From Brick & Mortar to Shopify Success - The Shopify Growth Show (#10)
Description
Most brands start online. Robert Nelson did the opposite and it changed everything. He used real-world feedback, military discipline, and pop-up precision to launch a thriving DTC brand.
In this episode, Robert Nelson of Just Mystic shares the unconventional path his brand took to gain traction - starting offline with brick-and-mortar and pop-up activations before ever building a Shopify store. With a Marine mindset and data-driven instincts, Robert explains why starting on the ground gave him an edge online.
Whether you’re validating a product or scaling DTC, this episode shows why doing it the “wrong” way might be exactly right.
Key Topics Covered:
- Why starting with a physical location validated the product faster
- How in-person pop-ups revealed customer behavior and pain points
- The move from offline to Shopify — and what changed
- Military leadership lessons applied to brand-building
- Using basic retail economics to unlock higher margins
Follow The Shopify Growth Show for more real founder playbooks - from brick-and-mortar rebels to AI-native operators.
Resources:
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- How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)
- Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)
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United States
