The Unofficial Shopify podcast

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

34:35

Marcia Clark, best known as the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, has become a trailblazer for women in law and beyond. Her journey from courtroom to bestselling author reflects her resilience and determination to redefine herself amidst intense public scrutiny. On this episode of Worth Knowing, Clark dives into her latest book, *Trial by Ambush*, which examines the 1953 Barbara Graham case—a story that highlights gender bias, media sensationalism, and the notion that all cases are subject to societal, cultural, and political winds. Clark shares how her experiences during the Simpson trial shaped her perspective on societal pressures and the role of women in high-stakes professions. Her reflections on how media, forensic science, and legal practices have evolved over decades offer valuable insights into the intersection of law and culture. This conversation is a compelling exploration of true crime, personal growth, and how Clark’s groundbreaking career continues to inspire a new generation of women to challenge norms and forge their own paths. Marcia Clark is a bestselling author and a criminal lawyer who began her career in law as a criminal defense attorney and went on to become a prosecutor in the L.A. District Attorney's Office in 1981. She spent ten years in the Special Trials Unit, where she handled a number of high-profile cases, including the prosecution of stalker/murderer Robert Bardo, whose conviction for the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer resulted in legislation that offered victims better protection from stalkers as well as increased punishment for the offenders. She was lead prosecutor for the O.J. Simpson murder trial. In May of 1997 her book on the Simpson case, "Without a Doubt," was published and reached #1 on the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers lists. In February 2016, Clark re-released the book with a new foreword. Resources Sign up for the Worth Knowing LinkedIn Newsletter to stay up to date: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/worth-knowing-7236433935503618048/ Follow Bonnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-habyan/ Go to the Worth Knowing website: https://www.worthknowing.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

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NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY, SUBSCRIBE FOR UNBEATABLE ECOM RECON – Every Tuesday since 2014, host Kurt Elster shares the Shopify success stories that nobody tells you about, straight from the entrepreneurs living it. Subscribe for a raw look at what it really takes to succeed on Shopify.

526 episodes

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526 episodes

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The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Meta’s AI Ads Engine Explained (Andromeda + ASC) 45:02

3 days ago45:02

45:02

Also available on YouTube: youtu.be/m9YTxRsosJA Meta just rewrote the Facebook ads playbook—and Shopify merchants need to catch up. In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast , ad strategist Kurt Bullock (Produce Dept) breaks down how Meta’s new AI-driven ad system, Andromeda , is reshaping targeting, delivery, and scale. From embeddings and vectors to Advantage+ campaigns and creative testing, this is the update your ad strategy needs. Whether you’re running Facebook ads yourself or just trying to understand what your agency’s talking about, this episode gives you the clarity—and tactics—to keep up. Sponsors: Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify Address Validator – Reduce delivery address errors & costs Links & Resources: Free Resource: Creative Angle Questions + Testing Framework Kurt Bullock: @KurtBullock on Twitter Produce Dept: https://www.producedept.co Kurt Elster: https://kurtelster.com Meta Ads Manager: https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/ads-manager Shopify Meta Channel: https://www.shopify.com/facebook-instagram Work with Kurt: Apply to work with Kurt: https://ethercycle.com/apply Join the newsletter: https://kurtelster.com…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
How Bamboo Socks Built a B2B Empire on Faire 43:46

10 days ago43:46

43:46

Also available on YouTube: youtu.be/l8ANgFlZK0Y It started with a sock. A turtle sock. That led to a Shopify store, a wholesale boom, and—accidentally—an agency. In this episode, Lucy Jeffrey shares how she turned Bare Kind from a seasonal side hustle into one of Faire’s fastest-growing brands. She walks us through surviving seasonality, scaling through B2B, ditching paid ads, and launching a service business that helps other brands win on Faire. A story about survival, strategy, and what happens when your Q4 makes or breaks you. Topics Discussed: Growing a DTC sock brand from scratch Why Faire became a game changer Turning content into a client acquisition machine Balancing two businesses and one marriage Why sustainability isn’t selling anymore—and what is Turning off Meta ads (and doing better without them) Sponsors: Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify Address Validator – Reduce delivery address errors & costs Links: Bare Kind Candid Founders Candid Founders YouTube Faire on Shopify Help Faire Shopify App Lucy on LinkedIn…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
How TikTok & Sidekick Helped Sell Out a Skincare Brand 40:40

17 days ago40:40

40:40

Also available on YouTube: youtu.be/Pi20dFaHoVg Ben Attwood left agency life to create a men’s skincare brand he actually wanted to use. With no investors, no marketing budget, and no prior product experience, he built Clubhouse Skin using TikTok, Shopify, and a lot of trial and error. In this episode, Ben shares how he: Sold out his first product run—twice Built a loyal customer base by building in public Used Shopify Sidekick to find superfans and boost conversions Leveraged AI to do what agencies charge thousands for Landed in retail by rallying his TikTok followers Whether you're launching a product, bootstrapping a brand, or curious about real-world uses of AI in ecommerce, this one’s packed with practical takeaways. Show Links: Clubhouse Skin Clubhouse Skin TikTok Instagram Shopify Shopify Magic Getting started with Sidekick Shopify Newsroom: AI helped these founders fast-track their way to first sale Sponsors: Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify Boost AI Search & Filter – Collection filtering + smart search Subscribe for weekly interviews with Shopify founders and experts.…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
How Smart Brands Win Top-of-Funnel in 2025 49:08

24 days ago49:08

49:08

Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XXSr4Po30oY Paid ads are busted. SEO is back but weirder. Gen Z isn’t using Google. What now? VC Smriti Jayaraman pulls back the curtain on the Shopify brands building futuristic funnels today. We’re talking AI quizzes, voice search, digital oracles, and tech that reads your face to guess your shirt size. It’s strange. It’s smart. And it works. 💡 What We Cover: Why AI search is reshaping ecommerce—and how to rank in it How Shopify brands are using gamified funnels to capture attention What to know about AI influencers, personalized merchandising, and site search Why your brand needs to think like a membership club, not a subscription box Real tech examples from Corazon Capital’s portfolio 💸 Sponsors Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify Viralsweep – Create sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways 🔗 Links Smriti Jayaraman BoldVoice iAsk.ai Laws of Motion Perplexity Corazon Capital 🎯 Work With Me Want me to grow your Shopify store? Apply here See what we’ve done for other merchants: View portfolio Get my free newsletter for Shopify insights: Join here 🎧 The Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster. Subscribe for weekly interviews with Shopify entrepreneurs and experts.…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
700K YouTube Subs to Shopify Sales 47:05

4 weeks ago47:05

47:05

Her fans call her "The Queen of Air Fryers." She gave away recipes. Her fans demanded a cookbook. One $15 PDF later, Cathy Yoder had a 5-figure launch weekend—and she hasn't looked back. With over 700K subscribers, Cathy built a content-powered Shopify business that turns viewers into superfans (and customers). In this episode, Cathy breaks down: How to use YouTube as your #1 lead-gen channel Building products based on comment section gold What flopped, what worked, and why done > perfect Integrating YouTube with Shopify for seamless sales If you're a creator, a merchant, or both—this is the funnel playbook you've been waiting for. Sponsors: Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify Boost AI Search & Filter – AI-powered search that converts Work with Kurt: Grow your Shopify store with me → ethercycle.com/apply See how we help stores grow → ethercycle.com/work Get my Shopify newsletter → kurtelster.com…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Pit Viper: These Shades Print Money 43:58

5 weeks ago43:58

43:58

Pit Viper isn’t for everyone. And that might be the secret to its success. It starts with a guy on a ski trip. His sunglasses break. So, naturally, he walks into a military surplus store, finds an old pair of ballistic glasses from the early 90s, and thinks, these are perfect. Fast forward a few years, and those surplus shades—once traded for beers and ski lifts—have turned into Pit Viper , a brand worth millions. But here’s the question: how do you build a business that doesn’t just sell sunglasses, but sells attitude ? A brand that’s loud, weird, and completely unignorable? Today on the show: Chris Garcin, CEO of Pit Viper , explains how they took what should have been a joke and turned it into a cult phenomenon . Links & Resources 🔗 Shop Pit Viper: www.pitviper.com 🎧 More stories like this: The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Work With Kurt 🚀 Want to grow your Shopify store? We help brands like yours increase conversions, improve UX, and drive more sales. 📩 Let’s talk: ethercycle.com/apply 🛠️ See how I’ve helped other brands: ethercycle.com/work 💡 Join my newsletter for no-BS ecommerce insights: kurtelster.com Connect with Kurt: 💬 Twitter: @kurtinc 📩 Newsletter: kurtelster.com Sponsors: 📈 Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels 🔥 Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify 📬 Viralsweep – Create sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways. 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review on iTunes—it helps more Shopify merchants find the show!…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Shopify Dev AMA: Store Spying, AI Tools, and Trends 39:58

6 weeks ago39:58

39:58

Two Shopify Partners get real in an AMA packed with listener questions. Store spying tricks, AI fails, bold 2025 predictions, a garage full of jacked-up cars, and a sneak peek at their next app. What you’ll learn: How to spy on Shopify stores using public endpoints and browser tools What’s broken (and what’s promising) in Shopify’s new AI tools How devs actually use ChatGPT to write Shopify code Email marketing best practices, including double opt-in insights A look behind the scenes at a new Shopify app in development Sponsors: Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels: http://zipify.com/KURT Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify: https://cleverific.com/unofficial Viralsweep – Run sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways: https://www.viralsweep.com/ Show Links: Liquid Weekly: https://liquidweekly.com/ Editions.dev: https://editions.dev/pages/editions-dev Tactical Baby Gear: https://tacticalbabygear.com/ Shopify AI Store Setup Tool: https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/ai-store-generator-tool Copy All URLs Chrome Extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/copy-all-urls/djdmadneanknadilpjiknlnanaolmbfk?hl=en Store Leads: https://storeleads.app/reports/shopify Work with Kurt: Grow your Shopify store with me → https://ethercycle.com/apply See our client results → https://ethercycle.com/work Join my newsletter → https://kurtelster.com/…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Lady Gaga’s on Shopify: Go Behind the Build 31:00

7 weeks ago31:00

31:00

Lady Gaga has a new Shopify site. But this isn’t just a merch store. It’s a stage, a story, a digital home —built to evolve as fast as she does. Her team needed something different. A site that could change overnight and feel as immersive as her albums. So they went headless, partnering with Commerce-UI , a Shopify agency known for pushing boundaries. In this episode, Shopify Partner Michal Klim takes us inside the build: How Hydrogen and Oxygen power a site that never stands still. Why merch sales weren’t the top priority—and what was. Why a “conversion-first” mindset wouldn’t work here—and what did. It’s a story about what happens when a global superstar takes Shopify beyond ecommerce best practices. 🎧 Listen now on The Unofficial Shopify Podcast. The Unofficial Shopify Podcast is made by possible by our sponsors: Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify Address Validator – Reduce delivery address errors & costs Special thanks to our friends at Shopify and to our listeners. Show Links Lady Gaga’s Shopify Store – See the site in action Abracadabra! Building Lady Gaga's magical storefront experience on Hydrogen - Shopify Newsroom article Commerce-UI – The agency behind Lady Gaga’s Shopify site Shopify Hydrogen – Build headless commerce experiences Shopify Oxygen – Deploy Hydrogen storefronts on Shopify’s infrastructure Sanity CMS – Headless CMS used for editorial content Work with Kurt Want to optimize your Shopify store and grow your business? I help Shopify merchants like you increase conversions, streamline operations, and build standout online experiences . Apply to work with me: Ethercycle See how I’ve helped other brands: Recent Client Successes Get my best Shopify insights: Join My Newsletter Let’s make your Shopify store better, faster, and more profitable .…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
The Store That Won March Madness 46:35

8 weeks ago46:35

46:35

Megan Smalley didn’t plan to build a powerhouse ecommerce brand. Scarlet & Gold started as a creative side project—until she got laid off. Fast forward 12 years, and Scarlet & Gold is one of the only women-owned businesses licensed for NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) merch on Shopify. This March, their Shopify sales are up 74.2% year-over-year —with over 53.6% of those sales tied to March Madness merchandise . And here’s the kicker: 69.5% of their basketball sales come from just two NIL deals . So how did she do it? What makes NIL merch so powerful? And what’s it really like running an ecommerce business that lives and dies by game-day hype? That’s what we’re talking about today. 👉 Read more from Shopify’s newsroom: shopify.com/news/march-madness-entrepreneurs Links & Resources 🔗 Check out Scarlet & Gold → scarletandgoldshop.com 🔗 Need custom merch? → scarletandgoldcustom.com 📌 Sponsors: Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify Address Validator – Reduce delivery errors & costs 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube . 💡 Want to grow your Shopify store? Work with Kurt: Apply for a strategy session → ethercycle.com/apply See what we’ve built → ethercycle.com/work Get my best Shopify insights → kurtelster.com 👥 Join Our Private Facebook Group: Connect with other Shopify entrepreneurs → facebook.com/groups/UnofficialShopifyPodcast This is a story about ecommerce, sports, and the weird world of NIL merch. It’s about how one Shopify store turned athlete partnerships into real growth. And it’s about what happens when you take a risk—and it actually works.…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

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10 Shopify Mistakes Killing Your Sales 53:14

9 weeks ago53:14

53:14

Are you making one of these Shopify mistakes? If so, you’re losing sales. In this episode, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast host Kurt Elster teams up with Bold Commerce co-founder Jay Myers to reveal the top 10 mistakes that Shopify merchants make—some of which even big brands get wrong. From neglected checkouts to bloated main menus, they share simple, actionable fixes that can boost conversions and keep customers coming back. What You’ll Learn: The #1 checkout mistake that kills trust (and how to fix it in 60 seconds) Why most subscription models fail—and the secret to making them work The overlooked product page changes that increase add-to-cart rates Why your main menu is confusing customers (and how to fix it) How to stop relying on paid ads and build a business that lasts Links & Resources: Bold Commerce – Shopify apps for subscriptions, upsells, and more Subscription Death Curve – Jay Myers' SubSummit Keynote Shopify Markets – Sell globally from a single store Shopify Checkout Customization – How to brand your checkout Klaviyo – Email & SMS marketing for e-commerce Master & Dynamic – Premium headphones with long-form product pages Timbuk2 – Example of great product pages for bags Tactical Baby Gear – Niche brand with strong storytelling Clubhouse – Audio platform that rose to pandemic fame “Jobs to Be Done” (JTBD) – Product innovation concept by Clayton Christensen Seth Godin’s Blog – Marketing insights from Seth Godin Connect with Kurt: 💬 Twitter: @kurtinc 📩 Newsletter: kurtelster.com 🚀 Work with Kurt: ethercycle.com/apply Sponsors: 📈 Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels 🔥 Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify 📬 Viralsweep – Create sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways. 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review on iTunes—it helps more Shopify merchants find the show!…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Fart-Proof Underwear? This Shopify Brand Says Yes 37:14

10 weeks ago37:14

37:14

Imagine a world where your worst gas-related fears simply… disappear. No awkward moments, no subtle side-eye glances. Just peace, dignity, and activated carbon filters. That’s the world Collin White and his father set out to create when they launched Tootles , a Shopify store selling flatulence-filtering underwear. At first, people laughed. But then, they listened. Because for people with digestive issues, this isn’t a joke—it’s a solution. Today on The Unofficial Shopify Podcast , Collin joins Kurt to talk about building a business in a deeply niche market, convincing manufacturers that fart-proof underwear is, in fact, a real thing, and finding customers who need his product (but don’t necessarily want to talk about it). In this episode: ✔️ How Collin and his dad took Tootles from idea to reality ✔️ The science behind fart filtration (yes, it works) ✔️ Marketing a taboo product without making it a joke ✔️ How Tootles increases AOV with clever bundling ✔️ Why subscriptions aren’t always the answer for consumable products Farts are funny. Business is serious. And somewhere in the middle, there’s a Shopify success story worth listening to. Links & Resources 🔗 Tootles Website: WearTootles.com 🔗 Kurt’s Shopify Agency: Ethercycle.com 🔗 Judge.me (Review App Used by Tootles): Judge.me Sponsors 🔗 Cleverific: cleverific.com/unofficial 🔗 Zipify: zipify.com/KURT 🔗 ViralSweep: apps.shopify.com/viralsweep…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Obvi’s Ron Shah on Fails, Exits & Lessons Learned 49:41

11 weeks ago49:41

49:41

"You start with ‘there’s no way this is me.’ Then you question everything. Then, eventually, you realize—this really could be me." Ron Shah built Obvi into a $100M+ powerhouse, with $40M in top-line revenue in 2024. But not every business he touched turned to gold. Today, Ron gets brutally honest about two brands he started—Coffee Over Cardio and Paw Rangers—that didn’t go as planned. This isn’t your typical success story. Ron shares: Why success in one business doesn’t guarantee success in another The emotional toll of failure and the ego traps that cost him money How to know when to walk away, pivot, or double down What he’d do differently if he launched these brands today Most founders only share their wins. Ron is sharing his losses. And why, in hindsight, they might be even more valuable. Resources & Links Follow Ron on Twitter: @obviceo Check out Obvi: myobvi.com Listen to Ron’s podcast, Chew On This : Listen here coffeeovercardio pawrangers.com Sponsors Cleverific: https://cleverific.com/unofficial Zipify: http://zipify.com/KURT Address Validator: https://www.addressvalidator.com/ Work With Kurt Grow your Shopify store with me: ethercycle.com/apply Join my newsletter for Shopify insights: kurtelster.com 📩 Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review and let us know what you think!…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
How a Twitter Account Became a Thriving Shopify Brand 47:26

12 weeks ago47:26

47:26

“Rainier Watch started as me shouting into the void about whether the mountain was out. Now, it’s a brand in REI. Didn’t see that coming.” David Lindahl started Rainier Watch as a simple Twitter account—just a guy posting updates on whether Mount Rainier was visible that day. No business plan, no grand vision. Just a love for the mountain. But then people started following. They started asking for stickers. And suddenly, David found himself running an e-commerce brand. What began as a hobby turned into a business selling apparel, getting into retail stores like REI, and building a loyal community of outdoor enthusiasts. This week, we follow David’s journey—from side project to full-time business. How he scaled his Shopify store, navigated wholesale partnerships, and made every mistake possible before finally getting it right. Along the way, we look at what happens when an entrepreneur outgrows their own operation, the challenges of building a brand rooted in a specific place, and what it really takes to turn a passion into a sustainable business. Links 🛍 Shop Rainier Watch: https://shop.rainierwatch.com/ Sponsors 💡 Cleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify: https://cleverific.com/unofficial 🚀 Zipify – Optimize your Shopify store with Zipify: http://zipify.com/KURT 📍 Address Validator – Prevent shipping mistakes before they happen: https://www.addressvalidator.com/ Work with Kurt 🔹 Grow your Shopify store with me: https://ethercycle.com/apply 📈 See our recent client successes: https://ethercycle.com/work…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Reinventing Oral Care: The Slate Flosser Story 42:38

13 weeks ago42:38

42:38

In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast , Brynn Snyder, co-founder of Slate Flosser, shares how she and her dentist husband tackled one of the most overlooked aspects of health—flossing. Together, they reimagined oral care with a product that could prevent gum disease, heart issues, and more. But flossing is just the beginning. This episode dives into their journey through a $194K Kickstarter campaign, battling knockoffs on Amazon, and scaling a Shopify store with sustainability and innovation at its core. Brynn reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating a physical product, why subscription models are key to recurring revenue, and how staying passionate can make or break your business. Flossing might not seem revolutionary—until you hear this story. Show Links Slate Flosser Kickstarter Campaign Slate Flosser on Amazon Sponsors Cleverific: https://cleverific.com/unofficial Zipify: http://zipify.com/KURT Address Validator: https://www.addressvalidator.com/ Work with Kurt Grow your Shopify store with me: https://ethercycle.com/apply See our recent client successes: https://ethercycle.com/work…

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

1
Building Frizz + Co: Haircare, Shopify, and Community 46:52

14 weeks ago46:52