This e-commerce founder story reveals how Lissy Skincare built a 7-figure brand with zero paid ads. Learn the realities of custom formulation logistics, organic influencer marketing, and transitioning from vibes-based marketing to data-driven business leadership when building a business from scratch.A million dollars in revenue. No ads. No investors. No formal business plan. Just a product that actually worked and an audience that needed it. Lissy Kotter, founder of Lissy Skincare, breaks down exactly how she built a thriving skincare brand from the ground up—and what she had to unlearn once the organic TikTok Shop era ended.In this clear breakdown, we go deep into the operational realities of launching a manufacturing brand without a traditional venture capital playbook. We analyze how Lissy identified an underserved ingredient (mandelic acid), navigated the scary transition from private label to custom contract manufacturing, scaled a highly localized affiliate network, and rode the TikTok viral wave to her first million before building a sustainable, metrics-driven company structure.Key Discussion Markers [00:00] — Hitting $1M with zero paid ads: the TikTok Shop era that changed everything. [01:54] — From one semester of college to esthetician school: how Lissy found her path. [05:09] — Why she became an esthetician: acne, self-employment, and checking every box. [10:46] — Building a community on Instagram by being honest about still struggling with acne. [13:18] — The failed class that accidentally became a $20K course business. [15:23] — Esthetician apparel, scarcity drops, and her first six-figure side hustle. [24:17] — Discovering mandelic acid and why it cleared her skin when nothing else did. [32:05] — Private label to custom formulation: how she built her product line without going into debt. [53:17] — Gut instinct vs. data: transitioning from "vibes-based" to metrics-driven decision making. [1:06:28] — The TikTok Shop bubble, influencer marketing, and what sustainable growth actually looks like.🎧 WANT MORE FROM LISSY? Follow Lissy Skincare on Instagram and TikTok to see the products, the before and afters, and the brand in action: https://lissyskincare.com/ 📦 ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP: Know Your Ship features raw conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something". Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.Optimize your shipping logistics: https://www.ehub.comLissy Skincare website: https://lissyskincare.com/ Lissy Skincare Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lissyskincare/ Lissy Skincare YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LissySkincare Lissy Skincare TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lissyskincare Lissy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-kotter-b03b79201/ Lissy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lissykotter/

How do you scale a creative passion into a global, digital-first retail brand? The executive staff at Natural Life breaks down the backend mechanics, operational adjustments, and organizational culture required to sustain hyper-growth. For founders managing rapid digital expansion, this case study details how to align internal talent and protect brand integrity.In this customer story panel, we deep-dive into the logistics of an e-commerce infrastructure that has grown by leaps and bounds over the last five years. We break down the realities of transitioning from a rigid corporate environment to managing over 6,000 SKUs, onboarding talent outside core retail hubs, and navigating supply chain forecasting.Key Discussion Markers00:00:15 — Why traditional corporate structures restrict high-velocity startup culture.00:03:48 — Marketing Operations: Getting the right digital assets to the right people.00:07:02 — The Six-Month Test: Building processes that function without the founder.00:15:59 — Navigating international tariff uncertainties and legacy inventory stress.00:21:14 — Why typical corporate communication tools fail fast-moving e-commerce teams.00:32:37 — Sourcing and fulfillment: Aligning state-of-the-art warehouse teams with brand mission.🎧 WANT THE FULL STRATEGY? Watch our primary interview with Natural Life Founder & CEO Patti Hughes to see how she built a retail powerhouse by rejecting traditional logic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2a8-hyNFpk 📦 ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP: Know Your Ship features raw conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something". Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.Natural Life website: https://www.naturallife.com Optimize your shipping logistics: https://www.ehub.com

How do you scale a creative passion from a kitchen table into a global, digital-first retail brand? Patti Hughes, Founder and CEO at Natural Life, explains how rejecting traditional retail logic and prioritizing an authentic, purpose-driven connection with consumers allowed her team to build a powerhouse business.

For founders looking to navigate the competitive consumer goods market, this episode details how to transform unique product storytelling into long-term enterprise value and passionate customer loyalty.

In this founder story, we break down Patti’s transition from a rigid corporate sales role at Hallmark to managing a tech-enabled e-commerce infrastructure with over 6,000 SKUs. We deep-dive into the "Live Happy" philosophy—a practical framework for balancing lean inventory management with creative risk-taking, prioritizing internal organizational culture, and protecting brand integrity during rapid digital expansion.

Inside the Discussion:

00:00:15 – Corporate Structure: Why traditional titles restrict startup culture.

00:03:06 – Creative Spaces: Transforming physical offices into design inspiration rooms.

00:08:45 – Strategic Transition: Leaving a stable career to bootstrap a creative startup.

00:18:07 – Mission & Alignment: Formulating a brand mantra focused on the little things.

00:25:51 – Operational Friction: Navigating supply chain mishaps, inventory expirations, and barcode errors.

00:28:25 – Talent Stewardship: Cultivating internal community and growing leaders from within.

00:42:35 – Adaptive Evolution: Moving from wholesale showrooms to a 95% DTC digital platform.

00:45:02 – Experiential Retail: The architectural and land zoning vision for a massive community hub.

00:54:15 – Customer Centricity: Utilizing support inbox reviews to write high-converting copy.

01:12:06 – Purpose-Driven Products: How word-of-mouth adoption from chemo patients elevated a core accessory. 01:21:56 – Social Proof Pipelines: Using community analytics and engagement to choose new releases.

01:45:40 – Scaling Margins: The gutsy operational decision to remove sales reps and halt massive catalogs.

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP: Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something." Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.

Connect with us:

Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.com

More episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

Connect with Patti & Natural Life:

Natural Life Website: https://www.naturallife.com

Natural Life Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturallife

Natural Life YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NaturalLifeHappy

Natural Life X: https://x.com/Natural_Life

Natural Life LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-life/

Patti’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-hughes-64b6351a/

Patti’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturallifepatti/?hl=en

How do you scale a 3PL by timing every touch? Jeramy King (FFE Solutions) explains how applying high-volume manufacturing principles allowed his team to get fulfillment efficiency down to the minute. If you are building a business in the e-commerce shipping space, this episode reveals how to turn complex kitting projects into high-margin profit centers.

In this founder story, we explore Jeramy’s transition from managing a $40M commercial print operation to architecting a tech-enabled logistics and supply chain management ecosystem. We deep-dive into the "Fun, Fast, and Easy" (FFE) methodology—a strategic framework for improving 3PL warehouse efficiency while maintaining transparency and executive alignment required for rapid growth.

Inside the Discussion:

00:00:00 – Process Optimization: Refining kitting workflows for maximum efficiency.

00:04:44 – Industrial Foundation: Applying high-volume manufacturing flow to 3PL.

00:10:38 – Strategic Transition: Moving from corporate leadership to equity-based ownership.

00:15:14 – Cultural Stewardship: Protecting organizational health during ownership shifts.

00:21:42 – The Aligned Partnership: Moving beyond transactional 3PL relationships.

00:29:16 – Executive Structure: The logic behind a three-partner leadership model.

00:36:22 – Leadership Maturity: Transitioning from reactive management to proactive mentorship.

00:41:48 – Innovation & Agility: Removing bottlenecks through adaptive warehouse technology.

00:45:19 – Intellectual Growth: Why diverse personal development is a leadership requirement.

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP: Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something."

Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.

Connect with us:

Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.com

More episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

Connect with Jeramy & FFE Solutions:

FFE Solutions Website: https://www.ffesolutions.com

Jeramy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeramy-king-0b925b11/

From a 30-year career in banking to making nearly $1M in a single month, Russ Warner’s story is about what happens when a side project actually takes off. In this episode, the founder of Ghost Boards explains what it was like to go viral overnight and handle the mess that followed.

Russ talks about the reality of hyper-growth: packing thousands of orders in a driveway and figuring out global shipping as he went. He goes into the personal side of a sudden boom—from his wife sourcing extra machinists to keep production moving, to the pressure of seeing 600 orders hit his phone in a single day.

Beyond the logistics, he shares why he still believes in meeting people face-to-face, even flying across the country to meet influencers' parents, and why he refuses to cut the small, expensive details that make his boards different.

Inside the Episode

0:00 – Making nearly $1M in 30 days. 

3:12 – Leaving banking to start a company. 

11:00 – Life lessons from a rough start in high school. 

23:00 – Playing the SEO game with "Cheeseburger Longboards." 

32:00 – Why you should never eat lunch alone. 

43:00 – How to turn customers into "raving fans." 

52:00 – The "No" that eventually started Ghost Boards. 

1:02:00 – Handling 600 orders a day from TikTok. 

1:15:00 – The "Three Fires" rule for staying sane. 

1:28:00 – Why closing his retail store was a good move. 

1:43:00 – The truth about tariffs and rising ad costs. 

1:55:00 – Why it pays to help your competitors.

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP: Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something." Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.

Connect with us: 

Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.com 

More episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship 

Connect with Russ & Ghost Boards:

Ghost Boards Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostlongboard/ 

Ghost Boards TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ghostlongboard 

Ghost Boards LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ghost-acrylic/ 

Ghost Boards YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GhostBoards 

Ghost Boards Website: https://ghostboards.com/ 

Russ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russelldeewarner/ 

Russ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russelldeewarner/ 

#KnowYourShip #GhostBoards #RussWarner #Business #DTC #Growth #Leadership #Startup #Skateboarding #eHub

Building a global brand requires more than just high-quality products—it requires a philosophy. Ben Checketts, Creative Director of @rhone, pulls back the curtain on how a small startup took on industry giants by identifying the arrogance of incumbents and filling the gaps they ignored.

In this deep dive, Ben explores the intersection of classic literature, high-performance athletics, and the "forever forward" mindset that defines Rhone’s DNA. From the psychological impact of well-fitted gear to the decision to buy back their independence from private equity, Ben shares a masterclass in staying surgical with brand purpose while scaling a family-run business.

Inside the Discussion: 

00:00:00 – Scaling a "Speakeasy" Brand: Why word-of-mouth beats splashy marketing. 

00:13:14 – The Origin Story: Defining Rhone’s "Captain Stitch" and the power of Aesop’s Fables. 

00:23:14 – The "Lululemon Gap": Attacking areas where competitors were too arrogant to notice. 

00:30:03 – Leaving the Corporate Ladder: Transitioning from the NFL and IMG to entrepreneurship. 

00:40:00 – The Influence of Dave Checketts: Lessons on integrity and the "Sunday best" hustle. 

01:18:17 – Reclaiming the Ship: Why buying back their company was essential for the long game. 

01:31:00 – The Subtle Sell: Why Rhone uses quotes and affirmations instead of "word art" walls. 

01:45:00 – Stoicism & Strategy: How the Roman Empire and Walt Whitman influence modern leadership.

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP: Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something." Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.

Connect with us:

Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.com

More episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

Connect with Ben & Rhone:

Rhone Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhone/ 

Rhone TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhone 

Rhone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rhone-apparel/ 

Rhone YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rhoneapparel 

Rhone X: https://x.com/rhone 

Rhone Website: https://www.rhone.com/ 

Ben’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben.checketts/ 

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benchecketts/ 

#KnowYourShip #BenChecketts #Rhone #ForeverForward #BrandBuilding #Entrepreneurship #DTC #Activewear #Leadership #eHub

How to disrupt a male-dominated industry by putting community before the club. Megan Heaton (Fore All) reveals the marketing strategy and "founder grit" behind the fastest-growing women’s golf brand in the country.

In this conversation, we explore the intersection of fashion, athletics, and modern brand-building. Megan pulls back the curtain on how Fore All moved past the "shrink it and pink it" era to create a lifestyle movement that resonates on and off the course.

From her transition from a model to a creative director to forecasting the 2026 "tennis effect" in golf, Megan explains why authenticity and entertainment are the ultimate tools for scaling a startup.

Inside the Discussion:

00:00:00 – Why community and entertainment outrun the traditional hard sell.

00:06:32 – Identifying the "access gap" for women in the golf industry.

00:15:18 – The LA hustle: Moving from influencer PR to creative leadership.

00:20:41 – Directing the vision: Trend forecasting and the magic of unplanned moments.

00:26:31 – The reality of scaling a high-growth, family-run business.

00:32:01 – Forecasting 2026: Why golf is the next major lifestyle culture.

00:36:09 – Staying surgical with brand purpose to avoid corporate drift.

00:37:56 – "The Flock": Turning community feedback into product innovation.

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP:

Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something." Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.

Connect with us:

Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.com

More episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

Connect with Megan & Fore All:

Fore All Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fore.all/

Fore All TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fore.all

Fore All LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fore-all-club/

Fore All YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForeAll

Fore All Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/foreall/ Megan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-heaton-69673968/

Megan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megan__heaton/

Website: foreall.com

From volunteer social media manager to Executive Director, Amy Dott’s journey with Utah Refugee Connection is a masterclass in leading with heart.

In this episode, Amy reveals how a "mosaic of goodness" is built through simple, meaningful acts of service and why the "unlucky" among us are often the ones with the most to teach.

Amy pulls back the curtain on the complex reality of refugee resettlement, debunking common myths about the legal process and sharing how her organization fills the critical gaps government entities can’t reach.

From the ingenuity of a "Capri Sun" tool to the power of a deep, meaningful hug, this conversation is a reminder that leaving things better than you found them is the ultimate life mission.

Inside the Episode:

0:00 — The "Gap Filler" Mission: Passion, skills, and filling in the blanks

03:34 — Heart and Mind: How to listen for the "thing that is right for you"

10:45 — A Way to Learn, Serve, or Give: The 3 pillars of community impact

15:20 — Connect and Lift: Why every refugee family needs a neighborhood support team

21:15 — The Legal Reality: Debunking misconceptions about refugee status

27:23 — The Capri Sun Pouch: What survival mode teaches about innovation

31:00 — Biomedical Engineering & Beyond: Tapping into human potential

34:10 — The Debt to the Unlucky: Why success requires an obligation to give back

41:50 — The Gathering of Light: A winter carnival that celebrates connection

50:15 — 99 Names for God: How diverse cultures expand our own perspective

57:23 — Leaving it Better: The simple goal that defines a legacy

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP:

Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something." Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for e-commerce shipping and logistics.

CONNECT WITH US:

Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.comMore episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

CONNECT WITH AMY AND UTAH REFUGEE CONNECTION:

Website: https://serverefugees.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serverefugees/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serverefugeesAmy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy_dott/

#KnowYourShip #UtahRefugeeConnection #CommunityService #RefugeeResettlement #SocialImpact #FounderStories #UtahNonprofit #Service #LeaveItBetter

How to build a multi-million dollar logistics empire from a side-hustle. Paulo Socatelli (US Closer) reveals the secrets of international shipping and the "Immigrant Hustle" behind Brazil’s #1 freight forwarder.

In this conversation, we explore the complexities of ecommerce shipping and logistics and supply chain management.

Paulo pulls back the curtain on how he scaled US Closer from an apartment in Salt Lake City to a Florida-based powerhouse. From buying out every Hollister t-shirt in Utah to becoming a YouTube authority for thousands of Brazilian shoppers, Paulo explains why understanding customer "pain" is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Inside the Episode:

0:00 — The "Immigrant Hustle": From $2/hour to building a US enterprise

04:12 — The Salt Lake City Surprise: Why Paulo chose Utah to start a business

10:30 — The "Mini-Me" Trap: Buying out every Hollister store in the state

18:45 — Building Trust on Camera: Why "Face-to-Camera" marketing is critical

25:10 — The Pivot: When currency crashes and taxes double, how do you survive?

33:15 — Moving 11 Trucks to Orlando: The logistics of a total company relocation

42:30 — Solving the "Disney" Problem: Serving 700k international visitors

50:15 — 40 Million Credit Card Points: The "Free" service model that drives loyalty

55:20 — Building a Legacy: Why "Rich" Brazil is the ultimate goal

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP: Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something."

Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for ecommerce shipping and logistics.

CONNECT WITH US:

Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.com

More episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

CONNECT WITH PAULO & US CLOSER:

US Closer Website: https://uscloser.com/Paulo’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulosocatelli/Paulo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulosocatelli/#Entrepreneurship #Logistics #InternationalShipping #FounderStory #USCloser #KnowYourShip #EcommerceGrowth #SupplyChainStrategy #BrazilBusiness

Learn how Sterling Jones scaled JOJO’s Chocolate from a kitchen table to national retail. We dive into the ecommerce shipping secrets, CPG logistics, and the "Missionary Mindset" required to build a national brand.

In this conversation, Sterling Jones pulls back the curtain on the grit, personal sacrifices, and strategic resets that define his founder story.

He discusses the "humbling" transition from an investment banking track to a 120-degree Arizona garage—a period where he learned that building a business requires more than just a great recipe; it requires the documented discipline of business leadership to lead through the tactical dust.

We also dive deep into the "Legacy" philosophy: why Sterling walked away from a "guaranteed" finance career to build a brand inspired by his mother Jojo’s battle with breast cancer.

This radical approach to mission-driven leadership and supply chain management is the core of their national success.

Inside the Episode:

0:00 — The realization: "She started this company for me"

04:12 — Giving up the "Blueprint": Why I left Investment Banking

12:30 — The 120-Degree Hustle: Shipping chocolate in Arizona summers

22:45 — Scaling Down to Scale Up: Shrinking from 20 employees to 5

35:10 — The "Missionary" Mindset vs. The Mercenary

48:15 — The Ego Check: Letting the best idea win

55:20 — Sourcing and Logistics: From the kitchen to Germany

1:05:45 — Building a $1B Moat with "Sweet Triumphant Snacking"

1:15:30 — Why family is the ultimate mission

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP:Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something." Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for ecommerce shipping and logistics.

CONNECT WITH US:Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.comMore episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

CONNECT WITH STERLING & JOJO’S:JOJO’s Chocolate: https://jojoschocolate.com/Sterling’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlingmjones/