Stripe goes under the microscope, Allbirds stores are discussed and Ryan Reynolds’ smart business model gets a mention in this week’s episode.
Nik and Moiz take a close look at Stripe’s latest valuation, why Moiz bought a $2,500 cell phone service, and Blank Street’s $20 million raise.
This episode was brought to you by Tapcart: Mobile Apps for Shopify.
If you are looking to improve your store’s mobile revenue performance, then check out Tapcart and get your first 2 months free at https://tapcart.com/limited
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

Follow Nik:
Twitter: twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:
Twitter: twitter.com/moizali

S3 Ep12: Stripe’s Falling Valuation / The Allbirds Pivot / The World’s Most Accessible Superhero

So many DTC brands think nice PR is more important than honesty. But that’s not us.
We're Nik & Moiz, and we're tired of all the hot air in our industry. This podcast is the behind-the-scenes conversation that gets to the heart of what DTC is really like.
Nik Sharma founded Sharma Brands, and Moiz Ali’s company Native was acquired by P&G for $100M. We have no reason not to call people out, and share our spicy takes. This is the conversation you won’t hear anywhere else, with two of the most experienced names in the industry.
We’ll be diving deep into industry moves, autopsies on failed brands, and why we’re investing in certain companies. Episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Marketing

Entrepreneurship

We can’t escape TikTok Shop, and chances are good neither can you. But is it actually working for the brands that are using it? And what does their AoV look like? 
Nik also breaks down TikTok Shop’s shift to QVC-like ads as the boys debate the latest trends and happenings in TikTok Shop. How much do affiliates get paid anyway?
But let’s get down to brass tacks—because the guys are wondering whether or not the US government is trying to ban Shein for legitimate reasons or if they’re just plain racist against Chinese companies. Sure they might have a case for banning TikTok, but is there any merit to restricting the fast fashion empire from selling products in the US? Is Shein sourcing its raw materials from dubious sources or is it all just a bunch of smoke without fire?
Then, Nik and Moiz make the case for why DTC businesses need to start looking outside the US market for sales. Why aren’t more brands considering selling in other countries? And how come most marketing agencies aren’t interested in bringing brands to other nations?
Plus, Moiz unleashes the smartest business idea he’s ever had… or the dumbest idea he’s ever had. Take your pick.
 
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
 
00:00:38 - Live Streams Focused on Products
00:06:46 - TikTok Embraces Live Streaming Trend
00:12:27 - How TikTok Customizes Comments Algorithm
00:14:48 - US Government Targets Chinese Businesses
00:20:57 - Expanding Internationally
00:22:13 - Europe Dominates Amazon US Traffic
00:25:02 - Opportunities for Brands in Amazon
00:28:31 - Creating a Business for GLP Medications

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
 
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
 
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
 
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
 
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

S8 E6: Racist or Righteous? Unpacking the Hate Against Chinese Companies

Who can possibly resist the “add two more leggings to your cart—and get the third one free” offer?
Nik and Moiz discuss the power of cart promos—what do the best offers look like, and what are the game-changing moves brands are taking to capitalize on cart deals? They dive into the curious case of Halara, and unravel how the influencer-based brand leveraged cart deals, TikTok, and influencers to compete with the likes of Shein and Fashion Nova. 
Then the guys break down the rise of new DTC brands—what sets companies like Strawberry Milk Mob and Crown Affair apart from their predecessors like Warby Parker and Bonobos? How has the DTC landscape changed so drastically in such a short period of time? Is this the death of huge campaigns and the shift to slow audience validation? 
And later, Nik wonders whether there’s room for companies to start utilizing private label brands more often. Is there a world where a franchising type of mindset can work for DTC? Or has Nik completely lost his mind?
 
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
 
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
 
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
 
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
 
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
 
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

S8 E5: Cart Promo Hacks, Old School vs. New School DTC Brands, and Capitalizing on Private Labels

Polish up your POG collection because Moiz is still trying to pawn off his slammer at an absurdly high price to anyone gullible enough to buy it.
In this week’s ep, the guys debate the sustainability of fad businesses. What’s the lifespan of the average fad—and is it wise to hop on the bandwagon before it dies out? Nik and Moiz break down the ways to build a sustainable and discuss whether or not brands like Prime Energy and Stanley are poised to fade into oblivion soon. 
The boys also explore the pain points of distribution in the beverage world and the potential pitfalls of private equity takeovers. Is there any way a brand won’t go to shit after a private equity takeover? Does flooding the market with knock-off fad products ever work?
And later, the guys dive into the latest trends in social media marketing, including the difficulty of going viral through TikTok shops, building a timeline for CRO changes, and outwitting the competition by dominating the funnel on Google Maps. 
 
00:01:04 - Protein Shake Brand Acquired for $280M
00:07:00 - Private Equity's Impact on Wellness Industry
00:13:39 - Prime Sales Decline
00:20:51 - Stanley Cup: Fad or Sustainable?
00:23:49 - Building Businesses on Fads: The Truth
00:31:30 - TikTok Shops Increase Revenue Cuts
00:43:11 - Cutthroat Lead Gen Strategy
00:47:24 - Innovative Furniture Company with Local Tryouts
00:49:42 - Business Timeline Creation: A Must-Have
00:55:03 - Private Label Brands and TikTok Marketing
 
 
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
 
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
 
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
 
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
 
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
 
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

S8 E4: The Dirty Truth About Fad Products (We're Looking at You, Prime Energy)

Nik’s live from the Whalies and talking to one of DTC’s brightest minds—Nood’s VP of Marketing, Bryan Cano.
In this jam-packed special episode, Bryan and Nik unravel marketing’s greatest mysteries. Are analytics marketing’s best attempt at science-ing the shit out of great creative? Are analytics mostly BS or are they the greatest tool in your DTC marketing belt? And if they are, what’s the #1 message you should be taking away from your analytics? 
Bryan also uncorks the secrets of scaling Nood from $0 to $60 million in less than two years. How did doubling down on TikTok pay dividends for the nascent company? And what are the platforms Bryan swears by? 
Plus, stay tuned as he and Nik field questions from the audience and unpack the virtues of being more methodical, balancing your ROAS and MER, and avoiding TikTok ad fatigue. 
 
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
 
00:01:07 - Nood’s Journey to $60 Million
00:02:29 - TikTok Spending Strategy for Success
00:04:26 - Using Different Attribution Models in Marketing
00:09:11 - Diversifying Channels: TikTok vs. Meta
00:12:25 - Understanding Media Consumption for Effective Advertising
00:14:46 - Avoid Wasting Money on Clicks
00:18:45 - Building a Resilient Brand with Press
00:20:27 - Optimizing In-Store Sales with Budget
00:25:21 - Optimizing Tech Stack for Brand Success
00:28:19 - Landing Page Testing Platform Recommendations
00:29:40 - Audience Q&A Session
 
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
 
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
 
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.
 
Follow Bryan: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryancano/
 
Follow Nik:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma
 
Follow Moiz:
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

S8 E3: Analytics vs. Creative: Which Matters More? with Nood’s VP of Marketing Bryan Cano

How did category-leading brands like Caraway and Mejuri rise to rapid DTC success? Nik and Moiz break apart the brand playbook and dive into Facebook’s top suggestions for creating more effective ads. How can celebrity testimonials and advertorials take your brand to the next level? 
Then, find out exactly how investors think about IPOs. Moiz analyzes the biggest conflicts of the founder-investor relationship when it comes to going public. What do you need to know to protect your own interests?
And finally, Nik and Moiz break down the fastest-growing shopping categories in the Meta landscape, discussing the value of various brands in the e-commerce space and dissecting the different ways they can be acquired or go public. 
Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.
 
00:01:02 - Amazon's Use of Anonymous Tracking
00:05:46 - Heat Map: Revenue-Driven Analytics Tool
00:07:29 - Absurdly High Valuations for Software Companies
00:13:20 - CEO-Investor Incentive Disconnect at IPO
00:17:20 - Fastest Growing Meta Categories Revealed
00:21:23 - Predicting Mattress Conversion Rates and AOV
00:23:57 - Utilizing Celebrity Testimonials in Marketing
00:26:17 - Experiment with Colors and Models for Audience Reach
00:28:48 - Facebook's Approval: Analyzing CPM Trends
00:33:33 - Building Category Leading Brands in Marketing
 
Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.
 
Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ
 
And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

S3 Ep12: Stripe’s Falling Valuation / The Allbirds Pivot / The World’s Most Accessible Superhero

Download our free app to listen on your phone