DTC POD: How The Best Brands Are Built

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

Ali Karsch is the founder, and Nikole is the Head of PR at LVPR - a major PR firm specializing in working with famed DTC brands like Native, Vinebox, Jean Dousset, Kevyn Aucoin, Stojo, STATE Bags, Bean Box, Copper Cow Coffee, Usual Wines, Cloud Paper, Jinx, DOG by Dr Lisa, Jiggy, SmarterKids, Sugarwish, Mosaic Foods, London Grant, and more.Together, they have launched The Littles Advisory, a boutique CPG startup advisory that helps emerging startups, who may not be ready for a big ticket PR agency, find their footing as they bring their brands to market.Episode brought to you by More Staffing & Capital OneJoin 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. New brand launch strategies2. Importance of authentic brand content3. Embracing organic social media engagement4. Media relations and pricing tiers5. Aligning with synergistic brand partners6. Leveraging trade press for momentum7. Affiliate marketing alongside traditional PRTimestamps00:00 Started in PR, now advising CPG startups.06:07 Launching a new brand requires strong messaging.09:54 Planning launch of a new brand.12:41 Competitor audit, spokesperson, brand messaging, media outreach.17:43 Media and aesthetics play crucial role in branding.18:43 Partnership approach for new brands, strategic advisory.21:55 Alignment with long-term interests in business relationships.25:10 Story behind a new brand launch.29:42 Brands need to time their market entry.34:49 Building a diverse content asset base for brands.36:44 Diverse content needs for various marketing channels.42:15 Understanding brands, stages, budgets, value addition.43:30 We look for specific brand criteria for success.48:38 Hard to put tangible value on intangible benefits50:08 Placed editorial story led to investor interest.53:35 Selective brand partnerships, strong enthusiasm, social connection.New Products Discussed:Olivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementShownotes 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 DTC brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Ali Karsch - Founder and CEO at LVPR & Co-Founder at The Littles AdvisoryNikole Flores - Head of PR at LVPR and Co-founder of The Littles AdvisoryRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of CastmagicBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More StaffingRyan Denehy is the Founder and CEO at Electric AI, an IT platform that empowers SMBs with user-friendly tools and guidance to streamline their IT management and secure their business.Electric, valued over $1B has raised over $200M to date and is backed by GGV Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Primary Venture Partners, Greenspring Associates, 01 Advisors, Bowery Capital, The Slack Fund, Vintage Investment Partners, and Atreides Management.Ryan joins Blaine & Ramon to give a first hand look at what it takes to build a unicorn, how to level up as an entrepreneur, and some hot takes on current market affairs.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. Importance of Spending Control2. Value of Experienced Advisors3. Persistence in Challenging Situations4. Significance of Self-Awareness Growth5. Product-Market Fit Exploration6. Strategic Business Pivots7. CEO Evolution and DelegationTimestamps00:00 Low barriers allow starting any type of business.09:33 Successful DVD distribution leads to sponsorship deal.15:30 Learned perseverance through years of daily skateboarding.21:33 Focus on solving specific problems for customers.26:52 Unknowingly found product-market fit through mountain biking.30:06 Founders need creativity and abstract thinking.34:59 Transition from experimentation to disciplined business operations.39:25 Founder transitions rapidly from customer focus to management.46:11 CEO aspirant emphasizes learning, adapting to challenges.54:59 You control spending and bank account balance.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 DTC brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Ryan Denehy - Founder and CEO at Electric AIRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of CastmagicBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More StaffingSam Lessin is a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist who is currently GP at Slow Ventures, a venture fund that boasts five funds and nearly a billion dollars of capital. Previously, he served as the VP of Product Management at Facebook. As a contrarian investor, he's been an early supporter of multiple high-profile startups, from household consumer brands like Allbirds, Casper, Birchbox, Barkbox, to fintech/blockchain bets like Robinhood, Solana, and popular SaaS companies like Airtable, Front, and Slack to name a few.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. Sam's Views on Platform Dependence2. Investment Philosophy and Strategies3. Entrepreneurial Realism in Pitching Businesses4. The Potential of the Franchise Model5. Constellation Software Angle in Business6. Reach and Engagement7. Investing in Niche Creator Markets8. Creator Business Investment Approaches9. Understanding Unique Communities10. Good Business Opportunities11. The Role of Audience and Community in Startup Success12. The Impact of AI on the Creator Sphere13. National Security and Business Concerns14. Sam Lessin's Background and Contributions15. The Evolution of Distribution Strategies and Creator Monetization16. Social Media Evolution and Attention ShiftingTimestamps00:00 Facebook, my college acquaintance, became revolutionary network.05:30 Decade of product development in online identity.09:04 Meta monetizes attention, success in brand deals.12:29 Social media evolved from entertainment to connection.17:06 Investing in creators with strong financial potential.18:41 Investing in diverse, niche expertise for impact.23:20 Starting things requires passion and trustworthiness.24:15 Consider audience building over operator expertise long-term.27:49 AI enhances entertainment, not human influence efficiency.32:33 Email remains crucial, platform choice is subjective.34:33 Invest in contrary, undervalued market ideas.38:43 AI companies are trendy, but often misleading.43:09 Venture capital experience leads to success.44:28 Studio models stack cash flows, creating constellations.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 brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Sam Lessin - Partner at Slow VenturesRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of CastmagicBlaine Bolus - 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!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Introduction to Jimmy Farley and TikTok's Monetization2. TikTok Shop Distribution and Influencer Management3. Content Creation Strategies and Virality4. Product Selection and Creator Network Management5. Marketing Advice and Building a Creator Brand6. Creator Briefs and Brand Value Propositions7. Software Development and E-Commerce8. Creator Relations and Long-term Vision9. Educational Methodology and Talent Management10. Understanding Demographics and Influencer Impact11. Red Flags and Effective Marketing Practices12. Jimmy Farley's Background and Creators Corner13. Influencer Group Management and Product Seeding14. Business Ventures and Network Building15. Transitioning Business Models and Network Value16. Discord Community Insights and Revenue GenerationTimestamps05:44 Experience in building vetted network with leverage.10:32 Content creation process involves inspiration and reuse.12:06 Viral content drives education and customer benefits.14:31 Built strong community, resourceful TikTok marketing channel.18:46 Creators and cash flow.23:25 Content isn't guaranteed, creators make the difference.25:17 Invested in TikTok shop, hands-off management.29:08 Should I choose creators or pay influencers?32:16 Importance of quick responsiveness, efficient agency strategies.36:08 Minority stakes in multiple companies, specializing in supplements.40:13 Retaining creators and brand advice in partnerships.41:05 Commitment concerns and revolving nature of relationships.45:13 Evaluate product potential before investing time and money.47:01 Affordable rates for video content production explained.53:01 Discussion about affiliate-based payment structures.53:44 Creators seek fair compensation for quality work.56:41 Find my best business content on Twitter.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 brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Jimmy Farley- Co-Founder and CEO at Creator's CornerRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of CastmagicBlaine Bolus - 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!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Introduction to Braindrive and its Cognitive Benefits2. Momentous Company Evolution3. Financial Milestones and Revenue Streams4. PR Lotion Development5. Product Strategy and Trust Building6. Company Goals and Market Positioning7. Product Effectiveness and Industry Standards8. Marketing and Sales Challenges9. Momentous Brand Direction and Acquisition10. Expanding Audience and Advocacy11. Commitment to Mission and Communication12. Inventory Management ChallengesTimestamps00:00 Transition from biotech to entrepreneurship, NFL.09:42 Strong product with impressive clinical trial results.13:42 Acquired brand, challenges, niche market, sustainable model.22:22 Merger of two different nutrition brands challenging.25:04 Aligned vision led to merger, new company.32:07 Marketing team transformed, aiming to change health.36:52 PR lotion minimizes need to urinate in air force.44:23 Grow the pie responsibly, despite challenges.46:18 Testing label accuracy for nutritional supplements matters.51:11 He's a tastemaker, optimizing performance for all.57:59 Prioritizing trust over commoditization leads to success.01:02:59 Innovate to serve the customer, democratize high performance.01:08:33 Simplify product usage for better impact and retention.01:15:03 Nootropic blend designed for focus and clarity.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 brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Jeff Byers - Co-Founder and CEO at MomentousRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More Staffing & Capital OneNeed a new business card? Get in touch with our friend at Capital One Heather Clohessy - [email protected] 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 Mikey Taylor2. Building Saint Archer3. Growth and Sale of the Brewery4. Going Against Convention5. Mikey Taylor's Content Creation Workflow6. Leveraging Social Media for Business Goals7. Renting vs. Buying: A Financial Perspective8. Success Factors: Obsession and Discipline over TalentTimestamps00:00 Learning negotiation, creators seek longer-term contracts.08:24 Attracted to skaters who own business. Beer.09:50 Discussing action sports led to creating beer.14:17 In 2011, the idea of using Instagram.15:55 Successful marketing gimmick disrupted industry and accelerated growth.20:50 Creating content from personal experiences and relevant news.23:20 Visiting Patrick's impressive studio, feeling inadequate.27:29 Maximize monetization by leveraging network and community.30:27 Expanding content across various platforms, facing challenges.32:49 Private equity real estate firm offers investments.35:30 Identifying opportunities in converting vacant malls.40:53 Embracing small town roots, striving for change.44:03 Founder discusses challenges of remote work environment.46:07 Consider factors and goals before homeownership decision.49:20 Value in frustration and drive for greatness.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 brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Mikey Taylor - Co Founder at Commune Capital, Saint Archer Brewery, Sovrn Skateboards, & Avni IntelligenceRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More Staffing & Capital OneNeed a new business card? Get in touch with our friend at Capital One Heather Clohessy - [email protected] 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. Shopify's Ecosystem of Apps2. Home page experience3. Cart and Checkout4. Tools and Strategies provided by Platter5. Importance of Social Proof in E-Commerce6. Recommendations for Brands7. What to build natively into platformTimestamps00:00 App ecosystem within Shopify05:37 Left Gopuff, started Platter, focused on pain points.09:25 Key ways to get your site to convert better.13:45 Importance of ecommerce frameworks and targeting strategies.15:34 Upmarket components, operational efficiencies, debunking myths in storefronts.20:17 Discussing value, tools, and purpose for store owners.22:10 Native integration gamifies shopping to boost sales.28:40 Social proof and user experience crucial for conversion.33:18 Limited budget means trusting our expertise upfront.35:23 Focus on proper onboarding for successful transitions.40:12 Challenges in scaling customer success and prioritizing.42:00 Ambitious product launch, social connection.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Ben Sharf - Co-Founder at PlatterRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More Staffing & Capital OneNeed a new business card? Get in touch with our friend at Capital One Heather Clohessy - [email protected] 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. TikTok Strategies for Successful Ecommerce Brands2. Insights on Entrepreneurship3. Observations on Apps and Lifetsyle4. Discussions on Manufacturing & Branding5. Health-focused Industries & Biohacking Companies6. Experiences from Moe Hayek’s Plant Business Venture7. Moe's Work as an Ecommerce Consultant8. Discussion on TikTok Shops9. Moe's Venture: Online Plant Selling Business10. Moe's Future Business StrategiesTimestamps03:58 Getting Trademark for famous Limitless movie pill, NZT 48.07:32 Successful ecommerce brands use TikTok, hiring creators to stimulate virality and boost sales.09:54 Struggled with Organic Social until achieving success.14:07 Influencer rates are uncertain; aim for multi-platform creators.17:03 Working with several creators improved video and product presentation.18:23 TikTok Shop is emulating Amazon's successful infrastructure and SEO dominance.23:25 Leverage TikTok Shop to automate affiliate marketing, creating viral content.25:12 Instagram's non-shopping design fails compared to TikTok's entertaining, profitable shopping experience.29:15 Made $2 million selling plants online; experienced difficulties.34:01 Culture pushes quick profit; thoughtful product development yields millions.37:12 Invest in packaging, build community brand, maximize profits.41:01 Incubation involves leveraging resources to maximize market opportunities, particularly in supplements and beauty.44:35 Future health industry trends: energy maintenance and tailored supplements.46:53 A brand is consistent, targeted communication over time.48:41 Entrepreneurs should develop key skills and assist brands lacking online presence.51:50 Feels lucky, enjoys in-person meetings, balances life.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Moe Hayek - Partner at LimitlessRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More Staffing & Capital OneJoin 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 of Guest: William Gasner2. Concept of Micro-Influencer Marketing3. Importance of Data Analysis in Influencer Marketing4. The Role of Stack Influence5. Influencer-Brand Collaboration Strategies6. Potential Challenges in Influencer Marketing7. Future Predictions and Social Media TrendsTimestamps03:18 Smaller creators provided cost-effective marketing solutions.07:41 Platforms expand influencer markets, management solutions emerge.10:13 Authentic brand representation through product compensation model.14:32 Building brand momentum is crucial for creators.17:43 Setting expectations, volume over obsessing, multi-platform challenges.22:41 Early brand content strategy: test, validate, scale.24:28 Influencer marketing and positive branding are crucial.27:02 Managing creators varies from handholding to autonomy.31:02 Oatley's genius ad went viral with ping-pong.36:33 Analyze data, control experiments, avoid simultaneous initiatives.39:02 Halo effect leads to replicated, influential content.41:56 Organic content gains trust, but ads deter buyers.45:54 QVC essential in US, influencer evolution, social commerce.47:42 Stackinfluence.com: Find us on all socials. Email.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok William Gasner - Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer at Stack InfluenceRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More Staffing & Capital OneJoin 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 Bubble Goods2. The Journey of Jessica Young3. The Purpose of Bubble Goods4. Strategies and Features of Bubble Goods5. Marketing and Growth Strategies6. Customer and Brand Relationship7. Bubble Goods' Target Customer8. Importance of Curation in the MarketplaceTimestamps02:53 Jessicas start06:54 First teammember at Daily Harvest08:32 Seeking mentorship for navigating unfamiliar territory.12:48 Fast-paced startup, focus on product and growth.17:31 Supply and demand, sales, consumer overwhelm, discovery.19:15 Etsy-style marketplace for health food brands.24:30 Curation trend important for marketplace success.25:17 Brands expand sales through various online channels.31:01 New Naples pizzas flash frozen and shipped.33:29 Marketplaces benefit from promotion and brand alignment.38:11 Get brands, scale demand, grow.41:36 Submit under criteria, white background, Canva templates, easy flow.45:26 Promotion is invaluable for brand growth.47:54 High standards, transparency, brand partners, trust.49:21 Investing in brand story for ultimate 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Jessica Young - Founder of Bubble GoodsRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.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. Introduction to Jeremy Barbara and Sundays2. YouTube as an Effective Platform for Influencer Marketing3. Creating a Strategy for Influencer Campaigns4. Successful Influencer Campaign Examples5. Team Structure for Influencer Marketing6. Advertising on Different Platforms7. Tracking and Evaluating Influencer Campaign Performance8. Pricing and Budgeting for Influencer Marketing9. Testing Influencers and Building RelationshipsTimestamps03:23 Building influencer program: test, optimize, scale.05:52 Jeremy, variety of companies, strategy, influencers, products.11:00 Influencer marketing often starts with one person.12:23 How to find affordable channels.18:11 Influencer rates vary based on platform, agency. 20:14 Not all platforms are equal, be strategic.23:01 Using links, codes, surveys, and influencers to track YouTube video success.26:19 Driving clear CTAs with trackable campaigns.30:44 Coming up with unique creative.34:01 Limited time, optimize CPA, reach, influencers.38:10 TikTok Shop42:32 Understand audience demographics, come across opportunities naturally.44:15 Audience movement across channels signals influence.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Jeremy Barbara - Head of Influencer Marketing at SundaysRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.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. Importance of personal relationships in business2. Proactive measures for building connections3. Challenges and solutions in logistics and fulfillment4. Trends in the vitamins and supplements industry5. The significance of research and negotiation in sourcing products6. Scaling challenges and the impact on operations7. Focusing on the right aspects of running a businessTimestamps02:19 Unlocking brand potential through logistics, no minimums.03:27 Action sports engineer finds value in baby industry.05:56 Vitamins, makeup, coconut, pets, sales, negotiations, fulfillment.08:48 Unlocking brand potential, saving money, finding clients.15:06 Understanding the human effort behind logistics.16:29 Direct-to-consumer brands need efficient supply chains. When should they consider using a Three PL?20:24 10k customers start experiencing difficulties; 14k is critical.24:33 Brands should focus on solving specific problems.27:00 Gift set, dog birthday cake - Shopify, BigCommerce, EDI compliance.31:39 Subscription-based supplement brand needs efficient tech stack.34:28 Extensive connects to logistics and networks 3PLs.39:37 Smooth transition for onboarding and brand management.40:39 Pet brand without sales wants to monetize.45:13 Agnostic packaging and product management, saving money.47:10 Find similar product sources using Import Yeti.50:18 Establish relationships, pick up the phone.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Paul Jarrett - CEO of BuluRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.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. Finding unique solutions for parents.2. Leveraging industry events for visibility.3. Focusing on selling through their website.4. Overcoming obstacles in shipping and delivery.5. Harnessing the power of customer recommendations.6. Iterating and improving to create exceptional products.7. Exploring the unique characteristics of the baby category.Timestamps3:27 Action sports engineer finds value in baby industry.7:54 Used kiteboarding technology to create portable cribs.10:02 MVP used at trade show to sell.13:42 Unique product gets attention at trade show18:42 Nascent SaaS business launched on third-party marketplace.19:47 Transitioned to Direct, faced shipping challenges, scaled up.24:00 Unique direct-to-consumer baby gear company in stealth.29:06 Lotus expanded into accessories and extensions.29:57 Researching and selling practical, adaptable products profitably.33:51 Compact, durable running stroller with folding design.37:26 Building awareness for newcomer stroller brandShownotes powered by Castmagic

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.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:Monitoring affiliates regularly for compliance.Preference for historical partnerships and familiarity.Meeting with affiliates and ensuring transparency.Asking for referrals and recommendations from other brands.Benefits and challenges of affiliate marketing for brands.Optimizing strategies and working with affiliates who add value.Creating effective landing pages and reducing attribution leakage.Timestamps4:20 Brand growth, affiliate strategy, initial setup.5:10 Affiliate marketing popular, but brands frustrated.8:51 Independent media buyers bring valuable expertise. Large or small creators offer loyal audiences.12:42 Influencers demand upfront fees for branded content. Instead, opt for performance-based payments.18:30 Custom discount codes, tracking links, attribution, platforms.19:29 Monitoring platforms, optimizing traffic, adjusting payouts.23:29 Importance of many creatives, leveraging brand, optimizing landing pages for affiliates.30:02 “Affiliate credits lost, but exclusive offers help.”32:27 Media buyers rely on affiliates for insights. Content affiliates less important but provide incentives.35:20 Different responsibilities: media buyer, affiliate, guidelines.40:00 Affiliate compliance is challenging, human errors inevitable.43:38 Marketplaces for cash back include student, executive, and medical worker focus. Coupon-based cash back not preferred. Incentivized traffic uses rewards for desired actions.45:57 Affiliate monitoring: historical partnerships, transparency, referrals.49:48 Whitelisting is important for improving brands’ conversion rates and ad performance.Shownotes powered by Castmagic

Meghana Dhar is a tech advisor and investor passionate about creators, brands, social media, and commerce. With a background in big tech, she worked at Ebay where she discovered her love for e-commerce, marketplaces, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) business models. Meghana's strategic expertise led her to become an advisor to the CEO during the spin-off of PayPal. She later served as the head of shopping partnerships at Instagram, witnessing its growth from inception. Recently, she held the position of global head of partnerships at Snap, accumulating valuable experiences in social commerce.On this episode of DTC pod we cover:"Jobs to be done" & social media platformsInstagram's shift from shoppingThe importance of starting from scratch for new platforms.eBay's lasting impact on ecommerce & marketplaces.The need for better support of communities on current platforms.The potential of social commerce and monetizing creators.Episode Timestamps:3:39 eBay: Original, disruptive e-commerce, evolving.5:42 PayPal, creators define eBay's community culture.10:46 eBay market share loss: PayPal’s impact.13:10 Supply-first platforms incentivize content creators, audiences.18:06 Instagram shopping confuses user expectations, needs.22:16 Focus on niche communities, supply monitoring.26:20 Bullish on bread, frictionless onboarding, growth hacking.30:54 Snap user inquiries about partnerships, media.32:00 iOS 14 impacts Snap: revenue loss, AR strategy.36:34 Commerce trends: website traffic, pop-ups.39:39 Creators prioritize community, authentic content.44:11 TikTok shopping potential: noteworthy.46:36 DTC Pod event, LA, October 5.Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Shownotes 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.Check out our guide to all the best brands here. 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Meghana Dhar - Tech advisor and investor passionate about creators, brands, social media, and commerce.Ramon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

On this episode of DTC pod, Peter joins Blaine to share lessons from building Floof, as well as some tricks and growth levers from his time in the manufacturing & design business.We cover:- Prioritizing branding before product development.- Conducting focus groups and analyzing consumer data.- Exploring opportunities to partner with platforms like Kindred.- Identifying a gap in the market for accessible high-end pillows.- Utilizing out-of-the-box methods to grab attention and optimize marketing channels.- Designing for packaging, customer support, and unboxing- Staying focused on brand goals and not being swayed by short-term profits.Timestamps:04:48 Opportunity in the pillow market.08:03 Journey of brand building.11:41 Targeted direct channels, consider scaling.14:50 Unique pillow personalization experience.19:55 Using real models for pillow showcase.21:30 Healthy profit margins.25:11 Streamlined purchasing with design guidance.27:56 Empower consumers as designers.32:05 Discounts from designers and trade shows.35:17 Communicate brand value, aggressive growth.39:39 Kindred: platform for apartment swapping.41:37 Focus on social proof, partnerships.Shownotes 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.Check out our guide to all the best brands here. 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Peter Sivas - Founder of FloofRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.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, Jordan & Victor join Blaine & Ramon to discuss everything about building a top tier CPG brand from the ground up.In this episode of DTC POD, Mina joins Blaine to dive into the world of Amazon and what it takes to be successful as a brand on the platform. From setting up a seller account to optimizing listings and advertising strategies, we cover everything you need to know as you launch products on Amazon's marketplace. You're not going to want to miss this one.We cover:1. Setting up and navigating Amazon's seller central account.2. Optimizing listings with SEO keywords and effective product images.3. Using customer feedback and reviews to improve products and branding.4. Understanding and navigating Amazon's complex advertising and marketing strategies.5. Managing inventory and avoiding stockouts to maintain sales performance.6. The importance of aggressive marketing and traffic generation on Amazon.7. Strategic pricing and profitability considerations for success on Amazon.Timestamps:02:06 Mina's founding of Trivium, an Amazon advertising agency; 142 brands.07:37 Strategies for success on Amazon; assessing product fit, competition.18:14 Analyzing keywords, studying competitors, creating unique products for Amazon.20:41 Amazon for research and testing; leveraging reviews, pricing competition.26:09 Process of setting up a seller central account on Amazon.30:20 Importance of optimizing listings, shipping strategies, avoiding stockouts.44:22 Managing loss, improving conversion rate, increasing ad spend.48:01 Let Amazon handle customer service; focus on feedback.53:00 Amazon's marketing improvements; tailored promotions, retargeting campaigns.54:42 Updates are noteworthy, especially for sellers.Shownotes 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.Check out our guide to all the best brands here. 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Mina Elias- CEO of TriviumRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.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, Jordan & Victor join Blaine & Ramon to discuss everything about building a top tier CPG brand from the ground up.We cover:1. Overcoming obstacles, fundraising struggles, scaling strategies.2. Agua fresca innovation, commercialization process.3. Cultural representation, Working Assembly partnership, Lotteria card motif.4. Sprouts and Safeway partnerships, focus on Texas and California.5. Raising capital, following up with investors, breakthrough investment.6. Hiring and delegating, scaling systems and operations.7. Farmers market success, pandemic challenges, post-college jobs.Timestamps:04:42 Bawi's progression from soda stream to cans.06:39 Product market validation and self-funding.13:19 Timing, friendship, and opportunities for growth.17:58 Salesmanship and persistence in business.21:11 Initial unfamiliarity with fundraising led to success.26:47 Involvement of agencies, food scientist, commercialization.29:25 Fundraising ease with a single check.34:01 Focus on branding, package design, and cultural representation.38:14 Feedback leading to branding adjustments.41:25 Expansion to stores, focus on Texas, California.45:10 Rapid scaling, easy fundraising, system building.Shownotes 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Victor Guardiola and Jordan Hicks - Co-founders of BawiRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC pod, Jess joins Blaine & Ramon to discuss everything about building a top tier talent agency, and what it takes to be successful for brands to collaborate with top tier talent.We cover:1. Connecting creators, brands, and agencies for successful collaborations.2. Focusing on sustained partnerships for effectiveness.3. Creating special products/services with influencers to address audience needs.4. Utilizing traditional platforms to amplify influencer reach.5. Addressing the industry's lack of creator tools6. Strategies to handle delays and maintain communication with talent and brands.7. Building long-term relationships based on transparency and audience knowledge.Timestamps:03:08 PR agency rebranded to Shine Talent Group; problem-solving focus.08:16 Evolution and creativity in influencer marketing.12:14 Mindset change leads to startup success.16:19 Importance of balancing work and creativity.18:11 Support for talent in workload, contracts management.21:20 Autonomy and diversity in talent representation.25:08 Working with consumer brands in influencer relations.27:48 Trust and collaboration as success keys.31:31 Accepting initial brand push; testing audience crucial.38:38 Content challenges; importance of communication, organization.41:13 Advantages of working with talent agency.44:43 Preference for long-term campaigns with multiple influencers.49:59 Industry needs CRM, project management tools.52:36 Shine's extensive presence on social media.Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Shownotes 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Jess Hunichen - Co-founder of Shine Talent GroupRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC pod, Meghan joins Blaine & Ramon to discuss her move from the finance world to becoming one of the world's best operators and brand builders in the direct-to-consumer space. With her background in investing and a passion for consumer products, Megan noticed a gap in the market for innovative slip-on footwear and saw an opportunity to create something new.We cover:1. Gap in Slide Sandal Market2. Background in Finance and Investing3. Key Insights as An Operator4. Unique Angel Investor and Evergreen Fund5. True Botanicals Experience and Success6. Building Direct-to-Consumer First7. Utilizing Influencer Relationships for GrowthEpisode Timestamps:04:01 Meghan Higney's transition from finance to brand building.06:46 Discussing angel investor's support and focus on longevity.09:25 True Botanicals' success and marketing strategy evolution.15:01 Meghan's transition from finance to footwear passion.20:24 Key to success: growth, creativity, people operations.23:33 Comparing beauty and food industries' supply chain challenges.29:04 Journey to build best performance sandals.37:26 Discussing footwear production in Porto, Portugal.42:48 Reflecting on financial investments and business growth.48:17 Aiming for sustainable profitability and strategic growth.51:59 Anticipating brand's growth and requesting social media info.Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Shownotes 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Meghan Higney - Founder of MessageRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop. Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! We cover:1. Threads Strategy For Consumer Brands2. Slow and consistent growth for Threads.3. Potential opportunities for brands on Threads.4. Liquid Death's rapid growth and IPO plans.5. Creative marketing's impact on building brands.6. Niagara Water's pivot to enterprise bottling services.7. Beverage industry's boom and major exits.[00:03:24] Quick migration to Threads; Twitter 'X'. TikTokText.[00:07:28] Niagara: from private label to bottling giant.[00:10:36] Celsius booming, rapper lawsuit, Pepsi's high stake.[00:12:54] Key takeaways for beverage brands and creators.[00:17:16] Winning DTC strategy for bev cpg[00:20:04] Leveraging opportunities to level up in business.[00:24:31] How founders can leverage strengths[00:27:37] The makings of the next Redbull[00:31:34] Expensive coffee made from civet poop[00:34:50] More tips and news in the newsletterShownotes 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD, join hosts Blaine Bolus and Ramon Berrios as they chat with Mike Xhaxho, creator of Waterboy, a popular TikTok account and brand. Mike shares his unexpected journey from starting a personal TikTok account to gaining millions of views and launching a successful product. We chat about the power of storytelling in his videos and the importance of using the right strategies to establish your brand online. We also talk about partnering with creators in consumer businesses, testing before scaling, and how to run effective pre-sales and product drops.We cover:1. Viral TikTok to launch brand2. Building a brand and community3. Creator as a Co-Founder4. Product development and variety5. TikTok, Meta, and Amazon for sales and growth6. Transparency & Authenticity with customers7. Retail expansion plansTimestamps02:13 Entrepreneur journey: finance, fitness, Amazon.05:06 TikTok success to product launch.10:01 Shopify site, simple SMS-targeted page.12:22 First successful video: personal story.15:43 Packaging issues, flavor change, delays.19:10 Similar background, variable metrics, creator role.23:02 TikTok, Meta ads, Amazon reliance.27:52 Ignored algorithm, focused on engagement.31:21 Hero product lacked variety, differentiation.33:17 Transparency, mistakes, cautious growth.36:18 Over-involved in sourcing, logistics.39:54 Product expansion, brand building, retail success.43:35 Waterboy.com bought after six-month pivot.Shownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Mike Xhaxho - Co-Founder of WaterboyRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

In this episode of DTC POD, Blaine and Jordan talk about how to grow e-commerce brands through paid performance. They talk about Facebook's tracking methods, insight platforms, customer psychology, setting up tools for effective ads, combating ad fatigue, using images vs videos, alternative opportunities, Facebook groups, Performance Max, SEO strategies, Apple's privacy measures, AI tools, starting with ads, and engaging with customers.We cover:1. Tracking and Attribution2. Understanding Customer Psychology3. Tools and Platforms4. Creative Content5. Engaging with Online Communities6. Testing and Optimization7. SEO and Organic TrafficTimestamps01:35 - From video production to founding Suna.05:12 - Learn ads before hiring. Find customers on search platforms. Performance Max and Advantage Plus need data. Start with unpaid methods.08:53 - Essential Google Analytics, Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel setups.13:59 - Tracking customer behavior with various tools.16:56 - Understand customer psychology beyond price. Uncover barriers to purchasing.21:26 - YouTube for retargeting, Performance Max for Google.24:45 - Testing crucial for effective strategies.28:53 - Rank for buyer intent, blogs for expertise. SEO drives organic traffic.31:35 - Performance Max: untapped opportunity, perpetual creative engine. Image creative highly effective, ad fatigue.33:50 - Fresh and engaging ads, images convey more. Shownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Jordan West - upGrowth CommerceRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD Liz Giorgia joins Blaine & Ramon to cover all things content as well as the big news of Trend's acquisition by soona. We cover how shopping will become integrated into all aspects of the internet, the diverse landscape of content like user-generated content, reviews, product photography, custom content, and more. We chat about how to build a great business, aligning incentives, Liz's entrepreneurial journey, the growth of soona, and how AI will fold into the product photography and content landscape.We cover:1. Ecommerce content creation and distribution2. Importance of partnerships and collaborations3. Scaling creativity and professional services4. The role of AI in creative content5. Value of storytelling and unique brand identity6. The journey of entrepreneurship and learning from mistakes7. Growth strategies and customer engagement tacticsTimestamps01:35 - From video production to founding Suna.05:54 - Discovering purpose through entrepreneurship.09:57 - Making photos affordable with innovative technology.14:18 - Values, curiosity, and networks drive success.15:46 - Techstars, beta launch, and virtual shoots.21:30 - Remote headshots and the power of Instagram.24:27 - Embracing failure and staying adaptable.27:40 - Streamlining content creation with our platform.32:42 - Scaling creativity for big brands with integration.35:18 - Partnering with UGC leaders at Santa.38:15 - Omnichannel content is crucial for brand success.43:35 - AI as a tool, not a replacement.49:11 - The importance of human connection and authenticity.51:53 - Learn more about Suna and soona Studios.Shownotes powered by Castmagic P.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokLiz Giorgi - Co-founder and CEO of soonaRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC Pod, Blaine chats with Robbie Salter, one of the founding partners of Jupiter. Robbie shares his journey of creating innovative products and addressing the needs of both men and women. They discuss how to build a brand, starting from scratch, navigating supply chain issues to inventory management, building a CX flywheel, and the importance of having a mission greater than your product.We cover:1. Haircare innovation and product development2. Supply chain challenges and inventory management3. Building a brand strategy consultancy4. Investing in venture capital and startups5. Entrepreneurship and asking questions6. Customer experience and packaging7. Mental health advocacy and giving backTimestamps[00:05:40] Finding a problem worth solving[00:10:01] Developing dandruff care products[00:12:17] Embracing curiosity[00:16:00] Finding manufacturers[00:18:18] Decisions on product ingredients[00:22:56] Packaging vs product quality[00:26:57] Importance of customer experience, female perspective[00:33:09] Overcoming supply chain issues, prioritizing customers[00:36:56] Honesty and transparency[00:40:51] Focus on mental health[00:44:11] Nights and Weekends brand consultancy[00:47:53] Importance of trust in a partnershipRevolutionizing the Haircare Market:"We knew that better was possible. Something that felt a little bit more elevated. When you looked across the category, other categories, and you saw there was innovation being done, both from a packaging perspective, a formulation perspective, a messaging perspective."The Importance of Products Over Packaging:"At the end of the day, I don't think people really care about the package that they received... We knew that we had made the right decisions and that we were on to something good."Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur:"I think what makes a good entrepreneur, one of the qualities that makes a good entrepreneur is a great level of comfort looking stupid when asking questions, right?"Shownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours. 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokRobbie Salter - Co-CEO and Co-founder of Jupiter Ramon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.On this episode of DTC POD, Blaine and Ramon discuss the latest trends in commerce, including issues with leakage, coupon codes, and overpaying on affiliate commissions. They also talk about the success of DTC brands and how consumers prioritize products. The conversation also touches on the challenges of product manufacturing stages in China and the bankruptcy of Instant Brands. Finally, the discussion turns to fashion and streetwear brands like Supreme and Fear of God, and the difficulties of staying relevant in a constantly evolving market.We cover:1. Affiliate marketing and leakage tracking2. Mom and baby-related products3. Consumer culture and health trends4. DTC brands vs vertically integrated sellers5. China's impact on US consumer market6. Fashion industry and brand relevance7. Streetwear and cultural relevance[00:02:36] China's marketing and customer acquisition strategy[00:04:20] Value reigns supreme in America[00:09:13] Shein's vertical integration[00:13:44] Supreme / VF corp[00:15:48] Fashion trends swing with culture pendulum.[00:19:37] Instant Brands bankruptcy due to excessive inventory[00:25:24] Consumer culture creates and solves problems[00:26:36] Tracking affiliate links and strategy[00:31:33] Baby & Parenting Niche[00:33:18] Lalo & Fundraising News[00:37:05] Specific content targeting for customer segmentsShownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours. 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD, hosts Blaine Bolus and Ramon Berrios bring on guest Adam Robinson to discuss a range of topics, including email marketing tactics, legal and ethical concerns around pixel retargeting, and the growth of Robinson's company Retention. Robinson shares how his company has developed a free product for server-side tracking and is beta-testing a disruptive B2B product. He also discusses the importance of a founder-led mentality and the frustration of successful, but stagnant businesses. We cover1. Email marketing and privacy laws2. Growth strategies and competition3. Founder-led mentality and risk-taking4. Sales and building a team5. Compliance landscape and data privacy risks Timestamps[00:01:36] From finance to identity tech, scaling up.[00:08:11] US laws allow for non opt-in emails.[00:13:12] Affiliate program creates huge influx of revenue.[00:15:38] Privacy risks mean less competition for entrepreneurs.[00:19:20] Brands worry about legal and reputation concerns.[00:22:29] Bigger brands doing it legally, no debate.[00:25:48] Spamming strategy: target positive engagers and complaints.[00:30:17] Shopify focus, server-side tracking, B2B data product.[00:36:06] Company owner seeks expert to boost sales.[00:39:21] Mentor to help scale company.[00:45:13] Big businesses bring better rewards and people.[00:48:49] People issues are biggest problem, messy.[00:51:43] Founder-led mentality leads to success.[00:56:48] LinkedIn retention focus, docuseries about Adam.Shownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours. 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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokAdam Robinson - Founder & CEO of Retention.comRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.On this episode of DTC POD, Frank joins blaine to chat about how e-commerce companies can use AI models to personalize the shopping experience for each individual shopper. They talk about how ML automation and AI can enrich the product side by considering factors such as color, category, and weight to predict the behavior of shoppers in real time. They discuss the importance of having good data management and collecting as much non-PII customer event data as possible which will make them more agile and competitive in leveraging AI components later on, and thinking deeply about product catalog attributes and categories. Key themes discussed include:1. Personalized shopping experiences2. Advancements in AI and ML3. Making AI accessible to all4. Language models for consumer use cases5. AI for e-commerce conversion optimization6. Importance of human oversight in AI7. Importance of data management for AITimestamps[00:05:04] Recent surge in AI due to generative models; open AI major player.[00:09:38] Prediction and automation are ultimate goals with countless use cases.[00:14:26] XGen AI enables user-controlled ML systems for transparency and democratization.[00:20:50] E-commerce requires AI-powered tools to optimize customer experience for product recommendations.[00:28:51] User prediction pipelines create personalized shopping experiences that adapt to activities.[00:34:04] Data organization for Shopify Plus crucial for ML; deep analysis important.[00:41:05] Focus on partnerships for ML education; customize services; AI should automate repetitive interactions.[00:46:36] Need for accessible education on AI tools for the average person. Shownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokFrank Faricy - Founder and CEO of XGenRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD, Dylan Menter shares his journey from building literal rockets to bootstrapping his own CPG business. We discuss the challenges, research, and scaling up production of his product. We cover everything from patents, to manufacturing, to bootstrapping, to purchase orders, to branding on this info packed episode. Here's a few more key themes we'll dive into:1. Building in saturated markets2. Creating a unique product3. Research and collaboration with professionals4. Scaling a solo operation5. Importance of having a stable job6. Navigating the manufacturing process7. Patenting and protecting proprietary information.Timestamps[00:03:13] Former SpaceX employee creates creatine gummies[00:10:55] Protecting proprietary formula - patent specific formula researched[00:20:29] Natural product creation takes year trial, commitment crucial[00:27:48] Making the gummies involved physical and mental exhaustion[00:31:59] Find experienced manufacturers in retailers you want to target[00:38:11] Google Ads aided in brand growth, positive feedback received[00:43:48] Plans to scale ad platforms & bring in professional athletesShownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokDylan Menter - Founder & CEO of Bear BalancedRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD, the Kippenbergers join Blaine & Ramon to talk about turning a $1000 magazine about powerboating and avante garde transportation into a lifestyle brand of choice for billionaires. They've done everything from having a race boat team, a rally car team, to furniture collaborations with Ligne Roset and selling the most expensive cold brew coffee in the world. They discuss their brand's values and approach to collaborations over industry gatekeepers, and the risks involved in pursuing growth. Additionally, we focus on quality and design principles for modern brands.This is an extremely unique, must listen episode for anyone who's trying to stand out in a copy-cat culture of sameness.We cover:1. Power boating and offshore racing championships2. Collaboration and strategic partnerships in branding3. Anti-censorship and pro-freedom values4. Quality and innovation in consumer products5. Challenges of motivation and avoiding burnout[00:05:54] RollsRoyce Project; Underground Zine; $1000 Power Boating Mag.[00:13:59] High-Quality Consumer Products; Partnerships; Managing Growth and Motivation.[00:20:15] Boat Racing Team; Car Team; Organic Coffee; Sponsorships.[00:29:47] Vintage Clip Owners for Commentary; Unique Creation.[00:35:22] Magazine Cover Collaboration; Partnering with Brands; Building CPG products.[00:43:50] Reminiscing on Red Bull's Rise to Success.Shownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter! Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokChris Kippenberger - Founder of VehiculeJo Kippenberger - Founder of VehiculeRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD, Tui joins Blaine & Ramon to talk about transforming traditional financing options for brands in the CPG space. Her focus at Ampla is creating purpose-built financial products that prioritize trust, partnership, simplicity, and speed/innovation. Tui discusses the importance of aligning around a company's mission and vision and the need to be intentional about channels required to scale and achieve success.We cover:Customer empathy and market understandingOmnichannel solutions for brandsBuilding and scaling physical productsLong-term planning and KPI trackingChallenges in CPG industryTools and ecosystem for CPG businesses[00:03:46] Ampla: Omnichannel solution with funding and tools.[00:10:49] Ampla: Analytics and insights for better decisions.[00:13:52] Shopify lacks depth, Amplin offers comprehensive capital.[00:18:31] Vision, intention, and planning key to success.[00:21:12] Ampla simplifies B2B commerce, removes business overheads.[00:25:22] Ampla's suite of financial products for CPG and brands.[00:28:54] Ampla: Trust, partnership, simplicity, and agility.[00:33:54] Alignment, strategy, measurement, and involving customers crucial.[00:38:59] Balancing innovation and focus.[00:41:40] Ampla: AI, competitive interest rates, modernizing supply chain.Shownotes powered by CastmagicP.S. Get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokTui Allen - Head of Product at AmplaRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.On this episode of DTC POD, we dive into the fundamentals of launching a product across different types of companies. We discuss why internal marketing and communication are vital, and how a lack thereof can lead to a failed launch. Derek explains how launches involve more than just a checklist of tasks, encompassing planning, coordination, and support. We learn the importance of building a centralized repository of knowledge and automating processes to streamline launches.(00:03:44) Launching diverse companies(00:06:54) Planning, enablement, iteration(00:09:49) Brand consistency & scaling(00:13:21) Strategy, assets, automation(00:15:51) Automated tools overview(00:18:50) Retrospective survey benefits(00:21:50) Systematizing & automation(00:24:20) Automating launch process(00:28:40) Information hierarchy & iteration(00:31:16) Tips for successful launchShownotes powered by Castmagic Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokDerek Osgood - Founder & CEO HaveIgnitionRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD, dive into the art of content creation, Philip joins Blaine to share his insights on defining content pillars and optimizing for views and followers. They discuss the importance of hyper-testing and copying when starting out, as well as the power law of content distribution. They chat about what makes unique and memorable content, and how content differs for B2B and D2C brands. They also touch upon the importance of content ROI and share case studies of successful startups.Here's what you'll learn..1. What are content pillars, and why are they important for content creation?2. What are the two types of content best suited for organic?3. What is the best starting point for creating content?4. What is hyper testing, and why is it important for content creation?5. The Power Law in content distribution. How do you get to be in the top 0.1%?Timestamps[00:07:47] Define content pillars, use well-known brands, optimize for views.[00:11:15] Multiple platforms = credibility, two case study examples, intangible ROI.[00:16:58] Copying is good, hyper-testing helps, repurposing is key.[00:19:30] Separate hires for each social media platform, understanding content creator tiers.[00:23:10] Stand out, invest in high quality production, be in top 1%, waste no resources.[00:27:00] Educational, voiceover-based videos, differentiate for success, faster revisions.[00:32:54] Consistency is key, incorporate news, find sustainable system.[00:35:36] Wide variety of content, analyzing performance, Chat GPT for ideas.[00:40:25] Create content around problem-solving for DTC brands, balance entertainment vs. educational for B2B.[00:43:17] Unique content is important, Duolingo's unique brand identity example. Shownotes powered by Castmagic Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokPhilip Ruffini - Founder and CEO of Content AssistantRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC POD, Scout joins Blaine to dive into the world of branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship. We talk about Katy Perry's involvement in building her flagship non-alcoholic beverage brand, as well as exploring the lasting trend of health and wellness driving consumer behavior, the importance of social media presence, and the impact of beverage sales in-store. We learn about De Soi's scrappy approach to working with brand ambassadors, finding product-market fit in their direct-to-consumer (DTC) business, and their focus on efficient and sustainable growth.[00:03:16] Learnings from consulting generalist to startup.[00:06:22] Katy Perry + Morgan McLachlan create De Soi.[00:10:36] Health and wellness trends & sober curiosity.[00:16:02] Katy's role in brand development[00:20:03] De Soi's DTC launch, media features.[00:24:54] Strategy: DTC, wholesale, and social media.[00:31:40] Target audience and location for branding.[00:34:33] Leveraging Brand ambassadors & events.[00:37:43] Navigating fundraising and strategy.[00:41:39] Shift to efficient, sustainable growth and profitability.Building A Brand With Katy Perry: "It's been really important to us along the way that De Soi is its own brand. It's a brand that resonates with Katie and her personal values, whether that's celebration and fun, if it's empowerment, if it's wellness, but that it also stands on its own because at the end of the day, it is De Soi."— Scout Brisson 16:02Could Alcohol Disappear Forever?: "Our consumers have they've gone to almond milk and then to oat milk and then back. They're looking at all of these decisions across the board of things that they're consuming or that they're buying, and they're saying, what is the better option? And so when you look at people talk a lot about, at least in my bubble, right, that Gen Z is a generation that just drinks so differently than even millennials or our parents generations. But I'd say millennials and Gen Z are driving this trend of people just drinking less and less every year."— Scout Brisson 10:36A Nightmare Trend For Booze Companies "but knowing that you want something that feels really indulgent in the moment, but you're pairing this inner and outer wisdom of okay, I want something that tastes really good, hits that sweet tooth, feels very satisfying, but is also going to make me feel physically well afterward."— Scout Brisson 4:00 Shownotes powered by Castmagic Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokScout Brisson - CEO of De SoiRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.On this episode of DTC POD, Sydney Sykes of Lightspeed Venture Partners joins Blaine & Ramon to talk about the current state of direct-to-consumer brands and e-commerce. Sydney shares her experience in venture capital and growing direct-to-consumer brands, and offers advice for founders seeking investment. We also dive into various topics including circular fashion to generative AI and SEO, and how they are transforming the modern e-commerce landscape. We also discuss how to create unique demand and distribution advantages, the importance of networking, and which businesses are best suited for vc funding.Timestamps[00:01:37] From psychology major to venture capitalist.[00:04:52] Investing in direct-to-consumer brands evolution.[00:13:10] Diversity in venture capital is important.[00:16:00] Women can bring good returns to VC.[00:18:10] Ways to reach investors and get funded.[00:20:53] Common mistakes made by founders.[00:23:59] Investment in unique brands with advantages.[00:28:32] Exciting times for brands due to enablement tools and AI.[00:34:48] Importance of content and personalization.[00:38:23] Circular fashion's growing market and benefits.Shownotes powered by Castmagic Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokSydney Sykes - Partner at Lightspeed Venture PartnersRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

On this episode of DTC Pod, We dive into the challenges of building a product that combines traditional accounting, finance, and tax with the progressive world of DTC, and the importance of financial statements, tax-saving opportunities, and inventory management. We also explore the impact of integrating real-time cost of goods sold data, the importance of understanding profit, financing, and cash flow, and the potential of measuring return on net profit. Finally, we talk about ways to identify profitable products and unlock business opportunities, and why focusing on conversion alone may not necessarily lead to profitability. [00:01:34] Real-time ecommerce bookkeeping. Inventory system coming.[00:04:12] Lios background in accounting and law.[00:08:35] Essential financial basics for DTC brands.[00:12:02] Ecommerce-specialized bookkeepers and software.[00:16:02] Finaloop - high-value real-time accounting.[00:23:54] Full ledger with SaaS functions. Investing in R&D.[00:27:47] Integrating inventory management system.[00:31:06] Real-time financial data. Net profit-based ROAS.[00:38:37] Understanding profits, cash flow, and financing is crucial.[00:47:53] Tips: pick up deductions, recognize bad debt, legit deductibles.The Rise of DTC Brands in the Financial Ecosystem: "I just couldn't ignore the big opportunity of combining, I'd say, the traditional word of accounting finance tax into the progressing word of DTC. And this is basically how Finaloop was born."— Lio Pinchevski 4:12Outsourcing Bookkeeping: "Even for these firms, the bookkeeping work is usually a loss making part of the business that is just meant to cross finance the more profitable part of the business, which is the CFO and the taxes."— Lio Pinchevski 16:02Challenges of building a broad MVP: "With us, we're a different animal. We are somewhere between an infrastructure company and a SaaS company. So we built on one side a ledger, a full ledger, and then on the other side, we need to add SAS features to this ledger. This is unique because if you think about bookkeeping, either I do your bookkeeping or I don't do your bookkeeping, and then you need to get a bookkeeper."— Lio Pinchevski 23:54Real-time Business Management: "If we ask 100 brand owners right now how much money in cash and in profit they did yesterday, 100% would tell you that they don't know. They know roughly how the business is doing. They don't know exactly how it's doing. And the difference in 2023 between roughly and exactly is huge." - Finaloop's focus on real-time PNL, balance sheets, and KPIs can revolutionize brand management by providing exact information instead of approximations.— Lio Pinchevski 31:06powered by castmagicEpisode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokLio Pinchevski - Founder and CEO of FinaloopRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated

Episode brought to you by Trend & Finaloop.On this episode of DTC Pod, Izzy Joins Blaine to lead a masterclass on saving on shipping.1. What are the most common mistakes when negotiating shipping rates?2. What surcharges and hidden fees most commonly drain shipping budget?3. What are the most common overlooked details that make brands lose money on shipping?4. What type of shipping carrier is best for my store?shownotes powered by castmagic 00:04:28 - Shipping costs = 10% of revenue00:09:31 - Create account, leverage resellers00:14:08 - Consult peers, ask for transparency00:18:01 - Use lightweight services, regional carriers00:24:41 - Optionality and reduced rates with regionals00:28:03 - Service, volume, contract negotiation = cost00:31:34 - Know carrier, understand data, negotiate everything00:37:41 - Negotiate discounts; be proactive about rate increases00:42:21 - FedEx EB increasing costs, offer discounts00:46:16 - Negotiate for peak period costs Episode brought to you by Finaloop, the real-time accounting service trusted by hundreds of DTC Brands. Try Finaloop free - no credit card required. Visit finaloop.com/dtcpod and get 14 days free and a 2-month P&L within 24 hours.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 hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokIzzy Gewirtzman - Founder of ShiplionRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Seated