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
Feb 24, 2022 • 43min
How Shopify Stores Can Deliver Personalized Customer Support At Scale With The Right Technologies With GQ Fu of LTVplus
In today’s episode, my guest is GQ Fu, Co-Founder of LTVplus. They provide world-class customer service outsourcing services for Shopify and Shopify Plus brands. Be it 24/7 customer service coverage, dedicated omnichannel customer service, or personalized failed payment recovery, they have highly-trained agents who are ready to support your Shopify brand with tried-and-tested playbooks. If you are struggling with customer service and have revenue lost to failed payments, today's episode will offer the insights and solutions you need.You can also get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, links, resources, and actionable DTC marketing strategies, including tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 22, 2022 • 34min
How iPaas And A Managed Integration Service Can Help Shopify Brands To Scale with Robin Smith of VL OMNI
In today’s episode, my guest is Robin Smith, the CEO, and Co-Founder of VL OMNI. They are an Integration platform for managed iPaaS data integration, that helps empower Shopify businesses to accelerate growth by integrating their systems, channels, partners, and applications together based on their needs.These integrations are point-to-multipoint, meaning data from a single application can be sent to multiple targets in a single workflow, giving your Shopify online business the flexibility to grow without any interruptions or the need to manipulate data at either end of the integration.VL OMNI handles integration projects from the initial design and implementation of a solution to maintenance and new partner onboarding.This is a great conversation with timely learnings as Shopify brands look to make investments to accelerate growth through scalable managed iPaaS data integrations.You can also get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, links, resources, and actionable DTC marketing strategies, including tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 17, 2022 • 37min
How To Strengthen Your Shopify Brand With Customers After They Click Purchase With Andrew Chan Of AfterShip
In today’s episode, my guest is Andrew Chan the Co-Founder & CMO of AfterShip. AfterShip is a post-purchase tracking and notification platform for Shopify ecommerce businesses ranging in size from SMB to mid-market to large enterprises. While most ecommerce solutions focus on customer touchpoints up to the moment they click “Purchase,” AfterShip prides itself on strengthening brands’ post-purchase experience including improving the returns process, providing more accurate order arrival data, and streamlining updates to customers after purchase. More and more brands are starting to realize that the post-purchase experience is part of the brand experience and is a major driver of repeat business. Because repeat customers are the lifeblood of businesses they cost less to acquire than new customers, spend more than new customers, and can act as brand ambassadors. It is becoming more and more important that retailers provide top-notch post-purchase experiences. No other ecommerce business offers the same robust ecosystem of post-purchase products as AfterShip and leading merchants on the Shopify ecommerce platform, top marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Groupon, Rakuten, and Wish), and major retail brands like Good American, Harry’s, Gymshark, Blenders Eyewear, Pura Vida Bracelets, and Kylie Skin all turn to AfterShip for their post-purchase needs.As people increasingly engage in online shopping, it is now more important than ever for online retailers to have a strong post-purchase strategy. You can also get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, links, resources, and actionable DTC marketing strategies, including tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 25, 2022 • 37min
Incredible New App That Automatically Helps Shopify Brands To Save Instagram Stories, Reels, And Posts
In today’s episode, my guest is Paul Benegeri the CEO and Co-Founder of Archive, the makers of the Archive App.Often, hundreds of assets a day are created by a Shopify brand's top influencers and customers, and most of that data and content disappears in 24 hours. Losing all of this community creativity is massively wasteful. The Archive App is the only Shopify App that automatically detects and saves Instagram posts, stories, and reels your brand gets tagged in for future marketing initiatives.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYWhy the best marketing always comes from your own engaged community.Why UGC (user-generated content) is a goldmine for innovative brands.Leverage your user-generated content to launch better Facebook and Instagram ads.Get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, actionable DTC marketing strategies, and tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 20, 2022 • 35min
Grow Revenue Between Shopify Direct-To-Consumer And Retail With Mark Yeramian Of Moast
My guest today is Mark Yeramian the Co-Founder of Moast.ioMoast allows Shopify brands to get their products in front of their customers, wherever their customers are shopping from. While the costs of launching a direct-to-consumer brand have come down dramatically, getting retail distribution is still costly and time-consuming. As a result, the segment of consumers that still like to touch and feel products before purchasing online is left largely disregarded. With Moast, Shopify businesses can turn their best customers into ''Hosts'' who hold product meetups with prospective customers, allowing them to see, touch, and experience the product before purchasing online. This social retail program allows Shopify e-commerce brands to reduce their rates of returns and eliminate the pressures of retail. Get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, actionable DTC marketing strategies, and tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 19, 2022 • 37min
Learn How To Turn Transactions Into Relationships With A Subscription Offer
In today’s episode, my guest is Lindy Crea, the VP of Partnerships at Recharge Payments. Recharge is a Shopify Plus Certified App Partner who has built a subscription management solution that helps Shopify brands of all sizes to launch and scale subscription offerings.Subscriptions and the predictable recurring revenue is one of the hottest topics with brands in the direct-to-consumer space.I’m excited to dig into this topic today and how Recharge is leading the way for incremental revenue and lifetime customer value.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYThe current state of Shopify brands and their subscription offerings.Why the increasing customer acquisition costs and recent supply chain challenges are driving increased demand for subscription solutions.How SMS as a channel is improving the subscription customer experience.Benefits of flexibility and empowerment to winning your customer's hearts.Get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, actionable DTC marketing strategies, and tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 18, 2022 • 38min
Drive More Revenue For Your Shopify Ecommerce Business With Zero-Party Data. Featuring Ben Parr of OctaneAI
In today’s episode, my guest is Ben Parr, the President and Co-Founder of Octane AI. They are the zero-party data marketing platform that’s helping thousands of Shopify and Shopify Plus e-commerce merchants to collect zero-party data and personalize their stores to drive growth.Octane AI is the leading zero-party data marketing platform for Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants like you. This year your business has been hit with major data privacy changes that have fundamentally changed advertising and likely the way you do business. And that’s okay if you know that there is a better way to do ecommerce marketing that’ll respect customers’ privacy, solve your advertising problem and help grow your revenue: collecting and leveraging zero-party data.Octane AI is helping thousands of Shopify merchants collect and use this clean data to personalize their email, SMS, ads, and more, giving customers the privacy they need and the personalization they want. This is the time to adapt and Shopify brands investing in zero-party data, optimization and retention will win the e-commerce game.Get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, actionable DTC marketing strategies, and tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 17, 2022 • 27min
Expand Sales By Exposing Your Shopify Brand To A Global Retail Ecosystem
In today’s episode, my guest is Roy Avidor the CEO and Co-founder of Cymbio. They help Shopify brands to easily increase and accelerate their digital sales channels through marketplace and dropship automation.Imagine getting access to over 600 retailers and scaling your brand? This is all possible today with the Cymbio platform.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYThe advantages of multi-channel retailing.The ease to grow digital sales channels.The process to grow sales and expose your brand to a global retail ecosystem.How to automate marketplace and dropship operations from beginning to end.Get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, actionable DTC marketing strategies, and tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 17, 2022 • 48min
Recruit, Manage And Grow Revenue With Groups Of People Who Love Your Brand
In today’s episode, my guest is Mike Schmidt, the Co-Founder of Dovetale. They are an influencer marketing app for Shopify merchants. They help brands to build community, recruit influencers, track sales through affiliate codes/links, send gifts and automate payments to these creators.It's a timely conversation with tons of learnings around the benefits and tactics to implement a successful influencer campaign.Listen through to the end of today’s show to get access to an exclusive extended listener-only trial.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYThe building blocks you need for a successful influencer program.Why partner recruitment through community engagement is a winning combination for Shopify brands.How to not fall into the trap of getting as many people as possible to be your influencers.Get organized with tools to collect applications and automate repetitive tasks for your influencer and affiliate programs.Get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, actionable DTC marketing strategies, and tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 17, 2022 • 38min
Personalize Your Shopping Experience In Real Time For Collections, Search, And Recommendations
In today’s episode, my guest is Zohar Gilad the Co-Founder and CEO of FastSimon. They are a shopping optimization platform for SMB all the way through to Enterprise retailers powered by Shopify Plus.Their app provides AI search, visual search, collection filters, collection merchandising, and personalization for fast-growing Shopify brands.Let’s jump in and learn more about how FastSimon is assisting Shopify brands with growth and scale!WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYHow to enable and inspire your shopper's product discovery journey.How to scale both online and physical stores.What forward-thinking/progressive brands need to consider in terms of the customer experience.How to personalize your customer's shopping experience to maximize conversions.Get today's Shopify ecommerce podcast show notes, full transcripts, actionable DTC marketing strategies, and tips to fast-track the growth and profitability of your Shopify ecommerce business.LEARN MORE and grow your Shopify store at eCommerceFastlane.com and eCommerceFastlanePodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
