The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

David Vranicar, Shopify’s sustainability operations lead, discusses the innovative Shopify Planet app designed to help merchants achieve carbon-neutral shipping effortlessly. He emphasizes the app's potential to enhance brand trust and boost conversions through sustainable practices. Vranicar also addresses the importance of transparency in combating greenwashing and the app’s role in fostering genuine climate action among businesses. Additionally, he highlights how easy implementation can lead to significant environmental impacts while satisfying eco-conscious customers.

Brandon Horoho, co-founder and CMO of Montana Knife Company, shares insights on transforming a side hustle into an 8-figure knife brand. He discusses the importance of American manufacturing and community engagement. Learn how their weekly product drops sell out consistently due to innovative marketing and customer relationship strategies. Brandon highlights the challenges of local production and the benefits of owning your audience through email lists. Plus, hear about exciting future plans, including the launch of new pocket knives!

Devyn Merklin, former CMO of Livingood Daily, shares the raw truth behind scaling a supplement brand to $70M in annual revenue. From relentless testing to mastering Shopify funnels, Devyn provides a thoughtful analysis of the strategies that worked, the mistakes that taught valuable lessons, and how brands can apply these insights to their own growth journeys.LinksPeopleDevyn MerklinDr. Blake LivingoodEzra FirestoneRandall PitchRussell BrunsonBrandsHooniganLivingood DailyOffsetSmart MarketerAppsPrintfulViralSweepToolsKajabiClickFunnelsServicesFlippaEmpire FlippersBuyBizSellThe XScaleSponsorsZipifyCleverificBoost Filter & SearchHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.Never miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletter

Oliver Kenyon, CEO of ConversionWise, shares his journey from chef to conversion rate optimization expert. He dismantles common CRO myths that hinder Shopify stores from thriving. Discover how clarity and understanding customer journeys can boost sales without gimmicks. Kenyon emphasizes the power of iterative testing and the importance of effective order management tools. With insights on leveraging AI for data analysis, he equips listeners with actionable strategies to enhance conversion rates and deliver real results.

Rob Fraser, founder of Outway and a former professional cyclist, shares his journey from athlete to entrepreneur. He discusses how a $1,000 loan launched a $10 million sock brand that transforms socks from mere commodities into cherished accessories. Fraser emphasizes the athlete's mindset of resilience in business, while detailing innovative sock features aimed at consumer loyalty. He also explores the shift in e-commerce toward sustainability and the importance of owning customer data to thrive in a competitive market.

Kevin Lavelle, founder of Mizzen+Main, shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a successful menswear brand to creating a new, innovative baby monitor solution through his latest venture, Harbor. He discusses pivotal moments like his 'aha' inspiration, early setbacks with product quality, and the power of strategic partnerships. Lavelle reveals insights on transitioning industries and the creation of a night nanny service to support parents—making parenting a bit easier and emphasizing the importance of trust in new products for families.

Brandon Dill, Founder of Fuse Lenses, shares his journey from a small side hustle to a thriving business offering high-end replacement lenses for sunglasses. Discover how he turned a common frustration into an 8-figure venture, tackling cash flow struggles and seasonal peaks. He reflects on the essential transition to Shopify for scalability and updates on innovative lens technology, including AI-driven features. Brandon also debunks entrepreneurship myths, highlighting the dedication required to succeed in the challenging e-commerce landscape.

Tired of logging into five different portals just to make a return? Shopify says enough. Patrick Millegan joins Kurt Elster to talk about the new customer account extensions, designed to simplify logins, reduce support headaches, and make online shopping enjoyable again. It’s a step forward for UX that proves e-commerce should be easy for everyone.LinksGet all the info on what's new: Shopify Editions Winter ’25More people & links:Patrick Millegan (Senior Product Lead, Shopify)Kurt Elster (Host, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast)Keap AthleticsCleverificShopify FlowSufioUproShop PayHydrogenSponsorsZipifyCleverificOmnisendHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.Never miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletter

This recap dives into the intriguing and lively themes from a recent marketing conference. Explore the surprising intersections of mindset, AI, and even ghost hunting! Attendees share enlightening experiences, emphasizing the importance of networking and collaboration. Discover how mindset can shape entrepreneurial success and the significance of work-life integration. With a sprinkle of humor and unique insights, this discussion reveals fresh strategies for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing.

Harshdeep Singh Hura, founder of Hura Media and a pioneer in the Shopify community, shares his inspiring 10-year journey from developing iOS apps to leading a full-service agency. He emphasizes the importance of community contributions, open-source projects, and solving real problems over engineering perfection. The conversation touches on self-service solutions for customers, challenges in app development, and the impact of recognition within the Shopify ecosystem. Plus, he shares a humorous take on dealing with copycats using clown emojis!