Honest Ecommerce

Lauren Barker is the CEO and Co-founder of Uresta, the first self-managed, FDA-cleared bladder support device for stress urinary incontinence. With nearly a decade in finance before joining Uresta, Lauren brought the analytical skills to identify a massive market gap and the vision to build a solution that prioritizes women's quality of life over symptom management. She personally reads every customer review, using those insights to shape product development and build Uresta's highly engaged community. Under her leadership, Uresta has become an eight-figure business serving over 30,000 women. What is Uresta? Uresta is revolutionizing bladder control with the first self-managed bladder support designed specifically for modern women, with no prescription or doctor visits required. Unlike traditional solutions, Uresta addresses leaks at their source, providing immediate all-day protection during physical activities like exercise, laughing, sneezing, and coughing. With 97% effectiveness and 90% continued use after 12 months, Uresta restores confidence, spontaneity, and dignity to millions of women. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [00:35] Addressing a gap in women's health [02:19] Leaving a career to chase an idea [06:28] Callouts [06:38] Finding success as an operator [08:40] Sponsor: Klaviyo [10:47] Validating a market before scaling up [14:50] Sponsor: Intelligems [17:05] Building early trust through creators [19:45] Sponsor: Electric Eye [20:54] Setting realistic budgets for paid ads [22:04] Using social proof for different markets [24:52] Marketing a product people deny Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Bladder support for women https://uresta.com/ Follow Lauren Barker https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-barker/ Follow Uresta https://www.instagram.com/myuresta/?g=5 Get your free demo https://www.klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at https://www.intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts https://electriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Alissa Miky is a Japanese entrepreneur and the founder of OoMee, the first seaweed-based beverage in the U.S. She’s the youngest woman ever recognized on Forbes Japan’s Top 100 list. After running a successful flower business, Alissa created the viral seaweed candy company Misaky.Tokyo, and later launched Aqua Theon, a seaweed tech company. In spring 2025, Alissa turned her proprietary Seabiotics™ technology into the star ingredient for OoMee -- the functional beverage bringing the wellness benefits of agar-agar to America's beverage aisle. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:58] Pioneering a niche in an untapped market [03:43] Using cultural roots to drive innovation [06:51] Sponsor: Klaviyo [08:52] Sizing up categories before committing [10:57] Callouts [11:07] Using competitor research as winning edge [14:25] Sponsor: Intelligems [16:23] Letting the product do the talking [19:44] Knowing when to launch and building [21:51] Sponsor: Electric Eye [23:00] Using intellectual property for passive income [25:43] Turning disadvantages into entrepreneurial fuel Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Marine plant-based company https://aquatheon.com/en Marine-powered functional beverage https://oomee.life/ Follow Alissa Miky https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissa-miky-21a8673b Migrate and grow more https://www.klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at https://www.intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts https://electriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Tamara is the Founder & CEO of Bark Bistro Company, creator of Buddy Budder—a line of 100% natural peanut butters made for dogs. What began in her kitchen has grown into a nationally distributed brand available DTC, Ecommerce, independent retailers, and now expanding into mass and grocery channels. She is passionate about blending innovation and creativity, brand design, and business strategy to make products that bring joy and health to pets while scaling into new retail channels. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:37] Discovering ecommerce as the growth engine [05:38] Solving a personal problem to spark a product [07:18] Sponsor: Klaviyo [09:24] Leading a category by entering early [10:29] Choosing Ecommerce to accelerate growth [12:10] Callouts [12:20] Bootstrapping growth with early revenue [13:57] Sponsor: Intelligems [15:56] Validating demand through review data [18:02] Listening to customers to improve goods [22:03] Engaging customers to co-create the brand [23:47] Sponsor: Electric Eye [24:55] Learning while building the business [26:28] Accepting mistakes as part of the journey Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Healthy and natural peanut butter dog treats barkbistro.com/ Follow Tamara Coleman linkedin.com/in/tamara-coleman-07578a23/ Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Co-founded in 2012 by Ryan Emmons, his cousin Alex Preston, a Hawaiian artist and game designer, and friend Matt Meyer, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages is a premium beverage company from Hilo, Hawai‘i, offering volcanic water, sparkling water, and coffee, crafted with deep respect for the land, its people, and the responsibility that comes with both. Rooted in sustainability, Waiākea is setting a new standard for CPG, blending exceptional taste with conscious practices. From their certified B Corp status and proprietary 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, OceanPlast®, to their community-driven Kōkua Initiative nonprofit, Waiākea is changing the way we hydrate. Inspired by the founders' long-standing work with clean water and education non-profits, the concept for Waiākea was to move away from singular profit and towards a triple bottom line model (circular packaging, sustainable sourcing, and commitment to the community). Their water embodies that mission with an experience that’s natural alkaline pH, 100% BPA & PFA Free, packed with electrolytes & minerals, light, crisp, and refreshingly clean. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [01:25] Turning sustainability into an advantage [03:28] Starting without industry experience [05:49] Sponsor: Electric Eye [07:00] Building a business from a class project [09:45] Self-distributing to reach early customers [11:57] Sponsor: Klaviyo [13:56] Building trust through consignment [15:12] Scaling distributions with good relationships [17:06] Callouts [17:16] Adjusting strategy based on performance [20:47] Sponsor: Intelligems [22:47] Managing supply chains for heavy goods [25:01] Balancing risk with growth opportunities Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Alkaline Hawaiian Volcanic Water waiakea.com/ Follow Ryan Emmons linkedin.com/in/ryan-emmons-8709871b/ Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Migrate and grow more klaviyo.com/honest Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Julian Tcherassi is the founder of Magiktea, the first USDA Organic & Wildlife Friendly certified palo azul tea brand in the world. Under his leadership, Magiktea has grown from a small independent startup into a nationally recognized wellness brand, now available in over 1,000 health food stores nationwide. Passionate about natural remedies and sustainability, Julian started Magiktea with the mission to share sustainably sourced palo azul so that everyone can enjoy Mother Nature's most magical tea. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:06] Spotting an opportunity from personal experience [02:56] Starting a business through personal readings [05:06] Prioritizing retail over DTC for early traction [06:53] Offering consignment as visibility strategy [10:31] Callouts [10:41] Embracing rejection as early sales training [14:43] Sponsor: Klaviyo [16:49] Learning advertisement tactics from founders [18:41] Optimizing website to support conversions [26:46] Sponsor: Intelligems [25:46] Improving listings to outshine competitors [29:26] Leveraging Amazon for exposure and sales [33:25] Sponsor: Electric Eye [34:31] Analyzing your brand for the winning message Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Fluorescent alkaline palo azul tea magiktea.com/ Follow Julian Tcherassi linkedin.com/in/julian-serrano-tcherassi-97a891156/ Get your free demo klaviyo.com/honest Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Eliah Thanhauser is the Co-Founder and CEO of North Spore, a company dedicated to making mushroom cultivation accessible to all. Since its inception in 2014, they’ve grown from a small operation in a garage in Maine to a vertically integrated manufacturer and a national leader in mycological supplies. Eliah’s journey began with a passion for sustainable agriculture and a desire to empower individuals to grow their own food. At North Spore, Eliah and his team provide high-quality mushroom cultivation products and education, supporting everyone from home growers to commercial farmers.​ Beyond business, he’s committed to environmental stewardship, advocating for better public access to Maine's shorelands and exploring innovative ways to integrate fungi into sustainable practices. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro [02:10] Launching North Spore from a tiny garage [05:47] Callouts [05:57] Embracing ecommerce before it was crowded [07:16] Creating educational content to attract buyers [09:05] Sponsor: Electric Eye [10:22] Putting in the work to earn attention [11:47] Building trust in a skeptical market [15:55] Avoiding direct competition with giants [17:31] Sponsor: Intelligems [19:31] Focusing on one core product first [23:15] Sponsor: Migrate [25:13] Persisting through economic challenges Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube Mushroom log spawns and supplies northspore.com/ Follow Eliah Thanhauser linkedin.com/in/eliah-thanhauser/ Book a demo today at intelligems.io/ Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/ If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Irene Chen is the Co-Founder and Partner at Parker Thatch, a role she has held for over 24 years. Her top skills include Brand Development, Fashion, and Social Media. Before co-founding Parker Thatch, Irene served as the Director of Product Development for Donna Karan. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. Matthew Grenby is the Partner and Co-Founder of Parker Thatch, a position he has held for over 24 years. His expertise lies in Strategy, Start-ups, and Entrepreneurship. Prior to Parker Thatch, he was a Vice President at Castling Group, where he led UX and design to launch online divisions for major brands, and a Data Scientist at Intel, developing novel data visualizations. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MS from the M.I.T. Media Lab , an MS in Graphic Design from ArtCenter College of Design , and an AB in English from Harvard University. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:56] Bootstrapping growth through cash flow[03:23] Turning local talent into a luxury launchpad[07:45] Sponsor: Klaviyo [09:52] Applying corporate training to startups[12:31] Challenging traditional production paths[18:48] Sponsor: Intelligems [20:48] Standardizing core products for efficiency[24:47] Sponsor: Electric Eye[25:56] Persisting through daily business doubt[29:40] Callouts[29:50] Reinventing challenges for better outcomes[31:34] Leveraging community for business insights[32:02] Maintaining connections for future opportunities[36:03] Rebranding for clarity and customer reachResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeLuxury products for everyday ease and elegance parkerthatch.com/Follow Irene Chen linkedin.com/in/irene-chen-16b16823/Follow Matthew Grenby linkedin.com/in/matthewgrenby/Book a demo today at intelligems.io/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectGet your free demo https://www.klaviyo.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Kate Voyten is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience revitalizing small brands and stagnant businesses. She started her career at Procter & Gamble, working first in operations and eventually moving into brand management, where she ran businesses across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her consumer-centric approach to innovation and commercial strategies, combined with her operational expertise, has helped transform businesses across consumer goods, automotive, and healthcare categories. Some of her favorite challenges include relaunching the iconic $500 million Herbal Essences brand and returning it to profitable growth, spearheading the digital transformation and omnichannel strategy for the Hertz loyalty program, and building the OneTouch diabetes business in retail and e-commerce. Today, Kate is the Chief Commercial Officer at Cadence OTC, where she is leading the effort to bring the next generation of oral contraceptives over the counter—expanding access to safe, affordable birth control for millions of women across the U.S. Kate is passionate about developing people and building partnerships that deliver meaningful business transformations. She earned both her BS and MS from Carnegie Mellon University. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[01:24] Meeting customers’ urgent health needs[08:03] Focusing on signals that show real intent[11:33] Callouts[11:42] Turning urgent needs into long-term loyalty[13:32] Navigating advertising in regulated industries[16:04] Investing upfront to avoid costly rework[19:02] Sponsor: Electric Eye[20:10] Leveraging AI to uncover customer insights[24:22] Providing clarity through educated communicationResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeAffordable emergency contraception, convenient access cadenceotc.com/Follow Kate Voyten LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/katherine-voytenSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Laura Andersen is the owner and managing director of AlumiTubs. Made to handle it all, AlumiTubs is made to last for generations. Obsessively designed to outperform and outlast, it's the classic cedar hot tub, upgraded for a lifetime of performance.AlumiTubs is 100% Canadian handcrafted from materials made to stand the test of time. It’s perfect for the backcountry or the backyard, with flex heating for 365 days of use, wherever you find your escape. With 1000s in the wild since 2001, AlumiTubs are home to Canada, now available for properties across the globe. Where artistry, craftsmanship, and considered design intersect, the AlumiTubs wood fired, electric and hybrid hot tubs come in 3 sizes with endless heat options, advanced filtration for at-home use, a 50% bigger firebox and 3 layers of insulation for less smoke, less water, and nothing wasted along the way.It is not an average hot tub, AlumiTubs is guaranteed to get hot and stay hot, no matter how cold it is outside. Bringing people and those they share it with, closer to nature. AlumiTubs was made for more of the good stuff.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:40] Sponsor: Taboola[01:53] Spotting demand beyond your original offer[03:14] Balancing careers while building a startup[06:04] Bringing an offline product to the internet[08:55] Sponsor: Next Insurance[10:08] Applying career skills to a new venture[13:49] Letting users shape your marketing message[15:40] Optimizing basic SEO for discovery[17:55] Sponsor: Electric Eye[19:03] Balancing capacity with customer trust[23:17] Complementing skills to build longevity[26:00] Building a business on a great product[28:46] Callouts[28:56] Hedging bets while testing business ideas[31:10] Adding value without reinventing the wheelResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeWood-fired & electric cedar hot tubs alumitubs.com/Follow Laura Andersen linkedin.com/in/lauraandersendigitalmarketing/ Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honestSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Rima Mattok is the Director of Demand Generation at Taboola, where she leads the global acquisition and engagement strategy of Realize, a performance advertising platform focused on driving measurable results for brands. With a background in user engagement, Rima brings a deep understanding of audience behavior and conversion optimization—experience that shapes her approach to helping marketers scale efficiently across channels. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[01:09] Getting to know the new product, Realize [02:33] Facing rising ad costs across platforms[04:22] Launching before peak season to save costs[07:10] Questioning the myth that more budget wins[09:31] Challenging the idea that AI replaces strategy[11:30] Callouts[11:40] Unlocking incremental growth on the open web[14:16] Testing new channels with wise budgets[15:17] Running quarterly moonshot experimentsResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubePerformance beyond search and social taboola.com/The performance built for advertisers realize.com/Follow Rima Sherman Mattok linkedin.com/in/rima-sherman-mattok-93282739/If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Monica Rich Kosann is an internationally recognized fine jewelry brand based in New York. Rooted in the idea that every woman has a story to tell, the collection encompasses lockets, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that inspire and empower the wearer. The eponymous label was founded in 2004 by Designer and Chief Creative Officer Monica Rich Kosann–member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America–as an extension of her passion for fine art photography and storytelling. She runs the company with her husband Rod, who serves as CEO.A Certified B Corporation working to meet the highest standards of quality and excellence, Monica Rich Kosann crafts sustainable heritage pieces that are made ethically and responsibly. The brand is sold in over 120 retailers across the country, has three free standing stores - two in New York and one at Somerset Collection in Troy, a shop at Bergdorf Goodman and a robust direct-to-consumer business. Designed using 18K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver, Monica Rich Kosann designs precious gemstones and diamonds to ensure quality that lasts from generation-to-generation as modern heirlooms. A favorite with celebrities, Monica Rich Kosann pieces have been worn by incredible women throughout the years including Kelly Clarkson, Allison Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gisele Bundchen.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[00:37] Sponsor: Taboola[01:54] Inspiring growth through authentic vision[06:58] Persisting through early business rejection[10:11] Building momentum through supportive communities[11:10] Sponsor: Next Insurance[12:41] Diversifying channels to reach more customers[16:32] Callouts[16:42] Enhancing products through storytelling[21:00] Strengthening brands through right partnerships [24:02] Sponsor: Electric Eye[25:10] Building dedicated teams that enjoy their craft[26:19] Focusing business principles around your “Why”[28:02] Finding your unique approach and sticking with itResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerce?sub_confirmation=1Lockets, fine jewelry, and luxury gifts monicarichkosann.comFollow Monica Rich Kosann linkedin.com/company/monica-rich-kosannFollow Rod Kosann linkedin.com/in/rodkosannReach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business www.nextinsurance.com/honest Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Matt Ezyk has decades of experience building, scaling and leading digital commerce technology and strategy at some of the most innovative companies in the world. Matt serves as Senior Director of Engineering, Ecommerce at Hanna Andersson which is a leading direct-to-consumer premium children's apparel and lifestyle brand. Prior to joining Hanna Andersson, he led digital at Pet Supermarket with oversight of product and engineering. Additionally he served as Director of Functional Architecture and Director of PMO at RafterOne (f/k/a PixelMedia) with operational oversight of teams working with iconic brands like Skechers and LL Bean. Matt also served in progressive leadership roles at Accenture, Merkle (f/k/a LiveArea) and several startups working with hundreds of global brands like Uniqlo, Disney, Revlon, Tapestry and many more. Matt brings to retailers and DTC brands a deep expertise in developing and implementing diverse end-to-end commerce strategies. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[00:24] Sponsor: Taboola[01:41] Connecting tech decisions to business growth[04:36] Comparing agency and brand-side perspectives[07:24] Sponsor: Next Insurance[08:37] Delivering progress customers can feel[09:58] Choosing platforms based on business maturity[13:03] Callouts[13:13] Auditing tech to recover lost conversions[15:31] Reducing redundancy to improve performance[17:47] Evaluating third-party tools for value[19:36] Sponsor: Electric Eye[20:44] Improving conversion with UX and engineering[22:25] Augmenting team expertise with AI tools[27:46] Balancing speed with long-term scalabilityResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeKids clothes from playtime to bedtime hannaandersson.com/Follow Matt Ezyk linkedin.com/in/mezykReach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Robert Khachatryan is the founder and CEO of Freight Right Global Logistics, a Los Angeles–based international freight forwarder. A lifelong entrepreneur, Robert began his business journey at age nine selling newspapers on the streets of Yerevan. A member of the Board of Advisors at USC’s Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute, Robert founded Freight Right in 2007 during the global financial crisis with a vision to modernize freight forwarding through technology and execution excellence. Today, Freight Right is recognized as a leading innovator in logistics and a trusted launch partner for emerging supply chain technologies. Robert’s insights have been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, the Journal of Commerce, FreightWaves, and the Los Angeles Times, and he has spoken at leading industry events including TPM, FreightTech, and the USC Supply Chain Summit. In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:00] Intro[01:08] Taking the leap during economic uncertainty[03:45] Eliminating shipping delays that kill buyer intent[09:04] Building Ecommerce solution around freight hurdles[11:05] Callouts[11:16] Bridging commercial freight and ecommerce needs[13:29] Identifying hidden customer pain points early[15:45] Building an MVP from customer feedback[18:00] Rethinking traditional processes to reduce cost[20:41] Unlocking new markets with minimal effortResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeInternational Freight Forwarder freightright.com/Follow Robert Khachatryan linkedin.com/in/khachatryanrobertIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Dima Zelikman is the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Unbound Merino, where he leads brand strategy, growth marketing, and creative direction. With a focus on simplicity, versatility, and performance, he has helped shape Unbound Merino into a global travel clothing brand trusted by customers in over 100 countries. As CMO, Dima drives the vision of the “Pack Less. Experience More.” movement. Building a brand that inspires and empowers travelers to live and explore with freedom. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:00] Sponsor: Taboola[01:55] Positioning products around customer lifestyles[03:33] Turning personal travel pain into a business idea[07:27] Sponsor: Next Insurance[08:40] Creating business momentum before quitting a job[10:37] Prioritizing early traction for repeatable growth[13:04] Testing campaigns with minimum budgets[14:50] Callout[15:00] Scaling communication through relevant topics[21:00] Sponsor: Electric Eye[22:10] Creating a feedback loop through data analysis[23:01] Identifying unmet needs in your market[25:32] Prioritizing product quality over everything[27:26] Driving conversions before perfecting visualsResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeMerino Wool Clothing & Apparel unboundmerino.com/Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!