The Shopify Growth Show

In this podcast, David Jenyns discusses the importance of creating systems in business to enable scalability and efficiency. He highlights the key steps of defining, assigning, and optimizing systems, emphasizing the need for a Chief Systems Officer. The discussion covers misconceptions about systems, the role of minimum viable systems, and how systems can create space for creativity. Overall, the podcast provides practical tips for founders to build effective systems in their businesses.

This week, Jim is joined by Kendra Kawala co-founder of Maker Wines, to discuss how she and her partners were able to create a new product category in the wine industry and grow her company to be one of the biggest in the space, through pounding-pavement grit early on as well as using savvy growth tactics while scaling.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE What is Maker WineWorking with 15 different wineriesCalculating order economicsBusiness school benefits vs consFinding the right co-founderHow to scaleGetting conviction up frontApplying b2b tactics to d2cTimingResources:https://www.makerwine.com/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, a 3-time founder, shares his experience of creating 10 startups in just 6 weeks. He discusses the benefits of building in public, the importance of validating ideas, and the decision to VC or bootstrap. Craig also talks about B2B or B2C options and highlights his projects, 'Review Pulse' and talent sourcing service.

Jesse Pujji, CEO of GatewayX, shares his playbook for growing a self-funded startup. Topics discussed include bootstrapping, bootstrapped giants, working within your zone of genius, leveraging unfair advantages, and more.

This week, Jim talks to Lloyed Lobo, Co-Founder of Boast, about his amazing Journey through Entrepreneurship, and how he was able to harness community led marketing to bootstrap a business to over 10M.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEBeing a swiss army knifeDon’t let rejection rule you, let it fuel youGrowing up on the streets of Mumbai: value of communityThe three key skills for entrepreneurshipThe key to consistency3 Different types of communityHow to figure out who to target for your communityThe importance of understanding the customerJust askInflection points of a bootstrap companyAudience vs CommunityResources:From Grassroots to Greatness: 13 Rules to Build Iconic Brands with Community Led GrowthJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookAdditional 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) 

Jim and Yonathan explore another Iconic Read (or in this case watch) as they break down Bill Gurley's filmed speech titled Running Down a Dream.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEWho is Bill GurleyBeing the most knowledgeable vs being the smartestFinding your passion and honing your craftBobby Knight – Finding MentorsBob Dylan – Being in the epicenterDanny Meyer – Taking NotesSam Hinkie – Focus and ConvictionKatrina Lake – Being a talent magnet Creating 10x peer groupsResources:Running Down a DreamAbove the CrowdJim 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)

This week, Jim gives an update on the 3M Dollar challenge before doing a deep dive on a recent book and podcast that has shifted the way he thinks about starting a business. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODEUpdate on the 3M challengeAn inspiration to think differentlyBuying vs Building pros and consQ4 growth hacks/frameworkGrowth CalendarAlways on tacticsMarketing moments Resources: My First MillionJim 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) 

This week, Jim chats with Nick Harris, founder of multiple startups and someone who has come into a company and helped them sell at huge valuations not once, but twice. Nick shares tips on how he managed to be so impactful, his approach when he comes into a new organization, and how to find a good fit in the first place.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Starting early in techKeys to making an impact in a new companyWhat do you say no toGrowth strategySetting PriceFinding a strategic partnerTrying to foster inspiration Resources:Nick Harris TwitterJim 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) 

This week, Jim talks with Tejas Manohar, about he and his co-founders grew his data startup High Touch through leveraging communities and marketing smart cuts, and how data activation can become a super power for businesses. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODESelecting the right ideaSelecting the right Co-foundersHow to be scrappySmart cuttingLeveraging communitiesWhat is data activation ResourcesJim 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) 

Jim and Yonathan continue their conversation from last week and dive into the startups that have caught their attention. Then they give an update on the state of the $3M challenge and brainstorm the next business they would like to acquire.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODENew additions to forbes wealth listBoomers needing to sell their businessesFudge from UranusThe rarity of killer offline marketingLuxury brand playbookSimilarities between luxury and noveltyFrameworksUpdates on businessesResources: 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)