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Katherine Sakovich, CMO at Mira, shares how Mira scaled from chaos to a multi‑product hormonal health platform via community-led, educative marketing. Highlights explore positioning tactics, messaging for sensitive journeys, product‑marketing integration, and the evolving role of AI.

Key Moments:

Timestamps

00:00 Katherine’s journey to becoming CMO at Mira

02:00 Launching Mira from scratch and early growth strategies

06:00 First key marketing hires and team structure

08:00 How Mira built community and organic traction

13:00 Webinar strategy and content wheel for education

16:00 How product launches fueled Mira’s long-term growth

20:00 In-house vs agency media buying and working with Pilothouse

24:00 Partnership strategies that actually worked

27:00 Mira’s next phase of growth and top-of-funnel focus

30:00 How Mira uses AI in support, creative, and operations

33:00 Favorite SaaS tools and tech stack powering Mira

Hashtags

#DTCMarketing #HealthTech #FemTech #StartupGrowth #CMOInsights #CommunityMarketing #ContentStrategy #MediaBuying #EcommerceStrategy #DirectToConsumer

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DTC professionals: discover why Amazon demands a unique strategy, not a copy‑paste from your DTC playbook.

In this episode with Pilothouse Amazon Brain Trust, Rob & Clifford unpack:

Listen to learn:

Timestamps

00:00 Common Amazon misconceptions from DTC brands

02:00 Why treating Amazon like DTC doesn’t work

04:00 How to approach Amazon like retail

06:00 Amazon ad spend mistakes and missed ROAS

10:00 Clifford’s rant on seller feedback changes

17:00 Amazon ends prep and labeling services

20:00 Why brands now care more about buyer location

24:00 Questions to ask your Amazon agency

28:00 Automation vs manual control in Amazon ads

Hashtags

#AmazonStrategy #DTCBrands #SellerFeedback #AmazonAds #EcommerceMarketing #AgencyTips #FBA #AmazonUpdates #PerformanceMarketing #DigitalCommerce

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Yuki Kinoshita returns to the DTC Podcast with an inside look at how Plufl turned viral buzz into sustainable growth. Since his first appearance, the brand has passed $4M in sales, added new SKUs like the Hugl cooling pillow, and faced a near-$8M retail setback due to sudden U.S. tariffs.

In this episode, Yuki breaks down how Plufl:

Navigated a 145% import tariff while keeping prices stable

Cut landed costs by $10+ per unit by reengineering their packaging

Transitioned from novelty product to year-round problem-solver

Leveraged creator content and press placements to power top-of-funnel

Used customer pain points to inform product development

For DTC founders navigating platform volatility, sourcing challenges, and product innovation, this episode delivers tactical insight.

Timestamps:

00:00 How Plufl went viral and dealt with knockoffs

02:00 Shark Tank, tariffs, and losing $7M in retail deals

08:00 Why Vietnam manufacturing isn’t always cheaper

12:00 Cutting COGS with packaging and operations

18:00 The product that made Plufl profitable year-round

24:00 Creating pet-parent solutions from customer feedback

28:00 Seven figures from QVC and shopping networks

32:00 PR, gift guides, and listicles as growth levers

34:00 TikTok creator seeding and whitelisting strategy

38:00 What’s next for Plufl and the founders

Hashtags:

#d2cpodcast #plufl #dtcbrands #founderstory #ecommercegrowth #retailstrategy #tiktokmarketing #tariffimpact #prstrategy #productlaunch

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This episode dives deep into how Pilothouse treats content (video/still/UGC/EGC) as the primary growth lever entering Q4. They share frameworks for sourcing, testing, and iterating content to keep a creative pipeline fresh, attention‑grabbing, and funnel‑optimized.

Why it matters to marketers/entrepreneurs:

Key moments & insights:

Timestamps:

00:00 Setting Up Q4 Creative Systems

02:00 Why Video Is Essential for Q4 Growth

04:00 The Three Types of Video: CGC, UGC, EGC

08:00 The Power of Employee-Generated Content

12:00 Using Video vs. Static Creatives on Meta

16:00 Creative Refresh Cycles and Testing Systems

20:00 Beating the Winning Ad: Iteration Strategies

22:00 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Hashtags:

#q4strategy #facebookads #ugc #creativeoptimization #d2cpodcast #egc #digitalmarketing #videomarketing #metaads #growthmarketing

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In this bonus episode of the DTC Podcast, we reconnect with Liam Millward, Co-Founder & CEO of Instant, the retention marketing platform helping top e‑commerce brands turn anonymous traffic into incremental revenue. Instant installs in minutes, identifies up to 40% of previously unknown visitors, and triggers branded email flows through Klaviyo—no manual setup required.

https://instant.one

Why DTC listeners should care:

As acquisition costs rise and margins tighten, converting the traffic you’re already paying for is non-negotiable. Liam shares how Instant helps brands like ThirdLove, Truly Beauty, and Karen Kane generate compounding email revenue—often seeing 11–21x ROI in weeks, not months.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

If your site gets traffic but your email list isn’t growing fast enough—and your flows aren’t converting as they should—this is the bonus episode to get ahead before Q4.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why 98% of website traffic goes unidentified

02:00 – Instant’s founding story and mission

04:30 – How brands can prep for Q4 success

08:00 – Turning traffic into ROI through identification

10:00 – Instant’s results with brands like Liquid IV

13:00 – Compounding revenue through retention

16:00 – Who Instant is best suited for

18:00 – A/B testing and measuring incrementality

21:00 – Automating flows with Instant AI

24:00 – What’s next for Instant

Hashtags:

#dtcpodcast #ecommercetips #blackfridaystrategy #emailmarketing #conversionrateoptimization #q4prep #retentionmarketing #klaviyo #incrementalrevenue #marketingautomation #shopperidentification #directtoconsumer #growthstrategy #founderstory #metaads

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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