Up Next In Commerce

Effective ecommerce strategies are crucial for just about every business these days. However, Felipe Zardo, SVP of Digital at Five Below, explains that they shouldn’t overshadow all the other methods brands use to connect to customers and satisfy their needs. On this episode, Felipe discusses how Five Below creates great experiences across all customer interactions with the brand and what new initiatives are coming soon.Tune in to learn:How Felipe became involved in the retail industry (3:30)Strategies for measuring the performance of large-scale marketing efforts (5:50)How to find the right blend of marketing and consumer outreach (10:35)How Five Below creates a magical in-store experience (13:00)Everything you need to know about inventory management and fast shipping (15:00)Up Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

When it comes to start-up acquisitions, Touraj Parang is in a class of his own. He has both helped companies exit and has been on the acquirer side of deals throughout his many years in Silicon Valley. On this episode, he talks about the lessons he’s learned along the way and gives acquisition advice to start-up founders who are just entering this playing field.Tune in to learn:Touraj’s fascinating Silicon Valley background (2:10)What to do when an acquisition offer comes through (18:30)What do founders forget to prepare for? (27:10)A story from an acquisition that didn’t go well (30:10)What’s one topic that didn’t make it into Touraj’s book (38:35)Mentions:Exit Path: How to Win the Startup End GameUp Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

Joining the podcast today is a very experienced leader in the food business, Bryan Freeman, whose previous posts include CEO at Better Bakery LLC and President of SnackWorks LLC. Now the Executive Chairman at the low-carb, high-protein frozen food maker Real Good Foods, Bryan talks about taking the company public and the recipe for lasting growth. Enjoy!Tune in to learn:The story of Real Good Foods (4:30)Bryan’s experience taking Real Good Foods public (16:00)Bryan’s views on building a good board (19:14)Advice for new founders (34:40)Mentions:Dr. Rhonda PatrickBert Dohman, founder of Dohmen Capital Research (offers analysis for investors and traders)“The All-In Podcast”Up Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

Buck Mason brings an enduring design flair to its products, but that’s not where its everlasting concepts end. Jim Davis, the Chief Customer Officer at Buck Mason, discusses how traditional marketing ideas like catalogs and direct mail can still be difference makers for DTC. Tune in as he also dives into what the future will hold for emerging brands.Tune in to learn:Jim’s thoughts on direct mail (8:20)How to make brands cool again (15:20)An evaluation of the current DTC landscape (22:40)Some advice for young brands on their go-to-market strategy (25:40)Where to invest marketing dollars (42:00)Up Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

What if you learned what you thought was your career passion was not your heart’s desire? Brian Seewald, the SVP of eCommerce at Express, reset and found a true affinity for retail generally and, ultimately, ecommerce. Tune in to hear from Brian about how Express offers its customers “personalization, [an] omnichannel experience, styling and fit, and community.”Tune in to learn:Evaluating the Express retail and ecommerce strategies (13:20)Express’ digital plan for customers, including its mobile app (17:00)New platforms for shopping including livestreams, Instagram, and more (29:30)Mention:“Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability” by Steve CrugUp Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

Ellis McCue has a long resume that has taken her through the world of ecommerce, supply chain, and venture capital. Now, she is the CEO of Territory Foods, where she is trying to make the world better one meal at a time. Hear all about it on this episode.Tune in to learn:How to understand consumer behavior from the front lines (16:00)How a “mortality moment” shifted Ellis’s perspective (29:00)How Territory foods found the right focus (38:00)How to keep track of a distributed network (44:00)Up Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

The Faherty brand started as an idea in an essay, but twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty turned it into a reality with strategic experience, experimental ideas, and through the power of storytelling. Alex joins the podcast today to take us through the entire journey. Enjoy!Tune in to learn:The growth of the Faherty brand (7:10)How Faherty found and built partnerships with retailers (9:20)How Faherty utilizes storytelling (15:00)Up Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

Hans Schrei and Luis Gramajo were told that the world didn’t need another cookie company, but they persevered and have found success with their brand, Wunderkeks. On this episode, they share how they went from Hans’ mother’s kitchen in Guatemala to exploding onto the scene in Austin, Texas, and becoming media and celebrity darlings.Tune in to learn:How Wunderkeks brand achieved clarity in the US (7:18)How Wunderkeks became an ecommerce business (10:10)The Wunderkeks approach to acquiring new customers (13:36)How Hans and Luis learned the power of storytelling (17:30)Up Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

Fatma Collins and Julie Rogers met while they were pregnant with their first kids and when they found they were both struggling to find products and resources for their children, they decided to do something about it. They began Ten Little based on one central conviction: “Parenting is hard, but shopping for your child shouldn’t be.” How did they create a platform that simplified the buying experience for parents everywhere? Find out on this episode! Tune in to learn:How the Ten Little platform evolved (5:55)How Ten Little found its first customers (15:00)Some upcoming opportunities Ten Little is exploring (19:45)Trends to get excited about in the commerce space (30:20)Mentions:Soles4SoulsUp Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

Sure, Mint Mobile benefits from having the star power of part-owner Ryan Reynolds in its back pocket, but Kenny Smithnanic, AVP, e-Commerce at Mint Mobile, explains how the brand’s success goes far beyond Ryan’s charm. Tune in to find out how Mint Mobile is achieving exponential growth, and what role consumer psychology plays in Kenny’s methods and strategies.Tune in to learn:Ryan Reynolds’ role at Mint Mobile (2:10)How Kenny became interested in the psychology behind marketing (14:45)Helpful resources on human psychology (22:00)What does it look like to be a good manager? (25:10)Why Kenny is paying attention to quizzes (27:25)Mentions:No Stupid QuestionsPeople I (Mostly) AdmireFreakonomicsMultipliersUp Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Learn more at http://www.salesforce.com/commerce Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.