Ecommerce Conversations

This episode continues my masterclass series on ecommerce entrepreneurship. Thus far in 2025 I've addressed branding and profitability.For this installment, I'll focus on hiring, specifically for marketing, operations, and product personnel. I launched Beadbrand over a decade ago and have hired plenty of employees. Mistakes can be hugely expensive.I now apply eight steps to ensure the right employee at the right time. I explain my process here.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/my-8-step-ecommerce-hiring-processFor 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

Ryan Rouse has a formula for scaling physical retail sales. First penetrate niche markets, he says, then leverage that success into mainstream chains.He does that with MALK Organics, an Austin, Texas-based plant milk provider. Ryan is MALK's president, having launched and exited a meal-delivery business and served in executive roles of other consumer brands.He speaks with host Eric Bandholz in this episode — addressing critical retail tactics such as packaging, pricing, marketing, and more.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/malk-plant-milk-masters-in-store-retailFor 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

Explore the deeper significance of branding beyond logos and aesthetics. Discover how aligning personal and business missions can lead to greater success. Learn the essence of authentic communication and the importance of consistency in branding for building trust. Dive into the cultural impact of successful brands like McDonald's and understand how they shape society. This discussion emphasizes that intentional branding can connect audiences through shared values and narratives, making a positive difference in the world.

Struggling with thin profit margins? A seasoned entrepreneur shares invaluable insights for boosting e-commerce success. Learn to focus on niche markets and elevate operational efficiency. Evaluate vendors for better pricing, while enhancing customer engagement. Discover how targeted marketing and direct sourcing can maximize profitability. This conversation emphasizes a mindset shift towards sustainable growth and the power of smart strategies for cash-strapped businesses.

Montana Knife Company launched in 2020 in a two-car garage near Missoula. One co-founder is a certified “Master Bladesmith” who has produced handmade knives since he was 11. The other, Brandon Horoho, is a seasoned digital marketer and ecommerce pro.Combined, the entrepreneurs prove the value of craftsmanship at scale marketed directly to consumers. Business is booming, and the company will soon move into a 50,000 ft. manufacturing facility.In this episode, Brandon shares the company’s origins, culture, “drop” selling, and more. For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/montana-knife-co-blends-craft-with-scaleFor 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

Andrew Youderian launched eCommerceFuel in 2013 after stints in corporate finance and online selling. The vetted community consists of ecommerce owners whose businesses have $1 million or more in annual revenue.He says ecommerce in 2025 has matured. "Brands that adapt," he stated, "will survive in the next five to seven years."Host Eric Bandholz is a member of eCommerceFuel. In this episode, he queries Andrew about the community, the state of ecommerce, work-life balance, and change. For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/adapt-to-survive-says-ecommercefuel-founderFor 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

In 2023 Mathias Schrøder was stressed, burned out, and perplexed. He had scaled revenue on his Denmark-based clothing company, but bloated overhead meant little profit and even less free time."I felt lost, unable to fix our predicament," he said, "until I realized I was trying to solve the wrong problem."His solution was to scale down. He fired employees, lowered warehouse costs, and eliminated stagnant inventory. The result was 60% less revenue and 25% more profit.He shared his inspiring journey in this episode. For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/merchant-cuts-revenue-60-profit-rises-25For 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

Matthew Gattozzi realizes creativity and efficiency often conflict. His firm, Goodo Studios, produces commercial content that attracts visitors and converts them into customers. It's a creative process with time and budget constraints."It's a balancing act," he stated. "On the one hand, you need efficiency. On the other, creativity requires time and space to flourish."A former ballet dancer, Matthew first appeared on the podcast in 2021. In this episode, he shares his firm's content-creation strategy, client needs, and, yes, the impact of AI.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ai-wont-replace-creativity-says-studio-founderFor 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

Jesse Hanley is a self-taught developer and marketer from Australia who lives in Japan. He launched Bento, an email service provider, in 2018 after managing campaigns from his marketing agency.He says Bento is an artisanal provider, akin to a high-end coffee shop. He aims for self-funded growth and quality customers who seek excellent email deliverability.He addresses those goals and more — automation flows, integrations, ISPs, reputation — as well as the realities of running an ESP.  For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/bento-elevates-ecommerce-email-marketingFor 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

Before Brexit, merchants could sell cross-border into the U.K. and mainland Europe with relative ease. Both belonged to the E.U. It's now more complex and expensive, with separate customs and taxes for each region — unless the shipments come from Northern Ireland.Through a Brexit exception, fulfillment companies (and merchants) in Northern Ireland can ship to the U.K. and the E.U. with fewer complications. It's been a boon to John Heenan's Belfast-based 3PL, The Distribution Solution.Host Eric Bandholz met John years ago (pre-Brexit) when Beardbrand sold products in Europe via John's company. They reconnected for this episode, addressing the nuances of selling internationally in the U.K. and the E.U. and how to streamline the process.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/northern-ireland-key-to-e-u-u-k-fulfillmentFor 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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.