Honest Ecommerce

Dima Zelikman is the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Unbound Merino, where he leads brand strategy, growth marketing, and creative direction. With a focus on simplicity, versatility, and performance, he has helped shape Unbound Merino into a global travel clothing brand trusted by customers in over 100 countries. As CMO, Dima drives the vision of the “Pack Less. Experience More.” movement. Building a brand that inspires and empowers travelers to live and explore with freedom. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:00] Sponsor: Taboola[01:55] Positioning products around customer lifestyles[03:33] Turning personal travel pain into a business idea[07:27] Sponsor: Next Insurance[08:40] Creating business momentum before quitting a job[10:37] Prioritizing early traction for repeatable growth[13:04] Testing campaigns with minimum budgets[14:50] Callout[15:00] Scaling communication through relevant topics[21:00] Sponsor: Electric Eye[22:10] Creating a feedback loop through data analysis[23:01] Identifying unmet needs in your market[25:32] Prioritizing product quality over everything[27:26] Driving conversions before perfecting visualsResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeMerino Wool Clothing & Apparel unboundmerino.com/Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Kendal McMullen is passionate and data-driven with a knack for turning insights into impactful omnichannel strategies. From analyzing consumer behavior to optimizing cross-channel marketing, she thrives on making data work to connect authentically at scale. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:42] Sponsor: Taboola[01:56] Scaling wellness brands with quality focus[03:35] Solving roadblocks through focused one-on-ones[05:07] Sponsor: Next Insurance[06:21] Building a career with portfolios, not degrees[08:13] Turning self-taught experience into full-time roles[09:28] Accessing knowledge freely on the internet[11:15] Callouts[11:25] Leveraging zero-cost opportunities in 2025[13:24] Building a portfolio for reliable visibility [15:10] Sponsor: Electric Eye [16:17] Understanding P&L steady long-term margins[21:06] Optimizing AI to expand team capacity[24:17] Hands on hiring management ensure culture fit[27:03] Caring for your work to strengthen brand understandingResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeVegan organic vitamins and supplements globalhealing.com/Follow Kendal McMullen linkedin.com/in/kendal-mcmullenReach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/ Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Anna Brakefield’s story begins on her family’s cotton farm in North Alabama, where she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of agriculture and the values of hard work, stewardship, and tradition.Her father, Mark Yeager, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the land and the premium cotton it produced—lessons that would later inspire a business built on craftsmanship and sustainability.After earning a degree in graphic design and marketing from Auburn University, Anna pursued a career in advertising in New York and Nashville. Though she thrived in the corporate world, her roots kept calling her back home, planting the seed for what would become Red Land Cotton.In 2016, Anna and her father launched Red Land Cotton with a mission to bring American-made, farm-to-home textiles to market. Armed with her marketing expertise and a passion for storytelling, she shaped the company’s identity, ensuring that each product—crafted from the cotton grown on their farm—embodied quality, authenticity, and Southern heritage.As Red Land Cotton continues to flourish, Anna balances entrepreneurship with family life, finding inspiration in the land that started it all. Her journey is a testament to the power of honoring one’s roots while embracing the possibilities of growth and innovation.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:39] Sponsor: Taboola[02:24] Building new ventures from existing resources[05:08] Turning constraints into strategic clarity[07:25] Sponsor: Next Insurance[08:38] Validating demand while building in public[10:21] Callouts[10:32] Blogging company journey for early engagement[12:03] Teasing progress to convert followers into buyers[13:48] Meeting customers where they are[17:15] Experimenting with traditional advertising[20:10] Sponsor: Electric Eye[21:19] Sponsor: Freight Fright[23:22] Investing in skills when hiring isn’t an option[25:18] Balancing creativity with marketing strategy[26:57] Matching products to the right channels[28:46] Leveraging cross-channel marketing effectively[30:09] Leading with purpose beyond just making moneyResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeLuxury American-Made Bedding & Towels redlandcotton.com/Follow Anna Brakefield linkedin.com/in/anna-brakefield-94389734Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectTurn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Andrew is a self-proclaimed tragic sneaker fan and proven brand builder. After nearly a decade of leading multiple marketing functions at Google, Andrew and two of his colleagues embarked on a mission to build the world’s fairest hype commerce platform. As CEO, Andrew leverages his marketing expertise and first-hand fandom experience to drive this mission forward. After launching just over a year ago, EQL has managed more than 10,000 high-heat launches in 15 markets. When not helping culture-making brands get their goods into the hands of real fans, Andrew can be found spending time with his wife and three children, and dressing younger than he should.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[03:51] Crafting launches that reward real customers[06:06] Callouts[06:16] Streamlining experiences through integrations[07:51] Adding connection where generic tools fall short[10:25] Designing pre, in, and post-launch strategies[13:29] Connecting with audiences in launch moments[19:32] Partnering with experts for better launchesResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeBetter launches for in-demand products eql.com/Andrew Lipp au.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lipp-7b291722If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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

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

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

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

Jennifer is the Director of DTC, Martech, and Digital Compliance at OLLY, a Unilever-owned vitamin/supplement brand, and a seasoned eCommerce veteran based in the Bay Area. She specializes in building digital marketing programs, profitable eCommerce stores, and seamless customer experiences. Her expertise includes advanced Martech ecosystems, customer data platforms (CDPs), marketing automation, and ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Jennifer’s skills span web development, UX/UI design, inventory management, logistics, and omni-channel retailing. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:39] Sponsor: Taboola[01:58] Solving customer needs with simplicity[04:05] Sponsor: Next Insurance[05:19] Leveraging cross-brand learnings for growth[08:37] Using D2C as a customer learning engine[12:00] Callouts[12:11] Evaluating tools that streamline operations[13:37] Reviving traditional marketing with modern tech[16:52] Sponsor: Electric Eye & Freight Fright[20:01] Testing unconventional marketing strategies[21:19] Balancing responsibility with limited control[24:58] Focusing on product value over flashy designResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeOlly Vitamins and Supplements olly.com/Follow Jennifer Peters linkedin.com/in/jennifer-peters-3bbb6220Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectTurn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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