The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

“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.

"Our number one best-selling product… it’s called the Dink Master."Enhance Pickleball's Connor Hance shares his incredible journey from college tennis player to the leading content creator and entrepreneur in the fast-growing world of pickleball.🎯 Episode Highlights:Connor's transition from tennis to pickleball during the pandemic.How Connor’s first product sold over $1,000 a day on Amazon.The viral content strategy that grew his YouTube channel to 100 million views.Building a six-figure business without paid advertising.Insights into product development and scaling an e-commerce brand.Connor’s advice on leveraging social media to drive brand growth.The importance of learning from industry experts and peers.👤 About Connor Hance:Connor Hance, a former D1 tennis player for UCLA, stumbled into the world of pickleball during the pandemic. What started as a casual interest quickly turned into a thriving business. Today, Connor is known as the #1 content creator in the pickleball community, with his brand Enhance Pickleball dominating both on Amazon and across social media platforms. From his early days taping pickleball courts at his parents’ tennis facility to launching a successful line of pickleball products, Connor’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and smart content strategy.Show LinksEnhance PickleballViewStatsMentorPassSponsorsZipifyCleverificOmnisendNever 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.

Hear how Austin Beals hacked his way out of a chronic skin condition to create Dermazen, a skincare brand that’s bringing in $5 million a year. No investors, no BS— just one man’s obsessive quest to relieve his own seborrheic dermatitis symptoms that turned into a product line changing lives. Austin talks about bootstrapping with a small SBA loan, leveraging niche Reddit communities, and the guerilla marketing tactics that propelled his brand into the big leagues. This is the blueprint for turning your personal problems into a game-changing business.Show LinksDermazenr/sebdermDisrupter SchoolVocal VideoInsta: @austinthebealsInsta: @dermazencoSBA LoansGoogle & YouTube AppShopifySponsorsZipifyCleverificOmnisendNever 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.

Tackle the increasingly troubling issue of returns fraud in the e-commerce world. As return fraud rises, this once-overlooked issue is now a major concern for online retailers. You'll learn how fraudsters are gaming the system and the wild, often unnoticed, methods they're using to rip off small businesses. Brace yourself for a journey into the less-talked-about side of your shopping cart. Join us as we explore the critical steps needed to combat this growing challenge.Show Linksnofraud.com - check out their blog which has resources on return fraud, covering all the different types & prevention strategiesSponsorsFree 30-day trial of Zipify OCUFinale InventoryGrowth CollectiveNever 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.

“Most Shopify themes are built by developers to create an online store catalog, not a converting funnel.”In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, Kurt Elster talks with Matthew Stafford, the CEO of BuildGrowScale, about finding success in e-commerce. Stafford, who went from selling t-shirts to mastering conversion rate optimization (CRO), shares his journey and offers practical advice for Shopify store owners. He discusses how to boost conversion rates, improve site speed, and create better user experiences. Whether you’re an experienced store owner or just starting out, Stafford’s insights will help you navigate the challenges of online retail and achieve lasting success. Tune in for a mix of compelling stories and actionable tips that can transform your e-commerce business.Show LinksBuildGrowScaleMicrosoft ClarityLucky OrangePersuasion by Robert CialdiniSponsorsZipifyCleverificNever 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.

Step into the rebellious side of marketing with this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast. Molly Pittman from Smart Marketer joins to rip up the rulebook on conventional advertising. We dive into the creation of "Goodsellas," a grassroots, "Goodfellas"-inspired commercial that flips traditional marketing on its head. Their conversation reveals the intricacies of creating a commercial that’s not just a spoof, but a smart, cost-effective marketing strategy. This episode is more than just a behind-the-scenes glimpse; it’s an invitation to reconsider the power and potential of creative thinking in the digital marketplace, challenging listeners to think differently about the intersection of commerce, culture, and creativity.Show LinksGoodsellasThe Adfather w/ Ezra FirestoneBig LebowskiBack to The Future of Paid AdsSponsorsFree 30-day trial of Zipify OCUFinale InventoryGrowth CollectiveNever 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.

"Buying a business is so much faster than building one and so much safer if you buy big enough."Also on YouTube: youtu.be/BuDtoDsC4tAGet the inside scoop on buying and selling Shopify stores from Gregory Elfrink at Empire Flippers. From the highs of a $13 million payday to the lows of emotional burnout, Gregory spills the secrets and dirty truths of the business game. Gregory, with over eight years of experience, shares valuable insights on the benefits of acquiring an established business, essential steps for preparing a store for sale, and key factors influencing business valuation. If you're ready to play big and cash in, this episode is your backstage pass to the raw, unfiltered realities of the e-commerce hustle.Show LinksEmpire FlippersEmpire Flippers Valuation ToolSponsorsZipifyCleverificNever 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.

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fIDw3fvPPgIUnpack the intricacies of Shopify's Checkout Extensibility— a feature poised to revolutionize online commerce.Michael Elmgreen, Shopify's Product Director, discusses the rationale behind this upgrade, enhancing security and streamlining customization.Blake Waldron provides a developer's-eye view of the migration, shedding light on the nuanced challenges and opportunities it presents.Brett Fish navigates the complex terrain of data layer implementation, ensuring that critical marketing integrations remain intact. \With global commerce evolving, this episode offers a sophisticated look at the future of digital checkouts, where efficiency and innovation converge.Show LinksShopify Help Center: Checkout ExtensibilityShopify App: Checkout Blocks (recently acquired by Shopify!)Checkout Extensibility UpgradeShopify Help Center: Customer EventsConvert DigitalCheckout Components - They're offering 30% off any plan for 12 months to listeners through that landing page!Tag HeroSponsorsZipifyCleverificNever 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.

Reprise Activewear founder Mary Bemis takes us through her incredible journey from launching a Kickstarter campaign to building a sustainable activewear brand that has caught the attention of Self Magazine and The View. She opens up about the gritty realities of bootstrapping—dealing with shady manufacturers, losing thousands, and balancing a day job while building her brand. This episode is a deep dive into the world of sustainable fashion, offering inspiration and practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference. Listen in to hear how Mary turned her passion for a healthier lifestyle into a thriving business.Show LinksReprise ActivewearFunctional Fabric FairReprise on KickstarterIG:repriseactivewearIG:@maryb612SponsorsZipifyCleverificNever 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.

Get ready for a deep dive into what really makes customers stick around or peace out. Professor Daniel McCarthy unravels the myths around churn rates and why a low number isn't always a high-five moment for businesses. If data drives your decisions, this episode is an indispensable resource for anyone navigating the complexities of subscription businesses.Show LinksRetention SpreadsheetPPT DeckYouTube Video Series:First Video (One Segment Model)Second Video (Two Segment Model)Third Video (Beta Geometric Model)LinkedIn: Daniel McCarthyTwitter: @d_mccarChurn Fallacy PaperSponsorsFree 30-day trial of Zipify OCUFinale InventoryGrowth CollectiveNever 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.