Abel and Samuel have an extremely unique outlook on business and building brands. 

Contrary to the 'acquisition first' approach, they did the opposite and went all-in on the product. For example, back in 2019 when everyone else was cutting back due to the Pandemic, Troubadour did about 12 months' worth of product development in 2 months - because of the huge capacity manufacturers had. 

This was just one of many great strategic moves Abel shared in this episode.

Topics covered:

• Why Bags
• How he met his co-founder Samuel
• The moment they knew this could be a business
• The importance of sustainability
• How other founders can educate themselves on
• The steps in building their foundation
• Why worth-of-mouth marketing always wins
• The huge opportunity the pandemic presented
• How to find great talent for your brand
• The Troubadour culture and values

TROUBADOUR:
https://www.troubadourgoods.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelsamet/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

Steven's never had a job, not the kind most of us know anyway. Although the list of accomplishments to his name is quite astounding - from filmmaking to being a Masters All-American sprinter to a Professional stand-up comic, there's not much he hasn't done.

Back in 2013, another adventure began when he started running barefoot and realized that we've been going against human nature for the last century.

Together with his wife, Lena, they're changing the world one step at a time.

Topics covered:

• The realization of running barefoot
• How Steven met his wife
• Why they started Xero Shoes
• Behind the scenes of being on Shark Tank
• Why he didn't take their investment
• How Xero Shoes grew so rapidly
• Strategic plays in the coming years
• How big Steven thinks this market is
• Why you need to know your numbers when marketing

Xero Shoes:
https://xeroshoes.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashen/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

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After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Sylvia's life completely changed overnight.

With the strength of her family and an incredible community, she pulled through.

Now, she has started a brand called Amidira - cancer care packages from a cancer survivor herself.

Topics covered:

• Life before cancer and working for Shopify
• The moment Sylvia found out she had breast cancer
• The experience and how she pulled through
• The idea to start a brand helping other cancer patients
• Working a full-time job whilst building a brand
• How to find freelancers that are really good
• Her future plans for the brand

AMIDIRA:
https://amidira.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvng

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

Find product. Build website. Launch ads.

That's the consensus most marketers have on how to build a DTC brand - but there's more than one way to skin a cat, as the saying goes...

This was also the advice that nearly bankrupted FireCreek snacks before Dustin Riechmann and founder Ryan Hansen took a very different approach - podcasting and partnerships.

Topics covered:

• Dustin's backstory
• Why he quit the 9-5
• How his FireCreek journey began
• The power of toe 2 toe marketing
• Discovering podcasting in lockdown
• Why podcasting can work for DTC brands
• How to identify the podcasts for you brand
• How to get featured on those podcasts
• The future for FireCreeck snacks and exit strategy

FIRECREEK SNACKS:
www.firecreeksnacks.com/
www.linkedin.com/in/dustinriechmann/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

Martha met Curt over 20 years ago and they've been partners in one way or another ever since.

Together they've gone on to build Life Elements: a natural skincare brand that focuses on the absolute best product quality.

From helping firefighters fight cancer, to transforming the lives of the elderly, Curt has a fantastic story - this is what brand building is all about.

Topics Covered:

• How to have success with wholesale
• Power of speaking to customers 1-1
• Building a real team culture
• Bringing new customers for DTC
• The problems DTC brands face right now
• Why actually helping others is number 1

Use the discount code EcomAlphas20 to save 20% off any purchase at LifeElements.com. Good from June 1 - August 30, 2022. Cannot be combined with existing sales or promotions.

LIFE ELEMENTS:
https://lifeelements.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtisvan/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

What is harder, business or swimming?

A question I asked Joe Welstead, the founder of Motion Nutrition, who used to spend over 25 hours a week in the pool. Joe actually chose the latter, although, what was fascinating was the parallels between the two. They're both intense, they are both all about mindset, and they both take a long time to get good at.

Topics we covered:

-What most athletes don't realize about the supplements they take
-Why Motion Nutrition began
-Starting with B2B instead of DTC
-Standing out in a competitive market
-The true cost of developing high quality products
-How to bring in new customers
-Surviving the incoming recession

MOTION NUTRITION:
https://motionnutrition.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-welstead-37693949/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

From the deserts of Iraq, to tattooing his own logo on his back - Robert Patton has been on 1 hell of a ride.

He nearly lost the whole thing on multiple occasions but he lived to tell the tale.
Experiencing 100% for nearly doubled in growth every year since 2013, there's something in this episode for every entrepreneur:

Topics we covered:

• Being on the ground in Iraq
• The truth behind what happened there
• How his time there led to starting an underwear brand
• The 300 kick-starters who made dreams become a reality
• How he plans to deal with the upcoming recessions
• Why tattooing your own logo on your body is the ultimate accountability

SHEATH:
https://www.sheathunderwear.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-patton-b675273b/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

Cam Greenwood is the co-founder of Zorali - one of Australia's fastest growing DTC start-ups.

They're on a mission to get as many humans outside into the wonderful outdoors.

A lengthy legal battle meant Cam had to close the doors of his first brand, Monsta Surf - it was soul destroying.

Everything happens for a reason though, and after finding Elise, his perfect partner and wife, together they transitioned the surfing community into a bigger project.

Starting fresh with this new mission, to get people back in nature - the rest was history.

Topics we covered:

• The process of a lengthy legal battle
• Community challenges in the outdoors
• Why corporates don't care about entrepreneurs
• Building products around communities and tribes
• What it really means to have your dreams crushed
• Using his honeymoon to design their company logo
• What Cam would have done differently with Monsta Surf
• How to transition an existing community from one brand to the next

ZORALI:
https://www.zorali.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/camgreenwood/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

Has someone ever told you a story that left you speechless?

I think Allison must get this reaction a lot.

Fulfilling the mission of her dearly departed husband Seth after his long battle with cancer.

She's one of the most courageous women I've ever met.

Not only that but against all odds

Had a son who was a miracle and had his own battles

Allison certainly hasn't had it easy

But in the worlds of Seth Luker himself

You have to keep moving forward.

Allison shared the story of building Rocking Wellness for the first time.

Here's what we covered:

• How their own products kept Seth alive for almost another decade after doctors told him he had only a few years left
• How Seth went from touring with Lionel Richie to making shakes in the kitchen
• Allison's transition and why she decided to continue her husband's mission
• Why the ingredients of their product make all the difference
• How Allison ran the brand from Seth's hospital bed
• How to do customer service properly

Words don't do this one justice.

You just have to listen.

ROCKIN' WELLNESS:
www.rockinwellness.com
www.linkedin.com/in/allison-luker-58040a11/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/

Triple Whale Discount: Alpha

Everyone wants to be number 1.

But ask yourself: Would it really be that bad being number 2?

Especially in a competitive market.

That's worth over $150 Billion, growing every day.

Since COVID, the Coffee market has exploded.

And so has the competition to get those beans into each cup.

From starting in e-commerce back in 2000...

To the wild wild west of dropshipping.

It's fair to say Phil has been around the block.

Here's what we covered:

• How to understand the retail unit economics
• Why you should always expand your product selection horizontally
• What hires should you make and when
• Using marketing agencies VS having an in-house team
• The long-term effect of building a community in a specific niche
• The power of wholesale when everyone is focusing on online

GothRider Coffee:
Phil Kyprianou - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkyprianou/
https://www.gothrider.com/

Nigel:
www.linkedin.com/in/nigelthomas-ai/