ASOM Pod

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) dive into how top DTC and SaaS leaders are preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 and what strategies actually move the needle when it comes to revenue, retention, and cash flow.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to maximize customer lifetime value (LTV) during BFCM.
• Why customizable bundles and bulk box builders drive repeat purchases.
• The phased approach to running smooth and profitable promotions.
• When and how to convert monthly subscribers to annual plans for better cash flow.
• The psychology behind doorbusters, free shipping, and curated holiday boxes.
• How leading eCommerce teams are preparing their operations, messaging, and offers for 2025.
  

Whether you’re leading a scaling SaaS or growing a DTC brand, this episode is your Black Friday 2025 Playbook, straight from operators who’ve lived it.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com
Particl — the competitive intelligence platform built for eCommerce brands. Track real sales, inventory, and pricing across thousands of products to see what’s selling, who’s winning, and where to move next. Get started at https://www.particl.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com
___

00:00 Teaser Trailer

01:17 Black Friday Cyber Monday Strategies

05:34 Introducing the Bulk Box Idea

09:56 Preparing for Black Friday Launch

11:29 Customer Feedback and Future Plans

21:50 Growth Packages and Subscription Models

25:39 Raw Materials and Paid Campaigns

26:43 BattlBox Black Friday Strategy

28:16 Phase Zero: Early Promotions

29:04 Phase One: Pre-Black Friday Offers

30:57 Phase Two: Black Friday and Cyber Monday

32:51 Phase Three: Holiday Mystery Boxes

38:45 Subscription Models and Customer Loyalty

43:46 Optimizing Cash Flow and Tax Benefits

49:01 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Commerce Roundtable, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) sit down with Curtis Masco, Founder and CEO of Portland Leather Goods, for one of the most raw and inspiring founder stories you’ll hear.

From living in a Zen monastery to building one of North America’s largest leather manufacturing operations, Curtis shares how continuous reinvention became his blueprint for success.He opens up about overcoming alcoholism, self-funding every stage of growth, and why he believes you have to “kill 90% of what got you to your first million” to reach the next level.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to reinvent your business every year to stay ahead.

- The philosophy behind building and rebuilding momentum.

- Lessons from scaling from art festivals to Etsy to Shopify.

- Why self-funding beats chasing investors (and how he did it)

.- How Curtis overcame personal struggles to unlock his potential.

- The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.

- Why belief, integrity, and confidence matter more than capital.

- The future of craftsmanship, eCommerce, and personal growth.

Whether you’re in the grind of your first startup or looking for the spark to level up again, this episode is proof that reinvention isn’t just possible.. it’s powerful.

Follow Curtis on YouTube → youtube.com/@CurtisMatsko for more unfiltered business lessons, founder stories, and behind-the-scenes of Portland Leather Goods

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

00:00 Teaser Trailer

00:40 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

02:16 Special Guest Introduction: Curtis Masco of Portland Leather Goods

05:02 Curtis Masco's Early Life and Zen Monastery Experience

08:06 The Dot-Com Crash and Starting Over

10:21 Building Portland Leather Goods: Growth and Sobriety

12:12 The Power of Belief and Manifestation

16:48 Investing in Founders and Giving Back

21:26 The Importance of Self-Belief and Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

35:17 The Importance of Integrity, Motivation, and Intelligence

36:47 Lessons from Business Failures and Successes

37:56 Reinventing Your Business Every Year

39:36 From Art Festivals to eCommerce Success

42:11 Navigating Manufacturing Challenges During COVID

43:25 The Future of Business and Personal Growth

01:02:07 The Power of Networking and Social Media0

1:06:11 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this live episode from Commerce Roundtable San Diego, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) kick things off with a round of “Hot or Not: eCom Edition” before diving into the biggest debates in DTC. 

They tackle owning vs. renting customers, sustainability vs. convenience, and the evolving world of influencers, affiliates, and creator-driven content, and live shopping.

The conversation gets real about profitability, EBITDA, and smart exit strategies, all while keeping the energy high and the laughs coming (yes, including a nod to Bryan MacDonald’s self-made fan club).

If you missed San Diego, this episode captures the energy, insights, and fun of the event, live from the pier.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Welcome to the ASOM Podcast

01:56 Meet the Hosts

03:41 Hot or Not: Ecom Edition

04:27 Debate: Owning vs. Renting Customers

09:48 Sustainability vs. Convenience

13:14 Future of Influencers vs. Affiliates

13:34 The Evolving Landscape of Influencers and Affiliates

13:51 TikTok Shop: Empowering Creators

14:59 Blurring Lines Between Influencers and Affiliates

15:31 The Rise of Consumer-Generated Content

16:51 The Future of Free Content Creation

20:21 Exit Strategies in D2C

22:58 The Importance of EBITDA and Unit Economics

28:56 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) take you inside the Commerce Roundtable San Diego, held at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. From the packed registration line to the speaker’s lounge with ocean views, they take you along for the ride, chatting with founders, operators, and marketers who make this industry tick.

This isn’t your average, dull conference. Think: food trucks on the pier, vacation giveaways, and conversations with heavy-hitters. Along the way, the crew dives into hot topics like AI, live selling, and what’s next in eCommerce growth all while capturing the buzz and camaraderie that make Commerce Roundtable the go-to event for DTC brands.

Whether you missed San Diego or just want a front-row seat to the action, this recap brings the energy, insights, and chaos (the fun kind) of Commerce Roundtable 2025 straight to you.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Welcome to Commerce Roundtable San Diego

00:48 Exploring the Venue and Food Trucks

01:44 Registration and Initial Impressions

02:53 Behind the Scenes: Speaker's Lounge

04:39 Conversations with Attendees

09:19 Touring the Conference Venue

10:16 Exploring the Lounge Area

10:54 Raffle Excitement and Giveaways

12:20 Outdoor Patio and Networking

13:15 Insights from SubSummit

16:02 Live Selling and AI Innovations

17:26 Founder's Journey and Business Growth

19:10 Event Highlights and Conclusion

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), unpack the growing world of live shopping with a spotlight on the Whatnot platform. John (a.k.a. the Android Loving Survival King) shares his real-world playbook for turning Whatnot streams into a profitable and scalable sales channel. From treating live selling as entertainment to building a community that keeps coming back, the conversation blends data, strategy, and war stories from the front lines of live commerce.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why live shopping is more than sales it’s entertainment.
• The key operational roles every live selling team needs.
• How consistency and scheduling make revenue more predictable.
• Gamification tactics that keep audiences engaged (and spending).
• Lessons from testing different show formats and hiring dedicated team members.
• Why Whatnot can outperform TikTok Shop in both engagement and growth.
• The importance of leveraging existing communities while expanding to new ones.
• How to scale live shopping sustainably without burning out your team.
  

Whether you’re already experimenting with TikTok Shop or just curious about Whatnot, this episode offers actionable insights to help eCommerce and DTC brands future proof their sales strategy with live shopping.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

LiveRecover — Live Agents for eCommerce — Get more out of your revenue strategy with real-time SMS engagement and sales recovery for higher ROI. Learn more at https://www.LiveRecover.com

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

02:14 John's Presentation on Live Shopping

04:23 Live Shopping Trends and Data Insights

08:19 Comparing Whatnot and TikTok Shop

12:15 Community Building and Engagement

22:59 Roles and Strategies for Live Selling

28:10 Forecastable Revenue and Show Scheduling

28:49 Gamification and Audience Engagement

28:56 Team Meetings and Scheduling

30:54 Hiring and Team Expansion

32:09 Conservative Growth Strategy

34:19 Leveraging Social Media and Organic Growth

36:04 New Hosts and Show Formats

38:40 Channel Growth Potential

43:25 Gamification Strategies

46:12 Takeaways and Final Thoughts

57:28 Podcast Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) break down the most expensive mistakes first-time founders make when trying to take their eCommerce dreams from “side hustle” to scalable business. From the messy realities of handling fulfillment yourself (yes, shipping nightmares are real) to the dangers of over-ordering inventory that ends up sitting in your garage, they share the hard-earned lessons most entrepreneurs wish they’d heard sooner.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why handling fulfillment wrong is the fastest way to stall growth.
• How to avoid the cash-flow killer of over-ordering inventory.
• When (and when not) to think about retail.
• The numbers you must know before you scale.
• The hiring mistakes that drain time, money, and morale.
• Why compliance and legal issues can’t be an afterthought.
• The value of a strong network and mentors to keep you sane.
• How to stay resilient when resistance is at its highest.

Whether you’re sketching your first product idea on a napkin or already wrestling with suppliers, this episode is a must listen.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

LiveRecover — Live Agents for eCommerce — Get more out of your revenue strategy with real-time SMS engagement and sales recovery for higher ROI. Learn more at https://www.LiveRecover.com

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

02:43 Intro to The ASOM Pod

06:56 Debating Gary Vee’s Influence and Strategy

16:16 Four Pillars of a Successful eCommerce Business

27:06 Pre-Launch Strategies

27:27 Executing the Launch

28:40 Building Hype and Engagement

29:37 Leveraging Community and Affiliates

32:47 Soft Launch and Testing

42:32 Technical Stack Essentials

48:04 Post-Launch Optimization

51:24 Scaling Your Business

57:00 Final Advice and Conclusion

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) tackle the four pillars of a successful eCommerce business, but not in the boring, “MBA textbook” way. They dive into the messy, real-life side of launching and scaling a brand: from product differentiation (why your “unique” product probably isn’t unique enough) to launch strategies that actually build hype, not crickets. Along the way, they poke fun at industry tropes, debate Gary Vee’s influence, and share war stories from scaling in the trenches. This episode is packed with plenty of “wish I knew that sooner” insights.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The Four Pillars that separate thriving eCom brands from forgettable ones.
• How to prep for launch without overthinking yourself into paralysis.
• Why community and affiliates are your unfair advantage.
• The non-negotiables for your first tech stack (and what can wait).
• How to spot when it’s time to optimize, scale, or pivot.
• Why over communication beats silence every time during challenges.
  

Whether you’re dreaming up your first product or already pulling late nights keeping a store alive, this episode gives you the no-BS playbook for launching strong and scaling smart.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

LiveRecover — Live Agents for eCommerce — Get more out of your revenue strategy with real-time SMS engagement and sales recovery for higher ROI. Learn more at https://www.LiveRecover.com

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

02:43 Intro to The ASOM Pod

06:56 Debating Gary Vee’s Influence and Strategy

16:16 Four Pillars of a Successful eCommerce Business

27:06 Pre-Launch Strategies

27:27 Executing the Launch

28:40 Building Hype and Engagement

29:37 Leveraging Community and Affiliates

32:47 Soft Launch and Testing

42:32 Technical Stack Essentials

48:04 Post-Launch Optimization

51:24 Scaling Your Business

57:00 Final Advice and Conclusion

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane) and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) sit down with Will Nitze, CEO of IQ Bar, to unpack how he scaled from a scrappy eCommerce start-up to landing on shelves at major retailers. Will gets real about the limits of staying DTC-only, the strategic bets that helped IQ Bar break into brick-and-mortar, and why obsessing over COGS and operations is just as important as marketing. From Harvard neuroscience to entrepreneurship, his journey is packed with insights on product development, retail partnerships, and the messy reality of scaling in food and beverage.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why DTC is powerful but not always enough to scale.
• How Amazon can be a stepping stone to retail deals.
• The critical role of COGS and operational efficiency in growth.
• Lessons from landing CVS and navigating retail complexities.
• The future of IQ Bar with new product lines in hydration and coffee.
• 
  

Whether you’re building your first CPG brand or plotting your move from online to in store, this episode gives you the inside scoop on growth, grit, and the real costs of scaling.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

LiveRecover — Live Agents for eCommerce — Get more out of your revenue strategy with real-time SMS engagement and sales recovery for higher ROI. Learn more at https://www.LiveRecover.com

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

02:30 Meet Will Nitze: From Neuroscience to DTC

06:53 The Birth of IQ Bar

10:50 Challenges in Food and Beverage Industry

19:28 Navigating Product Trends and Market Fit

22:13 Funding and Growth Strategies

26:19 Outsourcing and Company Structure

30:53 Early Distribution and Product Strategy

35:14 Securing a Major Retail Deal

36:15 Challenges of Scaling Production

37:03 Lessons from Retail Experience

38:41 eCommerce vs. Retail

41:21 Importance of Cost Optimization

45:21 Innovations in Packaging and Fulfillment

48:01 The Role of Operations in Marketing

51:26 Navigating the Convenience Store Market

54:19 Future Growth and Expansion Plans

01:02:55 Challenges of the Convenience Store Market

01:07:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) get real about what it actually takes to scale in eCommerce and SaaS. Spoiler: it’s not cranking out products. The crew digs into how AI is cutting out busywork, the chaos (and occasional magic) of pulling off huge events, and why keeping investors in the loop builds way stronger partnerships. On top of that, you’ll hear candid updates on team shakeups, business pivots, and the not-so-glamorous restructures that come with chasing big growth.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How AI is reshaping agency workflows, productivity, and customer engagement.
• The hidden complexities (and lessons) of event management at scale.
• Key takeaways from navigating investment relationships and restructures.
• How personal business pivots translate into broader market lessons.
• Why communication, transparency, and adaptability matter more than ever when scaling.
  

Whether you’re launching your first brand, reshaping an agency, or chasing the next big investment play, this episode drops battle tested lessons on growth, grit, and why distribution wins every time.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

LiveRecover — Live Agents for eCommerce — Get more out of your revenue strategy with real-time SMS engagement and sales recovery for higher ROI. Learn more at https://www.LiveRecover.com

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

04:59 John's Whatnot Experience

09:14 Bryan's SuperZoo Insights

16:18 Amer's App Development Pivot

20:44 Jimmy's Year in Review

28:02 John's Battle Games Challenge

34:49 Bryan's Media Spend Strategy

40:17 Amer's AI Initiatives

44:13 Autonomous Agents and Their Limitations

47:30 The Misconceptions About AI

50:13 Event Management Insights

01:06:09 Investment Reflections and Lessons

01:14:18 Restructuring for Growth

01:18:11 The Power of Distribution

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) break down the real playbook for building a content strategy that drives free organic traffic to your eCommerce business without relying on ads. From posting consistently to tapping into the viral potential of short-form video, they share how brands are turning content into their most powerful growth engine.

The conversation gets into the messy balance of organic vs. paid, why founder led content matters, and how to measure ROI without losing your mind. You’ll hear when to pivot if your strategy isn’t working, the dangers of chasing low-intent traffic, and why constant experimentation is the only way forward in today’s content landscape.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why storytelling is the secret sauce to building a brand people actually care about.
• How to balance organic and paid traffic for long-term growth.
• The rise of short-form video (and when long-form makes a comeback).
• Tips to create a repeatable content workflow that doesn’t burn you out.
• How to measure ROI and know when your content strategy isn’t working.
• Common mistakes eCommerce brands make with content (and how to avoid them).

Whether you’re a scrappy founder or a growing brand, this episode is packed with tactical advice, real world lessons, and inspiration to build an eCommerce content engine that brings in free traffic while building long term loyalty.

_____

Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

LiveRecover — Live Agents for eCommerce — Get more out of your revenue strategy with real-time SMS engagement and sales recovery for higher ROI. Learn more at https://www.LiveRecover.com

Kintsugi — AI that monitors, files, and optimizes sales tax for you. Eliminate your tax headaches forever. Mention ASOM for 3 months free at https://www.TryKintsugi.com

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

Come hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

02:19 Intro to The ASOM Pod

05:44 Organic vs Paid Traffic Strategies

09:19 The Power of Content Marketing

12:55 Building a Brand Story

18:00 Content Creation Tips and Strategies

29:46 Leveraging Different Content Forms

31:24 The Pitfalls of Low-Intent Blog Traffic

32:10 SEO Strategy: Focus on Core Pages First

34:05 The Rise of Short-Form Video Content

35:17 Surprising Content Formats and Their Effectiveness

36:09 The Power of Reddit for SEO

37:11 Creating Content That Helps Users

47:33 Measuring ROI and Identifying Effective Content

50:23 Adapting to Social Media Trends

57:04 The Shift to Long-Form Content on TikTok

01:01:04 Common Mistakes in eCommerce Content Strategy

___

Follow Jimmy Kim at: 

X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim 

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at: 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:a 

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!