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), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) unpack how eCommerce brands can stay strong during shaky economic times. From rising acquisition costs to unpredictable consumer behavior, the crew tackles the tough conversations about what it really takes to build a resilient brand when the market turns—and what not to do, using cautionary tales.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• War Chest Wisdom: Why building financial buffers is non-negotiable—and how to start now.
• Knee-Jerk Reactions = Death: Why slowing down and thinking strategically will save your brand.
• Customer Love Is the Moat: How community and loyalty become your unfair advantage.
• Cut Costs, Not Corners: Smart ways to optimize without hurting long-term growth.
• Real Talk Book Club: The team reviews The Hard Thing About Hard Things and what it teaches about navigating hard decisions.
• Vendor Negotiation Playbook: Tips for renegotiating contracts and improving cash flow without burning bridges.
  

This episode is your tactical survival guide for leading through uncertainty. If you want to future-proof your business, make smarter decisions, and turn downturns into opportunity—don’t miss this one.

_____

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/

Alia -  An app that is revolutionizing how brands turn website visitors into loyal customers. With some of the highest performing pop ups in eCommerce, Alia is helping brands ditch traditional webforms and double down on education, personalization and conversion. We highly recommend you check out :https://www.alialearn.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

02:06 Intro to The ASOM Pod

04:43 Economic Downturn Strategies

13:16 Consumer Sentiment and Business Adjustments

27:44 Cautionary Tales: Learning from Mistakes

31:20 Debunking the Quickster Story

31:37 The Downfall of J. Crew

33:42 Omas Pride and the Missed Opportunity

37:24 Understanding the Mandela Effect

38:49 Biggest Mistakes Business Owners Make

44:10 Strategies for Business Resilience

51:26 Book Review: The Hard Thing About Hard Things

59:28 Conclusion 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: 

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), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) dive deep into one of the most underrated tools in marketing: storytelling. With raw insights and real examples, the crew explores how brands can use human connection, humor, and authenticity to cut through the noise and drive serious results—without always needing a massive ad budget.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Storytelling Converts: How emotional connection fuels customer loyalty and brand love.
• Organic > Over-Engineered: Why behind-the-scenes, real content wins over glossy perfection.
• Platform-Specific Tactics: What’s working (and what’s not) on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and YouTube.
• In-House vs. Agency: When to hire an internal content creator and when to outsource.
• Content Cadence: The pros and cons of high-frequency posting and what consistency really means.
• Story-Driven Brand Shoutouts: Standout campaigns from brands like Overnight Oats and Moms on Call.

This episode is a tactical guide to building lasting brand resonance in a content-saturated world. If you’re looking to sharpen your content strategy and win with story, this one’s for 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/

Alia -  An app that is revolutionizing how brands turn website visitors into loyal customers. With some of the highest performing pop ups in eCommerce, Alia is helping brands ditch traditional webforms and double down on education, personalization and conversion. We highly recommend you check out :https://www.alialearn.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

03:19 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

06:51 The Importance of Content Marketing

11:39 The Power of Organic Social Media

35:49 Identifying the Villains in Business

36:37 Challenges with Legacy Thinking and Agencies

38:06 Cool Brand Stories: Overnight Oats

41:42 Cool Brand Stories: Apple and Accessibility

47:26 Cool Brand Stories: Mom's on Call

52:07 Effective Content Marketing Strategies

01:02:36 Buy or Sell: Content Marketing Insights

01:10:11 Wrapping 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: 

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), Bryan MacDonald (Direct of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) and special guest Rytis Lauris (Co-Founder & CEO of Omnisend) come together for a candid and tactical conversation on what it really takes to bootstrap a successful business. This episode pulls back the curtain on scaling without VC dollars, customer-funded growth, and the grit it takes to build from the ground up.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Bootstrap vs. VC: The pros, cons, and cultural impact of building without outside capital.
• Customer-Funded Growth: How to grow by listening to the people paying your bills—not investors.
• Inventory & Hiring Challenges: How bootstrapped brands juggle lean resources and talent needs.
• Transparency as a Superpower: Why honesty with your team builds long-term loyalty.
• Creative Constraints: How limited resources can spark your most innovative ideas.
• Bootstrapped Hall of Fame: A fun segment spotlighting legendary brands built without fundraising.
  

From managing cash flow and customer expectations to building a scrappy culture that thrives, this episode is full of real talk and raw strategy for anyone navigating the bootstrap life.

_____

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/

Alia -  An app that is revolutionizing how brands turn website visitors into loyal customers. With some of the highest performing pop ups in eCommerce, Alia is helping brands ditch traditional webforms and double down on education, personalization and conversion. We highly recommend you check out :https://www.alialearn.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

01:00 Navigating the Film Industry: A Cultural Perspective

03:00 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

03:38 Introducing the Hosts and Special Guests

05:58 Bootstrapping Success: Building a Business Without Fundraising

16:53 Challenges and Strategies in Bootstrapping

32:39 Backhanded Compliments and Marketing Strategies

33:20 Transition to Shopify and SKU Rationalization

35:08 Software Feature Review and Customer Impact

37:53 Inventory Management Challenges

43:55 Bootstrap Companies and Talent Acquisition

59:19 Advice for Bootstrap Founders

01:07:24 Guess That Business Game

_____

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: 

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) come together for a dynamic, live discussion recorded at Commerce Roundtable Miami. They tackle some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in eCommerce today in a game of tinder swiping—from the rise of live shopping platforms to the ethical gray areas of tariffs. This is an unfiltered, insight-packed conversation loaded with actionable takeaways.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Price of Indecision: Why making faster decisions can be your brand’s secret weapon.
• Live Shopping Evolution: How TikTok Shop and Whatnot are changing how consumers buy.
• Mastering Organic Traffic: Proven strategies to drive growth without relying on paid ads.
• Tariffs and Transparency: The ethical implications of passing costs to customers.
• AI in eCommerce: How to use AI for efficiency without losing your brand’s authenticity.
• 
  

From live shopping game-changers to the controversial topic of tariffs, this episode has it all—raw insights, real-world stories, and a dash of debate.

_____

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/

Alia -  An app that is revolutionizing how brands turn website visitors into loyal customers. With some of the highest performing pop ups in eCommerce, Alia is helping brands ditch traditional webforms and double down on education, personalization and conversion. We highly recommend you check out :https://www.alialearn.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

00:47 Introduction to the ASOM Pod

03:50 eCommerce Tinder: Swipe Right or Left

04:29 Exploring Social Commerce

05:23 The Rise of Live Shopping

07:25 TikTok Shop and Whatnot: A New Frontier

08:23 The Changing Demographics of TikTok

12:20 The Evolution of Live Shopping

15:06 Tariff Checkouts: A Controversial Topic

16:23 The Ethics of Tariffs in Business

16:49 Navigating Tariffs and Business Resilience

18:01 The Impact of Tariffs on Business Models

19:43 Raising Prices and Consumer Reactions

21:34 The Power of Organic Traffic

22:11 Strategies for Organic Growth

29:47 The Role of AI in Modern Business

30:19 Embracing AI for Efficiency

35:02 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: 

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 special guest: Greg Dalby (SVP eCommerce at The Woobles) dive deep into one of the most important strategies for driving retention and customer loyalty: building community-driven brands. They explore how the shift from transactional sales to relationship-based commerce is reshaping the landscape of eCommerce.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
– Why community-driven brands are more successful in building lasting loyalty– How authenticity and clear brand values can set you apart in the market– The economic benefits of fostering a dedicated customer base– Practical tips for nurturing your early customers into passionate brand advocates– Case studies from Yeti, Patagonia, LEGO, and more to inspire your brand's community-building efforts

If you’re ready to build a brand that people don’t just buy from—but belong to—hit play and get ready for some serious community-building inspiration!

_____

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/

Alia -  An app that is revolutionizing how brands turn website visitors into loyal customers. With some of the highest performing pop ups in eCommerce, Alia is helping brands ditch traditional webforms and double down on education, personalization and conversion. We highly recommend you check out :https://www.alialearn.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer
01:07 Bryan's Unexpected Absence

02:55 Introduction to the ASOM Pod

04:52 The Importance of Community in eCommerce

13:34 Building Brand Loyalty Through Community

15:46 Challenges and Strategies in Community Building

24:11 The Success Story of BLEs

32:23 Exploring the Intricacies of Crochet

33:05 From Hobbies to Businesses: The Etsy Journey

34:21 The Power of Organic Growth Channels

35:07 Lego: Building a Community Around Creativity

41:22 Yeti: Creating a Lifestyle Brand

45:00 Patagonia: A Commitment to Sustainability

54:57 Final Thoughts and Rapid Fire Advice

_____

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: 

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 special guest: Greg Dalby (SVP eCommerce at The Woobles) —to unpack one of the trickiest levers in brand strategy: pricing.

They break down real-world examples of brands like Champion, Milk Bar, Hyundai, and Sharper Image, diving into the psychological vs. economic pricing debate and what it means for perceived value, brand equity, and long-term growth. If you’ve ever wondered whether your price tag is helping or hurting your brand—this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
– Why pricing is about psychology, not just profit margins– What happens when premium brands go mass market (and lose their edge)– How Fender uses customer feedback and performance metrics to price smart– The merchandising + procurement loop that protects premium perception– Insights from The Handbook of the Psychology of Pricing you’ll actually use

If you’re building a brand people aspire to buy into—not just bargain-hunt from—hit play and take notes.

_____

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/

Alia -  An app that is revolutionizing how brands turn website visitors into loyal customers. With some of the highest performing pop ups in eCommerce, Alia is helping brands ditch traditional webforms and double down on education, personalization and conversion. We highly recommend you check out :https://www.alialearn.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

00:47 The Toilet Paper Conundrum

02:33 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

03:12 Special Guest Introduction

06:23 The Psychology of Pricing

17:36 Subscription Pricing Strategies

33:19 Economic vs. Psychological Pricing

37:04 Psychology of Pricing in Subscription Services

39:27 The Role of Merchandising Teams

41:04 Procurement and Product Testing Process

42:03 Customer Feedback and Retention Strategies

47:52 Brand Evolution: From Cheap to Premium

47:57 Case Studies: Champion, Hyundai, and Juicy Couture

59:24 The Rise and Fall of Sharper Image

01:03:16 Book Review: Handbook of Psychology of Pricing

01:11:39 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

_____

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: 

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 special guest host: Anthony Combs (CEO and Founder of Splendies) get real about the differences between DTC and subscription-based businesses, and why retention is the lifeline for recurring revenue.

They share personal stories and tactical wins—from surprise-and-delight strategies to exclusive communities and member anniversaries—that turn casual buyers into lifelong fans. And because no episode is complete without a twist, the team also unpacks the financial disaster of Vegas’ infamous Sphere project… big investment, bold vision, and some not-so-fun realities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
– Why DTC brands need to think beyond the sale
– Creative retention strategies that don’t involve boring point systems
– How brands like Splendies and BattlBox are reinventing the subscription experience
– When retention falls flat—and how to fix it
– What Vegas’ Sphere flop teaches us about flashy vs. functional investments

If you're building a subscription-based biz (or just want customers to stick around longer), you’ll want to hit play on this one.

_____

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 with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Nacelle — Transform your eCommerce store with AI-powered product recommendations that understand your customers’ actual behaviors, not just their purchases. Learn more at https://www.nacelle.com

Workspace6 — The best community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators. Why struggle alone? Other founders have already solved your biggest challenges. Learn more at https://www.workspace6.io 

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

_____

00:26 A Night Out in Vegas: Whistle Blowing Incident

02:53 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

03:23 Introducing the Hosts and Guests

06:56 Customer Loyalty: Beyond the Program

09:31 The Importance of Retention in eCommerce

14:12 Curating Subscription Experiences

20:38 Surprise and Delight: The Subscription Model

24:23 Subscription vs. One-Time Purchase Retention

27:35 Analyzing Customer Cohorts and LTV

29:00 Marketing Strategies for One-Time Purchasers

29:33 Challenges with TikTok and Customer Data

30:52 Retention Strategies and Exclusive Perks

32:37 Community Engagement and Member Perks

34:38 Loyalty Programs and Customer Feedback

41:25 Subscription Models and Pricing Strategies

49:43 Guess That Business Game

54:44 Conclusion 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: 

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!

Scale vs. Profitability: Navigating Growth ChallengesIn 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 special guest host: Anthony Combs (CEO and Founder of Splendies), and as we dive deep into the topic of 'Scale vs. Profitability: When Growth Becomes Unsustainable.' The team kicks off with a discussion on EBITDA, venture money, and the challenges of flipping business models from growth-focused to profit-focused.The hosts dive deep into real-life business case studies like American Apparel, MoviePass, and Nasty Gal, the podcast explores the pitfalls and lessons learned from these once high-flying enterprises. The episode also touches on recent hot topics like 23andMe's bankruptcy and data privacy issues. Key takeaways include the importance of a sustainable business model, understanding customer acquisition costs, and the challenges of expanding into retail and wholesale channels. Don't miss our 'Guess That Business' segment, where the panel dissects the downfall of 23andMe and more. Tune in for an engaging conversation covering e-commerce, retail, SaaS, and beyond!****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 with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Nacelle — Transform your eCommerce store with AI-powered product recommendations that understand your customers’ actual behaviors, not just their purchases. Learn more at https://www.nacelle.comWorkspace6 — The best community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators. Why struggle alone? Other founders have already solved your biggest challenges. Learn more at https://www.workspace6.io Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.comCome hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com****00:00: Intro trailer00:47 Debate: Best City in the World (Not Chicago)03:02 Welcome to the ASOM Pod03:41 Guest Introductions and Banter05:50 Main Topic: Scale vs. Profitability12:01 Challenges of Entrepreneurship25:55 Omnichannel Strategies for D2C Brands31:11 Hypothetical Business Scenarios34:40 The Venture-Backed Business Model35:11 The Business Model of VCs36:16 The Role of Big Corporations in Acquisitions38:04 The Rise and Fall of American Apparel45:28 MoviePass: A Case Study in Business Failure52:11 Nasty Gal: From Garage to Bankruptcy55:21 Guess That Business?01:01:58 Wrapping Up and What's Next_____Follow Jimmy Kim at: X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykimIG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykimFollow Bryan MacDonald at:X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomasprideLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ctIG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasaladTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasaladFollow John Roman at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRomanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromesTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmromanFollow Amer Grozdanic at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanicLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanicIG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanicTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanicContact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips

ShopTalk Las Vegas 2025: An E-commerce and Retail Extravaganza | The official ASOM Pod Recap

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, join John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane) recap ShopTalk 2025 held in Las Vegas.

The team dives deep into their experiences, discussing the event’s bustling atmosphere, incredible booth activations, and insightful sessions.

They share personal anecdotes, including media pass adventures, brand engagement strategies, and the importance of well-executed event marketing.

Tune in to get the inside scoop on one of the industry’s biggest e-commerce and retail conferences, featuring highlights from various booths, auxiliary events, and much more.

****

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 with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Nacelle — Transform your eCommerce store with AI-powered product recommendations that understand your customers’ actual behaviors, not just their purchases. Learn more at https://www.nacelle.com

Workspace6 — The best community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators. Why struggle alone? Other founders have already solved your biggest challenges. Learn more at https://www.workspace6.io

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

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

***

00:00 Introduction to the ASOM Pod

00:43 Recap of Shop Talk Las Vegas 2025

01:31 First Impressions and Experiences

02:26 Comparing Shop Talk to Other Events

04:07 Booth Activations and Engagements

11:53 The Importance of In-Person Marketing

17:06 Innovative Booth Strategies

27:57 Conference Day Recap

28:28 Booth Interactions and Giveaways

30:23 Event Highlights and Experiences

34:47 Unique Activations and Networking

42:06 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

_____

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:

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

Visionary or Operator? Unpacking the Mindset of Successful E-Commerce FoundersIn this episode of The ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane) engages in a dynamic discussion about what defines successful e-commerce founders - are they visionaries or operators? They explore the characteristics and importance of visionaries who create revolutionary products and operators who excel at executing and scaling ideas. The episode also covers various well-known brands, dissecting whether their success stemmed from visionary ideas or operational brilliance. Additionally, listeners get insights into the culture and practices of renowned companies like Ritz-Carlton through a book review segment. The team wraps up with practical advice for aspiring founders, stressing the balance between vision and execution. Tune in to find out whether growth is driven by groundbreaking ideas or methodical operations!****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 with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/Nacelle — Transform your eCommerce store with AI-powered product recommendations that understand your customers’ actual behaviors, not just their purchases. Learn more at https://www.nacelle.comWorkspace6 — The best community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators. Why struggle alone? Other founders have already solved your biggest challenges. Learn more at https://www.workspace6.io Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.comCome hang out with us IRL - https://commerceroundtable.com***00:00 Introduction to D2C Founders and Market Challenges01:09 Final Episode in Atlanta: Casual Conversations02:16 Welcome to the ASOM Pod05:04 E-commerce Founders: Visionaries or Operators?09:21 Debating Visionary vs. Operator Roles18:50 Analyzing Popular D2C Brands25:19 The Evolution of the 'Founder' Title26:57 The Role of Founders in Tech27:40 The Evolution of the Founder Label29:24 Visionaries vs. Opportunists31:40 The Balance Between Vision and Execution42:56 The Importance of Customer Experience52:22 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes_____Follow Jimmy Kim at: X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykimIG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykimFollow Bryan MacDonald at:X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomasprideLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ctIG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasaladTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasaladFollow John Roman at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRomanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromesTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmromanFollow Amer Grozdanic at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanicLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanicIG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanicTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanicContact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!#asompod #businesspodcast #businessinsider #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #ecommercepodcast #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #ecom #dtc #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips