The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

Ethercycle LLC

“How's an entrepreneur like me supposed to grow my Shopify store?” That's what The Unofficial Shopify Podcast aims to answer. Discover new opportunities to grow your store from the world’s most successful Shopify entrepreneurs. Hosted by Kurt Elster, a senior ecommerce consultant and Shopify Plus Partner, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast is not authorized, endorsed, or sponsored by Shopify– It's a no holds barred discussion of ecommerce growth strategy & tactics.

43 minutes 18 seconds

Turning Scratched Lenses into 8 Figures
“We’re doing about 1,500 pairs a day… we’re gonna hit eight figures this year, probably next year for sure.”
You know that favorite pair of sunglasses you can’t throw away? Brandon Dill turned that frustration into an 8-figure business. He’s the founder of Fuse Lenses, a brand built on bringing those scratched shades back to life.
In this episode, we trace Brandon’s journey from side hustle to scaling a manufacturing business, built on curiosity, ingenuity, and a lot of hustle. But it’s not all smooth sailing—Brandon dives into the realities of cash flow struggles, seasonal peaks, and the surprising challenges of bootstrapping. And as his company grows, he reflects on what success truly means when passion becomes a job.
Links
- Fuse Lenses - Replacement lenses for name-brand sunglasses
- Brandon Dill - Founder, Fuse Lenses
Tech Stack:
- Shopify - E-commerce platform
- Klaviyo - Email marketing and SMS platform
- Attentive - SMS marketing platform
- Okendo - Reviews and ratings app for e-commerce stores
Sponsors
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
17 December 2024, 11:00 am
43 minutes 21 seconds

Shopify’s New Customer Accounts
Tired of logging into five different portals just to make a return? Shopify says enough. Patrick Millegan joins Kurt Elster to talk about the new customer account extensions, designed to simplify logins, reduce support headaches, and make online shopping enjoyable again. It’s a step forward for UX that proves e-commerce should be easy for everyone.
Links
Get all the info on what's new: Shopify Editions Winter ’25
More people & links:
- Patrick Millegan (Senior Product Lead, Shopify)
- Kurt Elster (Host, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast)
- Keap Athletics
- Cleverific
- Shopify Flow
- Sufio
- Upro
- Shop Pay
- Hydrogen
Sponsors
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
11 December 2024, 2:45 pm
43 minutes 58 seconds

Smart Marketer Live Recap
Mindset, AI, and ghost hunting— Smart Marketer Live wasn’t your typical marketing event. We break down the big ideas that got us thinking (and laughing) in Denver. You'll get an inside look at the conference, featuring attendee interviews that explore themes like artificial intelligence in business, strategic reinvestment, and the evolving role of mindset in small business success.
Sponsors
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
10 December 2024, 11:00 am
45 minutes 56 seconds

Building a Successful Shopify App & Community
Harshdeep Singh Hura didn’t just stumble into the Shopify partner community—he helped build it. In this episode, we meet the first-ever recipient of the Shopify Community Award, whose open-source projects now power nearly 8% of the app ecosystem.
Harshdeep shares his 10-year journey, from hacking together iOS apps as a teenager to leading a full-service Shopify agency, and ultimately shifting his focus to empowering developers and merchants alike. We delve into the art of app development—where solving real problems beats engineering perfection—and explore how community, open-source contributions, and a touch of humor shaped Harshdeep’s path. Along the way, we hear tales of triumph, a few bumps in the road, and why one app is designed to show clown emojis to would-be copycats.
Listen in for a conversation that goes beyond code to capture the heart of what it means to thrive in the Shopify ecosystem.
Links
- harshdeephura.com
Sponsors
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
3 December 2024, 11:00 am
48 minutes 18 seconds

10,000 UX Audits Later: How Oddit Boosts Shopify Sales (Without Data or Meetings)
What if you could boost your Shopify sales without relying on data or endless meetings? Oddit's unconventional approach has turned heads—stripping away feedback loops, simplifying designs, and focusing on clarity above all else. Oddit co-founder Shaun Brandt joins to share his experience delivering over 10,000 UX audits, helping brands increase conversions by fixing the basics.
🎯 Episode Highlights:
1. Why Oddit doesn’t rely on data for UX audits and what makes their approach work.
2. The most common mistakes Shopify stores make with navigation and communication.
3. How Shaun’s team has optimized over 10,000 stores using clear, actionable design improvements.
4. Why simplifying the user experience drives more conversions.
5. The anti-agency model Oddit uses and why it’s so effective.
6. How Oddit helps brands increase conversions without endless meetings or feedback loops.
7. The importance of clarity over cleverness in online store design.
👤 About Shaun Brandt:
Shaun Brandt is the co-founder of Oddit, a UX design firm known for its unique approach to conversion optimization. With over 10,000 audits under their belt, Oddit helps Shopify merchants strip away the fluff and focus on what really matters: clarity and user experience. Shaun’s team specializes in delivering high-value audits without the typical meetings and feedback loops, offering merchants clear, actionable improvements that drive results.
Show Links
- Oddit
- Oddit's Free Offer
Sponsors
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
26 November 2024, 11:00 am
45 minutes 20 seconds

From $800K to $26M: Depesh Mandalia’s Facebook Ads Story
“It’s truly magic. That’s the word I use internally to describe what we’re doing here.”
What if you could turn $800K into $26 million in just 18 months—using nothing but Facebook ads? That’s exactly what Depesh Mandalia did. In this episode, he breaks down how he went from figuring out Facebook ads the hard way to running an agency that’s managed over $100 million in client revenue. Depesh doesn’t hold back on the real wins, the messy failures, and the lessons learned from scaling campaigns that most of us can only dream about.
We dig into why creative is king, how to survive the iOS 14 apocalypse, and why scaling ads gets easier once you’ve cracked the code. Plus, there’s a surprising ad campaign involving a 1-star review that somehow… worked.
Links
- SM Commerce – Depesh Mandalia’s digital marketing agency.
- Depesh Mandalia on LinkedIn – Connect with Depesh on LinkedIn.
- Brand-Driven Performance Marketing Method – Learn more about Depesh’s marketing approach.
- Lost My Name – The personalized children’s book company Depesh helped scale.
- Depesh’s Facebook Ads Scaling Guide – Get the inside scoop on scaling with Facebook ads.
Sponsors
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
19 November 2024, 11:00 am
46 minutes 14 seconds

The Black Friday Email Guide for Real-World Brands
“Honestly, I think my best customers don’t even look at the discounts. They get the email, see the new pants, and just say, ‘I want them.’”
Black Friday: the annual marketing frenzy brands prep for all year. Kurt Elster sits down with Colby Kane of Aviator USA, who has a refreshingly different approach. No cringe sales gimmicks, just a smart, no-nonsense plan. Colby shares his early-access tactics, simple email flows, and why staying low-key can outperform loud, constant discounting. They dig into why subtle beats loud, how to run discounts without gutting brand value, and how a straightforward plan is the real power move. If you’re ready for a fresh, real-world approach to Black Friday, this episode’s your blueprint.
Links
- Kurt’s Black Friday Email Planning Google Sheet: A ready-to-use holiday email calendar template
- Colby Kane (Guest): Aviator USA
- Kurt Elster (Host): Ethercycle
Apps, Tools, and Services Mentioned:
- GovX: Military and first responder discount verification
- Klaviyo: Email marketing automation
- Happy Returns: Return management platform
- Redo (Return management with optional fee for package insurance)
Sponsors
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
12 November 2024, 11:00 am
41 minutes 17 seconds

How Downpay Solves Payment Challenges | The Unofficial Shopify Podcast
"I can't stop talking about partial payment, apparently." – Diana Birsan
Co-founder of Downpay and former Shopify Product Manager, Diana Birsan, joins us to break down how she built Downpay, the app that lets merchants offer partial payments for pre-orders, custom-made products, and more. It’s a potential game-changer for stores with long lead times and high-ticket items. Diana shares how she made the leap from a stable gig at Shopify to starting her own thing. Want to know how partial payments could boost your sales? This episode has the answers.
Links
- Downpay
- Follow Diana Birsan on LinkedIn
Sponsors
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
5 November 2024, 11:00 am
42 minutes 58 seconds

How Shopify Built a Financial Hub to Empower Entrepreneurs
“It’s truly magic. That’s the word I use internally to describe what we’re doing here.”
We chat with Vikram Anreddy, Head of Product for Finance at Shopify, about how Shopify is making money management way easier for merchants. Taxes, loans, cash flow—it’s all getting simplified with Shopify Finance, a one-stop shop for all your business finances. Vikram walks us through how this whole idea came about, what problems they’re solving, and what’s next. If managing your money has ever made you want to pull your hair out, this one’s for you. Plus, who knew taxes could be this easy?
Links
Sponsors
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
29 October 2024, 10:00 am
44 minutes 37 seconds

TikTok Shop Made This Stationary Store Go Viral
“Most brands just send out samples and then it’s done. We go the extra mile that 99% of brands do not do.”
Building a multi-million dollar business typically involves more than wedding invitations and viral TikToks. Yet for Josh Hadley, it began precisely there. In this episode, he recounts the evolution of his e-commerce brand, Hadley Designs, from a niche stationery shop to an 8-figure operation navigating the complex terrain of Amazon and Shopify. The conversation with Kurt Elster explores how TikTok Shop became a surprising growth catalyst, offering a modern twist on the age-old challenge of acquiring customers. Hadley’s story offers a glimpse into the future of retail, where scaling hinges on the power of social media and the unpredictability of going viral. Tune in to hear how Josh took viral hits and turned them into a full-blown growth strategy
Links
Sponsors
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
22 October 2024, 10:00 am
43 minutes 54 seconds

PR Strategy for Shopify Stores
“PR is the highest leverage activity, and we’re not taught that because it’s easier to just create a reel and hope it goes viral.”
In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, we meet Gloria Chou, a PR coach on a mission to break down the barriers of traditional media. Gloria didn’t take the expected path into public relations—she reinvented it. She shares how she went from diplomat to helping small businesses earn coveted media spots in outlets like Forbes and The New York Times, using her unique CPR method for pitching. We explore the quiet power of PR, how to land a spot in a holiday gift guide, and why PR might just be the secret weapon for Shopify entrepreneurs looking to grow.
Links
- Gloria's Gift Guide
- Gloria Chou: GloriaChouPR.com
- CPR Method Masterclass: GloriaChouPR.com/masterclass
- Instagram: @GloriaChouPR
- Help a Reporter Out (HARO): helpareporter.com
- Skimlinks: skimlinks.com
Sponsors
Never miss an episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Join Kurt's newsletter
Help the show
- Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group
- Leave a review
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
What's Kurt up to?
- See our recent work at Ethercycle
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store.
15 October 2024, 10:00 am
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