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In this episode, Trung Pham, founder of RYSE, shares how he turned paid ad funnels — usually used to drive DTC sales — into a reliable growth engine for equity crowdfunding, raising over $10 million to fuel smart-home hardware innovation.

Join Ryse’s Round! https://invest.helloryse.com/

Why Listen:

Equity Crowdfunding Meets DTC: Learn how Trung structured investor acquisition just like customer acquisition — using Meta, Google, newsletters, and conversion-optimized funnels.

Patent Strategy at Work: Discover how RYSE leverages Amazon’s APEX program to automatically take down copycat products.

Smart Brand Architecture: Hear how RYSE plans to monetize knockoff competitors with a lower-priced TikTok-focused sister brand.

Manufacturing Flexibility: Learn how Trung is using geographic production flexibility to hedge against rising tariffs.

Key Concepts Covered:

How to apply ad-driven sales mechanics to investor outreach

What Reg A and Reg CF allow founders to do that VC doesn’t

How to structure tiered investment incentives to drive larger check sizes

Why your IP and distribution channels are your real moat

The difference between marketing high-ticket smart devices and traditional DTC goods

Perfect for:

DTC founders, bootstrappers, eCommerce marketers, hardware entrepreneurs, and operators looking to raise capital without giving up control.

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Timestamps

00:00 – Solving the $2K problem: How Ryse was born

02:00 – R&D challenges and building novel IP from scratch

05:00 – From crowdfunding to ecommerce: Scaling a smart home brand

07:00 – Equity crowdfunding as a DTC growth strategy

11:00 – Creative ad strategy for investors and customers

14:00 – Cost to acquire investment vs. product sales

15:00 – Patent protection and using Amazon’s APEX program

19:00 – TikTok strategy and launching a lower-cost sub-brand

22:00 – Managing tariff risk by diversifying manufacturing

24:00 – Building for acquisition: Ryse’s smart home vision

26:00 – Trung’s advice for hardware founders and DTC equity raises

Hashtags

#DTCBrands

#EquityCrowdfunding

#SmartHome

#StartupGrowth

#EcommerceMarketing

#AmazonSellers

#ProductInnovation

#TikTokShop

#PatentProtection

#HardwareStartup

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric Dyck hosts Taylor Cain and Jacob from Pilothouse Meta Brain Trust to unpack how high-volume DTC brands test creative at scale on Meta. Learn their hybrid approach using ABO for insight discovery and Advantage Plus/CBO for scaling winners—while keeping testing spend lean at 5–10% of total budget.

Key Moments & Takeaways:

30+ ads/week testing: how they structure ABO for high-velocity creative discovery

Budget allocation: keep risk predictable by dedicating a small portion to tests

Meta signals: what defines ‘net-new creative’ and how visuals/text/video intros affect delivery

AI vs. human oversight: balancing Meta’s algorithm with strategic media buying

Health & wellness challenges: dealing with regressions in data permissions

Channel diversification: why brands pivot to AppLovin amid Meta data limitations

Seasonality playbook: capitalizing on lower CPMs pre-summer and prepping for prime Q4

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Timestamps

00:00 – Why July is the best time to stock the pond for Q4

02:05 – Creative testing structures: ABO vs. ASC vs. CBO

06:50 – Meta’s evolving definition of “net new creative”

11:55 – How Meta’s AI systems (Andromeda, GEM, Lattice) influence delivery

17:35 – Health and wellness brands and Meta’s tracking limitations

22:00 – AppLovin’s rise as an alternative channel for supplement brands

23:45 – Prime Day effects on Meta ad performance and purchase intent

Hashtags

#MetaAds

#FacebookAds

#CreativeTesting

#EcommerceMarketing

#DTCBrands

#PerformanceMarketing

#PaidSocial

#DigitalAdvertising

#PilotHouse

#AllKillerNoFiller

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In this episode of DTC Podcast, Adam Miller, founder of Revel Bikes, shares how he bootstrapped a premium mountain bike brand — solving product complexity, managing cash constraints, and scaling to global distribution with only minimal paid marketing.

Why it matters:

Bootstrapping high-cost inventory with home equity lines

Building authenticity through storytelling and PR

Turning earned media into sales on long buying cycles

Aligning team & culture around product passion, not spreadsheets

Knowing when to say no to big orders to preserve customer trust

Highlights:

Launch day success propelled by dual Pinkbike + EnduroMag reviews

Licensed a breakthrough suspension patent as product foundation

Fused retail credibility with DTC growth

Customer service = primary growth engine

Navigated exit with alignment to partner sharing long-term vision

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Timestamps

00:00 Intro and Revel’s untraditional marketing approach

02:00 Adam’s early entrepreneurial journey in cycling

06:00 Bootstrapping Revel with home equity and roommates

09:00 The launch strategy: PR, product obsession, and authenticity

12:00 Why community and lifestyle drove growth

16:00 What made Revel bikes different: Suspension and design

19:00 How Evergreen content and reviews outperformed paid ads

22:00 Managing explosive growth and demand

26:00 Turning down a $980K order to focus on customer experience

30:00 Selling the business: The decision and process

34:00 Post-acquisition transition and CEO handoff

39:00 Reflections, purpose after exit, and what’s next

Hashtags

#DTCPodcast

#RevelBikes

#FounderStory

#EcommerceGrowth

#OutdoorBrands

#BootstrappedBusiness

#ProductMarketing

#BikeIndustry

#DTCMarketing

#CustomerExperience

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In this episode of All Killer, No Filler DTC Podcast, host Eric Dyck talks with Pilothouse’s Technical Manager Richard about the expanding impact of California’s CCPA/CPRA and evolving privacy laws across North America.

Key moments to listen for:

CCPA/CPRA 101 & penalties – Up to $7.5K per violation, private-data breach lawsuits, and agency enforcement

Thresholds that trigger compliance – Revenue over $25M, 100K+ Californians’ data, or data‑sale revenue ≥50%

Multi‑state comparison – VA, CO, CT, and others have their own compliance standards

Compliance tooling deep dive – Shopify solutions (ConsentMo, Pandectis, SecurePrivacy) for banners, data access, and opt‑outs

Tracking vs. consent – Even server‑side tracking must respect opt‑outs

Case study – A client lost 58% of Analytics data but only 4% of purchases after adding full compliance tools

Future of data consent – How PIPEDA, GDPR-like shifts, and AI‑driven consent profiles are shaping privacy

This episode is essential listening for ecommerce and tech managers who need to navigate privacy law demands without compromising growth and analytics integrity.

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Timestamps

00:00 – Why eCommerce brands should care about CCPA

02:55 – Overview of CCPA and CPRA regulations

05:10 – Penalties for non-compliance with California privacy laws

08:30 – Thresholds that trigger CCPA enforcement

11:05 – What personal data qualifies under CCPA

14:00 – Which US states have privacy laws beyond California

17:00 – How to make your Shopify store CCPA compliant

20:15 – Server-side tracking and compliance limitations

23:30 – Real client example: Data loss vs purchase impact

27:50 – Impact of consent banners on analytics and conversions

31:10 – Managing existing customer data for compliance

34:10 – The future of personal data and AI-managed privacy

Hashtags

#consumerprivacy

#ccpa

#ecommercelaw

#dataprotection

#cpra

#shopifycompliance

#usprivacylaws

#servertracking

#retargeting

#googleanalytics

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This episode dives deep into how a major global brand (Barilla) reimagined Back to Nature with a bold rebrand strategy anchored in nostalgia, joy, and simple ingredients. Hear why shifting from a plant‑based tagline to a “Better‑For‑You Remix of Classics” helped unlock broader consumer appeal, fortified by skinnier SKU range and sharp creative decisions.

Key Highlights:

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Back to Nature Needed a Total Rebrand

02:55 – Barilla’s Acquisition and Strategic Goals

06:10 – Andrea’s CPG Background and Role in the Brand Relaunch

10:45 – Why “Plant-Based” Was Hurting the Brand

14:30 – Unlocking a Distinct Brand Identity with Joy and Nostalgia

18:00 – Managing Risk and Shelf Recognition in a Full Redesign

21:20 – Balancing Better-for-You Messaging and Simplicity

23:50 – The Role of OTT and Digital in Brand Awareness

26:15 – Staying Focused vs. Chasing Trends at Expo West

30:00 – The Evolving Role of Ecommerce and Amazon

32:10 – Lessons in Bold Branding and Distinctiveness from Byron Sharp

Hashtags:

#DTCmarketing

#CPGbranding

#RetailRebrand

#FoodMarketing

#BrandStrategy

#ConsumerInsights

#PackagedGoods

#MarketingLeadership

#BrandPositioning

#EcommerceStrategy

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In this episode, Braydon, Senior Content Manager at Pilothouse, dives into how he uses AI to streamline client calls, automate creative workflows, and reclaim time. Below are the standout tactical takeaways:

3× Creative Productivity: Use ChatGPT + DALL·E to reverse‑engineer competitor ads and build mockups, cutting tasks from ~1 hour to ~15–20 minutes.

Amplified Client Understanding: Aggregate call transcripts in Firefly, add Slack context, then query a GPT to surface concerns and opportunities—leading to more empathetic execution.

Image Quality Hack: Use Magnific.ai to bring authenticity to AI‑generated visuals (wrinkles, textures, life).

Future‑Ready Agents: ChatGPT “Operator” can traverse browser workflows (e.g., ClickUp, FB Ads), broadening AI’s utility across campaigns and forms.

AI as Emotional Coach: Custom GPTs can behave like personal therapists—boosting emotional intelligence in real‑time.

Energy Consideration: As AI scales, energy constraints may become the defining bottleneck—fusion, small‑modular reactors, and policy are key to sustainability.

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 – How AI gives you time back

02:00 – Using ChatGPT to improve emotional intelligence

04:00 – AI adoption at Shopify and workplace expectations

06:00 – Firefly and ChatGPT for smarter client management

08:00 – Generating custom ad mockups with DALL·E

10:00 – Boosting productivity with AI mockups and task descriptions

12:00 – Using Magnifi AI to enhance AI-generated visuals

14:00 – Energy demands of AI and the future of infrastructure

16:00 – ChatGPT as a personal assistant and blind spot advisor

18:00 – The human-AI relationship and future potential

Hashtags

#aiinmarketing

#chatgptworkflow

#dalleads

#creativeproductivity

#emotionalintelligence

#aiinfrastructure

#marketingautomation

#digitalads

#clientmanagement

#generativeai

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Trevor Zacny from Shiti Coolers joins the DTC Podcast to share how he and his brothers transformed a napkin joke into a viral sticker business, and then into the world’s first party cooler brand. This episode dives deep into humor-led branding, event-based growth, and the transition from parody to premium product.

Shiticoolers.com

You’ll learn:

Why humor can be a powerful differentiator in product categories saturated with status and performance brands

How Shiti Coolers went from $0 to $320K in sticker sales in year one

How events like NASCAR and country music festivals became revenue powerhouses

The importance of maintaining product quality in a humor-first brand

Building community through social, SMS, and in-person events

Lessons on cash flow, capital allocation, and surviving growing pains

Why storytelling and founder-led content is their next big opportunity

If you’re thinking about growing a lifestyle brand, building a loyal following, or just want to learn how to make funny marketing actually drive revenue, this one’s for you.

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Timestamps

00:00 – How Shiti Coolers Made $320K from Stickers

02:00 – From Festival Joke to Full Lifestyle Brand

05:00 – Launching the First Party Cooler

07:00 – Lessons from the First Cooler Launch

10:00 – Balancing Humor and Product Quality

12:00 – Competing with Yeti Without Copying It

15:00 – Building the Community Through Events and Social

17:00 – In-Person Events vs. Paid Media Growth

20:00 – Collaborations with Kid Rock, Realtree, and Bill Murray

23:00 – Navigating Tariffs and Global Manufacturing

25:00 – Working with Family as Co-Founders

27:00 – Hitting a Cash Wall and Finding Strategic Investors

30:00 – How They Choose the Right Events

32:00 – Storytelling as a Growth Opportunity

34:00 – Wholesale, Seasonality, and Global Expansion Plans

Hashtags

#shiticoolers

#dtcpodcast

#founderstory

#ecommercebranding

#lifestylebrand

#productlaunch

#d2cmarketing

#familybusiness

#retailstrategy

#tariffs

#brandcommunity

#humorinmarketing

#eventmarketing

#wholesalestrategy

#coolerbrand

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How does a luxury cookware brand maintain a 40% repeat purchase rate?

In this episode of The World’s Best Retention and Marketing Podcast, Christina Chonody, Senior Director of Marketing at Hestan, shares the high-performance tactics behind their content-led retention strategy. From culinary storytelling and chef partnerships to plain-text emails that outperform flashy designs, Hestan proves that real value—not discounts—drives repeat purchases.

Subscribe to TWBERP on Apply or Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/30OswCnXzinWp0zBP1kenR?si=gFxF-OOsQY2FNh0Tc_1Q0A

Listen to learn:

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Timestamps

00:00 Repeat customer rate and long-term brand strategy

02:00 Storytelling and chef partnerships at Hestan

06:00 Why NanoBond cookware changes the cooking experience

10:00 Building brand equity through email content

18:00 HTML vs full design emails and their performance

22:00 How paid and retention channels work together

27:00 Email’s dual role in CRO and branding

30:00 Strategic use of SMS and loyalty programs

33:00 Segmenting by product line to scale

36:00 Email’s impact on premium brand perception

Hashtags

#emailmarketing

#retentionmarketing

#cookwarebrands

#dtcpodcast

#brandstorytelling

#contentmarketing

#luxurybrands

#ecommercegrowth

#customerloyalty

#emailstrategy

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we’re joined by Garrick Tiplady, Global Head of SMB Group at Meta, and Yingying Kuang, Head of Ecommerce and Growth at Kitsch. They share practical insights into how AI tools are reshaping media buying—not replacing it, but making it more efficient and creative.

From Zuckerberg’s recent comments about simplifying campaign setup to the real-world tactics Kitsch uses to launch 100 creatives a week, this episode is filled with straightforward strategies for scaling performance marketing. Garrick and Yingying discuss how Meta’s Advantage+ and GenAI Creative tools support human creativity and free up media buyers to focus on strategy and storytelling.

Key insights:

Why creative is targeting, and how AI helps scale it

How Kitsch leverages AI for creative production, testing, and analysis

The balance between automation and human strategy in performance marketing

Measuring incrementality and understanding attribution beyond last-click

Preparing for Q4 with proven creative and campaign strategies

This is a must-listen for media buyers and marketers who want to leverage AI tools without losing sight of strategy, customer connection, and real business impact.

Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/business/news/meta-advantage-explained-in-two-minutes

Timestamps

00:00 – How Kitsch approaches Meta’s automation and creative strategy

02:15 – Why creative diversification outperforms targeting hacks

04:30 – Retargeting strategy and why it’s not one-size-fits-all

07:00 – Meta’s view on freeing up time for creative strategy

09:15 – Using Gen AI to boost creative volume and performance

11:30 – Measuring incrementality with Meta tools and Northbeam

14:00 – Multi-channel attribution and retail halo effects

16:15 – Testing Q4 offers early and holiday creative strategies

18:30 – How creators and partnership ads drive 15–25% higher ROAS

20:30 – Final advice for mastering Meta media buying in 2025

Hashtags

#dtcpodcast

#mediabuying

#metaads

#genai

#ecommercemarketing

#kitschbrand

#advertisingstrategy

#q4planning

#creatorads

#digitalattribution

#incrementality

#performancecreative

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Today we’re joined by Charlotte Trecartin, the founder of Char Charms, a brand creating customizable accessories for drinkware. Charlotte’s journey from handmade prototypes in her college dorm room to nationwide deals with Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods offers a masterclass in category creation and scaling.

In this episode, we dive into:

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode offers practical takeaways you can implement today.

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Timestamps

00:00 – Launching Char Charms and early prototypes

02:00 – How Charlotte connected with retailers like Target and Dick’s

04:00 – TikTok as a growth engine and content strategy

06:00 – Insights from Charlotte’s door-to-door sales background

08:00 – Leveraging LinkedIn to secure retail partnerships

10:00 – Target nationwide launch and SKU expansion

12:00 – Challenges of launching into retail and margin management

14:00 – Vision boards and goal-setting approach

16:00 – The role of mentors in Charlotte’s journey

18:00 – Future plans: Collaborations with big brands and DTC focus

20:00 – Key advice for entrepreneurs and TikTok consistency

Hashtags

#DTC #ecommerce #startupstories #retailstrategy #tiktokmarketing #entrepreneurship #hydrationaccessories #mentorship #growthmindset #brandcollaborations

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