DTC POD: How The Best Brands Are Built

Kellen Roland, with 18+ years of expertise in the luxury and consumer sectors, has a triple role as a founder, investor, and strategic advisor. He fosters business growth through insightful leadership and AI integration, invests in promising businesses like TRUFF, and offers strategic advice to brands such as Slowtide. With an acute sense of cultural trends and storytelling skills, he establishes authentic links between brands and audiences. Notably, he worked at Agenda Trade Show, Herschel Supply Co., and iamOTHER, founded The NTWRK Agency, and eventually built JOOPITER alongside Pharrell Williams. At present, he shares this extensive learning at his own consulting business, KRMC.In this DTC Pod episode, Kellen Roland gives insights on building strong retailer relationships. He emphasizes the importance of delivering unique value to create lasting partnerships in retail. He also discusses negotiating techniques and the need to maintain a healthy balance of markups and margins, appealing to vendors while preserving brand profitability. Kellen encourages brands to be agile; taking customer feedback seriously and quickly adapting to changing preferences is key for success in the fast-changing DTC landscape. Through his strategic insights, Kellen cements the framework for a successful retail strategy that is as much about captivating storytelling as it is about shrewd business deliberations.Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Strategic DTC Brand Launch2. Entrepreneurship and Relationship-Building3. Agility and Adaptability in Retail4. Ethics in CPG and Brand Responsibility5. Traits of Highly Successful People6. Practical Benefits of AI in Business7. The Value of MentorshipTimestamps01:30 Kellen Roland’s background, early career and passion06:48 Herschel’s success, the importance of clear vision and timing11:45 Creating win-win situations for retailers as a brand13:01 How to pitch new products to retailers17:04 Traditional brand launch versus modern direct-to-consumer approach21:14 The importance of demand planning and brand agility25:23 Brands to watch out for: Graza, Nguyen Coffee, Rocky’s Matcha, Goodles32:52 Working with Pharell Williams on JOOPITER35:53 Traits for leveling up to Kobe-level success40:41 Commitment, resilience, and persistence amidst challenges44:17 Using AI to manage schedules, solve problems, and scale operations49:08 Coaching and revenue growth, building a consulting business52:08 Seeking mentors, not copy-pasting success formulasShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  Kellen Roland - Founder of KRMCBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Loren Castle is an entrepreneur and the founder of Sweet Loren's, a brand specializing in ready-to-bake cookie dough that is plant-based, gluten-free, nut-free, and non-GMO.After being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 22, Loren Castle was motivated to create a line of sweets that aligned with her own desire for healthier, less processed treats made from real food ingredients. Baking served both as her therapy and a means of creative expression during her challenging times.Sweet Loren's began in Loren's kitchen after her homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe received high praise, leading her to realize the potential of her products. Her business has grown significantly over the years, and she has successfully led the brand to offer a broad range of products catering to health-conscious consumers. Sweet Loren's products are now available in over 25,000 supermarkets.This episode of DTC Pod explores how Sweet Loren’s became the #1 natural cookie dough brand in the US. We cover topics like scaling product production, identifying business opportunities, and integrating customer feedback into product development stages. Learn about their success from startup to leader in the CPG market.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Tips for Scaling Product Production2. Key Considerations for Product Line Expansion3. Strategies for Successful Product Launches4. How to Identify White Space Opportunities5. Customer Feedback Integration in Product Development6. Business Decision-Making and GrowthTimestamps04:14 Starting Sweet Loren’s, the #1 natural cookie dough brand in the US10:32 Discovering passion, becoming an entrepreneur, finding purpose14:11 From solopreneurship to business leader15:46 Deciding between opening a bakery vs entering the CPG market16:39 Product development, choosing cookie dough as the first product20:54 Customer feedback and its role in product iteration cycle22:32 Shifting focus to customer needs, scaling Sweet Loren’s24:58 Changing products to cater to food intolerances and allergies32:28 Early stages of funding, bootstrapping, scaling34:36 Evaluating business opportunities based on personal alignment35:52 Figuring out the top five SKUs that are gonna sell38:03 Launching Sweet Lauren’s first shelf-stable product38:59 Launching other types of refrigerated doughs41:16 Considerations for expanding Sweet Loren’s product offerings43:14 Researching, identifying opportunities, developing products46:55 Why team, experience, expertise, and data are vital for startup successShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  Loren Castle - CEO and Founder of Sweet Loren'sBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Emmett Shine is the creative genius behind Pattern, taking the lead in shaping the narratives and aesthetics of its seven brands. He also co-founded a creative agency, Gin Lane, and oversaw its evolution in parallel with the burgeoning startup ecosystem that came to define New York's landscape.In this episode, Emmett discusses Pattern Brands' approach to cultivating a unique identity for each brand within its family. He underscores the need to create specialized experiences for individual brands while exploring synergies across the portfolio. His dual focus on operations and creatives emerges as a cornerstone strategy, proving pivotal in his company's ongoing journey to build a robust and profitable direct-to-consumer ecosystem.Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Creative vs Operational Mindsets2. Talent Recognition and Recruitment Strategies3. Timeless Design Principles and Inspiration4. DTC Brand Challenges and Strategies5. Building and Scaling a Brand Family6. Personal Growth and Entrepreneurship Timestamps00:00 Working with business founders, finding market opportunities05:25 Starting Pattern Brands, buying businesses, launching a design agency13:23 Finding and hiring the right talent15:27 Emmett Shine’s background in design, creating timeless vs trendy designs24:18 Launching two brands, Equal Parts and Open Spaces28:31 Managing multiple brands: human resources and operations33:50 Building specialized brands that cater to millennials45:01 Focusing on consistency, quality, and iterative processes46:34 Diverse projects in early stages, seeking new challengesShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  Emmett Shine - Co-Founder of Pattern BrandsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Our conversation with growth strategist Sabir Semerkant is filled with actionable insights on thriving in the e-commerce landscape.Sabir’s approach to e-commerce growth is holistic. He emphasizes constant improvement and a strong understanding of one's business foundations. His advice invites brands to explore a growth path that's not reliant on temporary fixes but solidifies lasting customer relationships and strong business workflows. Don’t miss this opportunity to get an expert’s take on fueling your strategy and growth.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Sabir Semerkant’s 8D Method2. The Importance of Mobile Optimization3. Key Dimensions for E-Commerce Success4. Storytelling in Marketing5. Customer Experience and Branding6. The Importance of Customer Centricity7. Value Creation and Strategic Pricing8. E-Commerce Platform Optimization9. Growth and Operational Strategies10. Logistics and FulfillmentTimestamps10:48 Setting goals, improving KPIs every day by 1%12:10 The Rapid 2X and Mastermind programs and the 8D Method13:46 Consistent improvement vs. quick transient optimization dilemma18:21 The importance of measuring all aspects of business for success20:17 The risks of relying solely on paid advertising, the importance of building a brand24:43 The dangers of discounting and how it could hurt a business28:12 Storytelling in marketing, building an emotional connection with customers32:32 Optimizing tech stack for attention span, earning audience engagement37:44 Free tool for measuring site speed to improve performance and conversion39:10 Mobile optimization and why it is important42:25 Product positioning and brand building, paying attention to what customers care about45:33 The importance of authenticity in branding48:43 Putting customers at the center of a business, creating buyer personas 53:15 Strategic pricing, cultivating brand loyalty through content01:00:11 Factors to consider when choosing the right tech stack01:08:42 Choosing the right third-party logistics and operations partners01:13:58 Finding and hiring the right people to help a business growShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  Sabir Semerkant - Founder of GROWTH by SABIRBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Jennifer Liao’s journey with MìLà is nothing short of remarkable. From a grassroots project where they collected orders through Google Forms, it evolved into a successful venture that raised $21.5 million in its second round of funding.This episode doesn't just serve up the story behind MìLà’s signature frozen soup dumplings; it provides a feast of insights on the ingredients for business growth, fundraising, and the power of community-driven marketing.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Fundraising Strategies and Investor Relationships2. Navigating Logistics for Frozen Food Distribution3. Product-Market Fit Testing4. Branding and Content Strategy Development5. Scaling Manufacturing 6. Leveraging E-commerce PlatformsTimestamps03:37 Experimenting with frozen soup dumplings06:17 How testing and running ad campaigns on Meta led to MìLà’s rapid growth14:59 Product-market fit testing, team expansion20:43 Establishing a team for content and branding28:00 Getting funded, setting realistic goals, and scaling for success35:52 The supply chain side of frozen, perishable goods37:22 Building infrastructure for proactive outreach38:46 Product innovation, retail expansionShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  -----Jennifer Liao - Co-Founder of MìLàBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

In this episode of DTC Pod, Nicolas Beaupré illuminates the strategies that propelled Mateina's growth in the North American market, where the lure of yerba mate was still largely undiscovered. He emphasizes the crucial role of grassroots efforts like word-of-mouth endorsements and community events in building a loyal customer base. Nicolas shares his journey of self-funding, supplemented later by keen investors, which allowed the brand to foster a robust direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales model. In developing Mateina's signature non-carbonated yerba mate beverage, he underscores the meticulous year-and-a-half-long process of trial and error with suppliers to fine-tune the recipe. Moving into the future, Nicolas envisions continuing to innovate and potentially expand Mateina's retail footprint.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Yerba Mate as a Coffee Alternative2. Grassroots Customer Acquisition3. Self-Funding to Venture Capital4. DTC Revenue Strategy5. Product Development Journey6. Product Sourcing and Production7. Sales and Formulations8. Retail Partnerships9. Educational Marketing StrategyTimestamps03:27 Becoming acquainted with maté in South America05:54 Launching an e-commerce store that sells maté08:41 Introducing a ready-to-drink, cold maté to the market14:07 Educating customers on yerba maté15:51 From bootstrapping to getting private investors19:27 Product development — trials, mistakes, expansion23:57 Factors to consider when coming up with a new formula27:01 Mateina’s product line, inventory challenges32:18 Lessons on product form and communications strategy35:04 Andrew Huberman's role in launching Mateina in the US37:00 Aligning brand, creator, infrastructure, capital, and distribution43:39 Product education, word of mouth, and brand advocacyShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  -----Nicolas Beaupré - Founder & CEO at Mateina Yerba MateBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

In our conversation with Kevin Lavelle, he shares his ingenious approach to building his company, Mizzen+Main, into a fashion industry success. Initially, Kevin recalls the brute force marketing efforts that shaped the early days of the brand, from going door to door to attending events to get the product in people's hands. As their digital marketing and PR strategies matured, Kevin leveraged the power of strategic partnerships and influencer collaborations. Specifically, he cites the company's visibility boost through sponsorship deals, like the one with Tim Ferriss's podcast, and endorsement deals, like with athlete J.J. Watt.Looking into the future with his new venture, Harbor, Kevin discusses the strategies his team is taking to enter the market of baby monitors and pediatric telehealth.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Influential Partnerships for Brand Growth2. Sustainable Growth Strategies3. Influencer and Celebrity Collaborations4. The Tim Ferriss Effect5.  Retail Strategy Insights6. Prelaunch Strategies and Inventory ManagementTimestamps02:13 Transitioning from Mizzen+Main to Harbor07:20 Lessons from building a customer base for Mizzen+Main12:42 The Tim Ferriss Effect, how a podcast propelled Mizzen+Main14:15 Signing an endorsement deal with J.J. Watt16:36 The necessity of authenticity and passion in successful partnerships20:06 Making personal connections for business success26:00 Creating technically complex, life-critical electronics29:03 Growing Harbor by creating valuable content for parents32:36 Wholesalers and their impact on business growth37:11 Preparing for the pre-launch of Harbor38:45 Building a waitlist with a refundable deposit to gauge demand42:17 Harbor’s vision to transform sleep and wellness for parentsShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  -----Kevin Lavelle - CoFounder and CEO at Harbor, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Mizzen+MainBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Join us as Ben Acott uncovers intriguing tactics that make Feastables stand out in the crowded direct-to-consumer landscape. In our conversation, Ben expounded on the synergistic relationship between Feastables and the ultra-popular Mr. Beast, highlighting how leveraging the latter’s extensive distribution network offers a unique advantage. This strategic alignment not only turbocharges product reach but also taps into an existing, engaged audience ripe for conversion. The way Ben's ventures harness such audience networks is a testament to the power of influencer marketing and shows the value of cultivating smart partnerships in building strong brands.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Branding with Mr. Beast2. Creator Partnerships in Brand Marketing3. Testing Talent and Products for Market Fit4. Scaling New and Existing DTC Brands5. Brand-Creator Collaborations6. Celebrity Partnerships7. Reinventing Boring Product Categories8. Building Brand Loyalty through ContentTimestamps04:05 Working with one of the most popular content creators in the world, Mr. Beast06:48 Lessons from building the brand MANSCAPED12:41 Analyzing product success, tracking metrics, and predicting customer acquisition cost (CAC)15:16 From launching Feastables to reformulation and rebranding22:53 How to make partnerships with content creators work24:41 Reinforcing confidence, shaping perception, and packaging success27:14 Factors that go into negotiation and compensation structures33:20 Choosing the right branding partner, validating partnerships through testing36:20 Producing content, testing, and promoting products online38:31 Making boring products cool through content marketingShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  -----Ben Acott - Chief Executive Officer at Magnetic LabsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Mina Elias, backed by his vast experience, outlines a strategy to captivate customers and set apart offerings in Amazon's competitive market.He shares a blueprint for keyword optimization on Amazon, highlighting the need to start small and grow strategically based on performance results. His approach underlines the role of flexibility in advertising, where constant adjustments can lead to enhanced visibility and higher conversions.Additionally, Mina discusses how click-through and conversion rates dramatically affect a product's organic ranking on Amazon. He recommends driving branded traffic from external sources to Amazon pages to raise product visibility against fierce competition.Mina also shares a few tips on crafting effective product detail pages. He stresses the importance of each component—from images to reviews—working together to showcase the product's merits and convince shoppers to purchase. Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Keyword Strategy and Budget Management2. Understanding Amazon's Sales Ecosystem3. Amazon Advertising Strategy4. Maximizing Amazon Product Visibility5. Amazon's Traffic and Conversion Funnel6. Product Listing and Conversion Improvement Strategies7. Review Acquisition Challenges and Strategies8. Amazon's Growing Platform and Optimization Challenges9. Market Trends and PredictionsTimestamps00:00 Scaling brands on Amazon05:38 Optimizing product detail page for better conversion08:15 Maximizing impressions, improving click-through rates, and increasing sales11:14 Systematic keyword testing for profitable ad campaigns18:12 The impact of customer behavior on Amazon organic sales24:32 The importance of reviews in driving customer choices26:59 Influencing reviews with reciprocity and community building35:53 Succeeding on Amazon in 202437:03 Profitable niches to sell products on Amazon in 2024Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  -----Mina Elias - Founder of Trivium Group and Chief Executive Officer at MMA Nutrition LLCBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Juan Meisel is the Founder and CEO at Grip Shipping, a pioneering Direct-to-Consumer eCommerce for perishable products. After serving as the Head of Logistics of Buterbox, he launched Grip which has since processed over a billion dollars' worth of perishable goods through their innovative platform, and now offers comprehensive fulfillment services, reducing shipping costs by an impressive 30%.On this episode, we'll cover everything about perishable logistics, how Butcherbox solved for these challenges at scale, and how brands can tap into the same infrastructure through Grip with low minimum volume requirements for fast growing perishable goods brands.On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Optimizing perishable goods shipping2. Cutting shipping costs significantly3. Scaling fulfillment network strategy4. Unique challenges in perishable logistics5. Importance of data-driven decision making6. Evolving market for online perishables7. Building versus partnering in logisticsTimestamps00:00 Early team member bootstrapped Butcherbox, now scaling Grip.05:49 Shipping perishable goods quickly causes many challenges.09:18 Fragmented warehousing systems, leading to shipping issues.14:18 Challenges with dynamic shipping and manual processes.16:10 Early companies failed due to profit challenges.19:40 Identified shipping needs, led to market connection.22:21 Understanding problems, team support, and evolving markets.27:44 Optimizing perishable shipping for increased profitability.29:08 Software innovation drives substantial reduction in shipping costs.35:16 Focus on defending and scaling company culture. Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Juan Meisel - Founder and CEO at Grip ShippingBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Josh Durham is the founder of Aligned Growth, an influencer management agency that helps established 7 & 8 figure DTC brands scale and optimized influencer programs.On this episode of DTC Pod, Josh joins Blaine & Ramon to break down how to effectively scale creator and influencer initiatives to successfully drive bottom line revenue growth.On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Prioritizing paid social and email marketing.2. Delegating influencer sourcing and outreach.3. Negotiating deals focused on consistency.4. Testing budgets for audience relevance.5. Building relationships in niche markets.6. Align Growth's influencer marketing strategy.7. Repurposing influencer content effectively.Timestamps00:00 Went bankrupt, transitioned to brand marketing, enjoyed.06:57 Sponsoring creators, measuring performance, driving sales via influencers.10:56 Consistency of views crucial for creator partnerships.12:06 Testing budget needed for influencer marketing results.17:15 Reset expectations per brand, work with influencers.19:12 Focus on paid social, email, search, shopping.22:42 Source 100-200 creators weekly, optimize opt-in rates.27:11 Best sourcing and management tool for influencers.29:54 Guide creators to emulate successful content for clients.33:53 Importance of tech stack in influencer marketing.38:21 Excited about new pizza oven, creating content.41:38 In-house editors create authentic, engaging content. Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Josh Durham - Founder of Aligned GrowthBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Cherene Aubert is the VP of Digital and E-commerce at ILIA Beauty, a skincare-powered makeup brand which has taken the beauty industry by storm as it's quickly scaled past 100M in revenue.In this episode, we sit down with Cherene to discuss some of the most successful strategies that the most successful brands use to grow.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Brand Differentiation in the Beauty Industry2. Embracing Organic Revenue Growth3. Strategic Marketing Shifts4. Cherene Aubert's Professional Background and Role at Ilia Beauty5. Understanding the Beauty Market Landscape6. Analyzing and Measuring Sales Performance7. Brand Awareness and Advertising Effectiveness8. Utilizing the OKR Framework in Marketing Strategies9. Optimization of Landing Pages and Offers10. Media and Content Strategy11. Trends and Team Collaboration in Social Media MarketingTimestamps00:00 Transition to Ilia for faster growth.04:52 Overseeing marketing, brand, and retail strategies.10:07 Beauty market segmentation: fickle vs. loyal consumers.12:59 Storytelling unlocks human connection in brand marketing.14:52 Early start, focus on financial planning.18:59 Building a legacy brand with team support.23:04 SEO, link building, PR, affiliate, non-paid channels.27:45 Influencer marketing expands reach and audience diversity.30:31 Teams collaborate to create and promote content.33:48 Obsession with capturing attention in social feed.36:35 Beauty, profitability, growth, customer acquisition, conversion optimization.41:45 Prioritizing landing page creation for brand impact.43:18 Maximize user retention with native landing pages.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Cherene Aubert - VP of Digital and E-commerce at Ilia BeautyBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Allegra Poschmann is the CEO & Design Director at Pact, a design led, development driven studio that creates digital experiences.In this episode, Allegra shares her journey of substantial growth in the design industry and the compelling success of the nap dress. Listen as we explore the unique approaches to customer engagement and personalized brand experiences that are defining modern retail.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Introduction to Allegra Poschman2. The Success of the Nap Dress3. Creating Unique Customer Experiences4. Personalization Strategies5. The Connection between Online and Offline Experiences6. Pact's Approach to Client Relationships7. Collaborations and Projects8. Balancing Initiatives and Partnerships9. Strategic Focus and Client Onboarding10. Interest in AI and Brand Consistency11. Ingredient Showcase and SEO12. Understanding the Customer and Founder’s Vision13. Success with Visionary Brands and FoundersTimestamps00:00 Small studio job changed career trajectory, company founded.05:35 Designers listen to clients for e-commerce insight.09:11 Improved metrics, long-term partnership, strategic direction.12:20 Optimizing Shopify capabilities for marketing science-focused products.13:32 Matina focuses on unique single origin sourcing.16:40 Using active ingredient to promote legitimacy in SEO.21:43 Understanding customer values and tailoring approach.25:59 Fashion brand grew, focused on unique products.29:20 Avoid replicating it, focus on personalized experiences.30:23 Personalization strategy works for studs' piercing studios.35:37 Businesses merging tech and physical products seamlessly.39:08 Curiosity about AI and brand product focus.40:55 Glossier brand focused on enhancing natural beauty. Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Allegra Poschmann - CEO & Design Director at PactBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Bart is building at the intersection of commerce & community and promoting the message of fatherhood through fashion. With a twelve year stint optimizing brands and content, Bart now champions the Dad Gang, a movement that brings dads together under the banner of quality streetwear. We kick off with how he turned a small investment of $750 into a phenomenon that has sold 90,000 hats and counting and is consistently repped by some of the biggest celebrity and athlete dads.Bart breaks down the strategy behind investing strategically in organic content & paid social, which has led to a burgeoning community and movement for dads, by dads, in just a year and a half!Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Introduction to Bart and Dad Gang2. Dad Gang’s Growth through Organic Marketing Strategies3. The Quality and Appeal of Dad Gang Hats4. Nurturing a Community-Centric Brand5. Marketing Strategies and Experiences6. Sales and Community Engagement7. Product Recommendations and Community InvolvementTimestamps00:00 Interest in hip hop led to career in marketing and branding.05:57 Transition from freelance to agency, experiencing burnout.10:24 Friends, family supported hat-making venture organically grew.14:39 Connected with manufacturer to create high-quality hats.17:04 From 100 hats to 90,000 in 1.5 years.20:14 Highlight new dads, share their fatherhood stories.23:31 Fatherhood has trials, community provides support.26:37 Bart, startup success, building community, unexpected growth.29:31 Boosted ads with back-in-stock notifications work well.35:33 Started private Facebook group for back-in-stock updates.38:01 Dad support group fosters community and advice.41:50 Focus on collaborations, new hat styles, feedback.44:15 Best-selling black and white horsepower hat sold out. Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Bart Szaniewski - Co-Founder at DadGangBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Sam Rattner is the CEO and Co-Founder at Showroom, a vertical-specific search engine for fashion. Leveraging AI, it crawls brands big and small and hosts their inventory, amounting to millions of pieces.  Previously Sam founded Vigtory, a sports betting company which he sold to Fubo for $40 Million at age 23.In this episode, Sam Rattner joins us to break down the innovative concepts behind his company, Showroom, aimed at reshaping the online shopping experience. We discuss how AI will impact retailers and shopping experiences alike.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Concept and Mission of Showroom2. Showroom's Business Model3. Consumer-Centric Approach in Ecommerce4. Innovation in Online Shopping Experience5. Challenges with AI in Fashion Ecommerce6. Fundraising and Business Growth Strategies7. The Importance of Data Standardization8. Ecommerce Platform Differentiation9. AI's Role in Enhancing Consumer Experience10. User Interaction with Showroom11. Market Analysis and Positioning12. Conversion from Impulse to Intent-Based Shopping13. Vertical Search Versus Horizontal Search PlatformsTimestamps00:00 Predicted growth of sports betting in the US.05:47 TikTok shop is entertainment, not reliable shopping.07:40 Consumer focus, market validation, advertising challenges discussed.10:11 Many start searches on Google, Pinterest, and Showroom.15:13 Value proposition: conversational, personalized, efficient online shopping.19:50 Understanding consumer journey, owning customer, informing decisions.22:37 Innovate to make a thousand times better.24:19 Consider business goal before raising capital strategically.27:19 GPT integration problem: diverse data sources, costs.31:00 Data standardization, unbiased company relationships with all brands.33:57 Launching beta, big waiting list, market-ready by March.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Sam Rattner - Co-Founder and CEO at ShowroomBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

John Coogan is the Founder at Lucy, an innovative company in the nicotine industry, offering safer alternatives to smoking.In this episode, we discuss strategies for scaling production, taking products to market, generating buzz, navigating regulation, nailing retail distribution, and leveraging digital content to grow brands. And that's not all – we'll also get a glimpse into John's personal journey as a creator - where he's built a YouTube channel with almost 400,000 subscribers - as he covers startups in documentary style breakdowns.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Starting a Company through Kickstarter2. Product Development and Business Struggles3. Growth and Market Response4. Manufacturing and Distribution5. Regulatory Hurdles and Nicotine Product Innovation6. Marketing and Brand Building7. John's Professional Journey8. Tackling Nicotine Addiction9. Insights from Market Trends and Consumer Demand10. Founding Soylent and Pivoting Business DirectionTimestamps00:00 Started a startup, joined Y combinator, flopped.08:03 Silicon Valley programmer pivots to protein shakes.10:15 Soylent named after dystopian Sci-Fi movie reference.14:29 Brought in advisor, introduced to copacker. Fatal error.18:12 Struggle to meet deadline amid viral attention.20:37 Positive profile led to successful product launch.22:16 Barely any time, huge oh, shit moments.27:35 CPG genre, product, problem-solving, Shopify, retail, omnichannel31:23 Nicotine industry transitioning from unregulated to regulated.35:12 Nicorette product unchanged for decades, now on Amazon.36:31 DTC Pod joins HubSpot podcast network.39:05 FDA assesses product safety for public health.44:32 Swedish Match, Zyn, acquired by Philip Morris.46:38 Customer data, targeting key regions, sales strategy.50:09 Meeting creators, learning needs, gaining credibility.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---John Coogan - Founder at LucyBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Joel Padron is the COO and Partner at Homestead Studio, a leading growth agency specializing in acquisition and retention services for brands scaling from 7 to 8 figures of revenue. After scaling Crossnet on the performance side, Joel has been behind the wheel with some of the fastest growing brands in commerce since joining Homestead.In this episode, we're going in depth on how performance engines run at 8 figure brands, exploring Homestead's rigorous process for growth, their focus on financial targets, and how to leverage user-generated content to stay ahead in the DTC game.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Criteria for Partnering with Brands2. Working Preferences and Company Ethos3. Marketing Approach and Strategies4. Creative Content and Advertisement5. Offers and Customer Perspective6. Lessons Along The Way7. Practical Marketing Advice8. The Agency and Brand Experience Transition9. Landing Page Tactics and Paid Traffic10. Utilizing Landing Page Tools and Influencer OutreachTimestamps00:00 Understanding audience crucial for effective product marketing.07:37 Home-based brand support for seven- to nine-figure companies.10:56 Partnerships, business growth, and brand expansion.12:27 Proven success in US market key criteria.16:52 Exciting growth with diverse range of clients.21:25 Marketing strategy focuses on family and safety.24:19 Drive traffic to specific pages for conversion.27:48 Easy landing page creation for any employee.31:11 Good content creators drive successful advertising strategies.32:37 UGC and videos are harder to execute.37:53 Simplify information for practical, successful audience engagement.40:27 Agency work offers broader, deeper understanding of business.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Joel Padron - COO and Partner at Homestead StudioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Rikin Diwan is the CMO and Chief Growth Officer at soona, the world’s first virtual content studio.In this episode, we chat with Rikin about the intersection of AI and human creativity when it comes to content creation. We pick apart the nuts and bolts of storytelling and authenticity in marketing, the dynamic evolution of the creative content, and the unique challenges of marketing in e-commerce.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. The Role of AI in Content Creation2. Marketing and Storytelling3. Evolving Market and Content Production4. Financial Acumen in Business5. Performance-Based Marketing6. Creator Relationships and Distribution Channels7. Case Study: Marketing at Uber8. Adaptive Marketing Playbooks 9. Consistency in Company Messaging10. Soona's Platform and ToolsTimestamps03:58 Focus was product, now into marketing leadership.09:06 Promoting bike share program, unique city permits.12:03 Strategy for customer retention through creative marketing.15:29 Embracing simplicity, disrupting with virtual shoots.17:11 Focus on B2B SaaS, not e-commerce marketing.21:20 Issues with SEO arbitrage and referral revenue.24:37 Balance performance and relationship for greater success.27:15 E-commerce and DTC learned social proof importance.29:38 Balancing budget and channel for content marketing.35:09 Utilize influencer collaboration to enhance content reach.35:57 Blurring the lines between sponsoring and whitelisting.40:05 Google AI impacting search experience and SEO.43:03 AI tools augment creatives, won't replace them.46:30 Customer understanding key in integrating tech with photography.52:32 Testing new messaging, creative freedom, feedback loop.53:33 Testing new things, grounded in value. Stay colorful.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Rikin Diwan - CMO and Chief Growth Officer at soonaBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Jess Chan is the CEO and Founder of Longplay, an lifecycle & retention agency for DTC brands. She's also the brains behind Backbone, an innovative tool that wraps all those email and retention best practices in one simple to use tool.In this episode, Jess joins Blaine to discuss what it takes to succeed as a brand that wants to lean into retention & lifecycle marketing to scale DTC revenue.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Jess Chan's Background2. Insights on Retention Marketing3. Role of Various Strategical Tools4. Email Flows To be Productized5. In-depth look at subclasses of strategies in Retention Marketing6. Use of Data in Retention Strategies7. Demonstrations of Successful StrategiesTimestamps03:00 Retention in D2C eCommerce: A shift towards focus.06:38 Email marketing: Retaining and understanding customers is key.10:39 Retention marketing is not the same as acquisition.12:40 Optimize email flows, upsell subscriptions, strategic campaigns.15:38 Boost tools for customer lifecycle, loyalty programs.18:16 Focus on fewer channels and execute well.26:34 Check SMS attribution settings for accurate analysis. Focus on customer-centric approach for SMS marketing.29:19 Brands must consider immersive customer experiences.32:22 Different customers, different journeys, different needs.37:31 Medium dictates message; optimize design for impact.40:59 Automating email marketing strategy development and improvement.41:57 Backbone plans email marketing, optimized for conversion.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Jess Chan - Founder and CEO at Longplay & BackboneBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Rosa Li is the founder and CEO of Wildwonder - a brand that's reimagining the functional soda space with its sparkling drinks infused with heritage-inspired, gut-healthy ingredients.In this episode, Rosa shares about Wildwonder's savvy omnichannel approach, the strategic importance of picking high-impact distribution channels, and how they've managed to stand out in a crowded market through a perfect blend of educating consumers and delivering innovative flavors. Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Introduction to Rosa Li and Wildwonder2. Building A Unique Brand Identity3. Impact of Shark Tank Appearance4. Early Challenges and Growth Strategies5. Marketing and Distribution Focus6. Product Development and Positioning7. Educational Marketing and Consumer Engagement8. Social Media and Online PresenceTimestamps00:00 Started with teas, evolved to create convenience.07:14 Product's accessibility increased by using cans.10:28 Persistence secured co-packer for beverage production.12:05 Sold door to door during quarantine, survived.15:29 Omnichannel approach targeting customers in San Francisco.20:07 Approachable, whimsical, consistent brand with uplifting packaging.22:46 Shark Tank increased brand awareness and sales.28:08 Excited about unique beverage approach and distribution.31:23 Interest in brand growth and future opportunities.34:48 Discussing product positioning and education in marketing.36:59 Hard to educate market when starting from zero.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Rosa Li - Founder and CEO at WildwonderBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic