In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, we go deep into what actually works in social commerce today — and what doesn’t.

From London, former Meta & TikTok executive Dave Morrissey joins Renee (in Portugal) and Chris (in Shanghai) for a candid conversation about live shopping, the role of creators, why most brands are doing content wrong — and what the smartest brands are already doing next.

Live shopping is not the answer for everyone — and most brands are doing it wrong.

The TikTok Shop winners are founder-led, community-first brands.

Why 40+ videos a month is becoming the new baseline for e-commerce success.

AI should power creativity — not replace it.

The rise of video search and why TikTok is quietly becoming a rival to Google.

TikTok Shop: do you need affiliates, creators, paid ads… or all three?

The secret moat now?

“Content is the game. The algorithms will do the delivery.

00:00 – Introductions across Portugal, Shanghai & London

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts

Palmstreet is building what they call the world’s online “Main Street”—and the engagement is wild. In this episode, Chen Li (Founder & CEO, Palmstreet) joins Renee and Chris to unpack the metrics behind their growth: shoppers spend an average of 2.5 hours per day on the app, first-year buyers make ~50–55 purchases, and a $26,000 plant sold live shows how trust plus logistics unlock high-ticket conversions.

We dig into the formula—entertainment + community + trust + operations—and how Palmstreet productized the “unsexy” bits (shipping, weather checks, protection) to turn livestreams into a dependable channel. Chen also shares which categories win, why repeat purchase frequency matters, and what’s next (hint: beauty is heating up).

2.5 hours/day average time spent per shopper

~50–55 purchases in year one (per shopper)

95% shipped / 5% local; typical U.S. shipping $8–$18

Platform trust & logistics: even weather checks pre-ship

$26,000 plant sold live—proof that confidence converts

Category patterns: uniqueness, repeat purchase, and showmanship

Why brands think livestream “doesn’t work” (and how to fix it)

The origin story: from plant ID app to live shopping marketplace

“Shop for the drop, stay for the vibes”: community as a growth engine

What actually entertains in a live: hosts, education, and the hunt

The operations layer that makes live shopping repeatable

Winning categories now (plants, handmade, vintage) and next (beauty)

Building trust fast if you’re a new brand (and when to borrow it via creators)

The TikTok question: coexistence vs. competition

Shipping reality in North America—and how it shapes category fit

“On average, a shopper spends two and a half hours a day on Palmstreet.”

“Our users make 50–55 purchases in their first year.”

“We sold a $26,000 plant live.”

“Live is entertainment first—but operations make it scalable.”

Palmstreet is the online Main Street for plants, handmade, vintage, and unique goods, connecting passionate buyers with charismatic sellers through live shopping.

Chen Li — Founder & CEO, Palmstreet

Renee Hartmann & Chris Baker, Commerce Beyond Borders

In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, host Renee Hartmann and co-host Chris Baker sit down with communications leader Scott Kronick (ex–Ogilvy & Mather) for an energizing tour through three decades of brand building across Asia, the Olympics, and today’s AI-driven marketing landscape. Scott shares why he’s still a dyed-in-the-wool globalist, how China’s “can-do” culture shaped his leadership, and the mindset he teaches students at USC: expand your surface area of luck—meet more people, talk about your passion, and be generous with your help.

The “surface area of luck”: a practical framework for creating opportunity

Lessons from hyper-growth China: optimism, speed, and execution

Agencies: why boutiques can outmaneuver quarterly-driven giants

AI, influencers, and the new media mix (what’s changed, what hasn’t)

Chinese brands going global: strengths, gaps, and playing by local rules

Risk, regulation, and communications alignment in the U.S. market

Olympic storytelling: building a specialized practice and finding your lane

Career advice for young marketers: do hard things, take the meeting, think critically

“The more people you meet and talk about what you’re passionate about, the more opportunities come your way.”

“That meeting you don’t want to leave the house for? Take it. That might be the life-changer.”

“Be optimistic—find the green shoots and lean in.”

Scott Kronick led PR and integrated communications across Asia for Ogilvy, launching and scaling offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Now back in Los Angeles, he teaches at USC, advises global brands, and continues his long-standing work around the Olympic movement and Special Olympics.

In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Renee Hartmann and Chris Baker sit down with Lynn Power, a former advertising executive turned entrepreneur behind several innovative beauty ventures.

After decades in the ad world, Lynn took the leap into entrepreneurship — launching MASAMI, a premium clean haircare brand rooted in Japanese seaweed ingredients, and Isle de Nature, a luxury bee-powered home fragrance line. Most recently, she founded the Power Beauty Collab, a collective of 65+ indie clean beauty brands that work together on retail activations, co-marketing, and content creation.

We cover:

🌿 How Lynn built MASAMI and the Japanese ingredient story behind the brand

🐝 Why she launched Isle de Nature and the role of luxury home fragrance in her portfolio

🛍 How the Power Beauty Collab is rewriting the rules for indie brands through shared shelves, events, and campaigns

📣 Lessons learned from live shopping, influencer partnerships, and content strategies

💡 What really matters to today’s beauty consumers (spoiler: results > founder stories)

⚖️ The realities and challenges indie brands face in the current retail environment

Whether you’re growing a beauty brand, exploring new retail models, or curious about what it takes to build with integrity and innovation, Lynn’s story offers both inspiration and practical insight.

🔗 Tune in to hear how indie brands are proving that collaboration is the new competition.

In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, Renee Hartmann and Chris Baker sit down with Michael Zakkour—founder of Five New Digital and Managing Director at The Sell Side Group—to unpack the biggest transformations shaping global commerce.

From platform commerce and immersive video strategies, to the rise of creator-driven retail and the collapse of traditional loyalty, Michael offers a sharp, forward-looking view of what’s next in retail, marketing, and digital strategy.

Why retail is no longer a place—it’s everywhere

The rise of platform commerce: Netflix, Roblox, TikTok, and beyond

The two “margin monsters” brands face today: CAC & logistics

What Western brands can (and can’t) copy from the Chinese retail playbook

Why trust is the new loyalty, and how creators are reshaping retail influence

The shift from paid media to organic UGC and influencer marketing

Michael’s Venn diagram: attention economy, creator economy, automation economy

What it means to build a video commerce strategy, not just livestreams

Advice for the next generation of retail professionals (and what his teenage son taught him about the funnel)

In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Renee Hartmann and Chris Baker sit down with Vincent Diallo, venture capitalist, Investment Partner at Progression and General Partner at Interlace Ventures, to explore how commerce is being transformed—from the inside out.

Vincent shares his insights on:

🤖 The real impact of agentic AI on every layer of the retail value chain

🛍️ Why hyper-personalization and intimate data are reshaping the consumer experience

🌐 How cultural mindset, regulation, and legacy tech shape innovation across China, the U.S., and Europe

📺 The rise of live shopping and niche commerce communities (like exotic plant lovers!)

🚚 What autonomous logistics and spatial computing could mean for the future of retail

With examples from Y Combinator Demo Day to real-world investments like Palm Street, Vincent offers a global, VC-level perspective on where retail innovation is happening—and what brands and retailers must do to keep up.

If you're a brand leader, investor, or startup looking to future-proof your strategy, this episode is your fast pass to what's next.

In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Chris Baker (Vancouver, Canada) and Renee Hartmann (Sintra, Portugal) sit down with Swagat Choudhury, Global Digital Commerce Director of the Perfect Store at Mars. With a background that includes years of global digital leadership at Diageo, Swagat brings a deep perspective on the evolution of e-commerce and how Mars is embracing the future.

They unpack what it really means to create a "perfect store" online — from building frictionless customer journeys to leveraging AI and data for personalization, global content strategies, and omnichannel excellence.

Topics discussed include:

What "Perfect Store" means in a digital context

Balancing global consistency with local relevance across markets

The rise of social commerce, on-demand delivery, and conversational shopping

How written content, reviews, and voice search are transforming product discovery

Why Mars prioritizes customer-first thinking in every innovation initiative

Practical advice for brands navigating the AI transformation

“Be very clear on your outcome, and find the best path to it. Sometimes the answer might not be AI — but increasingly, it is.” — Swagat Choudhury, Mars

Whether you're a global brand builder or a startup navigating commerce at speed, this episode will help you rethink the way you engage consumers in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

In this insightful episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Chris Baker and Renee Hartmann engage with Neil Parker, Managing Director of Global Distributors at Barbour. With a rich background spanning leadership roles at Gant, Crocs, Levi's, and Tommy Hilfiger, Neil brings a wealth of experience in steering brands through international markets. The discussion delves into Barbour's approach to global expansion, the nuances of adapting to diverse markets, and the strategies employed to maintain brand integrity while fostering growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

Global Leadership Journey: Neil shares his experiences leading teams across various regions, highlighting the challenges and learnings from his tenure in cities like Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Barbour's Strategic Vision: Insights into Barbour's commitment to preserving its British heritage while innovating to meet the demands of global markets.

Market Adaptation: The importance of understanding local cultures and consumer behaviors in markets like China and Japan, and how Barbour tailors its strategies accordingly.

Collaborations and Innovation: Discussion on Barbour's collaborations, and how these initiatives contribute to brand evolution and appeal to younger demographics.

Sustainability and Heritage: Exploring Barbour's 'Wax for Life' initiative and the brand's efforts in promoting sustainability through product longevity and repair services.

Notable Quotes:

"The world's the most amazing place... but we live in such a varied time in retail, don't we? It's moving faster than ever in history."

"Barbour is very happy not to be called luxury even though we, you know, rock stars to royalty... but we're also very happy not to be mainstream."

"We start with a story... we talk about we're very proudly British. We still make jackets in England. We've been here since 1894."

Renee Hartman joins Chris Baker from opposite sides of the globe — Galway, Ireland and Seoul, South Korea — to unpack the latest developments in global trade, retail innovation, and shifting consumer behavior. This episode dives deep into the growing uncertainty caused by tariff threats and how that’s already influencing decision-making across supply chains, marketing, and even travel habits.

You’ll hear firsthand insights from:

A digital marketing conference in Seoul with execs from Coupang, Pinterest, and Teradata

Retail presentations in Europe spotlighting innovation hotspots in Asia

Conversations around the future of U.S.-China trade, manufacturing shifts, and consumer sentiment

🔍 What we cover:

Why the global retail map is redrawing — and why China is now the #1 trade partner for most countries

How Korean and Chinese brands are outpacing U.S. brands in product innovation and speed to market

Why tariffs may unintentionally fuel more overseas shopping by American tourists

The evolution of physical retail spaces in Asia — where storytelling and experience come first

The shift from globalization to regional trading blocs and what it means for global strategy

💡 Key Quote:

🎧 Listen now for on-the-ground insights from Asia and Europe — and a forward-looking take on what’s coming for global brands, retailers, and supply chain leaders.

Welcome to another episode of Commerce Beyond Borders! This week, your hosts Renee Hartmann and Chris Baker sit down—just the two of them—for a candid, insightful conversation on the current state of global commerce as we close out Q1 of 2025.

With both hosts recently crisscrossing Europe, Asia, and North America, they share firsthand perspectives on how brands are reacting to geopolitical shifts, evolving economies, and consumer uncertainty. From green shoots in China to growing inflation fears in the West, this episode offers a panoramic view of where commerce is headed—and how brands can adapt.

In this episode, Renee and Chris explore:

🌍 Regional Check-Ins

🚗 Global Trade Realignment

🧠 Lessons from China

📱 The Evolution of E-Commerce & Marketing

⚡ Key Takeaways:

Whether you're a global brand strategist, supply chain leader, or digital marketer, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate 2025’s complex terrain with confidence.

🔔 Subscribe & Stay Ahead

— 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever you listen.