eCommerce Podcast

In this eye-opening conversation, Matt Edmundson and William Gasner challenge conventional wisdom about influencer marketing. William reveals why the democratisation of social media has shifted power away from mega-influencers to smaller content creators who often deliver better engagement and conversion rates.The episode explores how the social media landscape has fundamentally changed—from platforms prioritising follower count to now favouring quality content regardless of audience size. William shares practical advice on implementing micro-influencer strategies, avoiding common pitfalls, and building long-term influencer relationships that drive authentic engagement.I wonder if your influencer marketing approach is still stuck in the old paradigm? This episode might completely change how you allocate your marketing budget and who you choose to partner with.Time-Stamped Chapters:00:04 Introduction to the micro influencer revolution04:19 Why content quality beats follower count09:36 Spreading budget across multiple creators13:49 Passion promoters vs traditional influencers18:24 Finding influencers in your customer base22:54 Building long-term influencer relationships28:19 Product seeding strategies that actually work33:44 When influencer marketing isn't right for your product38:14 The surprising SEO benefits of influencer marketingGuest Expertise:William Gasner is an eCommerce veteran (since 2008) and founder of Stack Influence, a platform that helps brands connect with and scale micro-influencers. His experience includes selling various products from handmade cutting boards to teeth whitening solutions across multiple marketplaces, giving him unique insight into effective influencer strategies from both sides of the relationship.Key Takeaways:- Social media platforms now prioritise content quality over follower count, making micro-influencers often more valuable than celebrities- Diversifying your influencer budget across many smaller creators yields better results than investing everything in one big name- Your existing customers can be your best influencers—they already have the product and genuine experience with your brand- New product launches are ideal times for influencer marketing as you gain valuable feedback, visibility, and content simultaneously- For marketplace sellers (Amazon, Walmart), influencer-driven external traffic can dramatically improve product ranking algorithmsWant to know more about implementing these strategies for your business? Visit our website for additional resources, guides, and opportunities to connect with our eCommerce community.ResourcesGuest & CompanyWilliam's email - william@stackinfluence.comStack Influence - https://stackinfluence.com/eCommerce Podcast EcosystemeCommerce Cohort signup (free monthly calls for eCommerce entrepreneurs) - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/cohortMatt's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/The eCommerce Podcast Newsletter for show notes and extra insights - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/subscribe

In this enlightening founder's episode of the eCommerce Podcast, host Matt Edmundson chats with Amy Leinbach of Big B, Little B about involving kids in business and the remarkable journey of building an eco-friendly product line alongside her 10-year-old daughter.Amy shares genuine insights about youth entrepreneurship, teaching resilience through business challenges, and the flexible product development approach that has helped her company thrive. The conversation delves into tough decisions around when to discontinue products, strategies for managing eCommerce data, and adapting to external challenges like new tariffs.What makes this episode particularly valuable is Amy's candid admission about learning from business failures and her practical wisdom on nurturing creativity in children while building a successful eCommerce operation.Amy's journey demonstrates that involving children in entrepreneurship not only develops their creativity and problem-solving skills but can lead to innovative products with real market appeal. Her approach to learning from business failures and flexible product development offers valuable insights for any eCommerce entrepreneur.ResourcesGuest & CompanyBig Bee Little Bee Website: https://bigbeelittlebee.com/Big Bee Little Bee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigbee_lilbee/Amy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-leinbach-40515124/Episode-Specific ResourcesSeven Yays: https://sevenyays.com/eCommerce Podcast EcosystemeCommerce Cohort signup (free monthly calls for eCommerce entrepreneurs) - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/cohortMatt's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/The eCommerce Podcast Newsletter for show notes and extra insights - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/subscribePodjunction: https://podjunction.com/

In this episode of The eCommerce Podcast, host Matt Edmundson speaks with Robert Khachatryan, founder and CEO of Freight Right. They explore the often-overlooked aspects of eCommerce shipping strategies, particularly for bulky items and international markets. Robert shares surprising insights about why many brands fail to optimise their shipping practices and reveals practical solutions for expanding globally without the traditional headaches.I wonder if you're making the same costly shipping mistakes as other eCommerce brands? This conversation might just transform your approach to logistics and open up entirely new markets for your products.Robert challenges conventional wisdom by suggesting that shipping bulky items internationally doesn't have to be complex or prohibitively expensive. By leveraging direct-from-source shipping strategies, de minimis thresholds, and modern logistics technology, eCommerce brands can tap into global markets much earlier in their growth journey.Are you missing out on international opportunities? Could you be optimising your shipping approach for bulkier products? The insights from this episode might help you navigate the shipping challenges that are keeping your products from reaching eager customers worldwide.For more information about optimising your international eCommerce shipping strategy, visit our website.ResourcesGuest & CompanyRobert's Logistics Company and Contact Info - https://www.freightright.com/eCommerce Podcast EcosystemeCommerce Cohort signup (free monthly calls for eCommerce entrepreneurs) - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/cohortMatt's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/The eCommerce Podcast Newsletter for show notes and extra insights - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/subscribe

In this illuminating episode, Matt Edmundson sits down with George Bryant, a renowned e-commerce strategist who has helped scale hundreds of companies to seven, eight, and even nine figures. Beyond the tactics and strategies, this conversation dives deep into what truly drives business sustainability - purpose over profit, authentic relationships, and the personal growth necessary to lead thriving enterprises.I wonder if we've been thinking about business success all wrong? Throughout this conversation, George Bryant challenges conventional wisdom about what drives sustainable growth. It's not the latest marketing tactic or funnel - it's the authentic relationships we build with ourselves, our teams, and our customers.What struck me was George's insight that "you don't have the business you want because you haven't become the person to run it yet." This perspective shift invites us to look inward before looking outward for solutions.Have you considered how your relationship with yourself might be affecting your business decisions? Perhaps the next big breakthrough isn't in a strategy but in creating space for reflection and connection.For more insights on building purpose-driven businesses that stand the test of time, visit our website where you'll find additional resources and ways to connect with both Matt and George.ResourcesGuest & CompanyGeorge's website - https://mindofgeorge.com/George's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/itsgeorgebryant/Episode-Specific Resources'All In' by Mike Michalowicz - https://allinbymike.com/'The Little Book of Clarity' by Jamie Smart - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Clarity-Jamie-Smart/dp/0857086065eCommerce Podcast EcosystemeCommerce Cohort signup (free monthly calls for eCommerce entrepreneurs) - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/cohortMatt's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/The eCommerce Podcast Newsletter for show notes and extra insights - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/subscribe

In this captivating episode of the eCommerce Podcast, host Matt Edmundson talks with Millie Flemington-Clair, founder of Human Beauty and Dragons' Den success story. Discover how Millie's personal experience with a rare medical condition inspired her to create inclusive beauty products that serve underrepresented communities. From securing an unprecedented deal on national television to managing the reality of sudden exposure, Millie shares honest insights about entrepreneurship, accessibility in product design, and her mission to transform the beauty industry.I wonder if creating products with purpose can actually be more profitable? This conversation explores how thoughtful design choices and authentic storytelling might just be the future of beauty.Key TakeawaysThis conversation reveals the genuine challenges faced by purpose-driven entrepreneurs in competitive industries. Millie's experience highlights how real impact often requires persistence beyond initial exposure or success. Her approach to accessible design—making simple yet thoughtful changes like square packaging instead of round tubes that roll away—shows how inclusive design can benefit everyone.I wonder if the most valuable lesson here might be about authenticity in business? Millie's willingness to share her disappointments and struggles alongside her successes creates a refreshing contrast to typical entrepreneurial narratives.For eCommerce founders, Millie offers practical accessibility considerations that could improve customer experiences across all demographics—from using proper sentence casing in hashtags for screen readers to considering price points as an accessibility feature.ResourcesGuest & Company:Millie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millieflemingtonclare/Human Beauty website: www.humanbeauty.co.ukHuman Beauty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanbeautyldn/Episode-Specific Resources:Dragons' Den Series 22, Episode 8 (BBC iPlayer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0028dmz/dragons-den-series-22-episode-8Access to Work scheme information (government support that helped Millie get a VA) - Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UKeCommerce Podcast Ecosystem:eCommerce Cohort signup (free monthly calls for eCommerce entrepreneurs) - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/cohortMatt's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/The eCommerce Podcast Newsletter for show notes and extra insights - https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/subscribe

In this eye-opening episode, Matt Edmundson unpacks the costly problem of involuntary churn with Frank Arellano, CEO of Revolv3. Discover how payment processing glitches silently drain revenue from subscription businesses, with a staggering 10-14% of eCommerce orders declining and two-thirds of these being "false declines" - costing businesses $600 billion annually.Frank shares his journey from Experian executive to payment optimization pioneer, revealing how addressing this hidden problem can instantly increase revenue without additional marketing. With practical insights on increasing payment approval rates and using AI for better payment processing, this conversation unveils strategies that can transform your subscription business's bottom line.I wonder how many of us are unknowingly losing customers and revenue through these payment glitches?Are we spending too much time on voluntary churn while ignoring the silent killer of false declines?What might happen if we took a closer look at our payment processing statements and understood our true approval rates?The conversation reveals that many business owners simply don't know their payment approval rates - but this metric could be hiding significant untapped revenue potential.For more information about reducing involuntary churn and optimizing your payment processing, visit our website for strategies to improve your effective collection rate and increase your subscription business revenue.ResourcesFrank's company Revolv3: https://revolv3.comShownotes: https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/the--600-billion-payment-problem-secretly-destroying-your-bottom-line-with-frank-arellanoFrank's Email: frank.arellano@revolv3.comFrank's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankarellano/Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecommercepodcast/ Website: https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com/

In this captivating episode of The eCommerce Podcast, host Matt Edmundson chats with Gareth Everard, the innovative force behind Rockwell Razors and co-founding CMO of eco-game changers like Lomi and Pela Case. With a fascinating story of turning environmental science into successful sustainable businesses, Gareth shares how his plastic-free safety razors evolved from Kickstarter success to established brand, while Lomi grew from startup to $100 million revenue in just two years.What makes this conversation especially valuable is Gareth's candid insights into avoiding subscription models, focusing on conversion rather than lifetime value calculations, and his "four levers of e-commerce" framework for managing business growth without burnout.Whether you're running an eco-focused business or simply looking for smarter ways to approach e-commerce, Gareth offers thoughtful perspectives on building community, the emergence of social commerce, and why sometimes the best business decisions come from authentically meeting customers where they are.Key Takeaways:Gareth's entrepreneurial journey demonstrates how eco-friendly innovations can achieve commercial success while staying true to environmental values. His approach to business management through the "four levers of e-commerce" offers a practical framework for focusing energy where it matters most.The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in business decisions, from avoiding unnecessary subscription models to understanding what truly matters to customers. Perhaps most valuable is Gareth's insight that community-building is now essential for e-commerce success, whether you're creating your own community or partnering with creators who already have one.For more information about Gareth Everard's businesses and eco-friendly innovations, visit our website.Keywords: eco-friendly startup journey, sustainable product innovations, Lomi composter success story, how to manage multiple businesses, avoiding startup burnout, customer-driven product development, building brand community, impact of social commerce, eco-friendly razors, sustainable e-commerce, environmental entrepreneurshipResourcesMentioned Businesses and Products:Quality Double Edge Safety Razors by RockwellKitchen Countertop Food Recycler | LomiEco-Friendly iPhone, Google and Samsung Cases by Pela CaseConnect with Gareth:Gareth Everard | LinkedInConnect with Matt: Matt Edmundson | LinkedInMatt Edmundson (@mattedmundson) • InstagramThe eCommerce Podcast:Homepage - Ecommerce Podcast

Discover how AI is levelling the playing field for e-commerce entrepreneurs. Matt Anderson from Dragonfly AI reveals practical strategies for using generative AI to outsmart bigger competitors and transform customer engagement.In this enlightening conversation between Matt Edmundson and Matt Anderson, we explore the fascinating intersection where e-commerce, AI, and brand collide. Matt Anderson, with his extensive background in performance marketing and current work at Dragonfly AI, offers valuable insights into how AI is transforming product research, content creation, and customer engagement, creating new opportunities for nimble e-commerce entrepreneurs to compete against industry giants.This episode cuts through the fear and scepticism surrounding AI to reveal practical applications that can revolutionise your e-commerce business. From improving product research to enhancing creative content, discover how AI can become your strategic co-pilot rather than just another tool.Key Insights:AI functions best as a co-pilot rather than a replacement - think of it as "having a master's graduate next to you" that needs guidance and oversightThe quality of AI output depends heavily on the quality of your prompts - being specific about audience, tone, and style dramatically improves resultsE-commerce entrepreneurs can use AI to level the playing field against larger competitors by researching consumer needs and bringing products to market fasterAI tools like Perplexity and Dragonfly AI are changing how consumers search for products, focusing on solving problems rather than brand namesStart small with AI implementation - focus on automating boring, time-consuming tasks first before expanding to more complex applicationsMatt recommends focusing on just a few AI tools rather than trying to master everything: "You can't be good at every martial art. Just pick one and be a black belt in it."I wonder if this shift toward AI-assisted research and discovery might fundamentally change how we approach product development and marketing in e-commerce? Perhaps the future belongs not to the biggest brands, but to the entrepreneurs who best leverage AI to understand and solve specific consumer problems.For more information about leveraging AI in your e-commerce business, visit our website at ecommerce-podcast.com.ResourcesMatt Anderson's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmattanderson/Matt Edmundson's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/Dragonfly AI: https://dragonflyai.co/

From Bottle Insulation to Business Innovation: Adam Callinan's JourneyI wonder how many of us have watched Shark Tank and dreamed about being in those entrepreneurs' shoes? Adam Callinan lived that reality, transforming a simple beer bottle insulator into a multi-million dollar brand. His journey reveals powerful lessons about lean startup techniques, crowdfunding success, and building a valuable brand beyond just revenue figures.In this episode, Matt Edmundson sits down with Adam Callinan, co-founder of BottleKeeper and current SaaS entrepreneur, for a fascinating conversation about validating product ideas, scaling with minimal staff, protecting intellectual property, and navigating the reality of Shark Tank deals.Key Takeaways:Proof of Concept Through Lean MethodsAdam's approach to validating BottleKeeper is a masterclass in lean startup techniques. Before investing significant money, he tested market interest by collecting emails and launching a crowdfunding campaign. "We did all of that before we spent any money," Adam explains, highlighting how crucial it is to validate ideas before major investment.Building a Scalable Business with Minimal StaffI'm fascinated by how BottleKeeper reached $10 million in revenue with only 14 team members. Could this approach work in today's market? Adam built the business with a strict guardrail: "If you're going to make that decision, you have to solve problems in a way that doesn't require human bodies to solve them." This forced innovation through automation and systems rather than hiring.Creating Value Beyond RevenuePerhaps the most surprising insight was how BottleKeeper's acquisition discussions focused less on revenue and more on their intellectual property portfolio. "On four phone calls with the board of directors, not one time did they ask us what our revenue was or if we were profitable," Adam reveals. This challenges conventional wisdom about what creates business value.The Reality of Shark Tank ExposureWhile BottleKeeper secured an on-air deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, it ultimately didn't materialize after filming. However, the exposure generated over $1 million in revenue in the first week after airing. Adam notes, "When you have the opportunity to get in front of millions of eyeballs for free... it is exceptional from a customer acquisition standpoint."Data-Driven Decision MakingAdam's current venture, Pentane, emerged from the systems he built to run BottleKeeper. The SaaS platform helps consumer brands make smarter decisions through data analysis, highlighting how effective internal tools can often become valuable products themselves.I wonder how many ecommerce entrepreneurs are neglecting intellectual property as a value-builder? And how might automation principles from Adam's playbook apply in today's more challenging paid media environment?For more information about the topics discussed in this episode, visit ecommercepodcast.net.

Discover how multi-platform review strategies can dramatically boost your conversion rates while simplifying the review collection process. Learn actionable tips for online reputation management from DJ Sprague, co-author of "Reputation King" and expert in eCommerce review syndication.In this enlightening conversation, Matt Edmundson and DJ Sprague explore the often overlooked world of online reputation management. Contrary to common practice, DJ reveals that displaying reviews only on your website is like "living on an island" - people only see them if they get there. Instead, the key is distributing reviews across multiple platforms to build trust, improve SEO, and significantly increase conversion rates.The episode challenges conventional thinking about review collection, exploring why businesses should aim to capture feedback from all customers (not just the unhappy ones) and why making the review process simple is absolutely crucial for success.About DJ Sprague:DJ Sprague is a veteran in marketing, advertising, sales and PR with over 35 years of experience. He began his career with Eastman Kodak and worked extensively in automotive marketing with brands like Toyota, Hyundai, and Lexus. As a reputation management specialist since the early 90s, DJ has founded three agencies and is the co-author of "Reputation King," the first comprehensive book on eCommerce reputation management. Key Takeaways:- Customers tend to check multiple review platforms before making purchasing decisions- Displaying only positive reviews is considered false advertising and erodes trust- The best time to collect initial reviews is immediately post-checkout while customers are still online- Keep surveys simple - 3-5 questions maximum with the most important question first- Providing a clear reason for requesting reviews significantly increases response rates- Video reviews are increasingly important for visibility in search results- Northwestern University research shows 5 product reviews can increase conversion rates by 270%For more information on transforming your online reputation management strategy, visit https://www.ecommercepodcast.net