311 | Shopify Edge: Fast Migrations and Streamlined Ecommerce | with Shawn Khemsurov

Honest Ecommerce

#E-Commerce #Tech #Advertising #Advice #Digital #ECommerce #Marketing #Shopify #Shopify Expert Chase Clymer #Business #Industries #Podcasting Education

32:48

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is back for its second season! Kay Adams welcomes the women who assemble the squad, Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell, to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of putting together the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Judy and Kelli open up about what it means to embrace flaws in the pursuit of perfection, how they identify that winning combo of stamina and wow factor, and what it’s like to see Thunderstruck go viral. Plus, the duo shares their hopes for the future of DCC beyond the field. Netflix Sports Club Podcast Correspondent Dani Klupenger also stops by to discuss the NBA Finals, basketball’s biggest moments with Michael Jordan and LeBron, and Kevin Durant’s international dominance. Dani and Kay detail the rise of Coco Gauff’s greatness and the most exciting storylines heading into Wimbledon. We want to hear from you! Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/NetflixSportsClub Find more from the Netflix Sports Club Podcast @NetflixSports on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. You can catch Kay Adams @heykayadams and Dani Klupenger @daniklup on IG and X. Be sure to follow Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammel @kellifinglass and @dcc_judy on IG. Hosted by Kay Adams, the Netflix Sports Club Podcast is an all-access deep dive into the Netflix Sports universe! Each episode, Adams will speak with athletes, coaches, and a rotating cycle of familiar sports correspondents to talk about a recently released Netflix Sports series. The podcast will feature hot takes, deep analysis, games, and intimate conversations. Be sure to watch, listen, and subscribe to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Tudum, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes on Fridays every other week.…

about a year ago 27:54

MP3•Episode home

Shawn brings over ten years of fashion retail experience to the table. He is the Co-Founder of Electric Eye–our Shopify design and development agency, and a Partner at Feel–a brand studio where art meets commerce.

A specialist in design, Shawn has worked with the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap Inc, Nike, Homage and Only NY. His time in the retail industry, from digital experience to product design, has exposed him to many facets within the business.

This has given him an undeniable ability to identify his clients’ needs; guaranteed to provide a unique experience and to deliver increased engagement across all channels of your business.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

[00:50] Intro
[01:19] Evaluating if your business needs a refresh
[02:45] Simplifying transitions with the right tools
[04:01] Creating checklists for seamless projects
[05:21] Streamlining operations with Shopify’s tools
[06:43] Addressing website failures with solid solutions
[07:23] Rebranding & redesigning during platform migration
[08:57] Redesigning for better performance and results
[11:19] Boosting efficiency with modern solutions
[12:15] Auditing performance to fix slow-loading stores
[14:08] Episode sponsors: StoreTester and Intelligems
[17:20] Building high-converting landing pages
[19:23] Improving conversions with flagship landing pages
[20:56] Refining user experiences with detailed testing
[21:41] Duplicating templates for faster scalability
[22:41] Exploring advanced tools for scalability
[24:07] Deciding if Shopify Plus is the right investment
[25:10] Leveraging new customer accounts
[26:10] Utilizing new features to stay competitive
[26:44] Electric Eye diagnostics for better store insights

Resources:

Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
Shopify expert design and development agency electriceye.io/
A brand studio where art meets commerce feel.studio/
Follow Shawn Khemsurov linkedin.com/in/shawnkhemsurov/
Book a demo today at intelligems.io/
Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com

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!

475 episodes

311 | Shopify Edge: Fast Migrations and Streamlined Ecommerce | with Shawn Khemsurov

Honest Ecommerce

69 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

This has given him an undeniable ability to identify his clients’ needs; guaranteed to provide a unique experience and to deliver increased engagement across all channels of your business.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

[00:50] Intro
[01:19] Evaluating if your business needs a refresh
[02:45] Simplifying transitions with the right tools
[04:01] Creating checklists for seamless projects
[05:21] Streamlining operations with Shopify’s tools
[06:43] Addressing website failures with solid solutions
[07:23] Rebranding & redesigning during platform migration
[08:57] Redesigning for better performance and results
[11:19] Boosting efficiency with modern solutions
[12:15] Auditing performance to fix slow-loading stores
[14:08] Episode sponsors: StoreTester and Intelligems
[17:20] Building high-converting landing pages
[19:23] Improving conversions with flagship landing pages
[20:56] Refining user experiences with detailed testing
[21:41] Duplicating templates for faster scalability
[22:41] Exploring advanced tools for scalability
[24:07] Deciding if Shopify Plus is the right investment
[25:10] Leveraging new customer accounts
[26:10] Utilizing new features to stay competitive
[26:44] Electric Eye diagnostics for better store insights

Resources:

Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
Shopify expert design and development agency electriceye.io/
A brand studio where art meets commerce feel.studio/
Follow Shawn Khemsurov linkedin.com/in/shawnkhemsurov/
Book a demo today at intelligems.io/
Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com

475 episodes

#E-Commerce #Tech #Advertising #Advice #Digital #ECommerce #Marketing #Shopify #Shopify Expert Chase Clymer #Business #Industries #Podcasting Education

All episodes

Honest Ecommerce

1
Bonus Episode: Collecting the Right Data Instead of Waiting for Perfect Data with Sabir Semerkant 51:26

2 days ago51:26

51:26

Sabir Semerkant is an Ecommerce expert, growth strategist, and founder of Growth by Sabir, where he helps brands unlock compounding growth through a proven framework called the 8D Method. With over 20 years of experience and $1B+ in revenue driven, Sabir has worked with everyone from Fortune 500s to DTC challengers, scaling brands like Canon, Tommy Hilfiger, and Sour Patch Kids along the way. Today, Sabir leads growth across a wide range of eCommerce verticals, helping founders break through revenue plateaus with precision systems and operational clarity. His work is grounded in execution: simplifying tech stacks, identifying bottlenecks, and unlocking 2X results without chasing shiny tactics. In 2024 alone, his Rapid 2X program delivered a 108% average lift across 29 brands in just 21 days. Whether he’s unpacking the real reasons most brands stall, breaking down why resumes don’t equal results, or showing how to grow without over-relying on Meta ads, Sabir brings a direct, operator-first mindset to the conversation. He shares what it takes to scale in today’s crowded DTC space without gambling on paid, blindly outsourcing growth, or losing sight of what truly moves the needle. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:39] Intro [01:23] Learning marketing like a software upgrade [08:53] Improving CTR with daily copy experiments [14:55] Centralizing KPIs to drive clear decisions [19:11] Knowing your numbers without excuses [21:47] Segmenting real buyers from email signups [23:35] Testing ideas before scaling campaigns [28:32] Repositioning your product to fix weak growth [31:03] Aligning your whole team on brand growth [40:30] Avoiding the agency swap loop for growth Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Turning Promising Ecom Brands Into Profitable Winners https://growthbysabir.com/ Follow Sabir Semerkant https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabirsemerkant 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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
337 | Connecting with Customers Beyond Tools and Dashboards | with Aaron Magness 29:44

5 days ago29:44

29:44

Aaron Magness is the SVP of Marketing at Full Glass Wine Co., a brand acquisition and management firm focused on operating DTC wine companies with strong community roots and lasting customer value. From first-time buyers to wine club loyalists, Aaron leads marketing across a growing portfolio of brands, building distinct identities while driving collective growth at scale. With 15+ years of experience at fast-growing consumer brands, Aaron brings a sharp operator’s mindset to every marketing challenge. His work centers on sustainable value creation, balancing customer acquisition with deep retention, brand storytelling with data-driven execution. Outside of Full Glass, he’s also an active advisor and investor in consumer startups, with a passion for enhancing customer experience at every touchpoint. Whether unpacking how to manage marketing across multiple brands, sharing what he looks for in standout talent, or reflecting on the role of skill vs. luck in his career, Aaron offers a grounded, thoughtful take on what it really takes to lead modern marketing teams. He shares what it means to scale without shortcuts, how to build teams that compound over time, and why marketing today is more about connection than ever before. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:41] Intro [00:59] Investing in your professional network [01:47] Navigating job loss during economic downturns [03:09] Scaling DTC through subscription experience [06:03] Building expert teams in a startup portfolio [07:04] Transferring insights across brand portfolios [08:47] Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, Reach & Zamp [15:08] Specializing before expanding your skillset [18:07] Aligning teams around shared outcomes [19:41] Focusing on customer quality over quantity [23:16] Balancing tools with firsthand market knowledge Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Redefining the fragmented DTC wine market by building a multi-brand platform, delivering curated wines fullglass.wine/ Follow Aaron Magness linkedin.com/in/aaronmagness Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.com/honest Fully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
336 | Turning Brand Values Into Growth Strategy | with Julie De Angulo 33:20

12 days ago33:20

33:20

Julie De Angulo is the VP of Ecommerce and Digital at Bajio Sunglasses, a premium polarized fishing eyewear brand purpose-built for serious anglers, from saltwater flats to bass tournaments. Bajio combines Patent Pending LAPIS lens technology with hyper-targeted storytelling to serve one of the most gear-obsessed subcultures in outdoor retail. Julie leads the charge in turning that product obsession into a scalable digital channel, anchored in retention, merchandising, and cultural fluency. Before joining Bajio, Julie spent nearly two decades in Ecommerce and digital marketing, scaling brands across home goods, pet supplements, fashion, and accessories. Her background in mass communications gave her a sharp instinct for message-market fit, one she’s since sharpened into a full-funnel skillset spanning email, SMS, SEO, and paid acquisition. At Bajio, she joined when the brand had little to no Ecommerce presence, and has since built a high-performing revenue channel from the ground up. Whether breaking down how to tell product stories that resonate with niche audiences, mapping customer journeys from first click to long-term loyalty, or translating brand values into conversion-focused creative, Julie brings a tactical yet brand-led perspective to Ecommerce strategy. She shares what it takes to grow when you're starting from zero, why not all anglers are created equal, and how to build sustainable foundations that scale with authenticity. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:38] Intro [00:49] Focusing on a passionate niche audience [02:19] Building a scalable foundation for growth [04:31] Learning early that data drives everything [06:32] Repositioning a brand beyond wholesale [07:54] Tailoring messages to regional fishing niches [10:00] Hiring guides instead of paid influencers [11:18] Separating community from ad creative [12:37] Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, Reach & Zamp [18:59] Contributing to a mission-led product story [20:53] Scaling small brands with real impact [22:23] Balancing SKU simplicity with flexibility [25:03] Responding to viral demand with local supply [25:53] Forecasting smarter with predictive analytics Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Florida-based polarized sunglasses for fishing https://bajiosunglasses.com/ Follow Julie De Angulo https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianadeangulo Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.com/honest Fully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
Bonus Episode: Shifting from Reviews to Smarter CRO Tools with Jeremy Horowitz 27:40

16 days ago27:40

27:40

Jeremy Horowitz is the Managing Partner of Because Ventures and the creator of Let’s Buy a Biz!, a media brand and private equity-backed content engine built to make ecommerce M&A more transparent, data-driven, and founder-friendly. Because Ventures is a private equity search fund focused on acquiring and scaling Shopify brands and apps, while Let’s Buy a Biz! documents what it actually takes to grow Top 1% ecommerce businesses. Before launching either venture, Jeremy worked across every layer of the Shopify ecosystem from scaling high-growth DTC brands like Lumi, to leading growth at top-performing Shopify apps like Gorgias. His on-the-ground experience gave him a front-row seat to what really drives retention, profit, and valuation. Now, through Because Ventures, Jeremy applies that knowledge to acquire and operate ecommerce businesses with sustainable margins and focused stacks. Whether debunking the myth that “every brand needs subscriptions,” tracking the 84% adoption rate of email/SMS across $1M+ stores, or predicting which app categories will consolidate over the next five years, Jeremy brings a deep analytical lens to ecommerce strategy. He shares insights from crawling 103,000 Shopify stores, explains why most loyalty programs fail, and urges founders to simplify their tech stack before adding complexity. His story is a masterclass in using real data, not hype to guide business decisions. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:40] Intro [00:55] Scaling DTC brands to eight figures [02:03] Expanding beyond Shopify Plus assumptions [04:18] Filtering out inactive and duplicate stores [05:05] Highlighting the top 10 most used apps [09:08] Focusing on what actually drives growth [10:56] Comparing native vs third-party app adoption [12:23] Spotting analytics as a breakout category [14:11] Explaining why real CRO starts at $5M+ [16:49] Spotting support as an underused category [18:29] Unpacking the subscription model myth [22:47] Auditing app stacks to save thousands Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Ecommerce Social Impact Fund because.ventures/index.html Insider analysis of the largest Ecommerce brands’ financials letsbuyabiz.xyz/ Follow Jeremy Horowitz linkedin.com/in/jeremyhorowitz1 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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
335 | Pivoting to Services to Scale With Your Team | with Lucy Jeffrey 28:27

19 days ago28:27

28:27

Lucy Jeffrey is the founder of Bare Kind and Candid Founders, two purpose-driven brands built from a mission to make commerce more meaningful. Bare Kind is a bamboo sock company that donates 10% of profits to save the animal featured on each sock, while Candid Founders is both a YouTube channel and growth agency helping consumer brands scale on Faire, a leading B2B wholesale marketplace. Before launching either company, Lucy worked in banking and began experimenting with ecommerce by selling reusable straws, t-shirts, and other sustainable products. Her viral turtle-themed content and strong brand mission helped Bare Kind stand out in the crowded DTC space and grow into a seasonal powerhouse, with 70% of revenue landing in Q4. But with a growing team and cash flow challenges, Lucy co-founded Candid Founders to help other brands succeed on Faire while smoothing Bare Kind’s revenue curve. Whether scaling to 1,000+ retail accounts, turning her backend team into a profitable service business, or shutting off paid Meta ads to improve profit margins, Lucy brings a sharp, experimental mindset to Ecommerce. She shares insights on building sustainable DTC brands, making wholesale work, and running two businesses with her husband without relying on outside capital or paid ads. Her story is a masterclass in founder adaptability. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:40] Intro [00:55] Launching with purpose before product clarity [02:50] Choosing a name that allows you to pivot [03:40] Starting with dropshipping to test demand [05:37] Hiring help before scaling ad spend [08:09] Comparing traction between early SKUs [10:07] Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, Reach & Zamp [16:29] Avoiding traps in commoditized markets [18:48] Educating retailers to build trust fast [22:25] Listening to demand before launching services [24:07] Turning internal wins into client services [26:22] Plugging the DTC and wholesale channels Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Faire growth agency that helps brands thrive candidfounders.com/ Comfy, vibrant animal socks that save the world’s animals barekind.co.uk/ Follow Lucy Jeffrey linkedin.com/in/lucy-jeffrey Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.com/honest Fully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
334 | Creating Demand From A DIY Game Idea | with Tyler Simmons 28:29

26 days ago28:29

28:29

Tyler Simmons is the founder and CEO of Elevate Sports, the company behind BucketGolf, a portable par-3 game that transforms backyard spaces into playable courses and brings a competitive twist to casual golf. Elevate Sports designs products that blend athletic training and outdoor entertainment, helping families connect and athletes sharpen their skills through hands-on play. Before launching Elevate Sports, Tyler was a Division I college athlete and worked at a lacrosse equipment company. With no prior experience in product development or ecommerce, he started by building a lacrosse training aid from scratch. That early prototype sparked a journey into consumer products, culminating in the launch of BucketGolf, a category-defining game that hit $1 million in revenue before Tyler hired his first full-time employee. Whether turning a homemade backyard game into a seven-figure business or figuring out paid media strategy through trial and error, Tyler brings a scrappy, product-first lens to brand building. He shares insights on launching without a playbook, designing products that go viral on video, and bootstrapping high-growth businesses without outside capital. His story is proof that you don’t need a perfect plan, you just need to start. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:37] Intro [00:53] Launching products that bring people together [01:46] Validating demand with zero research [03:53] Making mistakes instead of waiting [05:47] Building momentum before it’s perfect [06:44] Choosing action over endless planning [08:09] Learning to sell before scaling up [12:05] Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, Reach & Zamp [18:27] Learning paid media through trial and error [20:21] Boosting what already works organically [21:30] Standing out in a saturated market [25:27] Pushing through constant setbacks Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Elevate Sports for Lacrosse Training Gear elevatesportsequipment.com/ The Ultimate Backyard Golf Game bucketgolfgame.com/ Follow Tyler Simmons linkedin.com/in/tyler-simmons-771b5718a Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.com/honest Fully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
Bonus Episode: Defining Success Before Launching Anything with Tim Wilson 35:14

4 weeks ago35:14

35:14

Tim Wilson is the Head of Solutions at facts & feelings, a consultancy focused on helping organizations put their data to productive use through clear thinking, aligned teams, and actionable insights. A seasoned analytics leader, Tim brings over two decades of experience across enterprise BI, agency strategy, and digital analytics to help brands translate complexity into clarity. Before co-founding facts & feelings, Tim led analytics practices at multiple agencies, advised Fortune 500 companies on digital data strategy, and built out BI infrastructure at a $500M B2B tech firm. He’s also the co-author of Analytics the Right Way: A Business Leader’s Guide to Putting Data to Productive Use and co-host of the long-running Analytics Power Hour podcast. Whether clarifying what “success” really looks like before a new feature launch or helping teams choose the right level of analytical rigor for a given decision, Tim focuses on making data work for the business, not the other way around. He offers a practical framework for leaders overwhelmed by dashboards, and a philosophy for analysts who want to be more than just report generators. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:39] Intro [01:15] Shifting from in-house roles to agency work [02:16] Highlighting the cost of overbuilding tech stacks [04:36] Pushing back on data-only decision making [07:13] Avoiding narrow ad metrics that mislead growth [10:08] Using AI to scale low-effort interactions smartly [12:38] Translating ideas into testable hypotheses [19:02] Differentiating high-credibility opinions in UX [20:00] Using split tests to validate costly changes [21:14] Skipping tests for clear conversion blockers [23:32] Filtering user recordings for CRO opportunities [26:13] Using logic when data can’t prove causality [29:39] Measuring what actually matters in performance Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Intelligent business consultancy obsessed with less and better factsandfeelings.io/ Data and analytics podcast analyticshour.io/ Follow Tim Wilson linkedin.com/in/tgwilson 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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
333 | Growing a Brand With Zero Ecommerce Toolkits | with Samantha Rose 42:47

5 weeks ago42:47

42:47

Samantha Rose is the founder of Endless Commerce, a commerce enablement platform designed to help multi-channel consumer brands scale more efficiently through better infrastructure. A multi-exit founder and investor, Samantha brings deep operational experience across design, technology, and logistics to build systems that support sustainable, scalable growth. Before launching Endless Commerce, Samantha built and exited several consumer ventures, including GIR, an acclaimed kitchenware brand acquired in 2021, and Mvnifest, a full-stack operations and 3PL partner acquired in 2024. Alongside running Endless Commerce, she leads Hologram Capital, where she specializes in turning around distressed consumer brands with strong fundamentals but structural challenges. Whether rebuilding underperforming brands or designing the tech stack she wished existed, Samantha focuses on enabling commerce teams to grow beyond DTC into wholesale, retail, and omnichannel with confidence. She offers a playbook for founders who want to scale without losing operational grip, and a framework for tech partners who want to plug into brands at pivotal moments of inflection. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:42] Intro [00:59] Building software from firsthand founder struggle [01:45] Solving problems with curiosity and play [03:13] Validating ideas with zero market research [06:42] Executing better instead of chasing new ideas [07:45] Turning demand into a real business plan [09:26] Developing software to solve real-life habits [10:24] Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, Reach & Zamp [16:46] Differentiating in a commodity-driven market [17:23] Building with no modern Ecommerce tools [19:11] Navigating growth without today’s tech stack [19:45] Going omnichannel to build retail resilience [23:31] Boosting perceived value with smart bundles [24:12] Shifting from operator to tech builder post-exit [25:31] Reinvesting in brands that need a second life [27:30] Building features from real-world friction [29:28] Avoiding early over-specialization in teams [33:47] Explaining the rebundling era of commerce stacks Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Modular, AI-powered commerceOS endlesscommerce.com/ Follow Samantha Rose samantharose.co/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.com/honest Fully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
332 | Turning a Tree-Planting Mission Into a Global Brand | with Derrick Emsley 30:35

6 weeks ago30:35

30:35

Derrick Emsley is the co-founder and CEO of Tentree, a purpose-driven lifestyle apparel brand that plants ten trees for every product sold. With a background in environmental stewardship, carbon markets, and sustainable business strategy, Derrick leads Tentree’s mission to make regeneration scalable through consumer action. Since launching Tentree in 2012, Derrick has grown the brand into a category leader in sustainable apparel, helping plant nearly 100 million trees worldwide. Without relying heavily on paid media, his scaled impact through values-aligned partnerships, product storytelling, and community-powered growth. In 2021, he co-founded Veritree, a technology platform built to verify, monitor, and audit global reforestation with end-to-end transparency. Grounded in climate impact and systems thinking, Derrick focuses on building businesses that convert everyday consumption into measurable environmental good. Whether guiding Tentree’s brand vision or driving tech innovation with Veritree, he offers a blueprint for founders' scaling mission with integrity, traceability, and long-term environmental ROI. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:48] Intro [00:58] Naming the brand after the mission itself [01:55] Pivoting purpose into a consumer brand [03:54] Partnering with retailers to gain early traction [05:49] Running mission ops while scaling the brand [06:22] Building tech to verify real-world impact [08:22] Responding to unexpected product demand [10:10] Connecting funders to verified outcomes [11:35] Embedding impact to boost DTC performance [12:53] Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, Reach & Zamp [20:15] Building a global supply chain from scratch [23:21] Balancing co-founder strengths from day one [24:10] Creating decision fatigue with too much choice [27:33] Leveraging impact as a growth advantage Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Earth-First, sustainably made apparel that plant trees tentree.com/ Verified reforestation projects for your business veritree.com/tree-planting Follow Derrick Emsley linkedin.com/in/derrickemsley Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.com/honest Fully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
331 | Persistence Powers Long-Term Growth | with Celeste Hilling 32:45

7 weeks ago32:45

32:45

Celeste Hilling is the founder and CEO of Skin Authority, a direct-to-consumer skin health technology brand focused on merging cosmetic performance with immune-boosting skincare. With a background in research, marketing, and tech, Celeste leads the development of biotech-powered formulations that deliver visible results while strengthening skin’s natural defenses. Since launching Skin Authority, Celeste has scaled the brand without paid media or a PR agency, leveraging strategic collaborations, emotional brand storytelling, and a rabid customer base to drive growth across North America and Europe. Her work has been featured on MSNBC, ABC, FOX, and in wellness circles as a fresh voice redefining beauty as part of whole-person health. Rooted in a science-backed, customer-led model, Celeste focuses on building high-retention product experiences powered by habit, transformation, and trust. Whether mentoring female founders or licensing next-gen skincare IP, she brings a playbook for scaling with authenticity, resilience, and long-term brand equity. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:42] Intro [00:54] Exploring wellness through skin health [01:18] Bringing science into a vanity-driven space [02:06] Educating consumers with purpose and clarity [03:09] Reframing wellness as a real market need [07:06] Estimating costs and timelines realistically [10:27] Building momentum through word of mouth [11:58] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, & Reach [17:02] Bootstrapping growth with strategic partners [18:41] Investing in backend infrastructure early [20:18] Launching Ecommerce from day one [23:19] Collaborating early to build awareness Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Best Skin Care Products for All Skin Types skinauthority.com/ Follow Celeste Hilling linkedin.com/in/celeste-hilling-8735a64 Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
Bonus Episode: Tweaking Tariffs to Maximize Margins Legally with Izzy Rosenzweig 22:29

7 weeks ago22:29

22:29

Izzy Rosenzweig is the founder and CEO of Portless, a supply chain platform helping ecommerce and DTC brands fulfill customer orders directly from China, cutting delivery times and unlocking cash flow through tax deferment and tariff optimization. A 10-year DTC veteran, Izzy first launched Browze in 2012, shipping over 2.5 million home and kitchen products globally. After building a China-based fulfillment center to improve customer experience, he saw an opportunity to help other brands bypass traditional U.S. warehouses, leading to the creation of Portless. Portless enables brands to ship faster, avoid upfront taxes, and reclaim working capital, transforming how modern operators manage logistics. Izzy's deep experience in cross-border fulfillment, HS code strategy, and tariff engineering gives him a unique lens into how ecommerce brands can survive regulatory shifts and thrive under pressure. With a margin-first, speed-to-cash mindset, Izzy helps brands reimagine global operations to win in today's volatile landscape, efficiently, legally, and profitably. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:43] Intro [00:56] Understanding the De Minimis model [02:36] Revealing the new customs entry methods [07:35] Clarifying tariffs vs. import taxes [08:25] Comparing global manufacturing options [09:30] Recognizing China’s manufacturing edge [10:36] Separating security from supply chains [12:24] Predicting the next tariff move [13:39] Balancing tariffs with tax reform [15:18] Pausing growth without clear policy [16:00] Deferring taxes to boost cash flow [20:02] Migrating platforms to save cash Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Follow Izzy Rosenzweig linkedin.com/in/izzy-rosenzweig-13653846 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!…

Honest Ecommerce

1
330 | Self-Care Powers Sustainable Growth | with Mark Murrell 32:14

8 weeks ago32:14

32:14

Mark Murrell is the founder and operator behind Get Maine Lobster and Black Point Seafood, specializing in scaling premium direct-to-consumer seafood brands with a focus on operational agility, customer loyalty, and brand storytelling. Raised in Maine, Mark turned a love for local seafood into a nationwide business, mastering dock-to-doorstep logistics for live lobster delivery. Since launching in 2010, Mark has served over 500,000 customers, quadrupled his customer base, expanded into new categories like seafood appetizers and select beef, and acquired Maine Lobster Direct to deepen fulfillment capabilities. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Rachael Ray, ESPN, and national campaigns for Chase Bank, alongside collaborations with Momofuku and Geoffrey Zakarian. Rooted in a customer-first, margin-focused mindset, Mark builds brands that balance growth with sustainability. Whether scaling operations or evolving brand experiences, he brings a clear playbook for turning fresh products into loyal communities, efficiently, profitably, and with staying power. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:45] Intro [01:32] Highlighting specialty items for customers [02:44] Starting a business from personal experience [03:50] Delivering higher quality through logistics [04:59] Pitching new ideas with simple outreach [05:51] Adapting CRM systems for operations [06:39] Managing growth with limited capacity [07:47] Balancing two businesses during early growth [09:07] Surveying customers beyond product feedback [10:36] Aligning brand identity with buyer emotions [11:36] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, & Reach [16:41] Taking risks when the signs are undeniable [18:43] Launching internal marketing after early growth [20:21] Redesigning operations for more agility [22:48] Realizing early sales hide margin problems [27:26] Blending creativity with structured thinking [28:29] Building resilience through daily habits Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube #1 Lobster Delivery Service From Dock To Doorstep getmainelobster.com/ Premium Maine lobster and seafood across the U.S. and Canada blackpointseafood.com/ Follow Mark Murrell linkedin.com/in/mainelobster Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

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329 | Strong Teams Start With Honest Founders | with Brian Anderson 33:23

9 weeks ago33:23

33:23

Brian Anderson is a seasoned CEO and entrepreneur who specializes in scaling high-growth consumer brands and preparing them for profitable exits. With a background that spans fitness, wellness, supplements, outdoor, and travel, Brian has operated in both startup and private equity environments, guiding companies through critical growth and turnaround moments. Over the last decade, Brian has led brands like AG1, Delsey Luggage, MELT Method, and 2XU, while also advising companies such as Pvolve, Moji, and Connecticut Cannabis Company. His leadership has helped generate hundreds of millions in revenue and multiple successful exits. Rooted in a hands-on, operator-first mindset, Brian partners with founders to level up strategy, streamline operations, and build teams that can scale. Whether he’s stepping in full-time or advising from the sidelines, Brian brings a clear playbook for helping founder-led companies hit the next stage of growth, efficiently, profitably, and with the endgame in mind. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:43] Intro [01:09] Focusing on wellness-driven consumer brands [03:03] Balancing product, ops, and financial reality [06:05] Delegating better at larger revenue stages [08:29] Mentoring weak spots before replacing them [10:22] Licensing major brands to grow fitness revenue [12:27] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Social Snowball, Portless, & Reach [17:34] Building credibility through past outcomes [18:47] Partnering with founders instead of leading solo [21:25] Positioning your company for a clean exit [24:08] Guiding founders through the exit process [26:48] Creating deal structures where everyone wins [28:43] Getting fractional help without full-time cost Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Follow Brian Anderson linkedin.com/in/smallpondgroup Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect Drive revenue through affiliates & referrals socialsnowball.io/honest Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process portless.com/ Level up your global sales withreach.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!…

Honest Ecommerce

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Bonus Episode: Using SEO Data to Drive Shopify Revenue Gains with Kai Davis 27:24

9 weeks ago27:24

27:24

Kai Davis is the founder of Double Your Ecommerce and KeywordMagic.ai, two platforms helping Shopify merchants unlock sustainable growth through SEO, content, and email marketing. With over a decade of experience in digital strategy, Kai has worked directly with hundreds of Ecommerce businesses, offering fixed-price SEO services and tailored growth playbooks that prioritize results over complexity. Drawing from his deep expertise in search intent, content optimization, and store-level messaging, Kai equips Shopify brands with the tools they need to boost organic revenue, refine collection and product pages, and convert more traffic without overwhelming shoppers. Kai helps merchants rethink underperforming pages, optimize seasonal campaigns, and build resilient marketing systems, so they can grow more by working less. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:43] Intro [01:14] Introducing what drives real SEO results [02:46] Building pages around real search demand [05:44] Starting SEO with product-type collections [07:22] Using conversational copy to boost SEO [08:37] Filtering keyword data by page type [10:43] Recognizing when a term is too competitive [11:49] Understanding why products convert lower [13:56] Training custom GPTs for brand-aligned content [16:29] Drafting faster without losing quality [17:19] Exporting product data to scale AI writing [17:53] Building tools to surface keyword insights [19:54] Understanding your funnel before traffic drops [22:08] Optimizing for AI-driven shopping behavior [24:11] Offering hands-on SEO help for time-strapped teams [25:28] Focusing on what actually moves SEO rankings Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube SEO Services for DTC Shopify Stores doubleyourecommerce.com/ Follow Kai Davis linkedin.com/in/kaisdavis 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!…

Honest Ecommerce

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328 | Turning Sports Updates Into Automated Revenue | with Jamie Mottram 33:06

10 weeks ago33:06