

Shopify Masters
Shopify
Ready to build your business, but not sure where to start? Shopify Masters gives you the real stories and strategies behind successful entrepreneurship. Each week, we talk with founders and e-commerce experts who have launched, grown, and scaled real businesses. Learn how to turn your first idea into a product, run ads that actually work, and find suppliers you can trust. Our guests share lessons learned so you can avoid common mistakes and move faster.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2019 • 57min
Pessimism vs. Enthusiasm When Validating an Idea
When Gamal Codner left corporate America he began to grow out his beard. What started as a symbolic lifestyle change to signify the start of his entrepreneurial journey sparked a new business idea. As his beard got longer, Gamal noticed how there were no grooming products designed for men of color and launched Fresh Heritage to address this unmet need in the market. For more on Fresh Heritage and show notes: https://www.shopify.com/blog/fresh-heritage-validateTune in to learnWhy it’s important to invest in your educationWhy you do not need the best product, you just need to be differentHow to network with successful brands and get them to give you advice
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Nov 12, 2019 • 51min
Why Losing Money on a Sale Can Be Beneficial
The scent of a specialty soap from her honeymoon stayed with Danielle Vincent as she went back to work and each time she would smell it, she was transported back to those happy memories. This sensory experience prompted her to launch Outlaw Soaps with her husband Russ. Together, the couple created soaps that would smell like campfire, whiskey, and leather to meet the niche of specialty scents. In this episode of Shopify Masters, we’ll hear from Danielle Vincent of Outlaw Soaps on how they navigated production and why feedback from customers are crucial. For more on Outlaw Soaps and show notes: https://www.shopify.ca/blog/outlawsoaps-salesTune In To LearnWhat metric led them to 600% GrowthWhy content marketing and SEO are still worth it even though they take longer for resultsThe emails they sent to turn customers in to repeat buyers
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Nov 5, 2019 • 52min
Why Telling Stories is More Important Than Ads
Roller derby wasn’t just a workout for Micki Krimmel, it offered a sense of empowerment and community. The sport inspired Micki to start Superfit Hero, an inclusive and body-positive apparel line to make everyone feel welcomed in the fitness world. In this episode of Shopify Masters, Micki Krimmel of Superfit Hero shares her approach to building a community, how she shares inspiring and inclusive stories, and what has helped her to grow her business.For more on Superfit Hero and show notes: https://www.shopify.ca/blog/superfithero-storytellingTune in to learnWhy they decided to start selling fitness apparel in the roller derby nicheHow non-product focused content turns prospects into customersWhy it’s important to release more products
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Oct 29, 2019 • 54min
How to Scale Beyond Stagnant Sales
Cars fascinated Chris Carey, so much so that he left his full-time job to start Modern Automotive Performance, a business focused on manufacturing and selling automotive performance products. Initially starting with a physical and service location, Modern Automotive Performance expanded to selling products online and grew to generate over $27 million in annual revenue.In today’s episode of Shopify Masters, Chris Carey shares how they moved past stagnant sales, which resources changed his way of thinking, and why they closed down their original service business to focus on ecommerce.For more on Modern Automotive Performance and show notes: https://www.shopify.ca/blog/maperformance-scaleTune in to learnHow to use forums to get your first customersThe key to great customer service that will give you organic growthWhat is an Entrepreneurial Operating System
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Oct 22, 2019 • 55min
Bulletproof's Branding and Scaling Advice
Known as a biohacker and lifestyle guru, Dave Asprey has gained a notable reputation within the health and wellness space. With a bold claim of aiming to live until 180 years old and having published five books on his diet and lifestyle approaches, it was no surprise that Dave decided to launch his own line of nutrition products.Under the brand name Bulletproof, consumers can include coffee, proteins, and supplements that Dave personally uses into their routines. Despite Dave’s reputation, building a notable brand within the consumer packaged goods space takes a village and scaling it is no easy feat.In this episode of Shopify Masters, you’ll hear from Karen Huh, the VP of Product Management and Strategy and Bulletproof. Karen grew her team from one direct report into three teams of five to six employees, and she looks after everything from research and development to creatives.For more from Bulletproof and the show notes: www.shopify.com/blog/ bulletproof-brandingTune in to LearnHow to get clarity on your brandWhy it’s important to simplify your brand messaging and how to do itHow to increase your speed to get things done
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Oct 15, 2019 • 1h 12min
Disrupting a Stagnant Market through Self Funding
Josh Elizetxe has been a serial entrepreneur ever since he was a teenager. Having a knack for building websites, SEO, and managing ad dollars, Josh managed sites for an array of businesses when he was still in school. Despite the early success, it wasn't until Josh befriended his dentists through multiple braces treatments and jaw surgery that he found his calling. Josh was intrigued by the dental industry and invested his own savings to research an at-home whitening system to disrupt the stagnant market by starting Snow Teeth Whitening. In this episode of Shopify Masters, you'll hear from Josh Elizetxe of Snow on how he found his interest within the dental industry and why it's important to pace yourself in the entrepreneurship journey. For more on Josh Elizetxe, Snow, and the show notes: https://www.shopify.com/blog/snow-market-disruptionTune in to learnHow they’ve stepped up influencer marketing to work with celebritiesWhy he invested millions of dollars of his own money into his companyWhy all his retail partners are calling him to stock his productHow to think of entrepreneurship as a marathon and not a sprint
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Oct 8, 2019 • 56min
Building a $1.8 Million Gift Box Company
Three Nashville proud friends, Sam Davidson, Stephen Moseley, and Rob Williams, had the idea to start Batch, a gift company curating items made by artisans from their beloved city. Initially starting off selling subscription boxes in 2013, Batch switched gears to be a gift company and grew to have its own retail space while generating $1.8 million in sales annually. In this episode of Shopify Masters, you'll hear from Sam Davidson of Batch on how they validated the concept, work with local makers, and switched their business focus. For more on Batch and the show notes: https://www.shopify.com/blog/batch-growthTune in to learnHow they used a landing page to validate their business ideaThe customer feedback the convinced them to open a physical retail storeThe most important questions you should ask your existing customers
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Oct 1, 2019 • 59min
Viral Idea To Product In 60 Days
Justin Clark is a serial entrepreneur who loves to launch new products and build brands. In 2017 Justin and his friends decided to give male rompers a chance and launched the company Romperjack. From ideation to production to marketing, Romperjack went from an idea to a physical product within 60 days.In this episode of Shopify Masters, you'll hear from Justin Clark of Romperjack on how he validate product-market fit, work with manufacturers, and move from a viral brand to an everyday brand. For more on Justin Clark, Romperjack, and the show notes: https://www.shopify.com/blog/romperjack-viral-product Tune in to learnHow to go from viral idea to a live product in 60 daysThe lifespan of a viral productWhat it means to focus on your brand instead of your products
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Sep 24, 2019 • 1h 6min
How to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Pitch On National TV
Krista Woods was trying to get rid of the odor from her son's sports gear and discovered the smell was caused by bacteria growth. After testing home remedies that were chemical-free Krista started GloveStix to sell her deodorizer for athletic gear.Going from mom to business owner, Krista stepped out of her comfort zone to pitch to national TV programs like the Today Show and Shark Tank.In this episode of Shopify Masters, you'll hear from Krista Woods of GloveStix on how she created a physical product, sold during live events, and pitch on national TV programs.For more on GloveStix and show notes: https://www.shopify.com/blog/glovestix-tvTune in to learnHow to use your Facebook friends to launch your business fasterWhy it’s important to know how much you’re willing to lose when starting abusinessHow this entrepreneur prepared to pitch on QVC in less than 24 hours
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Sep 17, 2019 • 52min
How a Beauty Subscription Box Launched Through Facebook Groups
Bili Balogun always loved beauty and experimenting with new products, so much so that she started her own beauty subscription box months after graduating from college in 2017. Bootstrapping with only $200, Bili launched Tribe Beauty Box and grew the business to over $300,000 in sales in 16 months. In this episode of Shopify Masters, you'll hear from Bili Balogun of Tribe Beauty Box on how to collaborate with brands, build relationships with subscribers, and launch a business through other Facebook groups. For more about Tribe Beauty Box and the show notes: https://www.shopify.com/blog/tribe-beauty-boxTune in to learnWhat it means to use your disadvantages as your advantagesHow do you know when to move from research and planning phase to executionHow they tripled their Facebook group numbers with a giveaway
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