Gustavo is an advertising & marketing executive turned entrepreneur. 

In the past, he’s held management positions in fortune 500 companies in the US & abroad. 

He currently runs jijamas®, a high-end sleepwear brand that he founded several years ago to help women unwind & relax from their busy lifestyles. 

He loves all things related to e-commerce and working with international markets.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:42] Intro
• [01:20] Finding the right business idea
• [03:23] Identifying a gap in sleepwear market for adults
• [04:38] Creating pajamas you want to be seen in
• [05:39] Tweaking existing ideas for success
• [07:29] The importance of consultative partnerships
• [09:49] Proving concept and establishing supply chain
• [11:11] Committing to full-time entrepreneurship
• [12:24] Customer acquisition beyond friends & family
• [14:07] Gaining confidence from continuous improvement
• [15:26] Electric Eye: your true Shopify experts
• [16:23] Prioritizing profitability over rapid scaling
• [18:28] Leveraging platforms to reach wider audiences
• [20:18] Achieving growth through strategic scaling
• [21:09] Thriving amidst the pandemic surge
• [21:48] The power of product quality and reviews
• [23:01 Luxury sleepwear from jijamas

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Luxury sleepwear and comfy pajamas for men & women jijamas.com/
• Follow Gustavo Sanchez linkedin.com/in/gustavo-sanchez-8083a86/
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Noah Tucker is the founder of Social Snowball, the word-of-mouth marketing platform for ecommerce. 

His experience in building Shopify sites, running ads, and working with influencers led him to build Social Snowball, which now supports affiliate and influencer marketing for brands like Fanjoy, Goorin Bros, and Outway Socks.

Social Snowball’s modern and automated affiliate & referral programs drive millions in revenue for over 1,000 leading brands such as True Classic, Outway Socks, and Fanjoy.

In This Conversation We Discuss: 

• [00:41] Intro
• [01:41] Recognizing a gap in affiliate marketing tools
• [02:45] Traditional to modern affiliate marketing
• [03:31] Redefining functionality for affiliate programs
• [04:38] Harnessing the power of customer affiliates
• [05:33] Automating affiliate programs for customers
• [06:39] Seeding and retracting sales with Social Snowball
• [07:47] Tabs Chocolate's creator-branded pages strategy
• [08:52] Customer affiliate integration: Set it and forget it
• [09:20] Seamless influencer outreach & product redemptions
• [10:23] Start your affiliate program with Social Snowball

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Affiliate and referral platform for DTC socialsnowball.io/
• Follow Noah Tucker on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/noah-tucker-%E2%98%83%EF%B8%8F-71a294154/
• Follow Noah Tucker on Twitter/X twitter.com/noatuck

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Karina Kogan is an award winning marketing and technology executive with a track record of feuling transformational growth and digital innovation for disruptor brands. 

Karina currently serves as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Pvolve, an omnichannel fitness company that in 2023 announced a strategic partnership with Jennifer Aniston. 

Karina has spent two decades working at the intersections of innovation and marketing with prior roles as CMO of Oura, SVP & Global Head of Product Marketing at Peloton, and SVP of Digital Media and Products at WarnerMedia. 

Karina also holds board and advisory posts at Jackpot.com, FightCamp, among others. 

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:46] Intro
• [02:19] Growing an omnichannel fitness brand
• [03:02] Reflecting on career journey to Pvolve
• [04:25] Jennifer Aniston's organic connection to Pvolve
• [06:28] Authenticity in brand-talent partnerships
• [07:21] Trend: celebrity collaborations in consumer brands
• [10:22] Electric Eye: your true Shopify experts
• [11:20] How functional fitness became the solution
• [12:59] Building strength and flexibility using Pvolve
• [13:49] Bringing on key team members to drive growth
• [14:54] Collaborating with agencies and vendors
• [15:42] Combining home workouts and in-person studios
• [16:43] The diverse responsibilities of a CMO
• [18:15] Stay relevant: the value of continuous learning
• [19:36] Strategic resource allocation for maximum ROI
• [20:41] Leveraging networking & relationships as startups
• [22:02] Tap into functional fitness with Pvolve

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Functional and omnichannel fitness with resistance equipment pvolve.com/
• Follow Karina Kogan linkedin.com/in/kogankarina/
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

A few years ago, Shaina, CEO of Bask and Lather Co’s younger sister lost ALL of her hair to a ringworm that spread across her scalp and was misdiagnosed as dandruff. Dermatologist told her mother that her hair may never grow back after months of having a smooth, shiny scalp. 

Out of desperation, her mother took things into her own hands and created a scalp oil to stimulate growth, which is now the company's #1 best selling product and a viral sensation. 

Shaina, who is also a licensed Nurse Practitioner, helped her mother perfect the formulations and ensure that the ingredients were all natural and safe. 

In addition to running the now 8-figure company, Shaina is a mother, fiancee and real estate investor.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:40] Intro
• [01:53] The origin story of a hair care breakthrough
• [02:55] Harnessing homemade remedy to restore hair health
• [03:45] Using Instagram to validate potential market
• [04:34] Building a brand story and launching with impact
• [06:01] Scaling followers using strategic collaborations
• [06:33] Finding relevant pages to reach a wider audience 
• [07:46] Prioritizing organic reach across platforms
• [08:06] Workplace struggles as driving force to full-time CEO
• [10:20] Doubling revenue through full-time entrepreneurship
• [11:10] Episode Sponsor: Electric Eye
• [12:07] Ensuring business stability before going full-time
• [13:26] Harnessing Facebook Pixel for ad success
• [14:49] Finding an agency dedicated to the business
• [15:26] Reflecting on team dynamics in decision-making
• [16:50] Outsourcing warehouse operations for efficiency
• [18:44] Valuing passion and grit before skills when hiring
• [20:53] How to get products from Bask & Lather Co.

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Prevent hair loss with hair growth products baskandlatherco.com/
• Follow Shaina Rainford linkedin.com/in/shaina-rainford-ms-rn-fnp-c-27b241113/
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Ashu Dubey is the CEO and Co-Founder of Gleen, a leading generative AI-based customer service solution. 

As a serial AI entrepreneur, Ashu previously was CTO and Co-Founder of 12 Labs, an early pioneer in AI-powered personalized health recommendations. 

Ashu led top of the funnel user growth at LinkedIn, where he significantly accelerated user growth and was instrumental in launching innovative products such as LinkedIn Events. 

Ashu has an MBA from UCLA, attended IIT Dhanbad, and consistently merges technology and innovation to shape industry landscapes.

In This Conversation We Discuss: 

• [00:40] Intro
• [01:47] Bridging Discord and Ecommerce gaps
• [03:08] The importance of reliable AI in business
• [04:25] Balancing AI risks and benefits
• [04:49] Limitations of ChatGPT integration
• [06:09] Aligning AI abilities with customer expectations
• [07:05] Improving your AI tool through feedbacks
• [07:35] Safeguarding customer information
• [08:35] Editing and customizing AI responses
• [09:43] Incorporating AI into help desks
• [10:26] Testing AI exposure levels on customers 
• [11:03] Seamless Setup with Gleen AI
• [12:10] Gleen’s quick turnaround for integration requests
• [12:27] Unified suite of AI services with Gleen AI
• [14:17] Gleen’s special offer for Honest Ecommerce listeners
• [15:01] The omnichannel capability of Gleen
• [15:50] Find Ashu on LinkedIn and Twitter/X

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Generative AI platform for customer success https://gleen.ai/
• Follow Ashu Dubey https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashudubey

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Mussayab Ehtesham, affectionately known as "Moose" within his circles, is originally from the vibrant streets of Pakistan. Moose grew up in a middle-class family, instilling in him the values of hard work, resilience, and self-reliance—pillars that would become the foundation of his entrepreneurial spirit.

The visionary mind behind DMOOSE, an e-commerce brand that emerged in 2017 with a global mission to empower everyday athletes, Moose has transcended mere numbers. His story serves as a testament to breaking barriers and achieving monumental success through the right mindset and unwavering perseverance. 

With a background in Mechanical Engineering and a track record as a Project Manager in the automotive industry, Moose brings a distinctive perspective on business, innovation, and leadership. Beyond the realm of business triumphs, Moose's narrative extends to overcoming personal health challenges, offering profound insights into the crucial connection between physical and mental well-being. 

He underscores the power of mindset in achieving goals, continuous learning, and growth. For Moose, a balanced life is the key, revolving around the principles of family, fitness, and freedom. 

As an entrepreneur, investor, and motivator, he is on a mission to assist others in finding clarity, knowledge, and vision in their lives. 

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:54] Intro
• [01:47] Personal health struggles inspire business idea
• [02:51] From one product to a one stop shop
• [03:38] Leveraging project management skills for business
• [05:28] Pouring revenue back into business growth
• [06:49] Delegating tasks and embracing a leadership role
• [07:53] Transitioning from side hustle to serious business
• [08:54] Finding and investing in skilled individuals
• [11:03] Episode sponsors
• [13:05] Amazon to Shopify: long-term vision & branding
• [15:39] Using a diversified business strategy
• [17:04] The continuous optimization process on Shopify
• [18:47] Three key metrics for Shopify success
• [21:27] Balancing between Amazon and Shopify
• [21:54] Avoiding overreliance on a single channel
• [22:36] Avoiding complacency & staying on top of your game
• [24:17] Striking balance between business & personal life
• [25:34] Learning from failure: The path to improvement
• [27:06] The power of long-term planning and envisioning
• [28:01] One stop shop for all your fitness needs

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• One stop shop for fitness dmoose.com/
• Follow Mussayab Ehtesham linkedin.com/in/mussayab
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect
• Book a demo today at intelligems.io/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Brian Pedone took up boxing at the age of 13, and by 19, he had started his own boxing gym working with teenagers. 

Brian holds a BS in Computer Science and was featured by BusinessWeek in 2008 as one of the top 25 entrepreneurs 25 years and under in America. 

In 2013 he started the concept for Quiet Punch and has been at it now for over 10 years. His mission has been to make boxing accessible for all. 

He loves working with entrepreneurs and helping others get started.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:45] Intro
• [02:10] Quiet Punch: boxing in small spaces
• [03:18] Brainstorming the Quiet Punch model
• [04:29] Simplifying things to find the perfect design
• [05:41] Securing the right manufacturer
• [06:05] Shifting from boxing equipment to home fitness
• [07:18] Embracing the idea of a wider market
• [08:31] Overcoming minimum order requirements
• [09:28] Negotiating TV plans for mass market appeal
• [10:41] Prioritizing ownership and independence
• [11:17] Episode sponsors
• [13:26] Monetizing efforts for product investment
• [15:01] Encountering Ecommerce struggles and breakthroughs
• [16:09] Managing surge in sales and traction
• [17:00] Recognizing the "We're Onto Something" moment
• [17:25] Seizing unexpected opportunities
• [18:00] Sustaining momentum with accidental scarcity
• [19:00] Capitalizing on sustainable revenue
• [19:35] Anticipating success and accepting setbacks
• [20:42] Adjusting from increasing sales to slow growth
• [21:16] Transforming products into subscriptions
• [22:24] Building brand commitment through subscriptions
• [23:32] Testing what customers would like to pay for
• [24:20] Consumer interest on small group engagements
• [25:00] Building freemium relationships with customers
• [25:28] Idea vs. Execution: the critical combination
• [26:14] Managing expectations on startup success

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Smart home punching bag quietpunch.com/
• Follow Brian Pedone linkedin.com/in/brian-pedone/
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect
• Book a demo today at intelligems.io/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Jake Madoff is a full-stack growth marketing leader, specializing in growth marketing strategy, paid social, paid search, SEO, and CRO. 

He’s led growth at three multi-million dollar startups—Bespoke Post, Sealed, and Everytable and founded three startups of his own.

Through his 8-year freelance career, he has worked with over 100 brands like HUM Nutrition, Home Chef, Renaissance Capital, Kindo AI, Strategic Coach, Threadbeast, Jean Dousset, Partake Foods, TradeMark Engine, and many more, ranging from small ($5K-$10K monthly spend) to large-sized media budgets ($2M+ monthly spend). 

He helped these brands to optimize and scale their existing paid media campaigns, improve funnel conversion rates, evolve their creative strategy, and diversify their paid media marketing mix across different paid channels.

In This Conversation We Discuss: 

• [00:47] Intro
• [01:46] From affiliate revenue to lead growth
• [03:24] Embracing an omnichannel approach
• [04:38] Perfection delays progress in marketing
• [06:52]  crafting high-value lookalikes
• [08:29] Optimizing pixel insights &  conversion API
• [09:09] Creating compelling cinemagraphs
• [09:48] Understanding channel personalities
• [11:07] Maximizing Shopify's ad targeting capabilities
• [12:38] Taking enterprise-Level expertise to freelancing
• [14:10] Converting results across different sectors
• [14:48] Sharing expertise: offering tips and strategies
• [15:22] Exploring the roles of a growth marketer
• [17:00] The holistic approach of growth marketing
• [18:38] Maximizing ROI with limited ad budgets
• [20:53] Tailoring testing approach to ad spend
• [21:39] Balancing growth and acquisition costs
• [23:34] Determining the right time to add channels
• [25:21] Using organic & paid efforts on different channels
• [27:03] Reach out to Jake Madoff

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Increase your revenue with growth marketing jakemadoff.io/
• Follow Jake Madoff linkedin.com/in/jake-madoff-8a191070/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

As Chief Marketing Officer, Kiran oversees marketing, brand, channel and product strategy along with creative services with a goal of expanding ButcherBox's reach and communicating its authenticity to consumers. 

Prior to ButcherBox, Kiran served as the CMO at iRobot and as the CEO of Arnold Worldwide. Kiran earned her B.A. in Computer Science from Bucknell University and an MBA from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:44] Intro
• [01:29] Navigating the world of consumer packaged goods
• [02:45] The multi-faceted role of a CMO
• [03:39] Maximizing impact through integrated planning
• [04:26] Setting long-term goals in marketing
• [05:58] Adapting to business structures for team-building
• [06:47] Driving shared incentives in affiliate marketing
• [08:31] Nurturing genuine influencer relationships
• [10:13] Tailoring affiliate offers based on their audiences
• [10:52] Episode sponsors
• [15:06] Adding value & embracing growth in every role
• [16:31] Leveraging ecosystem support for growth
• [18:32] Building a culture of continuous improvement
• [19:45] Thriving in a Test and Learn environment
• [21:10] Quality meat subscriptions from ButcherBox
• [21:34] Kiran Smith's message to aspiring entrepreneurs

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Your meat and seafood solution every day of the week https://www.butcherbox.com/
• Follow Kiran Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiransmith/
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts https://electriceye.io/connect
• Book a demo today at https://www.intelligems.io/
• Revolutionize your inventory and fulfillment process https://www.portless.com/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Shizu Okusa is the Founder & CEO of Apothékary, a plant-based farmacy that couples traditional medicine with modern day ailments, offering natural alternatives to over-the-counter drugs and beauty products. 

The company was established in 2019 and has since expanded their business beyond the US and now in 22+ countries worldwide. 

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:52] Intro
• [01:39] Transforming No’s into a business idea
• [02:53] From Aha moment to a wellness journey
• [03:37] Modernizing Eastern apothecary
• [04:2] Gathering storefront insights for Ecommerce
• [05:41] Maximizing data-driven marketing
• [07:39] Embracing a remote and global team
• [08:22] The wave of mental wellness trends during COVID
• [10:24] Seizing the Shark Tank opportunity
• [11:50] Behind the scenes of Shark Tank filming
• [12:45] The numbers behind the Shark Tank pitch
• [14:03] Episode sponsors
• [16:06] Battling a hacking incident
• [18:16] Reflecting on social media best practices
• [19:05] Prioritizing email and owned media
• [21:19] The rise of wellness as gifts
• [22:46] The importance of targeted investor outreach
• [24:00] Clean, effective herbal remedies at Apothékary

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• More natural way of life through vetted herbal remedies apothekary.co/
• Follow Shizu Okusa linkedin.com/in/shizu-okusa-87a25415/
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect
• Book a demo today at intelligems.io/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Mischa is a dynamic force in the world of digital marketing; empowering heart-centered entrepreneurs to amplify their message into the market and elevate their authority, their impact, and their income. No need for throwing money away on Facebook ads, Mischa has got a better strategy up his sleeve!

With a track record of 20 years in old-school sales, Mischa marries tried-and-true strategies with the cutting-edge tools of the digital era. He has made over a million phone calls, run massive flier campaigns, and pounded the pavement door-to-door and business-to-business. 

Mischa and his team generated over 1.5 billion dollars in loans funded. After a brief retirement to guide his two boys through high school and enlighten others through yoga teaching, Mischa's now back in the game and his superpower is building influence.

As the founder of the "Influence Army" and host of the “Table Rush Talk Show”, he's all about sharing his expertise and inspiring others to put their voice out there in a big way. 

In This Conversation We Discuss: 

• [00:49] Intro
• [02:17] Building business on a budget using earned media
• [03:58] Using podcast tours in brand promotion
• [05:50] Tapping into diverse podcast audiences
• [07:15] Leveraging CTAs and catchy URLs
• [08:44] Crafting impressions for host recommendations
• [09:53] Enriching your network through podcast
• [10:57] Leveraging podcasts for collaborations
• [12:00] Podcasts as platforms for affiliate partnerships
• [12:59] Exploring joint offers and revenue sharing
• [14:00] Repurposing content for maximum impact
• [14:43] The multifaceted power of podcasting
• [15:39] Video transcription tools for seamless editing
• [17:12] The branding benefits of podcasting
• [18:25] The impact of podcasting in exposure and authority
• [21:00] Finding and targeting niche audiences
• [22:26] Refining podcast search strategies with AI 
• [23:22] Tapping into speaker lists for opportunities
• [24:20] Using tools to track competitors’ appearances
• [26:20] Efficient outreach with RSS feed finders
• [27:32] Hunting for podcast contacts
• [28:55] Proven templates for podcast guest outreach
• [30:38] Handling various replies to guest requests
• [32:53] Leveraging no responses for second pitches
• [34:34] Garnering interest for further discussion
• [35:48] Prioritizing conversations with interested leads
• [37:54] The power of follow-up in podcast guesting
• [39:34] Using LinkedIn to expand your network
• [40:16] Quick, simple, and value-added messages
• [41:17] Navigating positive and unexpected replies
• [42:07] Asking questions for smooth guest onboarding
• [43:05] Addressing production costs with guests
• [46:38] Responding strategically to feedback
• [47:26] Amplify your voice with The Influence Army

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Amplify your voice with a tribe of heart-centered entrepreneurs theinfluencearmy.com/mifge
• Start a profitable podcast tour theinfluencearmy.com/guide
• Valuable insights on strategic marketing podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/table-rush-talk-show/id1541515693
• Follow Mischa Zvegintzov linkedin.com/in/mischaz/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!