Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we speak with Marnie Rabinovitch, founder of Thigh Society, the size-inclusive brand known for anti-chafe slip shorts. Marnie shares the origin story behind the product: a personal, frustrating experience with thigh chafe that sparked her to create something that simply didn’t exist—lightweight, breathable long-leg underwear that isn’t shapewear.

She bootstrapped the brand with $8K in savings, grew it slowly while working full-time, and only went all-in when the opportunity was undeniable. Thigh Society has since sold over 2 million pairs, thanks to Meta ads, creator content, and a product that customers evangelize.

Highlights:

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Book a quick demo by August 1 to get your first month free and unlock a new incremental revenue channel before Q4: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps:

00:00 The origin of Thigh Society

03:00 Solving a real pain point with long-leg underwear

08:00 Bootstrapping with $8K and building a prototype

12:00 Growing to $500K with no paid ads

18:00 Use cases beyond chafing: sweat, comfort, modesty

22:00 Meta ads and why founder content works

29:00 Why Thigh Society stayed DTC

34:00 Paid social leads to organic PR

36:00 Direct response ads over brand-building

38:00 How SEO and organic language drive rankings

Hashtags:

#DTC

#ThighSociety

#FounderStory

#EcommercePodcast

#DirectToConsumer

#MetaAds

#BootstrappedBusiness

#ProductMarketFit

#AntiChafe

#ChubRubSolution

#WomenInBusiness

#ComfortWear

#StartupJourney

#ShopifyBrand

#CustomerRetention

#OrganicGrowth

#UnderwearForWomen

#CreatorContent

#SEOForEcommerce

#AuthenticMarketing

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

In this week’s AKNF DTC Podcast discover how Pilothouse’s TikTok Shop division empowers DTC brands to build self-sustaining commerce systems on TikTok.

With Senior Account Manager Debbie, we unpack:

Why listen:

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Book a quick demo by August 1 to get your first month free and unlock a new incremental revenue channel before Q4: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps:

00:00 TikTok vs Meta: Platform Potential & Challenges

02:00 Introducing GMV Max: TikTok’s New Ad Framework

04:20 Organic Content Strategies by Brand Type

06:45 Affiliate Marketing Drives TikTok Shop Sales

08:45 Understanding TikTok’s Affiliate Ecosystem

11:00 Live Selling on TikTok: Infomercial Vibes & Limitations

13:20 Viral Moments & TikTok’s Unreliable Growth Pattern

15:00 Brand Examples: Pine-Sol, Sour Patch Kids & Going Viral

17:00 Viral Hook Strategies That Drive Attention

18:40 High-GMV Affiliates & Retainer Collaborations

20:00 How Pilothouse Onboards Brands to TikTok

21:30 AI in TikTok Strategy: Where It Fits and Where It Doesn’t

22:45 The Future of TikTok: Regulation, Chaos & Optimism

Hashtags:

#TikTokShop

#DTCMarketing

#AffiliateMarketing

#SocialCommerce

#TikTokAds

#ContentStrategy

#ViralMarketing

#EcommerceTips

#GMVMax

#PilotHouse

#DTCGrowth

#OrganicContent

#TikTokStrategy

#LiveSelling

#TikTokAffiliate

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we dive into the results of a survey of over 600 DTC brand operators, conducted in partnership with Keen Decision Systems. With Q4 2025 shaped by shifting tariffs, tight margins, and uncertain demand, we speak with Justin Jefferson, VP of Strategy & Insights at Keen, to unpack how brands are (and aren’t) preparing for what’s ahead.

You can access the full Q4 Planning & Profitability Report here: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/newsletter/inside-q4-what-dtc-operators-are-seeing-saying-and-planning

If you’re interested in the latest trends in marketing spend and performance, explore Keen’s insights dashboard. It’s continuously updated with timely, actionable data to help you stay ahead.

Justin shares real-world insights into how leading DTC brands are making smarter decisions through scenario planning, forecasting, and more disciplined budget allocation—while calling out the traps many fall into, from knee-jerk cuts to overreliance on ROAS.

Why less than 7% of brands are confident in their Q4 forecasts—and how to fix it

The danger of reactive planning and the real meaning of agility

How scenario modeling helps brands balance margin defense with long-term growth

Why ROAS is outdated, and the move toward marginal ROI and long-term profitability modeling

What large brands do differently: disciplined investment, top-of-funnel steadiness, and planning across multiple economic conditions

How to rethink testing budgets and ensure you’re not starting Q1 blind

This episode is for any brand operator looking to survive—and strategically grow—through an unpredictable Q4.

Timestamps:

00:00 Understanding Q4 Uncertainty in 2025

02:58 Why Contingency Planning Matters

05:55 Top vs Bottom Funnel Spending Strategy

08:13 Preparing for Margin Pressure and Tariffs

11:45 How Mature Brands Avoid Going Dark

14:20 The Problem with Relying on ROAS

17:22 What to Know Before Scaling Experimental Budgets

20:06 Underrated Ad Channels That Work

22:58 Real Case Study: Avoiding Costly Inventory Mistakes

26:30 Final Tips for Smarter Weekly Spend

Hashtags:

#dtcpodcast

#q4planning

#ecommercemarketing

#digitalmarketing

#keendecisioning

#roas

#marketingstrategy

#tariffs

#marketingbudget

#d2cpodcast

#customeracquisition

#topfunnel

#brandstrategy

#marketinginsights

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Welcome to the DTC Podcast with Sarah Hoffman of Maker Wine — a deep dive into how Maker is rewriting the rules for wine. We cover:

Addressing canned-wine stigma with quality-first sourcing

Virtual tastings as a viral DTC engine

Omni-channel scaling from club to airlines

Smart SEO and content strategy for brand discovery

Key Takeaways:

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Book a quick demo by August 1 to get your first month free and unlock a new incremental revenue channel before Q4: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction & Maker Wine’s Omnichannel Pivot

02:00 From Beer to Wine: Sarah’s Founder Story

06:00 Why Most Canned Wine Fails (And How Maker Does It Differently)

10:58 Virtual Tastings as a Growth Engine

16:59 From DTC to United Airlines: Maker’s Distribution Strategy

22:55 Retail Marketing & Wine Club Strategy

27:00 SEO, Creator Partnerships & Low Sugar Positioning

32:50 Expansion Plans & NBA Arena Partnerships

35:00 How Maker Showcases Diverse Winemakers

Hashtags:

#dtcpodcast

#makerwine

#cannedwine

#directtoconsumer

#founderstory

#beveragestartup

#wineclub

#virtualtasting

#retailstrategy

#seoformarketers

#ecommercestrategy

#winebranding

#femaleentrepreneurs

#omnichannelmarketing

#independentwinemakers

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Today’s AKNF DTC Podcast Episode features the first ever episode from our sister podcast Ad-Venturous with Avery Valerio.

Make sure to subscribe to Avery’s podcast here:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/ad-venturous/episodes/EP-1-A-Peanut-Butter-Sandwich-Could-Always-Lead-to-Disaster-e32himd

We see more ads in our day-to-day lives than ever before and yet most of them… kind of suck. What happened to the days of adventurous marketing? Alongside creative thinkers from a vast variety of professional backgrounds, we’re diving deep into our favorite (and least favorite ) ads of all time to find out how they helped to shape today’s cultural landscape.

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Book a quick demo by August 1 to get your first month free and unlock a new incremental revenue channel before Q4: ⁠instant.one/dtc

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro to Ad-venturous and Avery’s mission

02:50 Why ads today lack creativity

05:15 The genius behind Got Milk’s ad strategy

10:20 What modern marketers can learn from comments

17:45 Full breakdown of the Aaron Burr Got Milk commercial

24:00 Why trusting your creative process matters

26:30 Avery’s top ad creation and research tips

29:00 The power of group brainstorms in ad ideation

33:00 Final tips for refining and evolving ad creative

Hashtags:

#CreativeStrategy

#MarketingPodcast

#AdvertisingTips

#GotMilkAd

#AdBreakdown

#DTCMarketing

#AdCreationProcess

#ContentThatConverts

#BrandStorytelling

#DigitalMarketingInsights

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

To Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

In this episode of the Pilothouse DTC Podcast, Laura Thompson & Connie Lo share how they built Three Ships Beauty from a condo‑kitchen startup to scaling to 8 figure omnichannel success. They discuss:

Why listen?

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Book a quick demo by August 1 to get your first month free and unlock a new incremental revenue channel before Q4: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why transparency helped Three Ships take off

02:00 – From condo kitchen to major retail shelves

06:00 – Clean vs. natural vs. green beauty explained

12:00 – Building products with consumer input

17:00 – Early retail wins and mistakes

21:00 – What paid media strategies work today

27:00 – Influencer marketing mistakes and what to avoid

32:00 – Creative collaboration across teams

37:00 – PR and affiliate marketing insights

41:00 – How they raised $1.4M in two weeks

Hashtags:

#DTCBeauty

#ThreeShipsBeauty

#StartupJourney

#EcommerceMarketing

#CleanBeauty

#FounderStories

#InfluencerMarketing

#PRStrategy

#PaidMediaTips

#RetailSuccess

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

In this no-fluff edition of All Killer No Filler, Jordan Gordon lays out the retention blueprint based on four fundamental customer cohort types. Whether you’re selling one-time purchases or building a subscription empire, this episode helps you build the right post-purchase flows, campaign cadence, and automation strategies based on your actual repeat data.

Key Takeaways:

This episode isn’t just about theory. It’s about practical segmentation and flows to extract every dollar of LTV your cohorts are ready to give — without wasting effort on email trees that don’t convert.

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps

00:00 – Four cohort profiles every DTC brand must know

03:00 – How to approach retention for acquisition-focused brands

08:00 – Email gauntlet strategies that boost first purchases

10:00 – Tactics for balanced brands to drive second purchases

17:00 – Segmented post-purchase flows vs. clean funnel approach

22:00 – Classic retention businesses and high-frequency repeat tactics

27:00 – Subscription-first brands and why LTV hinges on autoship

33:00 – Building effective replenishment and subscription paths

36:00 – Why inboxing, volume, and content drive retention success

38:00 – Cohort analysis frameworks for optimizing retention strategy

Hashtags

#DTCMarketing

#EmailMarketing

#CustomerRetention

#EcommerceStrategy

#ShopifyBrands

#LTVOptimization

#RetentionMarketing

#SubscriptionBrands

#PostPurchaseFlows

#AKNFPodcast

#TWBERP

#Pilothouse

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast with Eric Dyck. Today, we’re joined by Jason Prowd of AMP / Lifetimely to dive into how DTC brands can move from data paralysis to strategic action. Jason shares how cohort analysis, optimized subscription offers, and behavioral triggers unlock new revenue.

Explore Lifetimely by AMP: https://useamp.com/products/analytics?utm_source=dtcnewsletter&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=lifetimely&utm_content=trylifetimely

Key Insights:

Retention vs Acquisition: Why the second-half funnel yields better ROI

Cohorts over Averages: Finding hidden cohorts with 2× LTV and reallocate spend

Subscription Strategy: Optimize first-order vs ongoing discounts, plus surprise incentives

Test Culture: Run 2–4 week experiments, build a feedback loop for continual learning

Behavioral Flows: Triggered campaigns outperform generic campaigns

This episode is packed with analytical tactics for performance marketers, founders, and operators aiming to optimize LTV and margins.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why customer insights need constant validation

02:00 – The danger of tracking too many metrics

04:00 – How to find hidden revenue in underused cohorts

08:00 – Lifetime value vs volume-driven strategies

14:00 – How Lifetimely gives actionable analytics

23:00 – Rethinking subscription discount structures

29:00 – Flows vs campaigns in retention

32:00 – Importance of behavior-based triggers and referral timing

Hashtags:

#EcommerceData

#CustomerInsights

#DTCMarketing

#LTVStrategy

#SubscriptionOptimization

#EmailMarketing

#RetentionStrategy

#CohortAnalysis

#MarketingAnalytics

#Lifetimely

#AmpByShopify

#FlowsVsCampaigns

#CustomerSegmentation

#IncrementalRevenue

#MarketingStrategy

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

In this episode of the DTC Podcast:

We dive into how Adam Miller, founder of Revel Bikes, re-acquired his high-end DTC bike business after a private equity sale, a bankruptcy, and a founderless shutdown.

Key moments organizational leaders and DTC entrepreneurs will learn:

How founder control vs PE operations impacted Revel’s culture, inventory efficiency, and profitability

The behind-the-scenes 10-day auction to buy back the company for pennies on the dollar

Tactical relaunch decisions: staffing lean, re-platform to Shopify, pricing –25–35%, direct Meta ads

Why founder-led DTC brands can beat PE‑backed exits with stronger purpose, brand affinity, and agility

Why this matters:

Learn to spot when PE control derails your brand’s DNA

Understand the power of founder-led rebirth with agility over scale

Get tactical takeaways on relaunching a DTC business post-bankruptcy

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps

00:00 – Revel Bikes is back under founder ownership

02:00 – Why Adam Miller sold Revel in 2021

04:00 – The company’s decline under private equity

06:00 – How inefficiencies and overspending led to closure

08:00 – The emotional rollercoaster of losing the business

12:00 – Outbidding others to buy Revel back

14:00 – What Adam learned after stepping away

16:00 – Changes in Revel 2.0: smaller team, DTC model

18:00 – Lower prices, Shopify replatforming, Meta ads

20:00 – Early traction and overcoming brand damage

21:30 – Would he sell to PE again?

Hashtags

#D2CPodcast

#FounderStory

#RevelBikes

#PrivateEquity

#DirectToConsumer

#Ecommerce

#StartupJourney

#DTCBrands

#BusinessTurnaround

#MountainBikes

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric Dyck sits down with Pilothouse’s Amazon strategists, Rob & Clifford, to unpack why the shift to a four‑day Prime Day demands new levels of agility, budget strategy, and channel investment. They dive into:

Why a four‑day Prime Day is a marathon vs sprint — how slow starters can pivot mid‑event.

The importance of earning ‘Deal’ badges, deploying virtual bundles, and flexing PPC budgets to capture peak demand.

Amazon’s two‑part title rollout — how first‑mover SEO advantage could shift ranks.

Unlocking Amazon Marketing Cloud to separate new vs existing customer CAC, customer path analytics, and spend optimization.

Organic influencer virality—and hyper‑incentivized affiliate networks (40–50 % commissions)—as new secret weapons to dominate search and ranking.

Highlights include: skyrocketing mid‑Prime pivot opportunities, real-time budget management, and competing in a zero‑sum Amazon ad ecosystem.

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Prime Day is 4 Days Long in 2025

02:45 – How to Prepare for Amazon’s Mid-Year Mega Sale

06:20 – What You Need to Know About Amazon Title Updates

10:30 – Amazon Marketing Cloud: Opportunities and Limitations

17:45 – Organic Influencer Hits and Amazon SEO Boosts

23:00 – How to Leverage Creator Connections and High Affiliate Commissions

27:15 – Final Tips for Winning Prime Day with a Holistic Strategy

Hashtags:

#PrimeDay2025

#AmazonMarketing

#AmazonSellers

#EcommerceTips

#RetailStrategy

#InfluencerMarketing

#AmazonAdvertising

#DigitalMarketing

#AmazonSEO

#PerformanceMarketing

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video