The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

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!

Shaun Brandt, co-founder of Oddit, a UX design firm that specializes in conversion optimization for Shopify stores, shares insights from delivering over 10,000 UX audits. He discusses how Oddit’s unique, data-free approach strips away fluff to focus on simplicity and clarity, helping brands boost sales effectively. Shaun highlights common pitfalls in navigation and communication, emphasizes the importance of a streamlined user experience, and reveals how their anti-agency model fosters actionable improvements without endless meetings.

Depesh Mandalia, a Facebook ads expert with two decades of e-commerce experience, shares his remarkable journey of scaling a business from $800K to $26M in just 18 months. He delves into the power of creative advertising and how he navigated challenges like the iOS 14 update. Depesh discusses the psychology behind successful ad campaigns, including a surprising strategy using a 1-star review. He highlights the importance of strategic reinvestment and the role of mentorship in entrepreneurship, offering invaluable insights for aspiring marketers.

Colby Kane, founder of Aviator USA, discusses innovative strategies for Black Friday marketing. He emphasizes a refreshing approach that prioritizes genuine engagement over loud discounting. Colby shares his insights on early-access tactics and simple email flows that cultivate loyal customers who value quality over promotions. The conversation reveals how subtle marketing can outperform traditional sales gimmicks, demonstrating that staying low-key, yet strategic, is essential for maintaining brand integrity and maximizing consumer interest.

Diana Birsan, co-founder of Downpay and former Shopify Product Manager, dives into the innovative world of flexible payment options for Shopify stores. She shares her journey from a secure job to entrepreneurship and discusses how partial payments can transform the sales game for pre-orders and high-ticket items. Diana also highlights the importance of empowering women in e-commerce and the role of self-service tools to enhance customer experience. Tune in for insights on strategic sales tactics and the evolution of payment methods in the Shopify ecosystem.

Join Vikram Anreddy, Head of Product for Finance at Shopify, as he reveals how Shopify is transforming money management for entrepreneurs. Dive into the magic of Shopify Finance, a game-changing platform that simplifies everything from taxes to cash flow. Discover how tools like Shopify Balance and Shopify Capital empower merchants to thrive financially. Vikram shares insights on innovative solutions and the importance of feedback in evolving financial offerings. Plus, hear about real success stories that illustrate these tools in action!

Josh Hadley, founder of Hadley Designs, a booming stationery brand, shares his journey from niche market to multi-million dollar success. He dives into how TikTok Shop ignited his growth, turning viral moments into strategic wins. Hadley discusses the art of blending influencer marketing with customer engagement, the complexities of managing a retail brand on platforms like Amazon and Shopify, and balancing business with personal life. Tune in for insights on mastering sales funnels and the surprising advantages of generative AI in e-commerce.

In this insightful conversation, Gloria Chou, a former diplomat turned PR coach, shares her expertise in helping small businesses secure media coverage in top publications like Forbes and The New York Times. She emphasizes the power of public relations as a secret weapon for Shopify entrepreneurs. Topics include her unique CPR method for pitching, the importance of authentic storytelling, and practical strategies for creating effective holiday gift guides. Gloria empowers product makers to harness the full potential of PR for brand visibility and growth.

Andrius Baranauskas, Product Director for Shop Campaigns at Shopify, leads the conversation on innovative ways to simplify customer acquisition. He shares insights on how Shop Campaigns act as a 'secret weapon' for businesses, driving significant growth through tailored messaging. Nathan Onesian from melin and Nick Daniels from OluKai discuss their success stories, highlighting the power of Shop Cash incentives and the ease of re-engaging lapsed customers. Discover how these tools are reshaping the ecommerce landscape and leading to impressive revenue boosts for top brands.

“I’m a builder. I want to be building a team, building an exceptional product, and competing every day.”Kyle Hency had a simple goal: create a brand that speaks authentically to men like him. What started as a fun idea among friends quickly grew into Chubbies, a $100M+ brand known for its short shorts and unapologetic personality. In this episode, Kyle reflects on the early days of experimenting with marketing, the challenges of scaling, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way. We explore how he transitioned from building Chubbies to co-founding Loop Returns, and now, his latest venture, GoodDay Software, an ERP solution for Shopify merchants. It’s a journey of reinvention, risk, and relentless pursuit of creating something new—while keeping things fun.Show LinksGoodDay SoftwareChubbiesLoop ReturnsKyle’s favorite book: That Will Never Work by Marc RandolphConnect with Kyle on LinkedIn and TwitterSponsorsZipifyCleverificOmnisendNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp 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.