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.

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
49 minutes 6 seconds

Boost Conversions with Build Grow Scale’s CRO Tips
“Most Shopify themes are built by developers to create an online store catalog, not a converting funnel.”
In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, Kurt Elster talks with Matthew Stafford, the CEO of BuildGrowScale, about finding success in e-commerce. Stafford, who went from selling t-shirts to mastering conversion rate optimization (CRO), shares his journey and offers practical advice for Shopify store owners. He discusses how to boost conversion rates, improve site speed, and create better user experiences. Whether you’re an experienced store owner or just starting out, Stafford’s insights will help you navigate the challenges of online retail and achieve lasting success. Tune in for a mix of compelling stories and actionable tips that can transform your e-commerce business.
Show Links
BuildGrowScale
Microsoft Clarity
Lucky Orange
Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
Sponsors
Zipify
Cleverific
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 September 2024, 10:00 am
38 minutes 44 seconds

Goodsellas: Why Movie Spoof Ads are Total Genius
Step into the rebellious side of marketing with this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast. Molly Pittman from Smart Marketer joins to rip up the rulebook on conventional advertising. We dive into the creation of "Goodsellas," a grassroots, "Goodfellas"-inspired commercial that flips traditional marketing on its head. Their conversation reveals the intricacies of creating a commercial that’s not just a spoof, but a smart, cost-effective marketing strategy. This episode is more than just a behind-the-scenes glimpse; it’s an invitation to reconsider the power and potential of creative thinking in the digital marketplace, challenging listeners to think differently about the intersection of commerce, culture, and creativity.
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.
27 August 2024, 10:00 am
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