Ecommerce Coffee Break – The Ecom Marketing & Sales Podcast

Claus Lauter
undefined
Jan 19, 2026 • 24min

2026 Privacy Laws Alert: Avoid Getting Sued – What Brands Must Do TODAY — Richart Ruddie | Why Privacy Lawsuits Are Rising, Why Pixels & Trackers Cause Risk, Why Many Cookie Banners Fail, What A Privacy Lawsuit Looks Like, How To Protect Your Brand (#459)

In this episode, we explore the rising threat of privacy lawsuits hitting e-commerce and CPG brands. Richart Ruddie, Founder of Captain Compliance, explains how new legal technologies are helping attorneys target smaller businesses for tracking pixel violations. He shares how brands can protect themselves by automating compliance, fixing broken consent banners, and staying ahead of rapidly changing state and federal laws to avoid massive legal fees.Topics discussed in this episode:  Why privacy lawsuits target CPG brands. How AI tech speeds up legal claims. What tracking pixels cause the most risk. Why common consent banners often fail. How session replay tools invite litigation. What 20 state laws mean for merchants. Why blocking EU traffic isn't enough. How automated portals handle data requests. What litigation protection shields offer. Links & Resources Website: https://captaincompliance.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richartruddie/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@captain-complianceGet access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/mv6f5jj2______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
undefined
Jan 14, 2026 • 19min

How To Maximize Your Ecommerce Exit — Frank Kosarek | How To Value Your Brand, How Buyers Judge Real Business Value, Why Most Founders Lose Exit Value, What Documents Buyers Expect, What Buyers Fear Most, Why Brand Equity Drives Value (#458)

In this episode, we explore the best strategies for selling your e-commerce business and avoiding common mistakes that lower deal value.Frank Kosarek, Co-founder of BizPort, explains how to prepare for a successful exit by getting your finances and operations in order. He shares tips on finding the right time to sell, understanding what buyers look for, and using a simple formula to value your brand. Frank also talks about common deal structures and how his team uses AI to make selling faster and cheaper.Topics discussed in this episode:  Why investor demand for e-commerce remains strong. What two factors signal the best time to sell. What profit margins make brands more investable. How documentation gaps destroy potential deal value. How seller financing and earn-outs impact deals. What revenue levels change valuation multiples. How to prove brand equity with search data. How AI streamlines the business listing process. Links & Resources Website: https://biz-port.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-kosarek-496929b0/Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/5n8sjadu______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
undefined
Jan 12, 2026 • 21min

Loyalty Programs: How To Reward Engagement — Jed Strong | Why Loyalty Programs Fail, Why Loyalty Goes Beyond Discounts, How To Reward Without Discounts, How Games Drive Loyalty, How Engagement Drives Growth, Why Engagement Boosts LTV (#457)

In this episode, we explore how to fix loyalty programs that rely too much on discounts. Jed Strong, the Enterprise Sales Director at Adjoe, explains how brands can move past simple transactions. He shares how "rewarded engagement" allows customers to earn points by playing mobile games instead of just spending money.Jed breaks down how this strategy helps brands stay relevant every day without hurting their profit margins. He also discusses why modern loyalty needs to be fun and how to build a deeper connection with customers through their phones.Topics discussed in this episode:  Why traditional loyalty programs often fail How to stay top-of-mind between purchasesHow rewarded engagement builds durable bonds What makes points-earning feel too difficult How mobile games fuel new loyalty habits Why game studios fund your customer rewards Why over-discounting hurts your bottom line Links & Resources Website: https://adjoe.io/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedstrong/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adjoe.io/Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes athttps://tinyurl.com/szue9yy3______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
undefined
Jan 7, 2026 • 24min

How To Launch A Clothing Brand In 2026 With Zero Inventory — Paul Yu | How To Build A Clothing Brand Without Minimum Order Quantity, Why MOQs Kill Brands, How To Source Without Risk, Why Niche Selection Matters, Why Starting Small Wins (#456)

In this episode, we explore how to launch a fashion brand without the risk of buying huge amounts of inventory upfront.Paul Yu, Founder and CEO of eProlo, explains how modern supply chains allow sellers to start small and test products before committing to large orders. He shares how his platform helps over 1.6 million sellers use custom branding and automated shipping to grow their businesses. Paul also discusses why focusing on a tiny niche is the best way for new brands to survive and scale in today’s market.Topics discussed in this episode:  How Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) kill new fashion brands.Why buying inventory upfront is risky.How eProlo automates global fulfillment. What custom branding adds to packaging. Why a small niche ensures better focus. How to transition from zero to millions. What role automated shop syncing plays. Why stable suppliers reduce business risk. Links & Resources Website: https://eprolo.com/Shopify App Store: https://apps.shopify.com/eproloLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eprolo/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eprolo/ Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/3yanmjsf______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
undefined
Dec 17, 2025 • 25min

How To Start A Profitable Ecommerce Business In 2026 — Ben Knegendorf | How To Launch In 30 Days, How To Find High-Ticket Products, Why The Buyer Comes First, Why Google Shopping Works Best, Why Passionate Buyers Boost Repeat Revenue (#455)

In this episode, we discuss how to start a profitable e-commerce business in 2026 without wasting money or burning yourself out. Ben Knegendorf, Co-Founder at dropshipbreakthru.com, shares why most new sellers fail early, what makes high-ticket dropshipping safer and more profitable, and the essential steps to take in your first 30 days.Topics discussed in this episode:  Why the old copy-paste “guru” models are crashing in 2026.Why most new sellers fail before they even hit “launch”.Why high-ticket is safer than chasing low-ticket chaos.How to spot $1,000+ products that don’t bleed returns.The simple way to test a product without burning cash on ads.The real amount you need to start an ecom business the right way.Why a real brand beats hacks and keeps you in the game long-term.Links & Resources Website: https://dropshipbreakthru.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dropship-breakthruInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dropshipbreakthru Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dropshipbreakthruX / Twitter: https://x.com/DropshipPodcastGet access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/3j99a8we______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
undefined
9 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 20min

What Really Makes Shoppers Buy (Discount Code Study) — Cara Marin | The Discount That Drives The Most Sales, How To Scale Shopify Promotions, Why Unique Codes Stop Leaks, How Big Brands Scale Discounts, Why Win Back Offers Work Best (#454)

Cara Marin, an ecommerce marketing expert from Seguno, shares insights from a benchmark study on 162,000 discount campaigns. She discusses how unique discount codes prevent leaks and protect brand perception, while also allowing for more effective promotions. Marin highlights the importance of targeted offers like welcome and win-back discounts, and why gift-with-purchase strategies can boost revenue. Smaller brands can learn to leverage these tactics, mirroring the success of larger companies without sacrificing margins.
undefined
Dec 8, 2025 • 26min

How Your Work Group Chat Is Quietly Ruining Your Business — Guy Weiss | Why An Always-on Culture Drains Teams, Why Mixed Chats Risk Company Data, How Your Business Data Gets Lost, How Smart Integrations Boost Workflow, What Makes Zenzap Different (#453)

In this episode, we dive into the silent killer of e-commerce team productivity: using personal chat apps for work. Guy Weiss, CEO and founder of ZenZap, shares how relying on apps like WhatsApp can quietly harm your business through security risks, employee burnout, and lost data. He reveals the "hidden cost" of the "always on" culture and explains how a business-focused messenger can keep your company's secrets safe, integrate with your tools, and make your team highly productive.Topics discussed in this episode:  Why personal chat apps break work. The hidden cost of "always on" culture. Why personal apps ruin work/life separation. How your business IP is lost on employee phones. Why unstructured group chats cause missed orders. Why staff privacy matters as a business grows. How ZenZap solves complex communication. Links & Resources Website: https://www.zenzap.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenzap/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenzapappYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenzap_app Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/yeym4uyb______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
undefined
Dec 3, 2025 • 11min

How I Built a 480-Episode Business Podcast — Claus Lauter | How The Show Became A Full-time Business, Why Most Podcasts Fade, What Makes Podcast Growth Slow, How The Show Makes Money, How Listeners Can Help The Show Grow, What 2025 Taught Me (#452)

In this episode, Claus Lauter, host of the Ecommerce Coffee Break Podcast, dives into his journey of building the show.He gives a recap of 2025, shares lessons learned from growing a slow social channel, and explains how the podcast evolved from a side project into a full-time, monetized business.He also highlights the growing impact of AI on online shopping and ecommerce for both customers and suppliers.Topics discussed in this episode:  Why the 2025 goal of 100 episodes is happening.AI's huge impact is on online shopping.How the podcast started four and a half years ago.What the host learns from all interview guests.Why only 10% of global podcasts are active.Why most podcasts stop after episode seven.What "pod fade" means for new podcasters.Links & Resources Website: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommerce-coffee-break-podcast/X/Twitter: https://x.com/ecomcoffeebreakInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecommercecoffeebreak/Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/5hcc6uv4______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
undefined
Nov 26, 2025 • 20min

Friendly Fraud: The Silent Killer Putting Your Ecommerce Margins At Risk — Simon Wijckmans | How To Stop Friendly Fraud, Why It Kills Your Margins, How To Prevent Chargebacks, What A 0.5% Fraud Rate Really Means, Why Browser Security Matters (#451)

Join Simon Wijckmans, Founder and CEO of cside, as he delves into the world of friendly fraud—a silent threat to eCommerce margins. He explains how bad actors exploit chargebacks for profit and why payment issuers make it easy for customers to file disputes. Discover the hidden costs of fighting chargebacks and how client-side security intelligence can prevent them. Simon shares insights on device fingerprinting, the critical nature of browser security, and a case study showing how one business reduced chargebacks by up to 70%!
undefined
Nov 24, 2025 • 24min

STOP Losing Money: How to Implement Profit First — Karl O'Brien | How To Find Your Hidden Cash Cows, What “Profit First” Means, How To Use Contribution Margin, Why Discounting Harms LTV, And Why Acquiring Customers For Retention Is Key (#450)

In this insightful discussion, Karl O'Brien, Co-founder of Store Hero and former digital marketing agency founder, reveals how e-commerce businesses can shift their focus from revenue to profitability. He highlights the common 'profit shock' merchants face at month-end and explains the importance of understanding contribution margins. Karl unveils strategies to identify hidden cash cows and the dangers of discounting. Additionally, he stresses that successful Q4 strategies should prioritize profit rather than just sales.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app