

Secrets To Scaling Your Ecommerce Brand
Jordan West
TL;DR: Secrets to Scaling Your E-commerce Brand PodcastHosted by Brand + Agency Owner Jordan West, delve into the essentials of e-commerce growth, including:Paid Advertising: Master the art of paid ads across platforms.Creative Strategy: Unlock innovative approaches to marketing.TikTok Shop & Ads: Explore the potential of TikTok for e-commerce.Facebook Ads: Leverage Facebook's vast network for your brand.Influencer Outreach: Harness the power of influencer marketing.Real Successes & Failures: Learn from real-life experiences and case studies.Industry Leader Insights: Gain wisdom from top figures in the e-commerce world.Join us for invaluable advice and strategies to elevate your e-commerce store.Welcome to "Secrets to Scaling Your E-commerce Brand," the podcast where we dive deep into the mechanics and strategies of growing your online store. I'm your host, Jordan West, a seasoned entrepreneur who has navigated the highs and lows of owning six e-commerce brands and leading a DTC marketing agency.In this podcast, we're not just scratching the surface. We're dissecting the very core of what it takes to amplify your e-commerce store's revenue. From mastering paid ads and unravelling the mysteries of creative strategy to leveraging TikTok Shop and TikTok ads, Facebook ads, and beyond. I'll share the tactics that have propelled my businesses forward and the lessons learned from the pitfalls I've encountered along the way.But that's not all. "Secrets to Scaling Your E-commerce Brand" is also about the voices of industry leaders who've made significant impacts in the e-commerce world. Join us as we talk to these pioneers, extracting valuable insights and actionable advice that you can apply directly to your business.Whether you're a budding entrepreneur eager to make your mark or an established brand looking to break through to the next level, this podcast is your go-to resource for strategies that work. Join me, Jordan West, as we unlock the secrets to scaling your e-commerce brand, transforming challenges into opportunities, and visions into realities.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 3, 2024 • 31min
Ep 541: YouTube Channel Growth for Ecomm - Zero To 10K Subscribers In 3 Months with Mina Elias, Trivium
Send us a textExplore the dynamic strategies, game-changing tactics and groundbreaking insights for growth, including utilizing platforms like Facebook Groups, YouTube channels, and TikTok Shop.In this episode, Jordan West and Mina Elias shared about honing in on valuable content creation to revolutionize your agency's approach. They delve into the strategies that propelled Mina's Amazon agency to tremendous success. Discover how Mina's journey from MMA fighter to engineer to supplement brand creator culminated in his thriving Amazon agency managing 185 brands. Learn about his game-changing tactics for TikTok Shop and witness how her YouTube strategy skyrocketed lead generation. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Emphasizing the importance of providing value to customers over self-promotion for DTC businesses.Implementing strategies, such as offering downloadable resources and utilizing SEO optimization tools, to increase inbound leads for an agency.Leveraging collaboration and community building, including targeted collaborations, UGC content, and engaging community managers, to support growth in the e-commerce space.Recommended Tools/App:Tinuiti: https://tinuiti.com/ TubeBuddy: https://www.tubebuddy.com/ Recommended Sites:Jim Stoppani - JYM Supplements: https://jymsupplementscience.com/ MrBeast: https://www.youtube.com/@MrBeast Today’s Guest: Mina Elias, Founder of Trivium, feeling trapped in the corporate world, Mina decided to start his own supplement brand, MMA Nutrition, focusing on electrolyte powder. As an MMA fighter himself, Mina wanted to create a product that he would personally use. He started his journey as an MMA fighter in 2013 and continues to pursue his passion for the sport while also running his successful supplement brand.Connect and learn more about Mina and Trivium:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theminaelias/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theminaelias/ Website: https://triviumco.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Mar 28, 2024 • 28min
Ep 540: Tiktok Shop. This Changes Everything with Jordan West
Send us a textExplore the untapped potential of TikTok shops with influencer seeding and UGC content. Unleash the power of compelling visuals and influencer-driven engagement to amplify your brand's presence.In this episode, Jordan West dove deep into the world of TikTok shops. Jordan shared invaluable insights into the nuts and bolts of TikTok shops, including eligibility, setup processes, common mistakes, and strategies for growth. He delved into the intensive work involved, the potential for brands, and even offered practical assistance for both brands and agencies looking to tap into this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:TikTok shop is a game-changer for ecommerce brands, driven by influencer-led social selling.The key to success is to embrace TikTok shop as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, leveraging its potential for massive sales growth.TikTok shop requires significant effort in outreach, influencer management, and scaling initiatives for sustainable success.Leveraging influencer content and going live are important strategies to drive organic growth on the platform.Brands and agencies can benefit from a fully managed TikTok shop service or an accelerator program to navigate the complexities and maximize opportunities.Recommended Tools/App:Refunnel: https://app.refunnel.com/Aftership Feed: https://www.aftership.com/feedArchive: https://archive.com/Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Mar 25, 2024 • 12min
Ep 539: What Actually Matters In Your Agency Relationship with Jordan West
Send us a textWhen selecting an agency, prioritize proven execution and strategy, and trust in your own expertise as a business owner. Look for agencies that focus on delivering execution and strategy, rather than just influence and relationships.In this episode, Jordan West dives into the topic of why agencies don't always live up to expectations. Drawing from his experience running an agency and working with diverse clients, Jordan sheds light on the systemic issues he perceives within the agency world. He delves into the concept of misaligned incentives and highlights the need for a shift in the approach to agency-client partnerships.Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Agencies often have massive overhead to cover and must charge a certain amount to brands, leading to misaligned economics and the potential for filler work that may not be valuable to the brand.When working with an agency, it's important to seek high execution and strategy. Business owners should trust in their own knowledge and expertise in building their brand and seek an expert to assist with execution and potentially tweak strategy, rather than assuming the agency knows more about their brand than they do.Business owners should look for the value gap when choosing an agency.While relationships with agencies are important, the focus should primarily be on getting business results rather than simply fostering a strong relationship with the agency.In the past, agencies have been inclined to emphasize influence and relationship-building over execution and strategy. Business owners should be mindful of this and seek agencies that prioritize the elements that lead to actual business results.Recommended Sites:CliftonStrengths: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Mar 22, 2024 • 11min
Ep 538: Leverage Giveaways - The New Way with Jordan West
Send us a textInsights on various promotion strategies including organic sharing across social platforms, utilizing email and SMS lists for re-engagement, exploring partnerships with other brands, and leveraging paid ads, especially video ads, for maximum impact.In this episode, Jordan West discusses a powerful strategy for running giveaways using a tool called King Sumo. He reveals how this strategy can lead to going viral, gaining new subscribers and followers, and driving incredible results. Jordan takes you through the step-by-step process, sharing practical tips on how to set up and promote your giveaways to achieve maximum impact. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Giveaways using King Sumo can help go viral and attract a significant number of new subscribers and followers.It's important to configure all integrations in the backend before starting a new giveaway.Duration for giveaways should be at least 2-3 weeks, and the prize offered should be substantial to attract attention and engagement.Collecting entries should ideally include asking for name, email, and phone number with consent and GDPR compliance.Organic promotion strategies involve sharing the giveaway on social media, reengaging with email and SMS lists, and potentially partnering with another brand for cross-promotion.Paid ads, especially video ads, can be highly effective for promoting the giveaway.Post-giveaway analysis is recommended to gather insights into the giveaway's performance and impact.Recommended Tools/App:KingSumo: https://kingsumo.com/ Facebook Pixel: https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/meta-pixel/ Zapier: https://zapier.com/ Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com/ Chat GPT: https://chat.openai.com/ SendLane: https://www.sendlane.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Mar 19, 2024 • 16min
Ep 537: Why Agencies Suck Part 2 - How To Work With Your Agency with Jordan West
Send us a textGet insights on building productive, peer-to-peer relationships with agencies, and practical strategies for achieving positive outcomes.In this episode, Jordan West discusses the ins and outs of working with an agency. He delves into the importance of effective communication, setting clear expectations, and avoiding toxic behaviors that can hinder the agency-client relationship. Drawing from personal experiences, Jordan emphasizes the need for self-reflection and accountability in fostering successful partnerships with agencies. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Overcommunicate and don't assume that the agency knows everything about your business.Provide specific goals and expectations instead of talking in generalities.Take responsibility for the agency-client relationship and look for areas of improvement within the brand if there have been issues with multiple agencies.Avoid bringing emotions and inflammatory language into the relationship with the agency.Recognize the need for personal and business development to become more effective in working with agencies.Utilize tools such as EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to evaluate the agency fit and core values alignment.Recommended Tools/App:EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System): https://www.eosworldwide.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Mar 13, 2024 • 32min
Ep 536: Why Every Product Should Have A Guarantee or A Warrantee with Mike Kaufman, ProTuff Products
Send us a textExplore strategies for implementing warranties, the value of back-end products, and the importance of good customer service. In this episode, Jordan West and Mike Kaufman, Owner of ProTuff Products shares his valuable insights on the power of warranties and guarantees in driving customer satisfaction and business growth. From extreme warranty offerings and product development strategies to the importance of efficient customer service and building trust. They also discuss the nuances of Amazon's terms of service and the potential gray areas related to the warranty registration process. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Saying "yes" to customer requests and being liberal with warranties can have a positive impact on customer loyalty and business growth.Developing and offering back-end products can provide Amazon sellers with opportunities for premium pricing and enhanced customer loyalty.Automating claims processes can lead to a more efficient customer experience and contribute to building and maintaining trust.Offering believable but extreme warranty or guarantee terms can lead to positive customer experiences Flexibility in registration processes, incentivizing early registration, and not imposing strict time limits can positively impact customer retention.Recommended Tools/App:Manychat: https://manychat.com/ Recommended Podcast/Audiobook:Brand Fortress HQ Podcast: https://podcast.brandfortresshq.com/ Today’s Guest: Mike Kaufman, Brand Owner of ProTuff Products has a wealth of expertise in Amazon-centric strategies, having made the transition to Amazon approximately 12 years ago after originally starting out with AOL and working with an MLM company. He is an expert in the implementation and benefits of offering comprehensive warranty and guarantee programs to drive customer satisfaction, business growth, and product success. Connect and learn more about Mike and ProTuff Products:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/protuffproducts/ Website: https://www.protuffproducts.com/ Amazon ProTuff Products: https://www.amazon.com/stores/ProTuffProducts/ProTuffProducts/page/4135DC12-0CA1-428C-BD7B-1E504C405290 Brand Fortress HQ: https://brandfortresshq.com/

Mar 11, 2024 • 33min
Ep 535: Success Strategies Of A Serial E-Commerce Entrepreneur with Alex Back, Couch.com
Send us a textExplore the impact of company acquisition, the challenges of maintaining vision alignment, and the dynamic nature of advertising strategies.In this episode, Jordan West and Alex Back, discuss the fascinating journey of building an e-commerce business in the furniture industry. From early successes and missed opportunities to the complexities of choosing the right e-commerce platform and the importance of personalized customer experiences. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Building trust in the direct-to-consumer market is challenging and crucial for long-term success.Early investment in SEO and organic traffic can yield significant benefits, highlighting the importance of digital marketing strategies.The importance of scalable systems and processes in driving growth and navigating transitions within a company.Challenges and potential regrets can arise when the vision and creative direction of a company are questioned after an acquisition or during transitions.Today’s Guest: Alex Back, CEO and Founder of Couch.com has over 15 years of experience in the e-commerce and online retail industry, he is passionate about creating and scaling innovative solutions that cater to the needs and preferences of modern consumers. He’s currently building a state-of-the-art platform that helps consumers figure out how and where to buy a couch, a problem that has not been adequately addressed by the existing market players.Connect and learn more about Alex and Couch.com:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-back-49784435/ Email: alex@couch.com Website: https://couch.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Mar 6, 2024 • 43min
Ep 534: Finding The Best Business Partner - Hint - It’s Not Who You Think with Kelley Thornton, Tiege Hanley
Send us a textActive engagement in TikTok shops and the significant impact it has on e-commerce and conversion rates for their business, highlighting the importance of adapting to new trends and technologies for business success.In this episode, Jordan West and Kelley Thornton, shares valuable insights into scaling their business into multiple eight figures. Kelley's journey from a side project in 2015 to the fully launched direct-to-consumer brand has led to remarkable growth, serving over 500,000 customers in 108 countries every month. Kelly shares insights into navigating capital markets, the significance of data-driven decision-making, and the cultural shift in male grooming, reflecting on the challenges and successes in the evolving landscape of the skincare industry.Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:The use of AI to predict return and revenue rates, highlighting the importance of tracking and adjusting spending based on daily intelligence for effective decision-making.The significance of hiring experts in specific disciplines to scale a business successfully.The value of trust and influence over monetary rewards, emphasizing the importance of vetting sponsors and building genuine interactions with the audience.The importance of men maintaining healthy routines, providing insights for businesses targeting male skincare and grooming products.Recommended Tools/App:Triple Whale: https://www.triplewhale.com/ North Beam: https://www.northbeam.io/ Lifetimely: https://www.lifetimely.io/ Polar Analytics: https://www.polaranalytics.com/ Tableau: https://www.tableau.com/ Fivetran: https://www.fivetran.com/ Snowflake: https://www.snowflake.com/ Today’s Guest: Kelley Thornton is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background in business. He started his first company, a successful painting business, while still in university. This experience taught him valuable lessons in management, scheduling, and payroll. Following this, he spent 18 years working in sales, splitting his time between New York City and Chicago. Kelley's varied career has given him a wealth of experience and knowledge in the business world.Connect and learn more about Kelley and Tiege Hanley:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleythornton-ceo-tiege-hanley/ Website: https://www.tiege.com/

Mar 4, 2024 • 29min
Ep 533: The Silent Killer Of E-Commerce Brands with Pauline Shiu, Finale Inventory
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/

Feb 29, 2024 • 26min
Ep 532: How to Find a Blue Ocean in the Red Ocean of Beauty with Julie Floyd, StyldLife
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/


