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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, host Eric Dyck speaks with Anthony Sardain, founder of Cavela, a virtual sourcing agent using AI to help DTC brands drastically cut sourcing costs and navigate the new era of global tariffs.

With geopolitical shifts and new tariffs hitting brands hard, Cavela’s AI agents act like a 24/7 procurement team—sourcing, vetting, quoting, and coordinating production with over 200,000 suppliers across 40 countries. The result? Brands save up to 40% on costs while reducing sourcing work by 95%.

👉 Get 50% off your first sample via Cavela x DTC offer:

https://www.cavela.com/signup?affiliate=dtcpod

Key Takeaways:

How Cavela’s AI agents source products faster and cheaper than humans

How DTC brands are using Cavela to cut costs even with rising tariffs

Why diversifying your supply chain is the smartest hedge in 2025

How AI will disrupt sourcing just like it did media and customer service

How the next decade will see physical product creation democratized

If you’re wondering how to optimize margins without hiring a full procurement team—this is your playbook.

Timestamps:

00:00 - How AI sourcing slashed costs for workwear brand

02:01 - Why Anthony Sardain built Covea for product sourcing

04:06 - How Covea's AI agents automate supplier discovery

06:15 - The impact of tariffs and diversifying supply chains

08:20 - Ongoing supplier optimization with AI agents

10:30 - Democratizing design with AI tools like image generation

13:00 - The future of eCommerce: decentralization and personalization

Hashtags:

#aiincommerce

#productdevelopment

#ecommercetips

#supplychainoptimization

#dtcbrands

#sourcingwithai

#ecommerceai

#aiagents

#manufacturingtech

#startupsourcing

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Andy Hoang, the founder of Aviron, a connected fitness company merging casual gaming with home exercise equipment. From bootstrapping with home equity lines to pivoting from B2B to DTC during COVID, Andy’s journey is a case study in high-consideration product growth, investor navigation, and multi-channel marketing.

Key Highlights:

Why hardware/software hybrid brands require longer go-to-market timelines

The real story behind getting into Y Combinator after years of rejection

Why attribution doesn’t work for $2K+ purchases—and what does

Scaling creative production for UGC, influencer, and AppLovin performance

How Aviron uses direct mail to connect with 45+ customers

Why expanding SKU options drives down CAC

If you’re scaling a complex DTC product or navigating the tricky world of funding, this episode is a goldmine of tactical lessons.

Timestamps:

00:00 – How Andy Hoang bootstrapped Aviron’s early days

02:45 – Pivoting from B2B to DTC during the pandemic

05:10 – Getting into Y Combinator and what changed

08:00 – Marketing a $2,000 fitness machine with no clear attribution

10:30 – Why Aviron doubled down on gamified fitness

13:00 – Competing with Peloton and building defensible software

15:25 – Exploring direct mail, influencer, and app-based advertising

18:00 – Aviron’s 2025 roadmap: New products and price points

20:30 – Real talk: Andy’s advice for ambitious founders

Hashtags:

#DTCpodcast

#AvironFitness

#YCombinator

#FounderStory

#Bootstrapping

#DirectToConsumer

#FitnessTech

#GamifiedFitness

#EcommerceGrowth

#StartupLife

#PelotonCompetitor

#MarketingStrategy

#ConnectedFitness

#SubscriptionBusiness

#VentureCapital

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We're bringing you a no-fluff episode from The World's Best Email and Retention Podcast, hosted by Jordan Gordon—email marketing strategist and philosophical lead at Pilot House's retention team.

Subscribe to TWBERP:

https://open.spotify.com/show/30OswCnXzinWp0zBP1kenR?si=gFxF-OOsQY2FNh0Tc_1Q0A

In this solo episode, Jordan dives deep into how marketers can use cognitive biases—like anchoring, loss aversion, nostalgia, and egocentric bias—to supercharge their email marketing. But this isn't a psychology lecture. It’s a tactical playbook you can implement right away, packed with examples like:

How “plop plop, fizz fizz” doubled Alka-Seltzer sales using anchoring bias

Why doubling loyalty points is more profitable than discounting

How rhyme literally makes copy seem more truthful

The hidden power of sunk cost and goal gradient in email flows

This is the episode you’ll want open next to your campaign planner.

What you'll learn:

How to apply 20+ proven cognitive biases directly into your email strategy

Tactical frameworks for building automation flows that convert

Real-world examples that make these psychological tactics click

Listen in and turn your email campaigns into retention machines.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Why cognitive biases matter in email marketing

02:03 – Anchoring Bias: How to double sales with simple tricks

04:58 – Framing Bias: Telling better stories in your campaigns

08:51 – Loss Aversion: Creating urgency without discounts

12:20 – Nostalgia & Social Proof: Making your brand feel timeless

16:25 – Recency Bias, Goal Gradient & Loyalty hacks that work

20:00 – Rhyme is Reason & Isolation Effect: Persuasion that sticks

24:10 – Sunk Cost & Effort Justification: Boost conversions subtly

26:00 – Final Thoughts: Build your bias list and boost results

Hashtags

#emailmarketingtips

#cognitivebias

#dtcpodcast

#ecommercegrowth

#marketingpsychology

#retentionmarketing

#subjectlinehacks

#anchoringbias

#framingbias

#urgencymarketing

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Kevin O'Leary, also known as "Mr. Wonderful" from Shark Tank, to discuss his latest venture, WonderAds. Partnering with Tatari, WonderAds is set to revolutionize TV advertising by making it accessible and measurable for small to medium-sized businesses. O'Leary brings his decades of entrepreneurial experience to the conversation and shares actionable insights that any founder can apply today.

Work with WonderAds.com by Tatari.tv

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Democratizing TV Advertising: How WonderAds enables businesses to harness the power of television without hefty budgets.

Technological Integration: The role of AI and data analytics in optimizing TV ad campaigns.

Entrepreneurial Wisdom: The significance of honesty, authenticity, and relentless dedication in building a successful business.

If you're looking to expand beyond digital channels and understand how TV can become part of your performance marketing stack, this episode will give you the foundational insight and confidence to explore it.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Kevin O'Leary on spotting great entrepreneurs

02:10 – The secret to storytelling in DTC brands

04:45 – Why signal vs. noise matters for founders

07:20 – What makes TV ads work (Wonder Ads origin story)

10:00 – Low-budget TV ads that outperform high production

12:15 – Kevin’s thoughts on royalties vs. equity

14:00 – Building authentic brands (wine & watch example)

16:30 – Using AI without losing authenticity

19:00 – Balancing business with personal life

21:00 – Where Kevin would invest $1M today

22:30 – Why TV ads are essential for modern brands

Hashtags:

#KevinOLeary #MrWonderful #DTCBrands #WonderAds #EcommerceGrowth #BrandBuilding #TVMarketing #CACStrategy #FounderTips #MarketingWithAI #StartupPlaybook #EquityDeals #InvestSmart #SharkTankInsights

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Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a unicorn in the spirits industry. No flashy bottle. No celebrity endorsements. No flavored vodkas. Just one meticulously crafted, fan-favorite product and a brand voice that feels more like a friend than a corporation.

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Taylor Berry, VP of Marketing at Tito’s, to discuss:

How Tito’s grew from a Texas startup to the #1 vodka brand in the U.S.

Why they refuse to launch flavored vodkas despite massive industry pressure

The power of word-of-mouth marketing and bartender advocacy

How the new Spokescart campaign embodies the brand’s ethos and drives engagement

Why their Vodka for Dog People initiative is more than just good marketing

Plus, Taylor shares insights on advertising strategies, in-person activations, and how to build a brand that people genuinely love.

🔊 Listen now to hear how Tito’s keeps winning by staying true to its roots.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction

02:03 - Taylor Berry’s journey from Apple to Tito’s

04:20 - The origin story of Tito’s Handmade Vodka

08:10 - Why Tito’s branding hasn’t changed in 25+ years

11:30 - How Tito’s became a craft vodka pioneer

14:05 - The bartender connection and word-of-mouth growth

16:00 - Why Tito’s refuses to launch a canned cocktail

19:00 - Vodka for Dog People: A philanthropic brand platform

22:20 - The thinking behind “With Tito’s” and the Spokescart

26:30 - How Tito’s rolled out their Spokescart ad campaign

30:00 - Measuring success without first-party sales data

34:00 - In-person events and the future of Spokescart

37:20 - Sticking to one product: No flavored vodka at Tito’s

Hashtags

#TitosVodka

#DTCmarketing

#BrandStorytelling

#Spokescart

#TaylorBerry

#CraftVodka

#AlcoholMarketing

#DirectToConsumer

#DogLovers

#BrandAuthenticity

#MarketingCampaigns

#DTCpodcast

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If you’re running a DTC brand, you know the struggle: ad costs keep rising, and getting new customers is more expensive than ever. But what if the secret to better performance isn’t in your ads at all?

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we welcome back Kyle Hitchcox, co-founder of Pilothouse and founder of Warpdrive, a CRO tool that helps brands optimize every step of the shopping experience post-click.

Kyle breaks down the Golden Rules of CRO, how top brands are improving conversion rates, and why landing pages and checkout optimizations are the highest-leverage activities for brands in 2025.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Why only 3% of visitors are in-market—and how to convert them

✅ The difference between search vs. social traffic and how to optimize for both

✅ How Four Sigmatic & Big Blanket use CRO to drive massive lifts in conversion

✅ Why fast load times (under 2 sec) are a non-negotiable in 2025

✅ How Warpdrive helps brands split-test and improve conversions without disrupting campaigns

Learn More About WarpDrive (Download The PDF)

Reach out to Kyle on LinkedIn

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why 2025 is the year of post-click optimization

02:03 – Landing pages, cart mechanics, and creative strategies

04:16 – State of DTC: Growth despite economic uncertainty

06:30 – What is post-click optimization? Explained

08:55 – The psychology of user experience timing

11:27 – Balancing branding and performance post-click

13:49 – Where to start with CRO: Closest to the money

15:42 – Pilot House's golden rules for CRO

19:01 – Understanding traffic types and how to optimize each

22:12 – Conversion optimization vs. reducing ad costs

24:05 – Warpdrive: How it works and who it’s for

26:45 – Real brand examples and live test wins

Hashtags:

#PostClickOptimization

#ConversionRateOptimization

#DTCPodcast

#EcommerceTips

#LandingPageOptimization

#WarpDriveCRO

#ShopifyTips

#PerformanceMarketing

#DigitalMarketingStrategy

#MediaBuying

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📢 Episode Overview:

Tammy Phan, CEO & Founder of Luxe Du Jour, built a multi-million dollar luxury resale marketplace that allows customers to shop, sell, rent, and restore authentic designer handbags—all without traditional venture backing or early paid media.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

How Luxe Du Jour grew to 31 employees and expanded into the U.S.

The three-step authentication process that builds customer trust

Why organic growth outperformed paid ads (and what’s changing now)

How luxury resale is outpacing new luxury in the market

The most valuable (and least valuable) brands in resale

Future of blockchain & luxury authentication

👂 Whether you’re scaling a DTC business, exploring resale, or growing an online marketplace, this episode is packed with insights.

👉 Listen now!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Organic Marketing Outperforms Paid Media

02:45 – Tammy's Journey from Bag Addict to Business Owner

06:15 – Building Luxe Du Jour Through Instagram

10:30 – How Luxe Du Jour Authenticates Designer Bags

14:20 – The Psychology Behind Buying Luxury Items

17:00 – Using Data to Price and Sell Pre-Owned Bags

21:00 – Challenges Scaling Ads with Trademark Restrictions

24:00 – Renting Designer Bags and Handling Risk

26:20 – The Future of Luxury: Pre-Owned, Blockchain, and Sustainability

30:15 – Tammy's Vision, Team Culture, and Growth Goals

Hashtags:

#DTCpodcast

#TammyPhan

#LuxeDuJour

#ResaleMarket

#LuxuryBags

#EntrepreneurJourney

#OrganicMarketing

#EcommerceGrowth

#SustainableFashion

#PreOwnedLuxury

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Welcome to the DTC Podcast, where today we’re diving deep into Amazon advertising, ranking strategies, and the impact of tariffs with Rob and Clifford from Pilot House.

If you’re selling on Amazon, you’ve probably noticed that search volume is down for the first time in years. Consumers are pulling back, competition is heating up, and costs are rising—so how do you stay profitable?

In this episode, we cover:

✔️ When to prioritize profit vs. incremental revenue in your Amazon ad strategy

✔️ Amazon search volume is down—here’s how to increase conversion rates to stay ahead

✔️ Tariff chaos: How brands are adapting to unpredictable costs and logistics

✔️ Brand equity’s hidden power on Amazon: How to rank without excessive ad spend

The key takeaway? Winning on Amazon in 2025 isn’t just about ad spend—it’s about strategic ranking, conversion optimization, and leveraging off-platform brand awareness to dominate search results.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Amazon ad placements and bid strategy

02:45 – Using Amazon Rufuss for listing optimization

05:30 – Search volume decline and market shifts

08:20 – Impact of tariffs on ecommerce brands

11:10 – Brand equity and organic ranking on Amazon

14:00 – The power of omnichannel brand awareness

Hashtags:

#AmazonAds #EcommerceMarketing #AmazonFBA #DTCbrands #DigitalMarketing #AmazonSEO #EcommerceGrowth #MarketingStrategy #RetailTrends #BrandBuilding

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Retail is evolving fast. AI, retail media networks, and shifting consumer behaviors are reshaping how brands sell. But the brands winning in 2025? They’re the ones that blend technology with human connection to create unforgettable shopping experiences.

In this episode, we sit down with Marielle Bobo, VP of Content for ShopTalk Spring and Fall, to explore the biggest themes shaping retail in 2025.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Retail’s New Golden Age – Why brands are refocusing on emotional connections.

✅ Retail Media Networks (RMNs) – How first-party data is changing advertising.

✅ AI in Retail – How to use automation without losing your brand’s soul.

✅ Live Shopping & Content Commerce – What brands like True Religion and Lawless Beauty are doing differently.

✅ How to Get the Most from ShopTalk 2025 – Pro networking strategies for attendees.

DTC at ShopTalk 2025 🎤 📹

We’re not just talking about ShopTalk—we’re bringing the event to life for our audience! The DTC Podcast team will be on the ground in Las Vegas, recording live interviews with top brands, walking the expo floor for man-on-the-street insights, and capturing the hottest takes from the biggest players in retail.

📍 Find us in the Media Center for exclusive live podcast recordings.

🎥 Catch us on the show floor, getting quick-hit insights from attendees.

🔥 Want to be featured? Track us down—we’d love to chat!

Whether you're attending ShopTalk 2025 or just want to stay ahead of the biggest retail trends, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you scale your brand this year and beyond. 🎧🚀

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to ShopTalk

02:15 The evolution of storytelling in retail

04:45 The role of AI and human connection in retail

07:30 What is retail media? Understanding RMNs

10:50 Exciting keynote speakers at ShopTalk

14:20 Content and commerce: How brands engage with creators

17:10 The rise of live shopping and interactive experiences

20:30 Tips for first-time ShopTalk attendees

23:45 ShopTalk networking opportunities and meetups

26:00 ShopTalk afterparty and special events

Hashtags:

#ShopTalk2024 #RetailTrends #EcommerceMarketing #DTC #RetailMedia #MarketingStrategy #LiveShopping #ContentCommerce #NetworkingEvents #ShopTalkExperience

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Many if not most eCommerce brands spend 15-20% of revenue on advertising—Simple Modern? Just 5%.

So how did they become a category leader in drinkware, dominate Amazon, and land major retail deals with Target?

In this episode, Bryan Porter, Co-founder & Chief E-commerce Officer of Simple Modern, breaks down their low-ad spend, high-efficiency growth strategy and why focusing on brand trust, product variety, and Amazon SEO led to 50M+ products sold.

What You'll Learn:

✅ The Amazon playbook that helped them win top search rankings.

✅ Why they only spend 5% of revenue on ads—and how they drive organic growth.

✅ How they expanded from Amazon to Target without traditional advertising.

✅ Why TikTok virality boosted Amazon sales more than TikTok Shop itself.

✅ How launching an electrolyte brand (Trevi) creates long-term customer retention.

One Big Idea:

👉 Customer trust and organic search matter more than ad spend.

This is a must-listen for brand builders who want sustainable, profitable growth.

🎧 Listen now!

Timestamps

00:00 - Simple Modern’s early growth on Amazon

02:45 - The jump to Target and retail expansion

06:30 - The rise of drinkware as a fashion category

10:15 - Leveraging TikTok Shop for brand awareness

14:50 - Expanding marketing efforts beyond digital ads

19:30 - Scaling through licensing and product innovation

24:15 - Testing TV ads and influencer marketing impact

28:40 - Launching Trevi: Entering the electrolyte market

33:10 - Hiring the right people and building a mission-driven team

37:45 - The role of generosity and company culture

Hashtags

#Ecommerce #DTC #AmazonFBA #RetailStrategy #BrandGrowth #TikTokMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #ProductLaunch #StartupSuccess #BusinessPodcast

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