Alex Wolfe, co-founder of a cannabis business and founder of Eons, discusses the evolving landscape of natural medicines like cannabis and mushrooms. He shares his journey in the regulated cannabis industry, including his experiences in building a large cultivation facility. Wolfe dives into the mental health benefits of psychedelics and the innovative microdose products his company offers. He highlights the challenges of navigating regulations for mushroom-based supplements and promotes natural solutions for anxiety through direct-to-consumer strategies.

Host Eric Bandholz occasionally focuses an "Ecommerce Conversations" episode on Beardbrand, his business. He does that not to promote the company but to share challenges and successes in the hopes of helping others.In 2024 alone, he has addressed last year's sales decline, continued hurdles, and the hassle of changing fulfillment providers. He also interviewed Beardbrand's attorney, who successfully defended it in a lawsuit alleging accessibility violations.Beardbrand has now overcome many of its operational setbacks. It had to relaunch certain products and switch its manufacturer. It moved to a nearby warehouse in Texas for more oversight. With these problems solved, the company's focus shifts to growth and finding new channels.Eric discusses discusses that focus and more in this episode. --For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/beardbrand-shifts-to-growth-new-channelsFor all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts******The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Brendan Marquardt knows the effect of entrepreneurship on a marriage. He's the co-owner of Lori Beds, a direct-to-consumer seller of Murphy beds, those that fold into a wall, and the now-divorced father of two children in grade school.Unlike most divorced entrepreneurs, Marquardt chooses to publicly share his experience in the hopes of helping others.He did that in this episode (his second on the podcast), addressing kids, joint property, lawyers, and more.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/entrepreneur-on-business-and-divorceFor all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcastsListener reviews of Ecommerce Conversations elevate visibility and help others experience the lessons of online entrepreneurs. We invite you to leave a review on this channel.   ******The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Kevin Dahlstrom once paid cash for a $211,000 Porsche. He was in his 30s, living in Texas, holding down high-powered corporate marketing jobs, such as with Mr. Cooper, a mortgage services company, and Elevate, a credit solutions firm.He says the Porsche created more stress than joy and started his practice of minimalism — letting go of material things. So in his 40s he chucked it all, moved his family to Colorado, and focused on "a more meaningful and balanced life."He shares his evolution in this episode — from money-seeking to happiness, purpose, rock climbing, and more. For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/from-porsche-to-purpose-a-cmos-journeyFor all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts******The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Dean Brennan says a diet of beer, pizza, and fast food led to his ulcerative colitis. His doctors diagnosed it years ago in his twenties and told him he'd need medications for life. But Brennan decided otherwise."I didn't want to take lifelong medication," he states. "It sparked my passion for health and led me to want to help others."Fast forward to 2024, and Brennan is the CEO of Heart & Soil, a nutritional supplement company doing $50 million in annual revenue.In this episode, he addresses his journey to Heart & Soil, key supplement ingredients, supply chain challenges, and more. For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://pec-ly.com/?6tVKFor all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts******The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Patrick Coddou’s entrepreneurial journey is impressive. In 2015 he launched Supply, a direct-to-consumer seller of razors and shaving goods, and then sold the business in 2022. He conceived the idea, hired staff, scaled revenue, and exited profitably.His journey is incomplete, however. His talents apply to seemingly any industry, but his identity for years was tied to Supply. He’s now adjusting and charting his next moves.Patrick is among the most popular guests on this podcast, starting in 2020 and followed by appearances in 2021, April 2022, and October 2022. In this episode, he shares his post-Supply life, the emotions of stepping away, and looking forward.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://pec-ly.com/?6tPcFor all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcastsListener reviews of Ecommerce Conversations elevate visibility and help others experience the lessons of online entrepreneurs. We invite you to leave a review on this channel.   ******The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Dean Pohlman, the founder of Man Flow Yoga and a former collegiate lacrosse player, discusses his mission to enhance men's health and fulfillment through tailored fitness programs. He shares inspiring client success stories and emphasizes the importance of community support for sustainable lifestyle changes. The episode also dives into strategies for engaging content on YouTube and the significance of authentic collaborations in business. Pohlman addresses the balance between entrepreneurship and personal well-being, advocating for purpose beyond mere financial success.

In late 2020, host Eric Bandholz interviewed a developer who had launched a Shopify app for sending manual text messages to cart abandoners. Eighteen months later, they spoke again, this time to discuss his sale of that company and purchase of another, an app that offered upsells in a Shopify checkout.By early 2023 he had sold the second company and launched a third one, an app to recover coupon leaks. Which brings us to Eric's fourth conversation with Dennis Hegstad. He has shut down the coupon-leak app business and started his fourth, a data provider for the ecommerce industry called Internet Research Unit. What, exactly, is Internet Research Uniit? Eric asked him that question and more in this episode.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://pec-ly.com/?6tGAFor all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts******The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Host Eric Bandholz has interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs for this podcast. Most are problem solvers and optimists, confident in their ability to fulfill a need.Take Lloyd Armbrust. He's an editor turned software founder, having launched OwnLocal, a Y Combinator-backed portal for local newspapers. When the pandemic hit, he observed doctors and nurses struggling to obtain protective masks and gloves. He thought, "This is ridiculous. How hard could it be to make these things?"His solution was Armbrust American, an Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of personal protective equipment, which he started in May 2020 and remains viable despite the dramatic drop in demand.He shares his lessons in this episode, addressing manufacturing, ecommerce, and family-first priorities. For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://pec-ly.com/?6tC7For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts******The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com

Scaling down a business can be just as challenging as growing it. The host shares his tough experience of switching third-party logistics providers after losing a major customer. He faced unexpected costs and subpar service, prompting a move back to Texas for better fulfillment. There are valuable lessons on management and communication throughout this journey. The insights aim to help others navigate the tricky waters of logistics in their own ventures.