Ecommerce Conversations

Will Nitze, the Founder and CEO of IQBAR, shares insights from his journey of launching a plant-based, low-sugar protein bar. He emphasizes finding uncompetitive niches to thrive in a crowded market. Will discusses his experiences with capital raising, scaling revenue, and leveraging consumer feedback during product development. He also delves into efficient strategies for maintaining a lean team and the importance of wholesale partnerships. Lastly, he touches on the unique elements that distinguish his products while focusing on cognitive health.

Kurt Elster launched his ecommerce agency in 2009 and his first Shopify store in 2011. His “Unofficial Shopify Podcast,” which he started in 2014, is now required listening for that community of merchants, developers, and vendors.He and I recently discussed the state of Shopify — themes, upgrades, user engagement, and the overall ecosystem.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/shopify-pro-on-themes-upgrades-ecosystemFor 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.

Jeff Sheldon is a designer turned entrepreneur. He started Ugmonk, a Pennsylvania-based direct-to-consumer brand, in 2008 as a seller of graphic-inspired t-shirts. His desktop organizers, which he added in 2020, are seemingly unrelated until realizing he designed both — the t-shirt graphics and the desk tools.Jeff first appeared on the podcast in 2020. He had just moved t-shirt fulfillment in-house and launched a Kickstarter campaign for his first desktop tool.In this episode, he addresses phasing out the t-shirts, expanding the (successful) desktop line, and the dilemma of selling on Amazon. For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ugmonk-brings-design-to-desk-toolsFor 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.

This episode first aired in July 2024.Barry Hott is a longtime Facebook advertising consultant. He says first reactions to an ad largely determine its performance. He advises merchants to create ugly ads, those that people won't skip over."I'm the Ugly Ads Guy," he stated.In this episode, Hott addresses key Facebook ad metrics, budgeting, testing, and, yes, ugly creative.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ugly-ads-perform-best-marketer-saysFor 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.

Jeff Oxford's initial attempt at ecommerce was selling dropshipped beer pong tables in 2013. The business, he says, didn't survive, but his love for optimizing organic search traffic did. Thus began his SEO career and the launch of 180 Marketing, his agency.Fast forward to 2024, and Jeff is an ecommerce SEO authority. Link building was on his mind when he appeared on the podcast in 2022. He now advises engagement — getting folks to click an organic search listing and consume the page's content — and reminds merchants that AI search has helped ecommerce rankings.He discusses those tactics and more in this episode.For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ecommerce-seo-pro-on-ai-2025-tacticsFor 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.

Roman Zrazhevskiy is a survivalist of a sort. His company, Mira Safety, sells protective gear for seemingly existential events such as nuclear attacks or chemical warfare. He calls the threat of such events "red alerts," when geopolitical crises prompt fear into consumers.  Zrazhevskiy first appeared on the podcast in 2021. In this episode, he shares the evolution of Mira Safety, staffing strategies, growth plans, and more.   For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/mira-safety-thrives-on-red-alerts  For 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.

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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.

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 This is take 1 from Derek at Voice Jungle.