
Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth
2020 transformed the world of ecommerce forever.
For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain.
So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality?
No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone.
That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses.
Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world of ecommerce, or want to reorient your business around groundbreaking new big-picture strategies, Taylor & Richard are here to help answer the tough questions about what it takes to scale — and sustain — an ecommerce business.
Latest episodes

Jul 14, 2022 • 22min
Everybody Has Too Much Stuff
First it was supply chain disruptions, and now it’s … warehouse disruptions? In this episode, Andrew talks about brands currently experiencing an abundance of inventory, the problems this is causing, and how businesses should respond. “Our warehouses are now so backfilled that there’s all these containers and nowhere to put the stuff. Even Target has said publicly they’re going to cut prices in order to move product.”
Show notes:
Fund your ecommerce business with Wayflyer: https://bit.ly/3arbACq

Jul 6, 2022 • 28min
How Much Should I Spend On Ads?
How do you determine the percentage of revenue that goes toward your ad spend? In this episode, Andrew answers this question he received recently on Twitter. “This is a crucial question for any business. For ecommerce in particular, advertising is the key way you’re driving traffic to your site.”
Show Notes:
- Get started with Wayflyer ecommerce financing: https://bit.ly/3arbACq
- Use the Unit Economics calculator: https://bit.ly/3P2DPWI

Jun 29, 2022 • 29min
Bonus Episode: Building a Subscription Business with Judith Zhu
Retention is king right now, so what’s your strategy? In this episode, Andrew is joined by Yotpo Product Marketing Manager Judith Zhu where they discuss how to generate revenue with subscriptions for any type of business. “One of the most powerful levers you can pull is having subscriptions as a meaningful part of your business.”
Show Notes:
- Connect with Judith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithkayzhu/
- Try Yotpo subscriptions:
https://apps.shopify.com/yotpo-subscription
https://www.yotpo.com/platform/subscriptions/

Jun 22, 2022 • 27min
How to Solve a Problem
What’s your greatest challenge right now? In this episode, Andrew talks through a problem he’s having trouble solving, and what he’s doing about it. (Spoiler: the key is breaking the problem down into smaller problems). “Despite the current macroeconomic moment, I still have to figure out how to help this client grow.”

Jun 15, 2022 • 19min
The Bull Case for DTC
The market decline is real — but is there hope? In this episode, Andrew casts a positive outlook for the future, and suggests this is the time to invest in growth. “There is a moment right now to capitalize amid all the doom and gloom in the ecommerce space.”
Show notes:
- Get started with YotPo subscriptions: https://bit.ly/YotpoSubscriptionsEcommPlaybook
- Statlas: https://bit.ly/3MV23AP
- Andrew’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewjfaris
- Mehtab From Karta: https://twitter.com/MehtabKarta
- Fan Bi: https://twitter.com/lifeofbi

Jun 8, 2022 • 18min
Clarity > Everything
At the center of what you’re selling, what’s the most important? In this episode, Andrew talks about getting as clear as possible on the marketing messaging for your product. “You have to know what you are selling with total clarity, and in order to sell it well, you have to communicate that one thing more and better than everything else.”
Show Notes:
- Bambu Earth’s success: https://bit.ly/3xHG8ch
- Get started with YotPo subscriptions: https://bit.ly/YotpoSubscriptionsEcommPlaybook

4 snips
Jun 1, 2022 • 53min
10 Topics With Taylor: Attribution, Shopify Audiences, & The Looming Ecomm Debt Crisis
What’s on your mind as an ecommerce owner or operator? This episode, Andrew and special guest Common Thread Collective CEO Taylor Holiday cover 10 trending and top-of-mind ecommerce topics. “We’ll go big, we’ll go broad, we’ll go bitter and angry Twitter wars.”
Show Notes:
Subscribe to the Data Newsletter: https://content.commonthreadco.com/ecommerce-data-newsletter
Mehtab's Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/MehtabKarta

May 25, 2022 • 27min
Your Facebook Ads Are Doing Better Than You Think
It is a fact that brands are pulling back on Facebook spend. They shouldn’t be. In this episode, Andrew explains why the return on Facebook ads is better than you think, where your money is going, and how your growth is happening. “When you start buying traffic of any kind, it affects all your channels. A steady decline in Facebook spend produces a steady decline in organic and paid. And, ultimately, creates significant revenue decline.”
Show Notes:
- https://bit.ly/3LHNobF - Statlas, CTC's data tool Andrew referenced on the show.
- https://bit.ly/38eHjWr - CTC Weekly Data Newsletter from ~220 stores comprising $5B in GMV.
- https://bit.ly/3lDBtB6 - Explore CTC's "Expert Strategy" program for your brand.
- https://bit.ly/39QCh2K - View the graphs and charts Andrew mentions.

May 18, 2022 • 33min
How Will Your Business Be Great?
“Get really good” might seem like unhelpful advice, but there’s a principle behind it. In this episode, Andrew emphasizes the need to be great at some aspects of your business, and why doing so will set your brand apart from the rest. “The brands that are winning have some feature or element of their business that make them uniquely good. They’re great at something.”
Looking to scale your business in this unique climate? Get personalized ecommerce training from a team of experts, free for a limited time. Visit http://www.youradmission.co/

May 11, 2022 • 25min
Make Bigger Changes
If you aren't happy with your business, it’s probably time to make some changes. In this episode, Andrew draws from his experience as a consultant coming in with a fresh perspective on a brand and its problems. “When I look at businesses, my only goal is to win for them. So I ask, ‘Why not do the thing that’s going to make you more money?’”