The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

As ecommerce professionals, what did we learn from 2020? And what happens in 2021?Those are the questions I posed to a number of a clever ecommerce industry folks.Entreprenuers like:Harley Finkelstein, ShopifyEric Bandholz, BeardbrandMarnie Consky, Thigh SocietyEzra Firestone, Smart MarketerIlana Davis, Shopify Expert & Website RescuerSteve Chou, My Wife Quit Her JobNick DiSabato, DraftAustin Brawner, Brand Growth ExpertsVal Giesler, Fix My ChurnAndrew Youderian, EcommerceFuelRhian Beutler, VenntovAnne Thomas, Shop CritiqueBen Jabbawy, PrivyThis episode is a fire hose of valuable insights, tips, and trends.SponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

From the start of Black Friday in New Zealand through the end of Black Friday in California, Shopify merchants saw a 75% increase in sales from Black Friday in 2019. By 8:00am EST, merchants on Shopify collectively had crossed $1 billion in sales.“We’re thrilled with the Black Friday sales generated by the businesses on Shopify. In just a single day, merchants around the world produced more than 80% of the sales of the entire holiday shopping weekend last year,” said Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify.Let's unpack that.Show LinksOverlanderBlack Friday sees record online as US shoppers stay home BFCM Live MapShopify Announces Record Global Black Friday Sales of $2.4 Billion KeySmartSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

We talk to a cookbook author who turned his experience living in Japan into a Shopify store focused on selling the best quality matcha possible.Eric is the founder and chief evangelist at Breakaway Matcha. He's also an author, ghostwriter, editor, cooking instructor, and private chef. For 16 years, he lived and worked in Japan, where he took deep dives into all things matcha, food, literature, arts, and culture. Eric is the author of three cookbooks: The Breakaway Cook, The Breakaway Japanese Kitchen, and Eric's Kitchen. He lives and works in Marin County, CA.Show LinksBreakaway MatchaCommunityHiutDenimCart2CartMatcha QuizSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

In this episode, we'll talk to one of the most experienced Shopify theme developers on the planet: Anne Thomas.You'll learn...how to audit your theme for performancethe common pitfalls to avoid with your themelearning enough development to be dangerousa user testing crash courseAnne Thomas is an experienced web developer who has helped create some of the best Shopify themes in the market. She spent almost 5 years at Out of the Sandbox as the Technical Director working on themes such as Turbo and Flex.Her knowledge of the Shopify platform runs deep and she's recently started her own company, Shop Critique, where she works directly with merchants to help them makeover their shops and make sure they are using their themes and apps in the best ways possible. Show LinksShop CritiqueOut of The SandboxCoding with Jan - YouTubefreeCodeCampLyndaBaymard InstituteSiteInspire2020 Holiday Email GuideSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

Third-generation Master Tea Blender Emeric Harney joins us to discuss the online success of their 37-year-old family tea business, Harney & Sons. Harney & Sons is a tea company that is committed to "making quality tea an everyday luxury."Key Takeaways:How they leverage their brand storyHow to power product discovery with 300 varieties of teaWhat its like running a store with 50+ appsWhy they're fighting for inclusive messagingLinks MentionedHarney.comHot CinnamonAs The Tea Steeps PodcastNosto - On-site PersonalizationAimtell - Push NotificationsHarney's ThemeBetter ReportsReport PunditPingdom ToolsThe Hemp DivisionEmeric's IG: @emericharneySponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

Marnie Consky is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Anti-Chafing Champion of Thigh Society (US), a niche undergarment brand offering moisture-wicking, breathable, and discreet boxer brief underwear for women. Thigh Society prevents inner thigh chafing while providing modesty coverage and is on a body-positive mission to normalize this common skin issue while helping women love their thighs at any size.Key Takeaways:How she bootstrapped a million dollar business starting with just $8K CAD as a risk-averse solopreneurWhy starting with retail wholesale helped her get started onlineWhy you should start with one product (and how to better forecast inventory)Marnie grew Thigh Society to a six-figure business while working a demanding full-time job before deciding to focus exclusively on building the business in late 2016, and has grown it to 7 figures since. Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Marnie worked for organizations in Toronto, Canada including Accenture, the Ontario Ministry of Government Services, and the Rotman School of Management (MBA school) in a variety of strategic talent management roles.Links MentionedThigh Society (US) - Use code UNOFFICIAL at checkout to save 15% on your orderThigh Society (CA)Draft - Marnie's conversion rate optimization consultant[Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh](https://www.amazon.com/Delivering-Happiness-Profits-Passion-Purpose/dp/0446576220/ref=sr_1_1?Maker's Row - For anyone looking for resources to start an apparel businessToronto Fashion Incubator E-Lists & GuidebooksThe Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing2PMl - Marnie's favorite free weekly newsletterCompany of One by Paul Jarvis - Marnie's book recommendationSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

In this episode, you'll learn a three stage strategy to set your Facebook ads funnel up for success before and during Black Friday.Facebook Ads are more expensive than ever, and Black Friday is going to bring the muppets out of the woodwork which will drive costs up even more.You'll the hear answers to:Your 2020 FB Ads StrategyWhich promos were the most successful in 2019When to use Campaign Budget OptimizationA 2019 FB Ads Postmortem2020 BFCM ConsiderationsShow LinksBFCM Strategy GuideTw:@kurtbullockProduceDept.co2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines2020 Holiday Email GuideThis episode made possible by RewindNever 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.

Out of The Sandbox's Sean Campbell joins us to discuss all things theme related:When & how should you upgrade or change themesWhat to consider in a new themeBehind the scenes of the Shopify Theme Storethe "New Online Store Editor Experience"How to expedite support ticketsSean is a Shopify Theme project manager with 6+ years of experience helping agencies, partners, and merchants navigate the Shopify ecosystem. With a focus on Out of the Sandbox Themes, Sean possesses in-depth knowledge and experience from the perspective of shoppers, merchants, theme developers, and agencies.Links MentionedOut of The Sandbox - Use code KURT20 at checkout to get 20% off Flex or TurboReunite 2020: Everything we announced and exclusive updates from Shopify Plus - Discusses Sections EverywhereUsing the Page.details TemplateTheme Updater AppMerchant CollectiveSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

In this episode:Increasing average order value with financing,a new sexy store,and your Black Friday prep crash course.Show Links2020 Holiday Email GuideSezzle - My Sezzle referral code is SZXRLQJ. When you use it, you'll get one month free, no strings attached.Vex ClothingSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.

In 2018, Ezra Firestone generated $700K over Black Friday, with $100k alone on Thanksgiving for his Shopify store BOOM by Cindy Joseph.This year he plans do 30% more and he's going to tell us exactly how.Master Marketer Ezra Firestone breaks down the exact Black Friday and holiday email campaigns he'll be running this year.You'll learn:Ezra's content marketing strategyWhy to set up pre-sale campaignsBest times to send emailEvery single app in every Ezra's storeShow LinksEzra's 2019 podcast everMoney Talks SeriesEmail on AcidSmart Email Marketing 2.0Ezra on InstagramZipify PagesSmart MarketerBoomSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code KURT20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever 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.