Leading in Ecommerce

In this episode, Daniel Johnson, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Zonos, the leading cross-border technology company, shares insights and trends for all global brands. Hear what countries are popular, learn what goes into selling globally on the back-end, and get access to cross-border tech-forward tips. Daniel walks us through some changes that Zonos has pivoted and innovated over the past few years. You will also hear about the importance of the customer experience and the leadership principle of Boss vs. Leader. 

[01:12] About Zonos

[03:40] Daniel’s background and Zonos’ founders story

[07:13] Popular countries for selling globally

[08:34] Zonos’ most powerful innovations

[11:14] Zonos company dynamic

[12:46] Accelerating brand growth

[16:35] Staying competitive through customer service

[21:43] Leadership principle: Boss vs Leader

[25:23] Learn more at Zonos.com

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In this episode, Tyler Gregg, Director of Operations at Ampd, shares his knowledge about connecting Google and Amazon to bring more traffic to brands. Tyler starts by giving a short recap of his experience at the recent Accelerate event, then he dives into Ampd’s data perspective. He explains why you should focus on driving Google traffic to Amazon, how the ripple effect plays a role in purchases, and how you should experiment with Google. One tip of advice is to build your brand on Amazon. Tyler provides several specific examples of how to do so. If you have a brand on Amazon, this episode is a must listen. 

[00:35] Introduction to Tyler

[01:03] Accelerate recap

[03:33] About Ampd

[07:55] Benefits connecting Google and Amazon

[12:12] Capitalizing on a captive audience

[15:19] Tyler’s background

[17:41] Innovation with onboarding

[20:42] Innovation in brands through data

[24:27] Branding on Amazon

[30:18] Amdp’s roadmap

[31:57] How to win as a brand

[33:15] Delegation

[35:45] Learn more at ampd.io

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In this conversation, Parker Benthin, VP of Sales at Brondell Inc., shares some of Brondell’s strategies around its “drink, breathe, bathe, and flush” products. Listen to an interesting founding story, learn how to use the internet to your advantage, and laugh as you hear how the crazy toilet paper shortage created more business for Brondell. You will also hear Parker’s perspective on curiosity and the shoulder-to-shoulder principle. 

[00:29] Introduction to Parker

[02:21] About Brondell Inc.

[03:47] Founding Story

[06:12] Innovation from the Entrepreneurial Mindset

[08:39] Awareness Effects on Brondell’s Products

[10:48] Innovations that Propelled Brondell Forward

[14:36] Accelerating Online Success

[17:45] Distribution Spectrum and Strategy

[20:42] Building out-of-the-box Ideas

[23:39] Curiosity Wins

[25:32] The Shoulder-to-shoulder Principle

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In this conversation with Kiril Kirilov, co-founder and CEO of Rush, we hear his perspective on ecommerce, all the way from Bulgaria. Kiril explains the background of his company and how he is currently solving problems in the post-purchase experience. He shares his story of starting as a competitive runner, getting in an accident, and– in the end–creating his own business. You’ll also hear Kiril talk about fascinating customer behaviors and data, which helps in predicting other customer purchases. Listen to this episode to hear Kiril’s advice on how to grow your ecommerce.

[00:31] About Kiril and Rush

[01:45] Rush: Solving for the Post-Purchase Experience

[3:23] Kiril’s Unique Journey

[06:22] Running and Competitive Nature

[08:54] Data Collection Through Orders

[11:48] Adapting Based on Customers and Data

[13:46] Structure of Rush

[15:27] Impact of the Ukraine Crisis

[19:26] Advice for Founders to Grow Ecommerce

[22:48] What Brands Need to Focus on Right Now

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In our conversation with Woo Kim, Senior Director of Ecommerce & Marketing at Aerosoles, she talks about adapting to the always changing ecommerce world, new technologies, and innovations. Woo also shares how Aerosoles implemented SMS marketing and its impact on  Aerosoles’ strategy. What is one piece of advice from Woo?  She encourages everyone to experiment with marketing. Learn more about slowing down in our fast-paced world and more tips for ecommerce in this week’s episode of Ecommerce Innovators.

[00:37] Introduction

[01:50] Kim’s background

[04:36] Innovation on the customer front

[06:43] Ecommerce growth and technology

[09:15] Challenges to new marketing channels

[12:34] Living in a fast-paced world

[16:27] Innovation: small and large

[20:02] Short vs long game decisions

[21:40] Growing your brand on ecommerce

[23:28] Top leadership principle

[24:46] Bias for action

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In this conversation with Nick Greer, co-founder and CEO at Built Brands, he talks about growth, challenges, and opportunities in building a business. You’ll hear stories of failure from Nick’s background, and you’ll learn why you shouldn’t stop when things get hard. Nick also highlights how he uses data to learn, while depending on others for success. He shares his thoughts on going against the status norm and shows how Built’s mission is bringing good for people all around the world. After listening, you will be inspired to go cheer for your co-workers and bring light to others.

[00:50] About Built.com

[01:58] Nick’s background

[05:01] Power of insourcing and outsourcing

[07:09] Recognizing opportunities

[10:20] Why you shouldn't stop

[13:45] Advice for growth

[16:31] Partnerships

[18:21] Continuing innovation

[21:11] Entrepreneur vs “want-repreneur”

[23:30] Dealing with challenges

[24:52] Misconceptions

[26:20] Mission of Built Brands

[30:35] Surrounding yourself with family

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In this conversation with Brian Nielson, VP of Product at Chirp, he talks about innovation and marketing. Today, you’ll hear about Brian’s journey to his current role at Chirp, the evolution of the company from Plexus, how Brian’s background has come into play in his current role, the Shark Tank experience, getting social proof validation, how Chirp deals with the Amazon effect, Brian’s shift from marketing to product, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a good team.

Throughout his career, Brian has been pushing the standard way of doing things. He believes strongly in the concept of design thinking. Prior to joining Chirp, he served various roles at WCF Insurance, BYU-Idaho, and Quicksilver. Brian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Brigham Young University, Idaho.

[00:49] About Brian and Chirp

[01:55] Brian’s background

[04:29] Brian’s intersection of finance and marketing

[13:22] Evolution of the brand from Plexus to Chirp

[19:20] How Brian’s background came into play

[25:10] Chirp and Shark Tank

[32:33] Social proof validation

[34:50] Dealing with the Amazon effect

[40:20] Migrating from marketing to product

[46:05] The importance of the team

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In this conversation with Sally Matthews, Chief Product Officer at Gousto, she talks about innovation and the changing landscape of the food industry. Today, you’ll hear about the growing subscription economy in the UK, Sally’s career leading up to her current role, the culture of innovation at Gousto’s, behind-the-scenes action in the kitchen, receiving customer feedback, Gousto’s strategy, how Covid has affected business, how Gousto is fighting against food waste, and some of the important trends happening in the industry.

Prior to joining Gousto as Chief Product Officer, Sally served as the CFO of Gousto. Her interest in finance took her career through various roles at companies such as The AA, Games Workshop, Unilever, and Tesco. Sally holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Warwick.

[00:42] About Gousto

[01:08] The subscription economy in the UK

[02:01] Sally’s role

[04:27] Sally’s background

[07:13] Transitioning into Chief Product Officer

[09:27] Innovating in the value equation

[12:40] Menu innovation

[13:55] Behind-the-scenes

[14:56] Customer feedback

[16:01] Technological innovation

[18:41] Gousto’s go to market strategy

[20:48] What happened during Covid?

[22:22] The competitive landscape

[24:30] Food waste

[27:28] Trends

[30:55] Career innovation

[31:37] What is Sally excited about in the industry?

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In this conversation with David Barnett, Founder and CEO of PopSockets, LLC, you’ll hear about David’s career before inventing PopSockets, his accidental success, the struggle of protecting the brand, innovating to stay current, PopSockets’ strategy and mission, the importance of self-expression, and get David’s advice on facing challenges.

After spending his childhood as a serial entrepreneur, David’s interests led him into a career as an academic, eventually becoming a philosophy professor for around 10 years. In 2014, out of his garage, David invented PopSockets to solve his problem of tangled headset cords. The company has since expanded to over 70 countries and shows no signs of slowing down.

David holds a BSc in Philosophy from Emory University, a Degree in Physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a PhD in Philosophy from New York University.

[00:49] About David and PopSockets

[03:45] The early days of David Barnett

[07:08] Growing into an entrepreneur

[08:15] Putting the pieces together

[10:39] Protecting the brand

[14:24] Keeping innovation alive

[18:51] PopSocket’s eCommerce strategy

[20:30] PopSocket’s mission

[22:50] Innovating to stay current

[28:14] Navigating self-expression

[31:24] PopSockets packaging

[33:53] Challenges and advice

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In this conversation with Matthew Etzler, Global Head of Ecommerce at Smartwool, he talks about eCommerce and innovation. Hear about the benefits of wool as a fabric, Matthew’s journey to his role as Global Head of Ecommerce, transitioning into a traditionally wholesale space, innovation and strategies, and some of the challenges and trends.

[00:36] About Matthew and Smartwool

[02:12] The benefits of wool

[04:16] Smartwool and VF

[06:09] Matthew’s journey to his current role

[14:29] Transitioning to a wholesale brand

[17:53] Covid disruptions

[20:59] Innovation under Matthew’s watch

[25:40] Channel strategies

[33:30] Challenges

[37:50] Looking forward

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