eCommerce Fastlane: Shopify Growth Strategies—Where AI Efficiency Meets Human Connection
Steve Hutt | Shopify and eCommerce Expert
Running a Shopify store? You already know success isn't about finding the right app—it's about knowing which strategies actually work at your specific stage of growth.
I'm Steve Hutt, and I've lived every level of the ecommerce journey. From eBay Power Seller shipping products from my garage, to co-founding and scaling VisionPros.com (an optical DTC startup) through to a successful exit, then spending 6+ years as a Shopify Merchant Success Manager helping 100+ brands from startup to enterprise scale, including working with teams at Tentree, Dr. Squatch, Bulletproof Coffee, Salt & Straw Ice Cream, MUD/WTR, Bokksu, and many more.
Here's what makes this podcast different: I've been on both sides of the table.
6+ years working inside Shopify gave me access to what's coming before most merchants know it exists. Building, scaling, and successfully exiting my own ecommerce businesses taught me what actually works when your money and reputation are on the line. That combination of insider access plus real operator experience gives you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.
Since 2018, eCommerce Fastlane has delivered over 430 episodes and more than 2 million downloads to ambitious Shopify founders and marketers. Every week, I chat with operators, developers, and experts who share what's actually moving the needle right now—not theory, but patterns I've seen work consistently across dozens of brands at multiple stages.
Whether you're launching your first store or scaling past seven figures, every episode gives you stage-aware strategies you can implement this week. We dig into Shopify apps, digital marketing, retention tactics, AI tools, and the operational stuff that actually reduces overwhelm—while building customer loyalty that lasts.
You'll learn how to leverage emerging tech without losing what makes your brand unique. You'll also hear real founder stories, including lessons from my own journey building and exiting a DTC brand, plus insights from guests across 430+ episodes who've been exactly where you are.
This isn't content for content's sake. It's what you'd get sitting at a mastermind table with someone who's built, scaled, and exited—and helped hundreds of others do the same.
Ready to grow smarter, not just faster? Join thousands of founders and marketers in the eCommerce Fastlane community through our podcast, newsletter, blog, and forthcoming book "Thriving with Shopify."
Steve Hutt
DTC Founder | Podcast Host
Find Us Online
Website: eCommerceFastlane.com
Newsletter: FastlaneInsider.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shutt
X: x.com/stevenhutt
Instagram: instagram.com/ecommercefastlane
Email: steve@ecommercefastlane.com
I'm Steve Hutt, and I've lived every level of the ecommerce journey. From eBay Power Seller shipping products from my garage, to co-founding and scaling VisionPros.com (an optical DTC startup) through to a successful exit, then spending 6+ years as a Shopify Merchant Success Manager helping 100+ brands from startup to enterprise scale, including working with teams at Tentree, Dr. Squatch, Bulletproof Coffee, Salt & Straw Ice Cream, MUD/WTR, Bokksu, and many more.
Here's what makes this podcast different: I've been on both sides of the table.
6+ years working inside Shopify gave me access to what's coming before most merchants know it exists. Building, scaling, and successfully exiting my own ecommerce businesses taught me what actually works when your money and reputation are on the line. That combination of insider access plus real operator experience gives you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.
Since 2018, eCommerce Fastlane has delivered over 430 episodes and more than 2 million downloads to ambitious Shopify founders and marketers. Every week, I chat with operators, developers, and experts who share what's actually moving the needle right now—not theory, but patterns I've seen work consistently across dozens of brands at multiple stages.
Whether you're launching your first store or scaling past seven figures, every episode gives you stage-aware strategies you can implement this week. We dig into Shopify apps, digital marketing, retention tactics, AI tools, and the operational stuff that actually reduces overwhelm—while building customer loyalty that lasts.
You'll learn how to leverage emerging tech without losing what makes your brand unique. You'll also hear real founder stories, including lessons from my own journey building and exiting a DTC brand, plus insights from guests across 430+ episodes who've been exactly where you are.
This isn't content for content's sake. It's what you'd get sitting at a mastermind table with someone who's built, scaled, and exited—and helped hundreds of others do the same.
Ready to grow smarter, not just faster? Join thousands of founders and marketers in the eCommerce Fastlane community through our podcast, newsletter, blog, and forthcoming book "Thriving with Shopify."
Steve Hutt
DTC Founder | Podcast Host
Find Us Online
Website: eCommerceFastlane.com
Newsletter: FastlaneInsider.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shutt
X: x.com/stevenhutt
Instagram: instagram.com/ecommercefastlane
Email: steve@ecommercefastlane.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 5, 2022 • 52min
Turn Your Shopify Store Into A Sales Magnet With Kausambi Manjita Of ModeMagic
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Kausambi Manjita, the Co-Founder and President from Mason. They are the developers of the wildly popular Shopify App: MODEmagic! MODEmagic is no-code store engine that powers brands to convert new shoppers, increase AOV and get more repeat buyers from their Shopify store by making it dynamic and personalized; all in realtime!Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 20, 2022 • 48min
Subscriptions - The Gift That Keeps On Giving: Customer Relationship Tools With Gaby Yitzhaek Of Smartrr
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Gaby Tegan the CEO and Founder of Smartrr.Smartrr is the premiere subscription app that allows DTC Shopify brands to deepen their relationship with loyal shoppers. Built with your end customer in mind, Smartrr increases brand engagement and lifetime value with out-of-the-box subscription offerings that keep customers engaged and delighted.In addition to a beautifully branded member portal, subscribers can gift, skip, swap, pause or even fast-track their most loved products.Join the likes of high-growth brands such as Starface, Remi, The Earthling, Stix, and Jolie, who have seen an average of 15X more sales over a subscriber’s lifetime using Smartrr.Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 17, 2022 • 43min
Looking To Improve CX? Use This Shopify App To Drive Better Shipping Experiences With Jared Haas Of UPS Capital
Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 24, 2022 • 1h 4min
Shopify Brand Does $100k Launch And Scaled To 7 Figures On Amazon With Jeff Lieber Of Turnkey Product Management
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Jeff Lieber the CEO and Founder from Turnkey Product Management. They are a consulting firm that provides marketing strategies to accelerate financial growth for Shopify businesses and organizations on Amazon. This is an excellent conversation with tons of leanings around this important and necessary channel for Shopify-powered brands.Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 24, 2022 • 37min
Biggest Bookkeeping Mistakes Shopify Ecommerce Sellers Make With Nathan Hirsch Of EcomBalance
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Nathan Hirsch the CEO and Co-Founder from EcomBalance. They are a monthly bookkeeping service that helps Shopify ecommerce brands and marketplace sellers master their finances.Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 24, 2022 • 46min
8 Figure Dropshipper Teaches You How to Succeed in 2023 With Ben Knegendorf Of Dropship Breakthru
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Ben Knegendorf the the Co-Founder of the ecommerce education brand: Dropship Breakthru. They produce content that helps you start your first Shopify ecommerce business in 30 days or less.Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 20, 2022 • 45min
Find Your Next Customer By Joining The Shared Audience Network With Daniel Debow Of Shopify
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Daniel Debow from Shopify. They recently launched a new product called Shopify Audiences.In recent years, regulatory and commercial privacy changes have affected how merchants can find new customers. Merchants were finding it hard to adapt to these changes while advertising costs (CPMs) increased as much as 300%. This was a problem Shopify needed to fix!Through Audiences they have created an opt-in merchant network to share data anonymously, and lower advertising costs. Merchants on the network are now able to build an audience list directly from their catalog - port it over in a privacy-safe way to ad platforms - and leverage machine learning to find new, high-intent customers for their products. Based on Shopify’s aggregated conversion signals across shops, they find customers most likely to be interested in the product, lowering CPMs and ultimately increasing working capital for merchants. Ultimately, what can be measured can be improved. Shopify’s unique view into conversion insights also helps to close the loop between the ad and the action - and provide accurate reporting that guides merchant decisions.The product is currently available to Shopify Plus merchants who use Shopify Payments and have shops in the US and Canada. We launched the product with Meta, and plan to open up to new platforms such as Pinterest and TikTok this year. Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 2, 2022 • 1h 12min
How To Reach The Unreachable “Ad-Never Generation” With Jamie Gutfreund Of Whalar
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Jamie Gutfreund, the CMO of Whalar.Whalar, helps both brands and creators make the most of the booming creator economy by source ideas and content directly from the communities they most want to reach and engage. Creators are the future of advertising and they create campaigns that work for brands using this new opportunity.Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 2, 2022 • 45min
Why The Fastest Growing DTC Brands Leverage Quizzes With Gen Furukawa Of Prehook
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Gen Furukawa the Co-Founder of Prehook. (at Prehook.com) They are a growing quiz platform for Shopify merchants. Prehook helps hundreds of high growth Shopify merchants sell more, accelerate list growth, and capture zero party data with quizzes. Gen also hosts the eCommerce marketing podcast, Cart Overflow, where he shares what the best brand operators, agencies, and tech platforms are doing to grow their ecommerce revenues. Gen has been in ecommerce for 10+ years, with the last 7 years in eCommerce SaaS. Prior to Prehook, Gen was part of the founding team and lead Marketing at Jungle Scout, the leading software for Amazon sellers. Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 21, 2022 • 39min
Shopify Brands Can Now Join The Fight Against The Fake Web To Improve ROAS With Lucas Rabinowitz Of Cheq.ai
In today’s Shopify ecommerce podcast, my guest is Lucas Rabinowitz the Sr Director of Growth from CHEQ. They are a Go-To-Market Security company that helps Shopify brands and organizations to protect themselves from the Fake Web. The Fake Web is any traffic interacting with your Shopify brand that doesn’t have the intention or ability to ever convert. This can range from harmful scrapers and crawlers, to click farms, to competitors, and even malicious human users and account hackers.This is an eye-opening episode in the underworld of the web and how you can protect your and improve ROAS at the same time.Profitably GROW and SCALE your Shopify store with the resources mentioned in today's ecommerce podcast episode.Have any questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at hello@ecommercefastlane.com or through any of our social channels. We love hearing from our listeners!Looking to profitably grow and scale revenue for your Shopify store? Click here eCommerceFastlane.com for the latest strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
