sell Some Trucker HatsWe take on the challenge of revamping a trucker hat Shopify store from the ground up. Our team member and e-commerce maven, Jessie Goodell, brings her real-world experience managing her ecom brand for outdoor trucker hats to the table. Listen in as we dissect the transition from Amazon to Shopify, and discuss website improvements in a quest for online store over marketplace sales. Stay tuned as we gear up for future episodes where we'll measure the success of our efforts and strategize on lifecycle email marketing and beyond, all while appreciating Jesse's invaluable contributions to this e-commerce adventure.
2024-02-2748 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastShopify Themes: Selection & Insider TipsA Shopify theme is not just about making your store look good... it's the backbone of your customer's shopping experience. There is a lot of functionality baked into it, and as a result, your bottom line may also be tied to which theme you pick.Marcus Seoighe of Clean Canvas, and ex-Senior Theme Partners Manager at Shopify, joins us to unpack how the right theme can elevate customer experience & drive your bottom line.In this episode, we delve into the evolution of Shopify themes & how staying fresh is crucial for your digital storefront. It's a...
2024-02-2043 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastSharma's Success SecretsNik Sharma, the brains behind Sharma Brands, has gone from freelance hotshot to the head honcho of a major digital agency that's a big deal in the CPG world. Nik walks us through how Sharma Brands evolved, bringing everything in-house. Think of it as a digital shopping mall, where each floor offers a new, top-notch service to boost your brand's online presence.Highlights(00:00) Sharma Brands and the DTC Evolution(08:34) Cutting Through the Noise(16:10) Brand Building and Content Creation(30:18) Retail Sales and DTC Technology(34:44) E-Commerce Strategies and Missed Opportunities(44:10) Learn More About...
2024-02-1344 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastShopify Editions Winter '24Join Kurt Elster and a panel of Shopify experts as they delve into the Shopify Editions Winter '24 announcements. Our panelists, including Kim Samuelsen, Jay Larson, and John Festa, break down the latest Shopify features and updates, offering a deep dive into the new 2000 variant limit, combined product listings, B2B enhancements, and the transformative power of AI in e-commerce.These updates are the tools you need to keep your brand ahead of the curve. This episode's a deep dive into all that and more, with insights from folks who really know their stuff. Worth a listen...
2024-02-0644 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastGoogle Ads Strategies for ShopifyListen in as Menachem Ani, a Google Ads expert with two decades of experience, joins to explore Google Ads and the current best practices for Shopify merchants seeking to amplify their e-commerce growth. We're talking Performance Max, Demand Gen campaigns, and the nitty-gritty of integrating Google with Shopify. We delve into advanced tactics for segmenting campaigns, the art of crafting killer product titles, and leveraging audience signals to make your ads pop.Chapters(00:00) Google Ads(09:45) Google Performance Max and Demand Generation(17:59) Crowdfunder and Google Ads(25:14) Google Ads and ROI for Success(28:43) Optimizing Google Ads and Customizing...
2024-01-3045 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastFrom Festival Romance to $5M Fashion BrandSit down with Donal Breslin from Nomad the Label. This isn't your run-of-the-mill fashion brand story. Picture this: a music festival romance turns into a full-blown e-commerce venture. Donal and his partner Louisa didn't just fall in love; they built a brand around it. Nomad's all about that linen life – think bohemian, think sustainable, think comfort.Chapter Timestamps(00:00) Exploring Nomad the Label's Linen(04:57) Building a Successful Fashion Brand Lessons(18:53) The Importance of Data-Driven E-Commerce Management(31:06) Sustainability and Expansion in International Markets(43:49) Ambitious Growth Plans for Nomad LabelDonal walks us th...
2024-01-2346 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastCreating Ads that Connect in the Attention EconomyIn this episode, we're getting real with Jacques Spitzer, the advertising guru from Raindrop Agency. He's here to break down how storytelling in ads can do more than just catch your eye – it can open wallets. We're tracing Raindrop's path from its first big win with Dr. Squatch to crafting campaigns for Native. Jacques gets into the brainy side of things, explaining how emotions drive buying decisions and how that can lead to an ad being more memorable than your last birthday party.Chapter Timestamps(00:00) Creating Profit-First Advertising Campaigns(16:16) The Power of Advertising and Authenticity(25:44) Connected TV...
2024-01-1641 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastHow a Firefighter Mastered MarketingJohnny Hickey, former New York firefighter turned digital marketer, tells us what he's learned jumping into ecommerce in 2018 and learning on the job.He gives us the lowdown on the essentials – focus on user experience and keep your email marketing game strong. He's candid about the ad game too, comparing the heavyweights: Google and Facebook Ads. His advice? Sometimes you need a pro to take a swing at those Facebook Ads.The real deal with Johnny is his approach to learning and adapting. He's all about experimenting and not being afraid to call in the ca...
2024-01-0949 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastOptimizing Shopify Themes: Redesign or Just Refine?As we approach 2024, the mantra for every Shopify store owner should be 'Build Better, Grow Faster'. But how do you turn this mantra into reality?Today, we're zeroing in on the theme 'Build a Better Store for 2024'. We're dissecting the critical shifts in e-commerce and how they impact your store's future.With us is Chase Clymer, a Shopify savant from Electric Eye. He's the brains behind successful store transformations and is here to share his playbook for e-commerce excellence.Chase dives into why embracing Shopify Online Store 2.0 is a game-changer, discussing its...
2024-01-0252 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastPost-Holiday Profit StrategiesMany e-commerce ventures hit a sales dry spell right after the holiday cheers fade. But what if Q1 could be more than just a slump?In today's episode, we're turning conventional wisdom on its head, exploring how Q1's challenges can be flipped into profitable opportunities – welcome to the world of 'Q5'.Our guest expert is Michael Epstein, a seasoned pro in the e-commerce arena with 25 years under his belt. As the strategic brain behind PostPilot, Michael's blend of SaaS savvy, agency acumen, and e-commerce expertise makes him the perfect navigator for today's deep di...
2023-12-2646 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastNews, Q&A, & Pro TipsNew episode this week and its a fun one. Listener-favorite Paul Reda is back in the co-host chair, always spicy. We’re kicking off with some fresh-off-the-press news and updates in the Shopify world. Then, we'll let you in on what we've been working on. Got questions? Good, because we're diving into a Listener Q&A segment where we answer your questions. Throughout, we're handing you some practical Black Friday advice.Show LinksMontana Knife CompanyTriple 60Navage@ShopifySupport tweetEthercycleSponsorsFree 30-day trial of Zipify OCU - To get an unadvertised gift, email help@zi...
2023-10-241h 00
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastUndoing HeadlessIn episode 400, we heard from veteran ecom investor Drew Sanocki that he'd acquired oVertone Haircare along with ecom powerhouse influencer Ezra Firestone.In today's episode, our recent hire Tom Siodlak talks us through the behind the scenes experience of working with Ezra and the oVertone team on migrating the site from headless back to native Shopify with a custom theme. He reveals the premium theme we used as a framework, his thoughts on developing custom Shopify themes, design process, Online Store 2.0's impact, and more.Show LinksoVertone HaircareFocal by MaestroooTurbo Theme by Out...
2022-05-0340 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastMigrating to ShopifyIn this episode, we talk through migrating to Shopify: things to watch out for, and experienced advice on how to make the most of migrating to Shopify.Our expert guest contributors are:Stewart Knapman who joins us from New Zealand where he is a Merchant Solutions Engineer at Shopify. Before moving to Shopify he spent the last decade working as a Shopify partner and Plus Expert helping merchants get the most out of the platform.Karl Meisterheim, author of the Liquid Weekly newsletter, and an Ethercycle team member currently working on a migration from Magento to...
2022-03-0849 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastTwo Stores & a Full-time JobRyan Tarver, a serial entrepreneur with a full-time job, joins us to discuss the realities of what it’s like to start a LLC, design a brand, and launch two shops while having a full time job, a toddler, a newborn, and way too many hobbies in the middle of a global pandemic.We discuss:The importance of brand identityThe case for co-foundersTools to stay organizedBalancing perfectionism vs "just launching"What they did when Facebook traffic didn't convertShow Linksbambinobikes.com - Use code UNOFFICIAL152 A.M. Baby - Use code UNOFFICIAL15AsanaOut of...
2021-07-1348 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastCarbon Fiber Kickstarters: Building a Disruptive Manufacturing Business on ShopifyAfter raising $164,775 on Kickstarter, this husband & wife team is disrupting carbon fiber manufacturing.You'll the hear answers to:How they raised $164,775 on Kickstarter to start their businessHow a revenue share agreement empowered their businessThe exact influencer outreach strategy they usedHow niche group buys are growing their manufacturing businessGabriel Mountjoy is a graduate of the Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Department in San Luis Obispo, CA. He and his wife, Ann Mountjoy, founded Common Fibers in 2013 after invention of a carbon fiber hinge. For the past six years they have developed composite products for the automotive...
2020-06-3056 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastCan You Design Your Way To Success?Wrapping up the year, my business partner (and producer of this show) Paul Reda joins me to discuss his experiences as a Shopify theme developer with ten years of experience.
We'll find out:
The dark truth about ecommerce design
How you could be over-optimizing your store
And how to approach theme performance
Tune in for more details!
Resources
Tactical Baby Gear
Sand Valley Golf
Ethercycle
Paul Reda
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2018-12-2639 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastBlack Friday Advertising: Preparing Your Facebook Ads for #BFCMGet your products on your customer's minds (and wishlists) this year without blowing a fortune on Facebook ads.
Kurt Bullock joins us to discuss the tactics & strategies you need to know to maximize your Facebook ads before, during, and after Black Friday.
Kurt Bullock is the founder of ecommerce agency ProduceDept, our exclusive marketing partner at Ethercycle for nearly three years.
We'll find out:
What's different about Facebook ads marketing during the holidays vs any other time of year?
The one hack to keep budgets in line going into the holidays
The...
2018-10-2346 min
The Unofficial Shopify PodcastGame of Bluff: Your Internet Law & Copyright Infringement PrimerDoing business online without retaining an Internet lawyer is the equivalent of playing Russian Roulette– things tend not to end well. The days of the Internet being the Wild West are long gone. The empire is striking back! You need an experienced Internet attorney to guide you through the ever-growing collection of newly enacted laws and regulations governments are launching to address online legal issues.
In this episode, Richard Chapo, a business lawyer with a sense of humor and 25 years of experience, walks us through business entity formation, copyright and trademark registration and enforcement, DMCA compliance, and th...
2018-02-2038 min