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.

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
50 minutes 8 seconds

SHOP CAMPAIGNS: Deep Dive
Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/djnSFyBsB7M
We explore Shopify’s latest updates to simplify customer acquisition through its Shop Campaigns tool.
Host Kurt Elster talks with Shopify's Andrius Baranauskas, Product Director for Shop Campaigns, Shopify's not-so-secret weapon for getting new customers on autopilot.
Later, Nathan Onesian, Director of Ecommerce from melin, and Nick Daniels, Senior Ecommerce Manager, from OluKai spill how Shop Campaigns turned into their secret weapon for scaling fast.
Key Takeaways:
- What is Shop Campaigns and how it simplifies customer acquisition
- The power of Shop Cash to incentivize purchases
- New features to win backlapsed customers with incentives on Shop
- Real-world success stories from top Shopify brands
Guests:
Andrius Baranauskas, Product Directorat Shopify
Nathan Onesian, Director of Ecommerce at melin
Nick Daniels, Senior Ecommerce Manager at OluKai
Links:
- Shop Campaigns
- [Shop Campaigns video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rddSHVroIcc)
- Shop.app
- Melin
- OluKai
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into growing your Shopify store!
Sponsors:
- Zipify: http://zipify.com/KURT
- Cleverific: https://cleverific.com/unofficial
- Omnisend: http://your.omnisend.com/Unofficialshopifypodcast
Never miss an episode:
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/tusp
Join Kurt's newsletter: https://kurtelster.com/
Help the show:
Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialShopifyPodcast/
Leave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/unofficial
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/tusp
What's Kurt up to?
See our recent work at Ethercycle: https://ethercycle.com/work/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ethercycle
Apply to work with Kurt to grow your store: https://ethercycle.com/apply
8 October 2024, 10:00 am
46 minutes 52 seconds

Meet $100M+ Chubbies Co-Founder Kyle Hency
“I’m a builder. I want to be building a team, building an exceptional product, and competing every day.”
Kyle Hency had a simple goal: create a brand that speaks authentically to men like him. What started as a fun idea among friends quickly grew into Chubbies, a $100M+ brand known for its short shorts and unapologetic personality. In this episode, Kyle reflects on the early days of experimenting with marketing, the challenges of scaling, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way. We explore how he transitioned from building Chubbies to co-founding Loop Returns, and now, his latest venture, GoodDay Software, an ERP solution for Shopify merchants. It’s a journey of reinvention, risk, and relentless pursuit of creating something new—while keeping things fun.
Show Links
- GoodDay Software
- Chubbies
- Loop Returns
- Kyle’s favorite book: That Will Never Work by Marc Randolph
- Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn and Twitter
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.
1 October 2024, 10:00 am
49 minutes 11 seconds

Top Pickleball Creator's Video Content Strategy
"Our number one best-selling product… it’s called the Dink Master."
Enhance Pickleball's Connor Hance shares his incredible journey from college tennis player to the leading content creator and entrepreneur in the fast-growing world of pickleball.
🎯 Episode Highlights:
1. Connor's transition from tennis to pickleball during the pandemic.
2. How Connor’s first product sold over $1,000 a day on Amazon.
3. The viral content strategy that grew his YouTube channel to 100 million views.
4. Building a six-figure business without paid advertising.
5. Insights into product development and scaling an e-commerce brand.
6. Connor’s advice on leveraging social media to drive brand growth.
7. The importance of learning from industry experts and peers.
👤 About Connor Hance:
Connor Hance, a former D1 tennis player for UCLA, stumbled into the world of pickleball during the pandemic. What started as a casual interest quickly turned into a thriving business. Today, Connor is known as the #1 content creator in the pickleball community, with his brand Enhance Pickleball dominating both on Amazon and across social media platforms. From his early days taping pickleball courts at his parents’ tennis facility to launching a successful line of pickleball products, Connor’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and smart content strategy.
Show 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.
24 September 2024, 10:00 am
50 minutes 16 seconds

How a Reddit Post Led to a $5M Skincare Brand
Hear how Austin Beals hacked his way out of a chronic skin condition to create Dermazen, a skincare brand that’s bringing in $5 million a year. No investors, no BS— just one man’s obsessive quest to relieve his own seborrheic dermatitis symptoms that turned into a product line changing lives. Austin talks about bootstrapping with a small SBA loan, leveraging niche Reddit communities, and the guerilla marketing tactics that propelled his brand into the big leagues. This is the blueprint for turning your personal problems into a game-changing business.
Show Links
- Dermazen
- r/sebderm
- Disrupter School
- Vocal Video
- Insta: @austinthebeals
- Insta: @dermazenco
- SBA Loans
- Google & YouTube App
- Shopify
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.
17 September 2024, 10:00 am
53 minutes 44 seconds

Inside the Shadowy World of Returns Fraud
Tackle the increasingly troubling issue of returns fraud in the e-commerce world. As return fraud rises, this once-overlooked issue is now a major concern for online retailers. You'll learn how fraudsters are gaming the system and the wild, often unnoticed, methods they're using to rip off small businesses. Brace yourself for a journey into the less-talked-about side of your shopping cart. Join us as we explore the critical steps needed to combat this growing challenge.
Show Links
- nofraud.com - check out their blog which has resources on return fraud, covering all the different types & prevention strategies
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.
10 September 2024, 10:00 am
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