

DTC Podcast
DTC Newsletter and Podcast
Weekly discussions between disruptive direct to consumer ecommerce brands and our amazing team about marketing, funnels, and everything scaling related. Subscribe to our newsletter for highlights and step by step tactical insights 👉🏻 📦 directtoconsumer.co
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 25, 2025 • 39min
Ep 537: How Dugout Mugs Scaled to $55M with Authentic Branding and Smart Partnerships
Kris Dehnert, CEO of Dugout Mugs, transformed baseball bat barrels into a $55M brand. He discusses the importance of authentic branding and partnerships, revealing how transparency fuels modern businesses. Kris reflects on his journey from Facebook pages to impactful deal-making while emphasizing the dangers of vanity metrics. He also shares insights on using AI to enhance e-commerce efficiency and the significance of balancing seasonal sales with corporate gifting. His practical tips are invaluable for both aspiring and established brands.

Aug 22, 2025 • 39min
Ep 536: The Only Browse Abandon Email You’ll Ever Need | AKNF Preview of TWBERP
Discover the secrets behind the ultimate browse abandon email strategy! Explore the power of effective triggers and smart segmentation for higher conversions. Learn why a streamlined approach can outperform chaos and how dynamic product recommendations elevate engagement. Timing is key—find out how to send follow-ups that resonate. Dive into crafting compelling subject lines and merchandise tactics that convert. Uncover common pitfalls and master visuals for enhanced user experience. Perfect for anyone keen on maximizing email marketing potential!

15 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 30min
Bonus: The Math Behind Influence and Why Most Influencer Marketing Fails with Yash Chavan from SARAL
Yash Chavan, Founder & CEO of Saral, dives into the intricacies of influencer marketing. He reveals why many programs falter, offering insights from Saral's Pyramid of Influence framework. Yash discusses how brands can organically engage with their ideal customers multiple times daily without ad spend and how AI can enhance outreach while retaining authenticity. He emphasizes the potential of whitelisting and transformative partnerships, stressing the structured approach necessary for lasting impact in today’s market.

Aug 18, 2025 • 38min
Ep 535: Ashvin Melwani On How Obvi Fixed Meta Pixel Poisoning and Recovered Ad Performance
Ashvin Melwani, Co-founder and CMO of Obvi, dives into the hurdles faced by health brands on Meta after their ad performance plummeted. He discusses fixing Meta Pixel poisoning using server-side tracking and adapting strategies to align with Meta's Andromeda AI update. The conversation highlights the critical metrics for diagnosing ad performance issues and how creative testing with broader variations can drive success. Ashvin also shares insights on leveraging TikTok for brand visibility and boosting Average Order Value through innovative product bundling.

12 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 24min
Ep 534: Google’s 90% “New Customer” Illusion: How To See What Your Ads Are Really Doing | AKNF
In this conversation, Dougie from Pilothouse shares his expertise in Google Ads, focusing on the critical misinterpretation of customer acquisition data. He reveals how Google erroneously labels returning customers as new, skewing marketing strategies. Dougie explains the advantages of server-side tracking for accurate data capture and conversion insights. He emphasizes the importance of aligning ad campaigns with true business outcomes and offers practical tips for auditing and enhancing overall ad performance.

8 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 36min
Ep 533: Why Community Should Precede Paid: Mira’s Femtech Playbook
Katherine Sakovich, CMO at Mira, leads the charge in community-driven hormonal health with an eye for educative marketing. She reveals how Mira grew from chaos to a multi-product brand by building an 18,000-member ambassador network. Key strategies include using customer feedback for messaging, positioning product launches like iPhone upgrades, and deploying AI for support while maintaining trust. She also discusses effective partnership strategies and how educational content transformed consumer engagement in the sensitive world of reproductive health.

Aug 8, 2025 • 31min
Ep 532: What Smart Brands Do Differently on Amazon (Plus an Epic Clifford Rant on Seller Feedback Changes) | AKNF
Discover why Amazon requires a unique strategy, far from the typical DTC playbook. Learn about the dangers of viewing Amazon as merely 'free traffic' and the importance of strategic ad spending. Hear insightful tactics on optimizing PPC campaigns, especially in niche markets like running shoes. Get the scoop on upcoming prep service cutoffs and the complexities of managing seller feedback. This conversation is packed with actionable insights that every brand selling on Amazon should know!

Aug 4, 2025 • 41min
Ep 531: The TikTok Strategy, Tariff Setback, and Product Pivot Behind Plufl’s Growth
Yuki Kinoshita, co-founder of Plufl, an innovative direct-to-consumer brand known for its human dog bed, shares insights on rapid growth and strategic pivots. He discusses navigating an $8M tariff setback while maintaining stable prices and the successful launch of new products like the Hugl cooling pillow. Yuki emphasizes the importance of leveraging TikTok creators for cost-effective marketing and using customer feedback to guide product innovation. With lessons from Shark Tank and retail challenges, he provides valuable strategies for fellow DTC founders.

Aug 1, 2025 • 23min
Ep 530: Copy Pilothouse's Creative System for Q4 Scale
Explore how Pilothouse views content as a vital growth driver for Q4, emphasizing the impact of diverse video types on audience engagement. Learn why video excels at attracting cold traffic while static images boost retargeting conversions. Discover strategies for refreshing top-performing ads and the importance of testing concise video hooks. Uncover the value of employee-generated content in fostering brand trust and how a well-stocked creative pipeline can combat rising ad costs.

Jul 30, 2025 • 26min
Bonus: How Instant Turns Anonymous Traffic into 21× ROI for DTC Brands
Liam Millward, Co-Founder & CEO of Instant, dives into leveraging anonymous website traffic to fuel e-commerce success. He reveals how Instant can identify 40% of previously unknown visitors and dramatically boost email revenue with minimal setup. Brands like ThirdLove and Truly Beauty have reported staggering 11-21x ROI. Liam shares insights on Q4 preparation, effective email flows, and the importance of A-B testing for optimization. Get ready to transform your traffic into loyal customers!