Secrets To Scaling Your Ecommerce Brand

Send us a textThe challenges and benefits of using 3PLs and omnichannel selling and the impact of new marketplaces like TikTok shops on e-commerce.In this episode, Jordan West and Pauline Shiu, share invaluable insights on efficient inventory management. From warehouse setup to the impact of operations on profitability. They explore the inefficiencies of managing inventory across multiple channels without a centralized source of real-time data, and the importance of warehouse mapping and pick-pack procedures. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:The significance of optimizing operations to avoid negative impacts on profit margins, brand reputation, and customer loyalty in the e-commerce industry.The potential impact of TikTok shops on e-commerce and the need for managing inventory for emerging platforms.Benefits of kitting solutions, bundles, and the difficulty of forecasting demand in e-commerce inventory management.The need for reliable and automated inventory management solutions for online marketplaces like Amazon.Recommended Tools/App:Zoom Clips: https://www.zoom.com/en/products/video-recording/ Finale Inventory: www.finaleinventory.com- use “upgrowth2024” code and get 20% off for the First 6 months Today’s Guest: Pauline Shiu is Vice President of Marketing with Finale Inventory, the platform trusted by thousands of brands as their inventory and operations management hub. With 20 years of experience in ecommerce and SaaS, she believes that the best software not only solves complex problems, but provides the right data at the right time to the team. Pauline lives in Maryland with her two small children and many houseplants. She loves being outside - on a walk, paddleboarding, or dining al fresco.Connect and learn more about Pauline and Finale Inventory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulineshiu Website: https://www.finaleinventory.com/ 

Send us a textThe challenges of attracting top celebrity stylists to join the platform and how they managed to overcome these obstacles, providing unique insights for e-commerce store owners looking to connect with top talent.In this episode, Jordan West and Julie Floyd, share the journey of how she transitioned from being a bond trader and stay-at-home mom to launching a fashion and beauty platform that connects individuals with celebrity hair, fashion, and makeup stylists for personalized 1-on-1 appointments. She discusses the unique concept of StyldLife, the challenges and opportunities she encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the platform has evolved to cater to various needs beyond its initial scope. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Be open to new opportunities and constantly look for areas to grow and expand the business.Embrace word-of-mouth marketing and consider the impact of current events on the business to adapt and grow.Listen and learn from others to gain valuable insights and perspectives.Utilize platforms like TikTok for marketing and communication to reach new audiences.Recommended Tools/App:Slack: https://slack.com/ Microsoft Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software Recommended Podcast/Audiobook:Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese: https://www.audible.com/pd/Cutting-for-Stone-Audiobook/B002V0K23M Today’s Guest: Julie Floyd, Founder and CEO of StyldLife is a confident and independent woman who realized the importance of trusting her own instincts. She helps aspiring business professionals and students find their confidence by preparing them for the professional workplace and new settings. Connect and learn more about Julie and StyldLife:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-floyd-9706a928/ Email: jfloyd@styldlife.com Website: https://www.styldlife.com/ 

Send us a textTesting new strategies, even if they don't yield immediate success, provides valuable insights for future growth.In this episode, Jordan West shares the results of a recent experiment with a free plus shipping offer for one of their brands, Little and Lively. Join us as we delve into the details of this campaign and uncover the surprising findings. From customer acquisition costs to average order values, hear about the successes and challenges faced during this compelling experiment. Stay tuned as Jordan reveals the next steps in their strategy, from email win-back series to utilizing Instagram DM funnels. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Testing new offers and marketing experiments is essential for learning and growth in ecommerce.It's important to analyze various metrics, such as attribution models and customer behavior, to understand the full impact of promotional offers.Experimenting with Instagram DM funnels and leveraging chatbots for customer engagement can be an effective way to attract and retain customers, especially in specific demographic segments.Keeping track of financial performance through cash flow and profit and loss statements is crucial for evaluating the impact of promotional campaigns on overall business profitability.The value of taking action, testing new ideas, and being open to learning from both successes and failures in ecommerce marketing.Recommended Tools/App:Lifetimely: https://www.lifetimely.io/Liverecover: https://liverecover.com/

Send us a textThe time to embrace TikTok Shops is now. With TikTok Shops, engaging content creators are not just influencers; they are revenue partners. In this episode, Jordan West dives deep into the world of TikTok shops and shares his belief that this platform is poised to revolutionize the direct-to-consumer industry. With insights gained from working with major brands, Jordan outlines a new approach to content sourcing and explains why TikTok shops will transform influencer marketing and customer acquisition. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:TikTok shops have the potential to revolutionize the direct-to-consumer industry.Leveraging TikTok shops can lead to influencer collaboration, content generation, and direct-to-consumer sales.The process requires intense pitch refinement, influencer negotiation, and content management.Businesses with established product-market fit and a willingness to iterate are best suited for TikTok shop integration.Recommended Tools/App:Refunnel: https://www.refunnel.com/Archive: https://archive.com/Social Snowball: https://socialsnowball.io/

Send us a textChallenges of launching a brand in 2024, the shift from agencies to in-house marketing, and the importance of customer retention alongside acquisition. In this episode, Jordan West and Morgan Logsdon, experienced marketer, discuss the challenges and benefits of bringing marketing functions in-house, exploring non-traditional distribution channels for product exposure, and the potential of launching a brand in 2024. They delve into customer acquisition and retention strategies, scaling approaches, the value of first-party attribution, and the complexities of attribution models. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:The significance of balancing customer acquisition and retention to fuel successful retention marketing.The importance of first-party attribution for understanding the full customer journey and making strategic decisions based on owned data.The potential challenges with customer acquisition and retention in the DTC world.Establishing a true brand identity, understanding the unique problem the product solves, and focusing on serving a specific community.Recommended Tools/App:Triple Whale: https://www.triplewhale.com/ AppSumo: https://appsumo.com/ Recommended Sites:Uline: https://www.uline.com/ Corkcicle: https://corkcicle.com/ Today’s Guest: Morgan Logsdon, Founder of Sixth House Marketing began her career in the startup world, taking on various roles as the company brought outsourced agencies in house. This led to valuable experience in direct-to-consumer marketing and product development. After working with other startups in growth and life cycle marketing, Morgan founded her own business, Sixth House Marketing. The company focuses on helping growth stage and pre-launch businesses go to market and scale, with a strong emphasis on branding.Connect and learn more about Morgan and Sixth House:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganmjenkins/ Website: https://www.sixthhousemarketing.com/ 

Send us a textThe impact of Tiktok shops for brand awareness and community building, not just for sales. The discussion also touched on the potential influence of Tiktok shops on content creation and influencer marketing.In this episode, Jordan West and Lance Patterson, CEO of Juice Beauty, a brand making waves in the beauty industry shared insights and expertise on the transition to authenticity on Tiktok, differentiation in the beauty market, and the challenges and opportunities in the world of ecommerce. From navigating the impact of Tiktok shops to the evolving landscape of influencer marketing, this episode is packed with invaluable advice for businesses looking to thrive in the digital age. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:The significance of surrounding oneself with amazing people for business successThe need to keep up with the fast pace of consumer behavior and changing dynamics of business relationships in the e-commerce industry.The focus is on the smallest addressable market and its significance in product development and marketing strategy.Insights into allocating investment in team, targeted media, and influencer relationships for effective audience engagement.Recommended Podcast/Audiobook:The Diary of a CEO: https://stevenbartlett.com/the-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/ Today’s Guest: Lance Patterson is a seasoned CEO with a background in managing brands in Europe and the UK. After returning to the US, he joined a skincare company as CEO but was introduced to Karen, the founder of Juice Beauty, and became captivated by her passion for organic and wellness. They connected over their shared values and started collaborating on innovative ideas for clean skincare. Lance's journey has led him to become a driving force behind the organic skincare movement.Connect and learn more about Lance and Juice Beauty:Website: https://juicebeauty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-patterson-2695bb24/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Send us a textBy focusing on personalized attention to a manageable number of clients, this concept ensures successful execution and paramount client satisfaction. In this episode, Jordan West, Eric Autry and Craig Martens, bring new insights into giveaways reimagined. They delve into the success of personalized $100,000 giveaways tailored to specific audiences, discussing the strategic benefits for brands and the significant reactions they've received. From success stories and innovative approaches to the economic impact and networking strategies, this episode focuses on the transformative power of modern giveaways.Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Networking, timing, and understanding what works are key components in getting brands to participate in giveaways.Giveaways can create emotional connections and activate affiliates, leading to strategic marketing and business growth.Leveraging partnerships with other brands for shared giveaways can lead to mutually beneficial opportunities.Giveaway promotions should align with the target audience's interests to achieve the desired impact.Today’s Guest: Eric Autry is a passionate fintech and lending enthusiast who has a deep love for ecommerce and numbers. With experience in funding over 200 ecommerce companies at Wayflyer, he gained a strong understanding of profitability and finance in the industry. Craig Martens began his career working with Richard, where they implemented traditional methods to grow their ecommerce channel. They saw relative success with affiliates, CRO, and landing pages. However, their business underwent a significant shift when they ventured into large Giveaway marketing. Despite the hurdles, Craig and his team adapted to the new approach and successfully navigated the legal and logistical aspects of running giveaways, ultimately transforming their business.Connect and learn more about Craig, Eric and Shared Sweeps:Website: https://sharedsweeps.com/ LinkedIn: Craig Martens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmartens/ Eric Autry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-autry-72b346168/ 

Send us a textChallenges of running a business, the evolving perspective on marketing, and the significance of understanding marginal costs and operational readiness when scaling a business.In this episode, Jordan West and Nathan Vazquez, shared the significant mistakes he made in selecting a 3PL company and an ERP system, resulting in six-figure losses. The discussion covers the importance of partnerships with agencies, the inevitability of business mistakes, and the value of learning from them. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Conduct thorough research before investing in an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system to avoid costly errors.Ensure close collaboration with agencies and partners for shared success.Explore licensing deals for business growth and revenue generation.Understand marginal costs and operational readiness for effective business scaling.Adaptability and creativity are essential in marketing strategy due to unpredictable elements.Recommended Tools/App:Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com/ Sendlane: https://www.sendlane.com/ MailChimp: https://mailchimp.com/ Recommended Podcast/Audiobook:Econ Talk: https://russroberts.info/econtalk/ Bill Simmons: https://www.theringer.com/the-bill-simmons-podcastToday’s Guest: Nathan Vazquez, CEO of Pipsticks spent 15 years working in finance as an options trader and market maker at Citibank. His wife, a graphic designer, started a sticker curation company called Pipsticks while she was a stay-at-home mom. Nathan supported her as she built the business, and they worked together to ship out sticker subscriptions.Connect and learn more about Nathan and Pipsticks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pipsticks/Email: nathan@pipsticks.com Website: https://www.pipsticks.com/ 

Send us a textWhether you're eyeing the UK, Germany, France, or other European markets, the strategic advice shared here is invaluable.In this episode, Jordan West and Stef Van Boekel, discuss the ins and outs of entering the European market. The conversation covers everything from the complexities of selling on Amazon in Europe to the potential pitfalls and secrets to successfully scaling in the European market. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Companies aiming to enter the European market need to prioritize the operational setup to focus more on advertising and professional sales.Conducting market research, analyzing profit margins, country-level receivables, and developing a timeline for market entry is crucial for a successful expansion into the European market.It's important to focus on top sellers and scale to a pan-European level strategically.Recommended Apps/Tool:Monday.com: https://monday.com/Recommended Podcast/Audiobook:Smart Scout: https://www.smartscout.com/smartscout-amazon-directory/podcastsMillion Dollar Business:https://www.milliondollarbusinesspodcast.com/Today’s Guest: Stef van Boekel, Co-Founder of Operator One is a knowledgeable and experienced professional in international trade and commerce. With expertise in serving as an importer of record and merchant of record, Steph assists companies in expanding their business into Europe by navigating the complexities of regulations, borders, currencies, and local operations. With his guidance, companies can successfully enter new markets and start selling their products without the traditional time and cost barriers. Connect and learn more about Stef and Operator One:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefvanboekel/ Website: https://www.o1.eu/Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Send us a textWhether you're a die-hard Klaviyo fan, a Sendlane advocate, or still undecided, Jordan's  insights will provide you with valuable information to help make the best choice for your business.In this episode, Jordan West takes on the ultimate battle royale – Klaviyo vs. Sendlane. He shares his own experiences and insights, offering a transparent and valuable comparison of the two platforms. As a special treat, he also provides a glimpse into the world of software, discussing the importance of choosing the right tools for your ecommerce business. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:The impact of customer support on the overall experience and efficiency of using a platform, and the significance of swift and responsive customer service.The role of pricing models and how they can impact the overall cost and scalability of using an email marketing platform.The value of ongoing development and the ability of a platform to adapt and innovate, as well as the importance of integrations and ease of use for email marketing and automation.The importance of taking a holistic approach when evaluating software, considering factors such as reporting, analytics, and functionality, as well as the significance of the company's vision and approach.The impact of proactive guidance and support from the platform provider, especially during times of industry changes or transition. This emphasizes the role of personalized and hands-on support in decision-making.Recommended link:Sendlane: https://www.sendlane.com?fpr=8qg3mKlaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com/MailChimp: https://mailchimp.com/Amped.io: https://www.amped.io/Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow