The Andrew Faris Podcast

In this engaging discussion, Taylor Holiday, Founder and CEO of Common Thread Collective, challenges the viability of e-commerce as a business model. He dives into the pain points facing 7–9 figure brands, like margin compression and customer acquisition costs. The conversation explores how AI, particularly ChatGPT, is altering buyer behavior and the importance of strong storytelling for brands. Taylor also emphasizes the need for strategic innovation and solid fundamentals to navigate today’s saturated market, making for a thought-provoking listen.

In this engaging discussion, Dave Spandorfer, co-founder and CEO of Janji, shares how his brand skyrocketed to 8 figures by honing in on niche markets rather than broad audiences. He explains the power of a mission-led brand that grows authentically and the strategic advantages of outsourcing to Filipino talent. Listeners will discover innovative cost-saving measures in fulfillment and manufacturing while understanding the critical role of brand identity in sustainable growth. This conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs eager to grow smarter and leaner.

Discover how focusing on fewer things can drive meaningful profit as Sam Mendelsohn shares his journey from plateaued growth to scaling multiple eCommerce brands. He highlights the importance of prioritizing margins over vanity metrics and reveals insights from over 900 brand applications. Learn why the misconception of Meta ads' volatility can lead to costly mistakes, and explore advanced testing methods that enhance business performance. It's all about refining decision-making processes for long-term success in the competitive landscape!

Sam Mendelsohn, co-founder of Workspace6, BoxFort, and three thriving e-commerce brands, shares secrets to scaling without overwhelm. He reveals how he grew multi-million dollar brands by focusing on fewer tasks and prioritizing profit over vanity metrics. Sam discusses the pivotal role of a single ad channel, the emotional toll of business plateaus, and the lessons learned from evaluating over 900 brands. Listeners gain insights on price testing and the importance of concentrating marketing efforts to maximize returns.

Will Nitze, Founder & CEO of IQBAR, shares his journey of scaling his brand to $125M in revenue. He discusses the importance of fundraising for growth and how strategic investor selection aligns with his vision. The conversation delves into navigating profitability in e-commerce, the complexities of omni-channel strategies, and launching new products like coffee. Will also highlights the unique dynamics of consumer behavior across product categories and the importance of supply chain management in the food and beverage industry.

Discover five essential strategies that can supercharge eCommerce success. Learn how regular product launches engage customers and drive loyalty. Explore innovative pricing tests that boost profitability while minimizing risks. Underscore the importance of optimizing your supply chain for faster production and better inventory management. Delve into the power of influencer engagement to elevate brand visibility. Packed with actionable insights, this discussion reveals where you might be missing out on significant profits.

Cherene Aubert, SVP of Ecommerce and Digital at Ilia Beauty, shares her expertise in scaling 9-figure brands. She discusses the critical balance between brand and performance marketing, emphasizing deep customer connections. The conversation dives into the innovative use of AI to enhance customer experiences while navigating the ever-evolving retail landscape. Cherene highlights strategies for successful omnichannel growth and the importance of long-term brand investments, offering valuable insights for aspiring e-commerce leaders.

Fan Bi, Co-Founder of The Hedgehog Company, delves into the harsh realities of e-commerce valuations. He reveals that 50% of Shopify businesses could actually be worth nothing, despite their revenue figures. Bi shares insights from analyzing over 300 P&Ls, highlighting the pitfalls of margin traps and mispriced equity. He discusses why revenue isn’t synonymous with value, the importance of financial discipline, and how to identify red flags in valuations. This conversation is essential for founders who prioritize profit over vanity metrics.

Explore the current e-commerce landscape amidst rising tariffs and shifting consumer confidence. Discover how top direct-to-consumer brands are optimizing their supply chains and utilizing AI to cut costs. Learn effective strategies for navigating economic challenges, including cost negotiation and expense reduction. The importance of adapting to changes in the market is emphasized as operators seek to unlock hidden margins and maintain growth. This is a practical guide for serious operators looking to thrive.

MORE STAFFINGRecruit, onboard, and train incredible virtual professionals in the Philippines with my friends at More Staffing by visiting ⁠https://morestaffing.co/af⁠.WORKSPACE6Workspace6 is a private community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators and executives. Join for just $1 for your first month and no annual commitments at https://workspace6.io. //ADMISSIONGet the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: ⁠https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast//Brett Curry is the Co-founder & CEO of OMG Commerce, a performance marketing agency specializing in Google & YouTube ads for DTC and omnichannel brands. Learn more about OMG Commerce at https://omgcommerce.com and follow Brett on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/.Get Brett's Smart Marketer course at https://smartmarketer.com/youtube-ads-blueprint.The YouTube Guide//If you're a 7 or 8-figure DTC brand owner looking to scale beyond Meta ads, this is the YouTube ads deep dive you’ve been waiting for. Andrew Faris sits down with Brett Curry (CEO of OMG Commerce) to break down exactly how successful ecommerce brands are scaling profitably on YouTube in 2024.Brett has managed YouTube ad spend for top DTC brands across Meta, Google, Amazon, and retail channels. In this episode, they cover:- How to transition Meta creative and targeting to YouTube- When to use Target CPA vs Max Conversions- YouTube Shorts vs In-Stream vs In-Feed ads- Real-world launch strategies that scaled brands from $0 to $1M/month- Why YouTube often underreports ROI- and how to measure the full impact- Proven creative frameworks that drive ROAS- How to structure campaigns, audiences, and budgets for sustainable growthWhether you're hitting a ceiling on Meta or ready to diversify channels, this episode will help you build a scalable, profitable YouTube ad engine for your brand.//CHAPTER TITLES:1:30 - Youtubes Golden Moment In DTC6:50 - Conversion Focused Campaigns 14:32 - Automatic Bid Strategy On Youtube19:50 - Time To Scale Your Ads On Google31:38 - Youtube Measurement//SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X WEEKLY UPLOADS!FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/andrewjfaris Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.comWork with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠