Shopify Masters

Catherine Lockhart, the founder of Shelter Skin and a former management consultant turned clean-beauty entrepreneur, shares her journey from TikTok creator to brand builder. She emphasizes a slow, sustainable growth strategy and discusses the challenges of handling in-house production. Catherine reveals how her DIY approach, including repurposing equipment, has become integral to her success. With a focus on radical transparency, she critiques the clean beauty industry and highlights the importance of trust with customers, while also detailing her ambitions for retail expansion.

Matthew Burrows, the founder of Plant Material, a unique Los Angeles nursery specializing in California-native plants, shares his journey from a passion for horticulture to running a thriving business. He discusses his strategic inventory management techniques, using mobile tracking to avoid overstock and maximize efficiency. Matthew emphasizes the importance of forging strong relationships with growers to forecast demand accurately. He also highlights how effective SEO makes his small operation competitive against big retailers like Home Depot, all while fostering a community-centered experience.

Stephanie and Mo Reid, co-founders of MiJa Books, share their inspiring journey from a home library to a nearly $1 million business dedicated to diverse children's literature. They reveal how customer feedback prompted a pivot from senior care to book fairs, leading to a thriving enterprise. Listen as they discuss the lessons learned from pop-up shops, the operational challenges of running school book fairs, and their innovative strategies using giveaways and automation to grow their reach. Their story is a testament to creativity and resilience in business!

Lindsey Carter, the founder of Set Active and a rising star in the athletic-wear industry, shares her remarkable journey from facing a down year to making $1 million in just an hour. She reveals her game-changing strategies for building a strong community of super fans and discusses how she utilizes AI tools to streamline operations. Lindsey candidly opens up about hiring challenges and emphasizes the importance of transparency and vulnerability in forging customer loyalty. Get a glimpse of her upcoming collaborations and the power of momentum in business!

Dr. Brent Ridge, a physician-turned-entrepreneur and cofounder of Beekman 1802, shares how a crisis turned into a $92 million skin care brand. He discusses starting small with goat milk soap after the 2008 recession and the importance of kindness in business. Brent reveals strategies for gaining retail traction, like leveraging live goats for attention on TV. He emphasizes smart scaling, partner collaboration, and maintaining animal welfare, while also advising founders on navigating uncertainty and defining success.

Peter Dering, founder of Peak Design and a crowdfund pioneer, shares insights from his remarkable journey raising over $60 million on Kickstarter. He reveals the innovative 'omni-channel sandwich' strategy behind their latest campaign, navigating backlash with confidence. Peter discusses how a transformative motorcycle trip sparked his creative vision and why Peak Design thrives without investors, prioritizing employee well-being and sustainability. He also highlights the founding of the Change Climate Project, aimed at tackling climate challenges through robust certifications.

Haley Pavone, Founder of Pashion Footwear, transformed a college injury into a thriving convertible shoe brand. She shares how her innovative idea took shape from early prototyping to partnering with footwear experts. Haley discusses navigating the challenges of rapid growth, the impact of COVID-19 on her strategy, and the success of using TikTok for marketing. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, overcoming imposter syndrome, and entrepreneurship's long-term journey, especially for women in business.

Rachel Hochhauser and Jena Wolfe, co-founders of Piecework Puzzles, discuss their journey from a fun rainy weekend project to a thriving multi-million dollar brand, all while balancing full-time careers. They delve into their unique bootstrapping approach, which allowed them creative freedom without investor pressure. The duo reflects on launching viral products like cocktail napkins and their strategies for navigating challenges together as best friends. Their insightful lessons around brand building, product development, and adapting in a competitive market are sure to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs.

In this engaging discussion, Peter Daring, a retail expert, shares insights on coordinating with partners for Black Friday, emphasizing inventory planning to avoid stockouts. Joe Myers and Jeff Iser present a refreshing community-focused approach, using free pinball events to attract loyal customers instead of deep discounts. The founders of Canyon Coffee detail their meticulous preparation for limited annual promotions, highlighting in-house operations and staffing strategies to meet demand. Together, these guests offer a blend of traditional and innovative strategies for maximizing holiday sales.

Sean Frank, CEO of Ridge, shares insights on how his D2C accessories brand soared past $100M in revenue. He discusses leveraging AI across operations, from customer service to data analysis, which helped them scale efficiently. Sean reveals the importance of a marketing-first strategy and innovative product positioning in the $10B wallet market. He also dives into their unique approach to product expansion, aggressive testing for new SKUs, and adapting their marketing mix beyond Meta. Learn how Ridge maintains high revenue per employee while embracing AI's potential.