The Shopify Growth Show

What if the polished ads you spent thousands on were actually hurting your brand?In this episode, we explore how real, imperfect content is outperforming big-budget campaigns — and why most Shopify founders are still getting it wrong.Jim Huffman sits down with William Gasner, co-founder of Stack Influence, to unpack the real power behind UGC (user-generated content) and why it’s become a secret weapon for smart eCommerce brands. From influencer seeding to ad fatigue, they get brutally honest about what actually drives conversions in 2025 — and how founders can stop wasting money and start scaling with authenticity.Key Topics CoveredWhy UGC outperforms professional ads in today’s marketThe overlooked value of product seeding (and how to do it right)How to build a content machine that fuels both ads and organic growthWhy creative freedom often leads to better results than tight scriptsThe truth about influencers, follower counts, and what really matters Resources:Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51) 

We didn’t mean to sell out — but we did.Every. Last. Unit.In this episode, I break down the exact strategy that took our Shopify brand from launch to “sold out” in 30 days — and how you can steal it for your own store.This isn’t a flex. It’s a cautionary (and highly tactical) tale. After selling out of all inventory at our Shopify brand Neat Apparel in under a month, I walk through the step-by-step system that led to the spike, the problems it created, and the lessons learned in the chaos. If you’re chasing sustainable demand - not just viral traffic - this episode unpacks the real playbook behind a Shopify growth moment.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEThe 4-part launch formula that drove immediate sell-throughHow to create urgency without discountsWhat broke behind the scenes (and how we fixed it)The unexpected upside of a sold-out storeWhy every brand needs a “sold out” contingency planResources:GrowthHitJim Huffman websiteJim's LinkedinJim's TwitterThe Sold-Out PlaybookAdditional episodes you might enjoy:From concept to $24M in 2 years 🤑 - The Shopify Growth Show (#1)Launching a Brand From Idea to Product with Liz Long - The Shopify Growth Show (#2) 

Liz Long, co-founder of Nearshore.ai, shares her extensive knowledge on transforming innovative ideas into actual products. Liz discusses the critical steps in product design, manufacturing, and supply chain management, offering invaluable tips for startups and established businesses alike. With a background in launching successful brands and an accelerator, Liz provides a wealth of practical advice, from navigating production phases to leveraging global supply chains. She also explores current trends, the importance of specialized products, and effective inventory management strategies. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive in the e-commerce and manufacturing spaces. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEStarting a Brand: The Initial StepsDesigning Your Product: Key ConsiderationsFinding the Right Factory and Supply ChainBudgeting and Cost ManagementNavigating Production and Quality ControlChoosing Manufacturing LocationsManaging Inventory and Cash FlowFinal Mile: Shipping and FulfillmentExploring Current Trends in Fashion and Product SpecializationThe Rise of the Drop Model and Its ChallengesLiz's Journey: From Reusable Shopping Bags to Product AcceleratorThe Transition to Nearshore and Its ImpactBalancing Work and Family: Liz's Personal InsightsConclusion and Final ThoughtsResources:Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook  Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51) 

What if your hardest season became your biggest breakthrough?Ming Zhao built a $24M skincare brand in just 2 years—while pregnant and going through Y Combinator. This isn’t just a startup story. It’s a story of pressure, clarity, and purpose colliding at once.In this raw and revealing episode, Ming Zhao, CEO and co-founder of PROVEN Skincare, shares how she transformed corporate burnout into one of the fastest-growing beauty startups—scaling to $24 million in just 24 months. She opens up about building a data-driven business during one of the most demanding periods of her life, and how AI, science, and personal insight helped reshape the future of skincare.Key Topics Covered:How AI and data are transforming skincareThe Skin Genome Project explainedNavigating Y Combinator while pregnantBuilding a business model rooted in scienceLiving the “Love your job, live your life” mindsetResources:ProvenJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51) 

You've been asking for it, so we're delivering! The If I Was Starting Today podcast is refocusing our content on the things you've told us you want the most: tips, tricks, and stories to help you grow and succeed you businesses on Shopify. This new direction will see us talking with experts and successful Shopify business operators as well as continuing to deliver tactics, tips and insight used to grow our own channels.Thank you for helping to make this podcast a success and continuing to follow the journey with us in this new direction!

In this episode, we explore the essential steps to take an idea and grow it to a seven or eight-figure brand, particularly focusing on Shopify and direct-to-consumer markets. Key points include optimizing product offerings, building a strong business model, creating a unique category, investing in conversion rate optimization, leveraging paid and organic traffic, and more. This comprehensive guide is based on years of experience and is packed with actionable insights aimed at helping you build and scale your Shopify store effectively. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEGet the Product RightLaunch with a Flagship ProductSolve a Real ProblemEarly adoptersChoose Your VillainGet the Business Model RightCreate a MovementCreate Your Own CategoryPick a FightBuild a CommunityIrresistible offerTest Activation TacticsTurn Customers into MarketersInvest in Organic TrafficRetention is KeyInvest in Conversion Rate OptimizationMaster Meta and InstagramOptimize Google AdsUse Proven Tech StackKnow Your NumbersLaunch StrategyCalendar Your Marketing Resources:Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook  Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51) 

Craig Swanson, an entrepreneur who has launched eight AI startups in just eight weeks, shares his expertise on custom GPT applications. He discusses the transformative potential of AI tools like ChatGPT in marketing and business operations. Craig highlights effective strategies for prompt engineering and emphasizes the importance of creating a comprehensive knowledge base. Practical examples showcase how custom GPTs enhance productivity, automate workflows, and provide real-time insights from sales data, all while preparing for future AI innovations.

In today's podcast, we dive deep into the journey of high achievers with Sherif Sakr, the CEO and founder of CEOS (Chief Executive Operating System). Sharif shares invaluable insights on how mindfulness can significantly benefit business leaders, emphasizing the importance of being intentional and creating space between stimulus and response. He elaborates on the challenges faced by CEOs managing large teams and offers tactical advice on managing time, focusing on the right tasks, and leading effectively. Sharif also discusses the transition from running small businesses to scaling up and the crucial role of a strong hiring process. If you're aiming to take your company to the next level and seek fulfillment in the process, this episode is a must-listen.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEHappiness and AchievementMindfulness for Business LeadersAM and PM Bookends for SuccessCEOS: Chief Executive Operating SystemScaling Up: From Project Manager to CEOSharif's Journey and InsightsResources:CEO-SSherif Sakr LinkedInGrowth Marketing OS (Operating System) GrowthHitJim Huffman websiteJim's LinkedinJim's Twitter  Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51) 

In this episode, Jim and Jordan dive deep into creating ads that convert. Starting from asset essentials, they discuss product photography, lifestyle images, and UGC videos. They emphasize the significance of understanding customer personas and value propositions before creating ads. The video covers frameworks for ad testing, the importance of visual variety, and features real-world case studies, including e-commerce and B2B examples.Tune in for insights and strategies to boost your ad performance.  TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEIntroduction and Agenda OverviewEssential Assets for Effective Ad CreativeFrameworks for Crafting Targeted AdsVisual Variety and Testing StrategiesIterating and Optimizing Ad PerformanceCase Studies and Real-World ExamplesAI Tools for Ad CreationConclusion and Final ThoughtsResources:Growth Marketing OS (Operating System) GrowthHitJim Huffman websiteJim's LinkedinJim's Twitter Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51) 

Dive into the exciting world of AI as it revolutionizes business strategies! Discover 11 game-changing tools that enhance efficiency, from custom GPTs to powerful analytics. Explore how AI-driven image and video generation can transform your marketing tactics. Learn about integrating these innovations seamlessly into your workflow and the real-world successes and challenges faced during implementation. Whether optimizing your website or refining your email marketing, this session offers practical tips to supercharge your growth with AI!