Ecommerce Conversations

Mehtab Bhogal is the co-founder of Karta Ventures, a Canada-based acquirer of troubled ecommerce businesses. The firm seeks companies with "issues," such as unpaid taxes, regulatory problems, and founder disputes.

He says buying distressed companies is like salvaging a crashed car. "What are the parts worth?" he asks.

In this episode, he addresses identifying hidden value, turnaround tactics, seller concerns, and more.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ecommerce-investor-on-turnaround-tactics

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts

Listener reviews of Ecommerce Conversations elevate visibility and help others experience the lessons of online entrepreneurs. We invite you to leave a review on this channel.   

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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Josh Durham launched Aligned Growth Management, an influencer marketing agency, in 2020. He says the influencer industry has evolved from the halcyon days a decade ago when affiliate-based creators could generate 5x returns.

Influencer marketing circa 2025, according to Josh, is a long-term play. Success depends on quality products, engaged creator audiences, and content that supports multiple channels.

In this episode (his second on the podcast), Josh shares the essentials for scalable, high-performing influencer programs.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/a-playbook-for-influencer-marketing

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts

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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

This episode continues my masterclass series on ecommerce entrepreneurship. Thus far in 2025 I've addressed branding and profitability.

For this installment, I'll focus on hiring, specifically for marketing, operations, and product personnel. I launched Beadbrand over a decade ago and have hired plenty of employees. Mistakes can be hugely expensive.

I now apply eight steps to ensure the right employee at the right time. I explain my process here.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/my-8-step-ecommerce-hiring-process

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts

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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com

Ryan Rouse has a formula for scaling physical retail sales. First penetrate niche markets, he says, then leverage that success into mainstream chains.

He does that with MALK Organics, an Austin, Texas-based plant milk provider. Ryan is MALK's president, having launched and exited a meal-delivery business and served in executive roles of other consumer brands.

He speaks with host Eric Bandholz in this episode — addressing critical retail tactics such as packaging, pricing, marketing, and more.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/malk-plant-milk-masters-in-store-retail

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts

Listener reviews of Ecommerce Conversations elevate visibility and help others experience the lessons of online entrepreneurs. We invite you to leave a review on this channel.   

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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Host Eric Bandholz continues his masterclass series on entrepreneurship. Last week he addressed tactics to increase ecommerce profits amid a slump for many businesses.

This week he focuses on branding. He says most people think of branding as logos or design elements. But those items are components, not the essence. A brand is synonymous with a company — its mission, values, and purpose.

Eric shares his own mission, values, and purpose — and thus those of his company, Beardbrand.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com//branding-is-more-than-a-logo

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts

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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Many ecommerce businesses are struggling. Profit margins are thin; cash is low.

As the host of "Ecommerce Conversations," entrepreneur Eric Bandholz typically interviews other owners and executives. But he departs in this episode, sharing lessons from running Beardbrand, his company, for over a decade.

What follows are Eric's tips for adding margins to an ecommerce business. He addresses tighter focus, operational improvements, better marketing, brand boosters, and even checkout enhancements.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/margin-hacks-for-cash-strapped-ecom-stores

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts
 
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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Montana Knife Company launched in 2020 in a two-car garage near Missoula. One co-founder is a certified “Master Bladesmith” who has produced handmade knives since he was 11. The other, Brandon Horoho, is a seasoned digital marketer and ecommerce pro.

Combined, the entrepreneurs prove the value of craftsmanship at scale marketed directly to consumers. Business is booming, and the company will soon move into a 50,000 ft. manufacturing facility.

In this episode, Brandon shares the company’s origins, culture, “drop” selling, and more.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/montana-knife-co-blends-craft-with-scale

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts

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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Andrew Youderian launched eCommerceFuel in 2013 after stints in corporate finance and online selling. The vetted community consists of ecommerce owners whose businesses have $1 million or more in annual revenue.

He says ecommerce in 2025 has matured. "Brands that adapt," he stated, "will survive in the next five to seven years."

Host Eric Bandholz is a member of eCommerceFuel. In this episode, he queries Andrew about the community, the state of ecommerce, work-life balance, and change.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/adapt-to-survive-says-ecommercefuel-founder

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts

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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

In 2023 Mathias Schrøder was stressed, burned out, and perplexed. He had scaled revenue on his Denmark-based clothing company, but bloated overhead meant little profit and even less free time.

"I felt lost, unable to fix our predicament," he said, "until I realized I was trying to solve the wrong problem."

His solution was to scale down. He fired employees, lowered warehouse costs, and eliminated stagnant inventory. The result was 60% less revenue and 25% more profit.

He shared his inspiring journey in this episode.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/merchant-cuts-revenue-60-profit-rises-25

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts


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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com 

Matthew Gattozzi realizes creativity and efficiency often conflict. His firm, Goodo Studios, produces commercial content that attracts visitors and converts them into customers. It's a creative process with time and budget constraints.

"It's a balancing act," he stated. "On the one hand, you need efficiency. On the other, creativity requires time and space to flourish."

A former ballet dancer, Matthew first appeared on the podcast in 2021. In this episode, he shares his firm's content-creation strategy, client needs, and, yes, the impact of AI.

For an edited and condensed transcript with embedded audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ai-wont-replace-creativity-says-studio-founder

For all condensed transcripts with audio, see: https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tag/podcasts


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The mission of Practical Ecommerce is to help online merchants improve their businesses. We do this with expert articles, podcasts, and webinars. We are an independent publishing company founded in 2005 and unaffiliated with any ecommerce platform or provider. https://www.practicalecommerce.com