Checkin to Checkout

By Justin Aronstein

We tell the stories of e-commerce leaders and let them explain how they got where they are, and where they think e-commerce is going in the next 12 months. In every episode, we uncover something that ... more

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FAQs about Checkin to Checkout:

How many episodes does Checkin to Checkout have?

The podcast currently has 19 episodes available.

Checkin to Checkout episodes:

February 25, 2026Why Every Brand Should Be Working With Amazon in Some Way - Giovanni Papini
The Future of Amazon E-commerce and Digital Strategy with Giovanni Papini
In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of Amazon e-commerce, innovative strategies for brands, and the impact of AI on marketing. Giovanni Papini, an expert in Amazon marketplace dynamics from Milan, provides a sharp insights into how brands can strategically leverage Amazon and adapt to technological shifts.
Want any help Personalizing Every Customer Touchpoin? Check out ⁠https://Mobile1st.com⁠.
Interested in talking to Justin or getting on the show, find him on Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinaronstein/⁠
Main insights include:
The importance of balancing operational know-how with strategic vision on Amazon, especially regarding choosing between 1P, 3P, or hybrid models.
How data-driven ecosystems and long-term vision are crucial for brands to succeed in Amazon’s complex environment.
The cultural and regulatory differences between European and American markets, especially concerning health and consumer brands.
The critical role of content and reviews in shaping brand reputation and consumer trust on Amazon.
The potential of AI and LLMs to transform customer engagement, advertising, and product discovery, with an emphasis on bringing meaning and differentiation to digital marketing strategies.
Practical steps for brands entering Amazon, from leveraging infrastructure without immediate sales to phased experimentation and brand extension.
Final takeaway: Success in Amazon today demands strategic clarity, mastery of data ecosystems, and agility in adopting AI-powered marketing tools. Brands that bring authentic meaning and differentiate effectively will thrive in this evolving digital landscape.
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38min
February 18, 2026Why Differentiation is all that Matters Right Now - Andrew Horwat
In this conversation, Andrew Horwat shares valuable insights into the world of e-commerce, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, testing, and understanding consumer needs. He discusses the structure of his team, the significance of resonance over reach in marketing, and the challenges of navigating brand guidelines. Andrew also reflects on learning from failures, the critical role of differentiation in a competitive market, and the future opportunities in e-commerce. He concludes with personal reading recommendations that inspire his work.
Want any help improving Revenue Per Visitor? Check out https://Mobile1st.com.
Interested in talking to Justin or getting on the show, find him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinaronstein/
Takeaways
Andrew oversees a lean team managing digital content for retail partners.
Collaboration across divisions is crucial for generating new ideas.
Testing and experimentation help validate gut feelings in marketing.
Resonance over reach is a key marketing principle.
Understanding consumer insights is essential for effective marketing.
Learning from failures is a vital part of growth.
Differentiation is more important than ever in e-commerce.
The unfiltered voice of the consumer is invaluable for insights.
Brand guidelines can be tested but should not be broken.
Reading and continuous learning are important for personal and professional development.
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42min
February 11, 2026How to Use Segmentation to Grow Revenue - Anna Christensen
In this conversation, Anna, the Director of E-commerce for Buff City Soap, shares her insights on leading a small e-commerce team, the importance of storytelling in digital marketing, and the challenges of integrating online and offline retail experiences. She discusses the role of AI in enhancing customer engagement and retention strategies, emphasizing the need for personalization in e-commerce. Anna reflects on her journey, the lessons learned from failures, and the evolving landscape of e-commerce.
Want any help improving Revenue Per Visitor? Check out https://Mobile1st.com.
Interested in talking to Justin or getting on the show, find him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinaronstein/
Takeaways
E-commerce leaders often wear multiple hats.
Building a small team can lead to agility and innovation.
Storytelling is crucial for engaging customers online.
Creating a unique digital experience requires understanding customer needs.
Testing and learning are essential for e-commerce success.
Navigating challenges between e-commerce and retail requires collaboration.
AI can enhance personalization and efficiency in e-commerce.
Retention strategies should focus on hyper-segmentation and triggers.
Personalization is key to winning back customers.
Continuous learning and adaptation are vital in the e-commerce landscape.
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33min
February 04, 2026The Future of E-commerce | Andrew Mosko
In this conversation, Andrew Mosko, Director of D2C and Digital at Throne Sport Coffee, shares insights into his role overseeing digital commerce and marketing strategies. He discusses the evolution of e-commerce, the importance of agency support, and the lessons learned from failures in the industry. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on consumer behavior, the significance of effective communication within teams, and innovative marketing strategies that leverage consumer psychology. Andrew emphasizes the need for storytelling in e-commerce and shares his current focus on understanding human decision-making processes.
Want any help improving Revenue Per Visitor? Check out https://Mobile1st.com.
Interested in talking to Justin or getting on the show, find him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinaronstein/
Takeaways:
Agency support is crucial for managing digital marketing efforts.
Failures in e-commerce are common and provide valuable learning experiences.
Effective communication is essential for team dynamics and project success.
AI is changing the landscape of consumer behavior and marketing strategies.
E-commerce strategies must adapt to shifts in consumer engagement.
Understanding human psychology can enhance marketing effectiveness.
Storytelling is vital for connecting with consumers on product pages.
Testing emerging channels can lead to innovative marketing opportunities.
Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success in e-commerce.
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35min
January 28, 2026Driving E-Commerce Growth Through Technology | Dmitriy Anderson
In this conversation, Dimitri Anderson, CIO and Head of E-Commerce and Marketplace Strategy at Leroy Merlin, shares insights into his hybrid role that combines technology and business to drive growth. He emphasizes the importance of user feedback, innovative features, and A/B testing in e-commerce. Dimitri discusses the challenges of advertising overspending and the role of AI in enhancing customer experience. He also highlights the efficiency of small teams and the future trends in e-commerce, particularly in the South African market.
Takeaways
Dimitri's role involves weaving technology and business priorities for growth. User feedback is critical for improving customer experience.
Innovative features can significantly impact market response.
A/B testing is a key strategy for optimizing e-commerce performance.
Overspending on advertising can lead to significant challenges.
AI can enhance customer interaction and drive sales. Small teams can be highly productive in e-commerce.
The South African market is receptive to new e-commerce features.
Learning from failures is essential for growth. Future trends in e-commerce will focus on interactive experiences.
Want any help improving Revenue Per Visitor? Check out https://Mobile1st.com
Interested in talking to Justin or getting on the show, find him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinaronstein/
...more
29min
January 21, 2026Navigating Team Dynamics in E-commerce | Kasey Wiese
In this conversation, Kasey Wiese, the Director of E-commerce at Liberty Safe, shares insights into her role and the challenges of leading an e-commerce team. She discusses the importance of prioritization, delegation, and emotional resilience in leadership. Kasey emphasizes the need for a culture of experimentation and the complexities of personalization in e-commerce. She also reflects on the stress of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the significance of trust and communication in leadership, and the value of implementing best practices from the Baymard Institute. Kasey's experiences highlight the evolving landscape of e-commerce and the continuous learning required to succeed in this field.
Want any help improving Revenue Per Visitor? Check out https://Mobile1st.com
Interested in talking to Justin or getting on the show, find him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinaronstein/
Takeaways
Kasey Wiese is focused on growing e-commerce at Liberty Safe.
Prioritization is key in leadership roles, focusing on controllable factors.
Delegation depends on the touch required for each role.
In-house development can be more efficient during critical times.
Emotional resilience is crucial in handling failures and mistakes.
Creating a culture of experimentation is essential for growth.
Personalization in e-commerce can be tricky and often misapplied.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday present unique challenges for e-commerce leaders.
Trust and communication are vital for effective leadership.
Implementing best practices from Baymard can significantly improve user experience.
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37min
January 13, 2026How to Strategically Scale Your E-commerce Business | Garrett Peters
This is the first episode of Season 2. Episodes in season 2 will be released weekly and will be 30 minutes long.
In this episode, Garrett Peters, CEO and co-founder of Duncan and Stone Paper Company, shares insights into his daily responsibilities, the challenges of running an e-commerce business, and the lessons learned from failures. He discusses the importance of breaking down new tasks into manageable steps, the significance of building a strong team, and the strategies for future growth, including influencer marketing and optimizing Amazon sales.

Want help hitting your 2026 goals by increasing revenue per visitor? Checkout Mobile1st.com.

Takeaways
The role of a CEO involves wearing many hats and handling various tasks.
Finding joy in unexpected aspects of the job can lead to personal growth.
Breaking down new challenges into smaller steps is crucial for success.
Learning from failures is an essential part of the entrepreneurial journey.
E-commerce requires more time and energy than initially anticipated.
Building a team that works on their passions can enhance productivity.
Outsourcing tasks can free up time for more critical responsibilities. I
Influencer marketing is becoming increasingly important for brand growth.
Intentionality in marketing strategies can lead to better results. -
Understanding the business's financial health is vital for future planning.
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31min
January 07, 2026Building a Golf Community through E-commerce - Jonah Redel-Traub
In this conversation, Jonah, the director of commerce and growth at ProShop, discusses his role in building a golf community through e-commerce and content marketing. He shares insights on team structure, customer acquisition, and the challenges of navigating social media platforms like TikTok. Jonah emphasizes the importance of storytelling in brand building, the complexities of attribution reporting, and the impact of AI on the future of e-commerce. He also reflects on personal experiences with failures, setting boundaries, and the significance of clear communication within an organization.

Want help growing RPV, checkout Mobile1st.com.

Takeaways
Jonah is the director of commerce and growth for ProShop, focusing on e-commerce in the golf industry.
ProShop aims to build a large golf audience through content and commerce.
The e-commerce team operates like an internal agency to incubate brands.
TikTok is a growing channel, but the price point for golf products is high.
Attribution reporting can be misleading; focus on customer acquisition instead.
Customer insights are gathered through direct feedback from a dedicated community.
Storytelling is crucial for building a strong brand connection.
Failures in e-commerce are common, but personal growth is more significant.
Clear communication of e-commerce metrics is essential for stakeholder buy-in.
AI is transforming the e-commerce landscape, allowing for rapid implementation of ideas.
...more
43min
December 10, 2025How to Say No To Stakeholders (Without Getting Fired) | Grace Edinger
"But our brand is different."
It is the most dangerous phrase in enterprise e-commerce. It leads to tech debt, bloated roadmaps, and a digital ecosystem that represents a graveyard of "nice-to-have" features that never scale.
In this episode (our first-ever LIVE recording!), we sit down with Grace Edinger, Director of Ecommerce Product Management at Stanley Black & Decker.
Grace is responsible for the digital backbone powering some of the world’s most iconic brands—DeWalt, Craftsman, Black+Decker, and Cub Cadet. She joins the show to break down how she manages hundreds of stakeholders, navigates complex corporate politics, and enforces her strict "No Special Snowflakes" rule to keep the roadmap clean.
We cover:
The "Special Snowflake" Syndrome: Why saying "yes" to every custom brand request is actually destroying your ability to scale.
Project vs. Product Mindset: How to stop operating as an "Order Taker" for Marketing and start operating as a strategic partner who demands data before building.
The Invisible Work: Why the unsexy work of consolidating ERPs and building a unified foundation matters more than the latest AI hype.
Stakeholder Politics: The exact scripts and strategies Grace uses to say "no" to bad ideas without burning bridges.
If you are an E-Commerce Director drowning in feature requests or trying to drive digital transformation in a legacy organization, this episode is your playbook for taking back control.
Links:
Connect with Grace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graceedinger/
Follow Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinaronstein/
Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://mobile1st.com/news
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47min
October 15, 2025How to Create a High Converting Store - Brian Purkiss
Brian “Purk” Purkiss leads D2C acquisition and the ecommerce site for Honest Paws at OnePet. In this episode, Brian gets honest about what actually moves conversion and what just burns time. We dig into the puzzle of ecommerce decision making, how to turn tiny wins into big results, and why the bravest thing you can do is sometimes remove the shiny thing you just added.
You’ll hear:
Why small, measured iterations beat year-long redesigns
The counterintuitive truth that removing elements often lifts revenue
How to set goals, form a hypothesis, and measure impact without ego
A practical workflow for roadmapping, testing, and sharing lessons with your team
Preventing burnout with “fallback” tasks and Fun Feature Friday
Building a culture of ownership and trust on a fully remote team
Brian’s hardest leadership lesson and how he fixed it
If you care about conversion rate, new customer acquisition, and making your site 0.1% better week after week, this one’s for you. Hosted by Justin Aronstein with Connor.
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47min

FAQs about Checkin to Checkout:

How many episodes does Checkin to Checkout have?

The podcast currently has 19 episodes available.