Offcuts
Tim Richardson
Offcuts is a podcast and newsletter about commerce, culture and AI.
We explore how brands grow in a changing landscape. From shifting consumer behaviour to the rise of AI in digital work. It is part founder’s perspective, part field notes from inside the industry.
We speak to founders, operators and technologists about what is working, what is changing and what is next. Expect sharp thinking, useful links and the occasional hot take.
All grounded in what is actually happening. Not just what is trending.
Brought to you by the team at Factory: https://www.factory-digital.com/
We explore how brands grow in a changing landscape. From shifting consumer behaviour to the rise of AI in digital work. It is part founder’s perspective, part field notes from inside the industry.
We speak to founders, operators and technologists about what is working, what is changing and what is next. Expect sharp thinking, useful links and the occasional hot take.
All grounded in what is actually happening. Not just what is trending.
Brought to you by the team at Factory: https://www.factory-digital.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 4, 2022 • 41min
Ep 56: Mike Stevens, founder, consultant and author of The Direct To Consumer Playbook
I sit down with Mike Stevens, founder, consultant and author of The Direct To Consumer Playbook. We explore working in startups before startups were a thing, shaking up the confectionary industry with Peppersmith, why timing is so important for selling a company, DTC’s state of play and relevance in 2022, why he decided to write The Direct To Consumer Playbook, the power of omnichannel strategies and disrupting the homeware category with his new venture, Hutside.
This episode is proudly brought to you by Klaviyo 🙏
Enjoy ✌️
Sep 27, 2022 • 43min
Ep 55: Gary Penn, Global eCommerce Consultant at Chameleon Collective.
I sit down with Gary Penn, Global eCommerce Consultant at Chameleon Collective. We explore how the eCommerce landscape has changed in the last twenty years, what the modern DTC playbook looks like, how the Chameleon Collective are disrupting the traditional consultancy model, the challenges of platform selection, why brands need to think about multichannel strategies and how crypto can be used for a good cause.
This episode is proudly brought to you by Klaviyo 🙏
Enjoy ✌️
Sep 22, 2022 • 37min
Ep 54: John-Ruben Holtback, founder of UNNA
I sit down with John-Ruben Holtback, founder of UNNA. We explore how a personal health journey led to the creation of UNNA, tackling customer relationships at scale, why taking time out is important, the pros and cons of having already started a fashion company, finding inspiration in unlikely places and starting communities by building co-creation programmes with customers.
This episode is proudly brought to you by Klaviyo 🙏
Enjoy ✌️
Sep 12, 2022 • 43min
Ep 53: Lottie Unwin, Founder of The Copy Club
I sit down with Lottie Unwin, Founder of The Copy Club. We explore key learnings from the early stages of her career, why marketing mates are helpful, creating an octopus business model, what it takes to build a community (I mean, really build a community!), how brands can rethink their approach to community, fostering customer conversations and the do’s and don’ts of personal branding.
Enjoy ✌️
Jul 25, 2022 • 43min
S1 2022 - Episode 6: Chris Garcin, Co-founder & Co-CEO at Pit Viper
Topics we explore:
~ Why 90s culture is still relevant in 2022
~ Celebrity endorsements
~ The changing face of DTC playbooks
~ Attracting the wrong customer
~ Running a serious business but not taking yourself too seriously
~ And why everyone needs to see the movie ‘Prayer of the Rollerboys”
Jul 19, 2022 • 38min
S1 2022 - Episode 5: Alex Faherty, co-founder & CEO at Faherty
Topics we explore:
~ Growing up in Jersey Shore
~ The pros and cons of running a family business
~ The advantages of founder-led content
~ Balancing online, wholesale and retail sales channels
~ How DTC playbooks change over time
~ Navigating the current macro climate
~ And why Rusty is the GOAT surf brand
Jul 13, 2022 • 38min
S1 2022 - Episode 4: Thomas Robson-Kanu, founder of The Turmeric Co
Topics we explore:
~ Why Turmeric is so good for us?
~ The challenges of disrupting the supplements space
~ The pros and cons of being an athlete and founder
~ Celebrity partnerships ~ Web3’s application in the eComm space
~ Guilty food pleasures
~ And a whole bunch more
Jul 6, 2022 • 42min
S1 2022 - Episode 3: Alan Kwok, Growth Lead at Hero Cosmetics
Topics we explore:
~ Key startup stage growth areas
~ Relearning after iOS 14 ~ Working with TikTok creators
~ Balancing acquisition and retention
~ Harnessing the power of marketplaces
~ Dedicated reviews pages
~ And a whole bunch more
Jun 30, 2022 • 43min
S1 2022 - Episode 2: Tom Broughton, founder of Cubitts
Topics we explore: ~ Disrupting a 300 yr old industry ~ The importance of IRL retail ~ Accidentally becoming a tech business ~ Avoiding Facebook ~ Navigating the current macro climate ~ Finding mentors and not sweating the small stuff
Jun 22, 2022 • 41min
S1 2022 Episode 1: Chaz Olajide, founder of Sir Dogwood
I chat with Chaz Olajide, founder of Sir Dogwood - a curated online marketplace and inclusive community for swank pups and their sartorially-minded pet parents. We explore how to build a community, balancing acquisition and retention, using SMS effectively, key learnings from the pandemic and her favourite animal Instagram accounts.
