Shopify Masters

Kristen Pumphrey, the creative mind behind P.F. Candle Co., shares her inspiring journey from DIY candle maker to global brand leader. She discusses the challenges of crafting unique scents and fulfilling large retail orders, highlighting her entrepreneurial resilience. Kristen also dives into effective marketing strategies, emphasizing the power of organic social media and partnerships with notable retailers like CB2. She reflects on lessons learned from licensing deals and the impact of the pandemic, while teasing exciting future collaborations.

Sarah Selinski and JJ Fulano, co-founders of Zero Waste Store, share how their eco-friendly venture skyrocketed sales from $6,000 to $2 million in just a year through strategic SEO. They discuss aligning brand content with search intent, rebranding for sustainability, and the importance of accessibility in e-commerce. The duo emphasizes building a sustainable community on social media and the critical role of SEO strategies like keyword-targeted content for growing online presence. Their journey highlights the balance of profit and environmental impact.

Amy Liu, founder of Tower 28 Beauty, shares her inspiring journey of turning her eczema struggles into a multimillion-dollar clean beauty brand. She discusses the importance of starting a business at any age and emphasizes building a supportive team. Liu dives into the challenges of creating safe products for sensitive skin and the power of grassroots marketing strategies. She highlights how genuine community engagement fosters customer loyalty and trust, making Tower 28 a go-to brand for all skin types.

Amanda McClements, owner of Salt and Sundry and a former journalist, shares her transition to retail, emphasizing the importance of community in small business. She discusses integrating storytelling into her shop to connect with customers and makers. Amanda offers insights on overcoming early entrepreneurial challenges, creating an authentic in-store experience, and balancing ambition with caution during expansion. She underlines the value of unique perspectives in crafting personal shopping experiences and highlights the ongoing demand for authenticity in a competitive market.

Ryan Bartlett, Founder of True Classic, shares how he transformed a vision for better-fitting men’s t-shirts into a nearly billion-dollar apparel brand. He dives into the power of content marketing, clever Facebook ads, and a dash of comedy to drive conversions. Ryan discusses his journey from audio design to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of understanding return on ad spend. He highlights the balance between brand development and immediate sales, showcasing their innovative customer engagement strategies and commitment to philanthropy.

Michelle Jimenez-Meggiato and Andrea Meggiato, co-founders of Incredifulls, dive into the exciting process of launching their Breakfast Cups, expanding beyond their popular Pizza Cupcakes. They discuss the importance of market feedback in product development and the challenges of scaling while maintaining quality. The duo shares insights on partnering with major retailers and the thrill of their participation in Expo West, where their new offerings were enthusiastically received. They also reflect on the strategic decisions made during their growth journey and the transformative impact of appearing on Shark Tank.

Steven Farag, CEO of Campus Ink and the NIL Store, shares his journey from a college side hustle to a thriving sports merchandising business. He discusses how their print-on-demand model empowers college athletes to monetize their personal brands. Steven also highlights the impact of generational workplace diversity and the importance of persistence in securing investments, including funding from Mark Cuban. Additionally, he explores sustainable merchandising practices that enhance community engagement and athlete empowerment.

Diaspora Co. founder Sana Javeri Kadri disrupted the 500-year-old spice industry by paying farmers fairly and establishing community-driven growth to build a multimillion-dollar ethical business.For more on Diaspora Co. and show notes click here. 

Ecommerce expert and agency founder Andrew Faris shares how he uses "P&L design" to increase margins and run online businesses efficiently. He's now applying some of these strategies to launch his own upcoming consumer brand. Andrew shares his tips for iterating and testing creative, spending more efficiently on ad creative, and saving on variable costs like manufacturing and shipping.For more about Andrew Faris: https://www.shopify.com/blog/andrew-faris-pnl 

Morgan Cross, founder of Original Duckhead, shares her inspiring journey of turning a classic product into a sustainable umbrella brand. She emphasizes innovative retail strategies by forming partnerships with established retailers and leveraging customer data. The conversation touches on the alarming rate of umbrella waste and the shift towards e-commerce for enhanced customer engagement. Morgan also discusses the importance of team culture, strategic design collaborations, and the crucial role of data-driven decision-making in scaling her business.