John Coogan is the Founder at Lucy, an innovative company in the nicotine industry, offering safer alternatives to smoking.In this episode, we discuss strategies for scaling production, taking products to market, generating buzz, navigating regulation, nailing retail distribution, and leveraging digital content to grow brands. And that's not all – we'll also get a glimpse into John's personal journey as a creator - where he's built a YouTube channel with almost 400,000 subscribers - as he covers startups in documentary style breakdowns.Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Starting a Company through Kickstarter2. Product Development and Business Struggles3. Growth and Market Response4. Manufacturing and Distribution5. Regulatory Hurdles and Nicotine Product Innovation6. Marketing and Brand Building7. John's Professional Journey8. Tackling Nicotine Addiction9. Insights from Market Trends and Consumer Demand10. Founding Soylent and Pivoting Business DirectionTimestamps00:00 Started a startup, joined Y combinator, flopped.08:03 Silicon Valley programmer pivots to protein shakes.10:15 Soylent named after dystopian Sci-Fi movie reference.14:29 Brought in advisor, introduced to copacker. Fatal error.18:12 Struggle to meet deadline amid viral attention.20:37 Positive profile led to successful product launch.22:16 Barely any time, huge oh, shit moments.27:35 CPG genre, product, problem-solving, Shopify, retail, omnichannel31:23 Nicotine industry transitioning from unregulated to regulated.35:12 Nicorette product unchanged for decades, now on Amazon.36:31 DTC Pod joins HubSpot podcast network.39:05 FDA assesses product safety for public health.44:32 Swedish Match, Zyn, acquired by Philip Morris.46:38 Customer data, targeting key regions, sales strategy.50:09 Meeting creators, learning needs, gaining credibility.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---John Coogan - Founder at LucyBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Joel Padron, COO and Partner at Homestead Studio, talks about scaling brands, focusing on financial targets, leveraging user-generated content in DTC, and practical marketing advice. They discuss partnering criteria, marketing strategies, creative content, customer perspective, landing page tactics, and more.

Rikin Diwan, CMO and Chief Growth Officer at soona, talks about the intersection of AI and human creativity in content creation, storytelling and authenticity in marketing, evolving market and content production, financial acumen in business, performance-based marketing, creator relationships and distribution channels, marketing at Uber, adaptive marketing playbooks, consistency in company messaging, and the platform and tools offered by soona.

Jess Chan, CEO of Longplay, delves into retention & lifecycle marketing for DTC brands, emphasizing the shift towards focus on retention in eCommerce. Insights on email marketing, optimizing email flows, and customer-centric SMS strategies. Importance of data, tools like Backbone, and immersive customer experiences. Advice on strategic campaigns, loyalty programs, and personalized messaging for successful retention strategies.

Rosa Li is the founder and CEO of Wildwonder - a brand that's reimagining the functional soda space with its sparkling drinks infused with heritage-inspired, gut-healthy ingredients.In this episode, Rosa shares about Wildwonder's savvy omnichannel approach, the strategic importance of picking high-impact distribution channels, and how they've managed to stand out in a crowded market through a perfect blend of educating consumers and delivering innovative flavors. Episode brought to you by More StaffingJoin 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Introduction to Rosa Li and Wildwonder2. Building A Unique Brand Identity3. Impact of Shark Tank Appearance4. Early Challenges and Growth Strategies5. Marketing and Distribution Focus6. Product Development and Positioning7. Educational Marketing and Consumer Engagement8. Social Media and Online PresenceTimestamps00:00 Started with teas, evolved to create convenience.07:14 Product's accessibility increased by using cans.10:28 Persistence secured co-packer for beverage production.12:05 Sold door to door during quarantine, survived.15:29 Omnichannel approach targeting customers in San Francisco.20:07 Approachable, whimsical, consistent brand with uplifting packaging.22:46 Shark Tank increased brand awareness and sales.28:08 Excited about unique beverage approach and distribution.31:23 Interest in brand growth and future opportunities.34:48 Discussing product positioning and education in marketing.36:59 Hard to educate market when starting from zero.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here and our Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok ---Rosa Li - Founder and CEO at WildwonderBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

In this episode, Nikole Flores and Ali Karsch from LVPR discuss new brand launch strategies, the importance of authentic brand content, leveraging social media engagement, media relations and pricing tiers, aligning with synergistic brand partners, and the role of trade press in gaining momentum. They also touch on topics like affiliate marketing, competitor audit, and the story behind a new brand launch.

Episode brought to you by More StaffingRyan Denehy is the Founder and CEO at Electric AI, an IT platform that empowers SMBs with user-friendly tools and guidance to streamline their IT management and secure their business.Electric, valued over $1B has raised over $200M to date and is backed by GGV Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Primary Venture Partners, Greenspring Associates, 01 Advisors, Bowery Capital, The Slack Fund, Vintage Investment Partners, and Atreides Management.Ryan joins Blaine & Ramon to give a first hand look at what it takes to build a unicorn, how to level up as an entrepreneur, and some hot takes on current market affairs.Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Importance of Spending Control2. Value of Experienced Advisors3. Persistence in Challenging Situations4. Significance of Self-Awareness Growth5. Product-Market Fit Exploration6. Strategic Business Pivots7. CEO Evolution and DelegationTimestamps00:00 Low barriers allow starting any type of business.09:33 Successful DVD distribution leads to sponsorship deal.15:30 Learned perseverance through years of daily skateboarding.21:33 Focus on solving specific problems for customers.26:52 Unknowingly found product-market fit through mountain biking.30:06 Founders need creativity and abstract thinking.34:59 Transition from experimentation to disciplined business operations.39:25 Founder transitions rapidly from customer focus to management.46:11 CEO aspirant emphasizes learning, adapting to challenges.54:59 You control spending and bank account balance.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here  and our DTC brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Ryan Denehy - Founder and CEO at Electric AIRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of CastmagicBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Episode brought to you by More StaffingSam Lessin is a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist who is currently GP at Slow Ventures, a venture fund that boasts five funds and nearly a billion dollars of capital. Previously, he served as the VP of Product Management at Facebook. As a contrarian investor, he's been an early supporter of multiple high-profile startups, from household consumer brands like Allbirds, Casper, Birchbox, Barkbox, to fintech/blockchain bets like Robinhood, Solana, and popular SaaS companies like Airtable, Front, and Slack to name a few.Join 15k founders and marketers & get our pod highlights delivered directly to your inbox with the DTC Pod Newsletter!On this episode of DTC pod we cover:1. Sam's Views on Platform Dependence2. Investment Philosophy and Strategies3. Entrepreneurial Realism in Pitching Businesses4. The Potential of the Franchise Model5. Constellation Software Angle in Business6. Reach and Engagement7. Investing in Niche Creator Markets8. Creator Business Investment Approaches9. Understanding Unique Communities10. Good Business Opportunities11. The Role of Audience and Community in Startup Success12. The Impact of AI on the Creator Sphere13. National Security and Business Concerns14. Sam Lessin's Background and Contributions15. The Evolution of Distribution Strategies and Creator Monetization16. Social Media Evolution and Attention ShiftingTimestamps00:00 Facebook, my college acquaintance, became revolutionary network.05:30 Decade of product development in online identity.09:04 Meta monetizes attention, success in brand deals.12:29 Social media evolved from entertainment to connection.17:06 Investing in creators with strong financial potential.18:41 Investing in diverse, niche expertise for impact.23:20 Starting things requires passion and trustworthiness.24:15 Consider audience building over operator expertise long-term.27:49 AI enhances entertainment, not human influence efficiency.32:33 Email remains crucial, platform choice is subjective.34:33 Invest in contrary, undervalued market ideas.38:43 AI companies are trendy, but often misleading.43:09 Venture capital experience leads to success.44:28 Studio models stack cash flows, creating constellations.Shownotes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more. Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here  and our brand directory hereFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Sam Lessin - Partner at Slow VenturesRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of CastmagicBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic

TikTok expert Jimmy Farley discusses monetization, content creation strategies, marketing advice, and building a creator brand on TikTok. He also talks about the importance of creators in social media marketing and the challenges of managing successful campaigns. The podcast explores the impact of TikTok Shop on creators and the benefits of building relationships with creators for organic TikTok growth. Additionally, it emphasizes the proper use of TikTok as a marketing tool and the value of case studies to evaluate service effectiveness.

Learn about the guest's transition from finance to biohacking and their development of PR lotion. Discover the challenges of commercializing a new market and merging another company. Explore their partnership with momentous and goal of optimizing life for a broader audience. Understand the challenges faced in scaling a DTC business and the importance of certification and transparency in the supplement industry.