Ecommerce Masterplan: Interviews And Advice To Help Build Your Online Retail Business Faster

David Mannheim is the author of “The Person in Personalisation: The Story Of How Marketing's Most Treasured Possession Became Anything but Personal”. AND founder of Made With Intent. Hit PLAY to hear: Why most personalisation isn’t personal—and how to fix it The surprising link between empathy and customer retention Netflix’s 10-year lesson on making personalisation work The one question every brand should ask to connect deeply Easy, actionable steps to humanize your marketing today  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [05:38] Debate over email subject lines' impact importance. [08:18] Feeling nickel-and-dimed; brands lack personalization empathy. [11:24] In-store vs. online: personalization, empathy difference. [13:16] Personalization: Familiarity, acknowledgment, care, intimacy, authenticity, listening. [19:31] Brands should prioritize personalization for customer retention. [23:12] Framework created; personalization start routes explored. [24:30] Understanding intent personalizes communication in e

Diego Mandelbaum is the CEO at KF Beauty, a privately owned beauty company based in the UK, who own one of the most recognizable make-up brands launched in the last few years Wunderbrow.com. Founded in 2015 they now sell globally via their Shopify store and Amazon and some small select wholesale partners. And all in all they do 15,000 orders a month. Hit PLAY to hear: The 80/20 rule that transformed Wunderbrow’s growth strategy How to avoid the biggest risk of rapid expansion Why focus is the ultimate growth hack for eCommerce brands The trade-offs every business must manage to scale sustainably  Diego’s #1 tip for navigating a business transformation  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [08:06] Seeking impact as CEO of KF Beauty. [14:19] Managing product discontinuation and new product launches. [17:53] Be pragmatic: Simplicity and focus yield growth. [18:53] NYU professor discusses business growth trade-offs. [23:22] Established product faces challenges with new launches. [25:18] Listen to Diego’s Top Tips!

Mirry Christie is founder of sustainability consultancy B·ABLE and Jules Haines is the founder at award winning luxury interiors resale platform Haines. They both have STACKS of brand-side experience helping eCommerce businesses grow and become more sustainable especially in the home and gardens space. Which is what their new venture The Green Room is all about – helping the home and garden industry become greener.  Hit PLAY to hear: How 42% of UK landfill textile waste comes from homewares—and what to do about it The Green Room’s unique approach to eco-friendly eCommerce growth Secrets to cutting packaging costs while staying sustainable Why collaboration (not competition) drives success in sustainability Practical tips to kick-start sustainability in any eCommerce brand  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [04:59] Helping SMEs simplify and implement sustainability strategies. [06:47] Green Room fosters sustainable innovation and collaboration. [11:29] Small group collaboration expanded to over 35 brands. [1

Joy Young is the eCommerce and Marketing Manager at Beards & Daisies, sellers of plants and flowers. Founded in 2015, they now sell via their B2C Shopify store which does over 10,000 orders a month, wholesale customers like Dunelm, and have a team dedicated to looking after business customers for everything from corporate gifting and interior design to commercial installations.  Hit PLAY to hear: Adding new products strategically Using a phased approach to product launches Investing in technology for project management Making sure teams work together Focusing on the customer and their needs  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [06:28] Expanding customer base with frequently-purchased products. [08:52] Team structure and what they outsource. [13:33] Stagger launch phases for continuous promotional opportunities. [14:23] Prioritize action, iterate quickly, embrace imperfection. [18:10] Communication and feedback are key elements to success. [20:46] Houseplants becoming interior decor, not horticulture. [22:

Ian Leslie is the CMO at US B2B homewares brand Industry West. It all started with Industry West in 2010… now they have a Shopify store and B2B sales reps, with sales of over $20m a year.  Hit PLAY to hear: The roles of design and user experience in eCommerce Simplicity enhances customer satisfaction How customization contributes to B2B success Why aligned teams are key to growth The importance of continuous adaptation  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [05:41] Industry West ecommerce journey: Drupal, Magento, Shopify. [07:33] Creating bespoke, aesthetic, B2B design experiences effectively. [09:59] Redesign improved eCommerce site's functionality and aesthetics. [13:37] July Shopify launched B2B module, enabling customization. [16:51] Educate teams; align website and sales efforts. [20:45] Listen to Ian’s Top Tips! Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/521Download your copy of “Home Goals” now >>> https://ecmp.info/homegoals ..This podcast uses the following third-party services for analys

Warren Jonas is the CEO and co-founder at Wild & Stone sellers of eco-friendly household products. Founded in 2018, the range now includes over 100 eco-friendly products which they sell via their Shopify store and 1,000 wholesale partners. Sales are now over £1,000,000 a year.  Hit PLAY to hear: Starting with a clear mission & vision Using a customer-focused approach Sustainability and quality going hand-in-hand Having a multi-channel strategy  Why a lean team structure works  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [05:33] Moms influence sustainable product strategy and portfolio expansion. [09:08] Retail: Prioritize profit to ensure business sustainability. [09:58] Small core group augmented by agencies and tools. [13:30] Bamboo toothbrushes popularized eco-friendly products globally. [16:46] Embrace Amazon's dominance; collaborate, don't compete. [18:36] Listen to Warren’s Top Tips! Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/520Download your copy of “Home Goals” now >>> https://ecmp.in

Amitai Sasson is the VP of eCommerce at Overstock Art, an online art gallery selling reproductions of the great masters and original works. Founded in 2002, they now sell via their custom website, Amazon, and provide drop ship services for large retail partners. Overstock Art now has over 500,000 customers and annual sales of 8 figures.  Hit PLAY to hear: The role of SEO in a niche business Diversifying sales channels to reach more customers A different kind of dropshipping The importance of inventory management  And why relationships increase traffic and sales  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [03:57] An overview of what Overstock Art sells. [06:21] Program lets artists sell originals, earn royalties. [07:37] Shipping costs hinder global art market expansion. [11:54] Research, outreach, relationships; use LinkedIn, services. [17:55] Plan ahead, hold stock, competitive advantage gained. [20:58] Listen to Amitai’s Top Tips!    Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/519Download your copy of “Home Goals”

Once upon a time, Lucy Bloomfield ran her own eCommerce skincare business and achieved crazy levels of growth. And since 2018 she’s been helping other business owners to achieve huge leaps in sales without allowing the rest of the business to fall apart. Lucy joins us to share her system for doubling sales without slashing prices or ramping up ad spend. If you’re looking to increase profit, avoid overstock issues, and build long-term, loyal customer relationships, this episode is a must-listen! Hit PLAY to hear: Lucy’s 10-step go-to method for doubling sales—without heavy discountsThe timeline Lucy recommends for planning campaignsThe secret to building urgency and scarcity into your offersWhy storytelling is your best sales tool (and how to use it!)Timing tricks that boost sales—no ad spend requiredWays to escape the “discount death spiral” for goodKey timestamps to dive straight in: [03:07] Brands should enhance efficiency, strategy, relationships, sales. [07:23] Luxury brands balance demand without discoun

Malina Zarb is the Marketing and eCommerce Director at Zone3, the world’s highest rated triathlon brand. Founded in 2006, Zone3 now sell via their Shopify store and wholesale channels, in total doing £9million a year about 45% of which is DTC.  Hit PLAY to hear: What Zone3 is all about How to balance niche markets The importance of community in building and scaling a brand Sustainability and how it works in performance products Nailing the basics and keeping things simple  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [03:11] Closed business for family, pursued consulting and eCommerce. [05:55] Focus on two core markets with different products, price points, and communities. [08:10] Community passion and quality define marketing approach. [10:06] Invested in grassroots events, clubs, ambassador networks. [14:28] Balancing opportunities with strategic resource management. [17:06] Nail basics before adopting new technologies. [20:14] Launched biodegradable wetsuit; pursuing sustainable innovations. {21:50] Listen to Mali

Mike Stevens is one of the DTC pioneers, with 8 years at Innocent Drinks back in the 2000s, and then founding good-for-you confectionery brand Peppersmith, which over 10 years he scaled all the way to exit in 2018. He’s also the author of the excellent and bestselling and award-winning book “The Direct to Consumer Playbook: The Stories and Strategies of the Brands that Wrote the DTC Rules”.  Hit PLAY to hear: The highs and lows of being an entrepreneur Knowing when to transition your business, or to close it Considering product-market fit Opportunity cost and why it matters Embracing failure as a learning opportunity  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [05:58] Mike’s take on sustainability, functionality, his Amazon journey, multichannel business. [12:27] High acquisition costs due to low demand. [15:03] Real product, timing challenges, consumer purchasing shifts. [17:46] Running the business was full-time, unfeasible to leave on the side. [21:17] Considering opportunity cost over easy choices. [25:10] Passi

Shri Kanase is the founder of Yoru Marketing, where he and his team run Google Ads and YouTube Ads for some of the biggest eCommerce brands in the world, and have helped 100s of brands scale. In fact… Yoru Marketing is one of the fastest growing and top rated Google Ads PPC Marketing Agencies in the USA because they’re all about your results.Hit PLAY to hear:Why account structure mattersAll about the TPS approachProduct feed optimisationThe importance of conversion trackingHow to deal with seasonal changesKey timestamps to dive straight in:[05:31] Success in Google Ads relies on strategic structure.[07:38] Optimized product feed crucial for ad success.[12:23] Focus on high-buying intent for successful campaigns.[15:09] Test, separate, scale: optimize profitable product campaigns.[17:22] Focus on training algorithm for right audience.[19:50] Classify products by different life cycle stages.[23:02] Customize strategies based on performance and needs.[27:03] Listen to Shri’s Top Tips!Full episode notes here: htt

Guy Blaskey is the founder at Detrash watches, where he’s on a mission to both create the most efficient eCommerce company possible AND be a force for good by creating sustainable products and supporting 1% for the planet and Surfers Against Sewage. Guy founded Detrash in January this year and started selling in June exclusively via it’s Shopify store. Guy was previously on the show talking about his multi-million turnover pet food brand Pooch and Mutt. Hit PLAY to hear: Starting a new business with purpose and passion Practicing proactive sustainability The growing trend of ethical consumerism Disrupting industries with sustainable options Why a small team matters for startups  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [04:43] Enjoys advisory roles, charity work, and entrepreneurship. [09:11] Watch provokes sustainable conversations and reminders. [11:22] Greenwashing in FMCG packaging is really annoying. [13:26] The more people want recycled products, the more businesses are going to get into recycled materials. 

Scaling Smarter: How GiftsOnline4U is Transforming the Gift Business with Asgar Dungarwalla  Asgar Dungarwalla is the Founder of GiftsOnline4U, the award winning personalised gift retailer. They sell over 2,500 products via their WooCommerce website, marketplaces, and wholesale to both the B2C and B2B markets. Founded in 2012 they now do £750,000 per year.  Hit PLAY to hear: Why personalization is key for GiftsOnline4U How Asgar downsized his team to make them more efficient and effective The importance of building strong ties with outsourced teams Streamlining for profitability How to use AI in an eCommerce business  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [04:55] Personalisation challenges: wrong info from customers, technology issues. [08:08] Overseas teams are cost-effective and skilled overall. [12:02] Focus on productivity over growth for better results. [14:29] Using AI early can increase business productivity. [17:58] Perplexity AI is a great search engine. [22:18] Customized gifts using input-based real-

Judith Harvey is the eCommerce lead at Naturisimo, the home of ethical beauty. Founded in 2008 they now sell via their Shopify store with 7-figure sales.  Hit PLAY to hear: Naturisimo’s personalization journey The challenge of maintaining Naturisimo’s identity while promoting the brands they carry How to effectively use brand stories Retaining customers through education and brand association What segmentation can do for your business  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [05:36] Delivering safe, effective, clean beauty products. [09:22] Challenges: recruiting, retaining customers; expanding product purchases. [10:50] Finding product associations to educate and upsell. [13:15] Balancing brand innovation and customer loyalty. [19:16] Success based on segmentation. [20:33] Personalized, journey-based customer engagement and product discovery. [22:17] Listen to Judith’s Top Tips! Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/512Discover Yoast for Shopify >>> https://ecmp.info/yoast-shopify .This podcast use

John Sills is the Author of the ‘leadership book of the year 2023, “The Human Experience: How to make life better for your customers and create a more successful organization”, AND managing partner at The Foundation Growth Consultancy where they help organisations achieve customer led success.  Hit PLAY to hear: The importance of human experience in eCommerce and what led John to write his book The myths of customer feedback, customer loyalty, and return on investment The cost of poor customer experience How better customer experience can lower your business costs Behaviors and enablers and why you should care about them  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [05:28] eCommerce, retail, hospitality satisfy more than banking. [07:39] COVID inspired a book about being human. [11:11] Feedback surveys focus on superficial customer opinions. [15:03] Customer loyalty to organizations is often fickle. [19:04] NHS ensures transparency and engagement with donors. [22:35] Digital experiences harder to resolve customer iss

Lauren Duncan is the Head of eCommerce at Philip Kingsley, creators and sellers of Trichological Hair and Scalp products. Founded in the 1950s, Philip Kingsley now sell via their Magento eCommerce store, wholesale via salons and other retailers, and run 2 clinics in London and New York. Their number one Hair Mask sells one unit every 30 seconds worldwide!  Hit PLAY to hear: The clinical side of Philip Kingsley Digital transformation and its benefits Their promotional strategies that focused on quality over quantity The brand’s gift with purchase optimisation Philip Kingsley’s future plans  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [06:30] Hair treatment business pivots to digital expansion. [07:35] New storefront for clinic, subscription assessment, web app. [14:15] Improving execution and data for better promotions. [15:58] Elevating promotions through bespoke photo and video. [18:54] Testing, personalization, and AOV focus increase. [23:50] Exciting updates on clinical and retail transformation. [25:04] Listen to

Jenna Tanenbaum was Head of Growth at DTC toilet paper success story Who Gives a Crap for nearly 4 years. And she now runs performance creative and UGC marketing agency Ostrich.  Hit PLAY to hear: How Jenna got her start in eCommerce What she learned as Head of Growth at WGAC Lots of advice about how to build your business for growthTips for handling content creation challenges today   Key timestamps to dive straight in: [04:24] Career journey from banking to digital marketing. [08:30] Who Gives a Crap: Sustainable toilet paper, global impact. [11:44] Profits can be used in various ways. [14:50] Strong brand, culture, risk, hiring, empowerment, evolving. [17:56] Digital marketing dynamics have rapidly evolved. [21:25] Listen to Jenna’s Top Tips! Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/509Doofinder - Start Your Free Trial >>> https://ecmp.info/doofinder ..This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-p

Rosie Mangiarotti is the founder & CEO at Perkies, creators of innovative undergarments. Founded in 2019, Perkies sells via their Shopify store, Amazon, and wholesale, and is now growing 100% year on year.  Hit PLAY to hear: Why you should solve real pain points in your business How Perkies adapted and evolved their product line Rosie’s collaboration with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation  The importance of leveraging sales channels Focusing on continuous innovation  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [04:43] Started business, launched products, inspired by entrepreneurs. [07:31] Reduced focus on sticky bras, emphasis on nipple covers. [12:37] Creating realistic, enhancing nipple products for survivors. [14:16] Empowering women, giving back, problem solver. [17:32] Early Amazon launch and reviews drive sales. [21:13] Listen to Rosie’s Top Tips! Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/508Doofinder - Start Your Free Trial >>> https://ecmp.info/doofinder ..This podcast uses the following thi

Nick Feint is the founder at Stone Arrow Jewellery. A multichannel jewellery retailer selling recycled glass jewellery from New Zealand. Founded over 25 years ago they now sell via their own physical and eCommerce stores, as well as wholesale, totalling around $500,000 a year and are growing at a steady annual 20%.  Hit PLAY to hear: Adaptability in business Turning challenges into opportunities The importance of storytelling, email marketing, and a good loyalty program Leveraging different sales channels Collaboration and teamwork  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [03:25] Key interview points: retention, wholesale, low carbon. [07:00] Getting online fever from COVID. [09:12] Upcycled bottle designs are beautiful and innovative. [12:06] Exciting shift to recycling in local market. [14:58] Fashion industry embracing versatile wholesale methods. [22:17] Encourage additional purchases through loyalty points program. [23:24] Listen to Nick’s Top Tips! Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/507Doofinder - S

Wizz Selvey is a powerhouse with a constant stream of ideas and insight (that’s what her clients say!). Wizz helps brands navigate the retail space in the UK, helping them standout, build brand awareness and grow through both DTC sales AND selling through retail partners. Wizz and I have been sharing tips on LinkedIn for AGES so it’s great to finally be able to chat – AND to bring that chat to all of you. Hit PLAY to hear: The importance of understanding the retail landscape Why you need to diversify your channels Building strong relationships with your retailers How adaptability can help sustain your growth Integrating your retail and DTC strategies And why patience and persistence are key  Key timestamps to dive straight in: [05:26] Diversifying sales channels can boost profits.  [08:48] Strategic approach to retail distribution takes time. [12:13] Proving customer demand is crucial for buyers. [15:42] Continual awareness building for successful sales process. [18:56] Plan launch strategies and drive consum