Cookware doesn’t have to be boring.

And this particular brand is making a huge splash. It’s the cookware company coveted by Michelin-starred chefs and Hollywood’s most elite, like Gordon Ramsay, Hailey Beiber, Halle Berry, Courtney Cox, Cameron Diaz… the list goes on and on. If you haven’t been on the brink of impulse buying a Hexclad pan at least once in your life, you haven’t really been living (or cooking).

So sit back, inhale the Teflon fumes of your ratty little pan from Amazon, and listen up because Mr. Sharma’s chatting with the President of Hexclad Cookware, Jason Panzer, and CEO Daniel Winer to find out exactly how this luxury cookware company continues to innovate through their diehard community.

Jason and Danny explain why straying away from transactional celebrity endorsements and sticking with authentic, genuine partnerships has elevated them into the ultimate lifestyle brand with an incredible product at their foundational core.

How do they continue to push boundaries? And what’s working with Gordon Ramsey *really* like? We don’t wanna spoil the fun for you— tune in now to find out.

AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly.

To learn more visit aftersell.com/limited.

Follow Hexclad:

Website: https://hexclad.com/

Follow Danny:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-winer-647bba90/

Follow Jason:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonpanzer/

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

You wanted to hear from the top DTC founders, so Nik wrangled up one of the top minds he could find in the biz for you— Dianna Cohen, the mastermind behind Crown Affair.

Dianna breaks down what contributed to the massive success of her haircare company and chats with Nik about the importance of building a strong brand story. She explains how DTC success isn’t a big bang, but a slow burn. Have too many DTC founders traded in instant gratification for patience and slow growth?

She also chats about *that* Met Gala Doja Cat moment, and explains the value of great partnerships and distribution. Which celebrity brands does Dianna think are enough to give Crown Affair a run for their money? And why are patience and time the two secret ingredients for growing a successful DTC?

You won’t want to miss this jam-packed ep with one of the brightest minds in the industry. 

AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly.

To learn more visit https://www.aftersell.com/limited.

00:01:53 - Founder of Crown Affair Shares Journey

00:10:09 - Crown Affair's Growth and Revenue

00:12:11 - Hair Care: A Skincare Approach

00:16:20 - Building Exceptional Hair Care Products

00:20:45 - Brand Pillars: Visual Literacy and Storytelling

00:26:22 - Brand Success Requires Patience and Time

00:30:57 - Brand Building Essentials

00:40:20 - Exclusive Sephora Partnership Drives Growth

00:43:38 - Navigating Retail Partnerships for Success

00:47:41 - Optimizing Reviews for Better Marketing

00:49:11 - Building Communities in the Beauty Industry

00:51:17 - Celebrity Brands: Success vs. Failure

00:54:27 - Underpriced Attention in Brand Marketing

00:57:45 - Diana Cohen's Free Mentorship Program

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

You ask the questions. We answer them.

It’s been a while, but Nik and Moiz are pulling out the Sorting Hat to pull out some of your juiciest, most pressing DTC questions. The guys reflect on some of the biggest mistakes DTC brands make (and they’ve seen plenty) and discuss why repeatable sales processes aren’t a nice thought— they’re an absolute necessity. What’s the one legal mistake that could be your DTC’s ultimate downfall?

And later the guys discuss where you should allocate your ad spend, how to acquire your first customer, and how to encourage customers to leave reviews (without resorting to flat-out bribery).

Which businesses will go bankrupt in 2024 (RIP Big Lots, and whatever it is you sold)? Nik and Moiz also reveal how another business’s bankruptcy might spell doom for fine breastaurant establishments everywhere. 

00:00:00 - Answering 50 Listener Questions

00:00:39 - Biggest Mistakes of New DTC Founders

00:05:45 - Biggest Mistakes Brands Make at $10M+

00:09:35 - Best Way to Acquire Customers in 2024

00:11:32 - Real Impacts of AI in Marketing

00:17:37 - Efficiency vs. Ad Spend Trade-off

00:20:27 - How to Get Customer Reviews

00:22:57 - Encouraging Social Media Reviews Effectively

00:29:12 - Predicting Retail Bankruptcies in 2024

00:31:56 - Switching from Amazon to DTC: Survival Tips

00:36:00 - Moiz’s Final Sign-Off

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

Nik’s taken a breather for this ep, so you know what that means…

Time for Moiz to hound his latest guest with the questions Nik is too afraid to ask.

This week, he’s taking on Sharoon Thomas, CEO and founder of fulfil.io, to figure out WTF an ERP system is actually good for. More importantly, WTF is an ERP system?

Sharoon shares his insights into the complexities of running a software business and unravels the many challenges of ERP implementation. Why is it critical to integrate your ERP with other sales channels? And why is marketing the straw that can break any SaaS company's back?

Plus, find out why you should be considering Fulfil over big dogs like Netsuite (not that, uh... Sharoon’s biased or anything), and discover Sharoon’s plans for Fulfil’s future.

Fulfil is an ERP built for 8 and 9-figure brands focused on driving customer delight. With direct integrations and ops automation, we help you run a fast warehouse or streamline 3PL connections.

Visit fulfil.io to learn more.

00:01:48 - Building a Successful ERP System

00:04:59 - Why Businesses Use ERP Systems

00:13:51 - Building an Internal Feature Ecosystem

00:15:23 - Software for Managing Large Warehouses

00:15:58 - Building a Strong Engineering Team

00:26:08 - TikTok Shop Integration for Businesses

00:29:08 - Understanding Fulfillment in Business Operations

00:29:54 - Building an Efficient ERP System

00:37:35 - Understanding Churn Rates in Business

00:46:31 - Implementing Marketing Strategies for Success

00:57:00 - Stock Options: Long-Term Investment Strategy

00:58:31 - When to Raise Prices in Business

01:02:44 - Buying Shares Shows Business Discipline

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

You asked, we listened.

That’s right– you wanted to hear more about Open Store, so Nik pulled Trent Riggs (President of OpenStore) and Lukas Judodihardjo (Head of Operations at OpenStore) onto the pod to break down the ways that they’re revolutionizing the Shopify ecosystem. 

Trent and Lukas explain what it’s like to represent over 100,000 different Shopify brands– and what your DTC needs to know about how they view the little guys.

Together, they unpack their acquisition strategy, highlighting their adept use of generative AI for creative content and the tech they're building to keep up with their growing portfolio of 40+ brands and over 2 million customers.

What do two of the biggest pioneers in the DTC community have to say about succeeding in the increasingly competitive, community-driven e-commerce landscape? And what are their plans for sustaining growth OpenStore’s growth well into the future? 

Only Mr. Sharma can get the answers to the questions you’ve been dying to ask. 

Fulfil is an ERP built for 8 and 9-figure brands focused on driving customer delight. With direct integrations and ops automation, we help you run a fast warehouse or streamline 3PL connections. 

Visit fulfil.io to learn more.

00:00:40 - Quick Background on Lukas and Trenton’s Roles at OpenStore

00:04:33 - How OpenStore’s Mission Has Changed Over the Years

00:05:54 - How Does OpenStore’s Business Model Work?

00:08:47 - The Different Verticals of OpenStore

00:13:06 - What Makes a Business Enticing to OpenStore?

00:20:53 - Discoverability Strategies for Siloed Brands

00:25:54 - The Structure of Managing 50 Brands and 2 Million Customers

00:30:14 - Bulk Discounts Available for Openstore

00:36:41 - Why is The Average Brand Struggling With Growth?

00:39:33 - Building Technology for Brand Growth

00:42:58 - OpenStore's Approach to Testing and Validating New Tech

00:42:46 - Don't Forget Loyal Customers as You Scale

00:45:23 - Advice From Experiences Operating OpenStore

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Connect With Lukas Judodihardjo:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukasjudodihardjo/ 

Connect With Trent Riggs:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentonriggs/

Follow Nik:

Twitter: twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: twitter.com/moizali

Goodbye, Shopify. See ya later, Etsy. Hasta la vista… Amazon???\

Yeah, we said it. Temu has the power to compete with Amazon. Has the Chinese drop shipping company grown too powerful to defeat? Or can our old-school favorites find a way to slay the DTC giant? Nik and Moiz discuss the looming threat of Temu to several major e-commerce retailers. What strategies do they need to stay relevant?

Plus, what would it take for Outdoor Voices to crawl out of the grave they dug themselves into? Hear us out— it’s definitely not impossible...

The guys also discuss the latest acquisition of Asian noodle company, Omsom, by DDC. What, if anything, does it mean for other Asian DTCs like immi, FLY BY Jing, and Sanzo?

And later in the episode, Nik declares arbitrage. When is it okay to use arbitrage in the DTC community, and are there any ethical concerns? Well, if we know anything… at the very least, we definitely know where Moiz stands on the issue.

Streamline your entire operations process, from accounting and order management to inventory and warehouse management, manufacturing production, and EDI integration. Providing a single source of truth for your business, Fulfil offers real-time insights, automates tedious tasks, and ensures you never miss a sale. Learn more at https://www.fulfil.io

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

Welcome back, ya 88s.

Quit trying to make brick-and-mortar happen. It’s never going to happen. Or at least not like you think it will. Nik and Moiz break down the common pitfalls DTC businesses make when it comes to opening up retail stores. How many stores are too many? And are you thinking about staffing in a realistic manner?

Speaking of brick-and-mortar stores, why aren’t places like Outdoor Voices or Alo focusing more on that post-purchase follow-up? If Moiz just threw down $500 on yoga pants, he wants to feel like the prettiest, pretty princess of them all. After all, isn’t focusing on retaining high-spending customers far less expensive than acquiring new ones? Nik and Moiz go over some possible solutions to increase post-purchase satisfaction.

Then, the guys play devil’s advocate. Sure, they just told you to stop focusing so much on brick-and-mortar stores, but they sincerely hope that didn’t make you throw all your hopes into dot-com-only strategies. They explain the value of selling your product in-store and explain what kind of selling velocity you need to stay on Target’s shelves.

Streamline your entire operations process, from accounting and order management to inventory and warehouse management, manufacturing production, and EDI integration. Providing a single source of truth for your business, Fulfil offers real-time insights, automates tedious tasks, and ensures you never miss a sale. Learn more at https://www.fulfil.io

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

 And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

Just because the guys don’t wear makeup doesn’t mean they can’t dig Sephora. They discuss the makeup giant’s clever loyalty program and explain why it’s the prime example of how to make a loyalty program work.

Then, Nik and Moiz ruminate over how to make corporate gifting a lucrative DTC business. Could their idea for a corporate gifting channel turn into the next big Faire?

And later, Nik just can’t shake his bad streak with ambulance-chasing attorneys. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and is sharpening his pitchfork for bloodsucker threatening small DTCs to pay up or else. What’s the latest sitch? And how can other DTCs make frivolous lawsuits a thing of the past?

Streamline your entire operations process, from accounting and order management to inventory and warehouse management, manufacturing production, and EDI integration. Providing a single source of truth for your business, Fulfil offers real-time insights, automates tedious tasks, and ensures you never miss a sale. Learn more at https://www.fulfil.io

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips. 

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

We can’t escape TikTok Shop, and chances are good neither can you. But is it actually working for the brands that are using it? And what does their AoV look like? 

Nik also breaks down TikTok Shop’s shift to QVC-like ads as the boys debate the latest trends and happenings in TikTok Shop. How much do affiliates get paid anyway?

But let’s get down to brass tacks—because the guys are wondering whether or not the US government is trying to ban Shein for legitimate reasons or if they’re just plain racist against Chinese companies. Sure they might have a case for banning TikTok, but is there any merit to restricting the fast fashion empire from selling products in the US? Is Shein sourcing its raw materials from dubious sources or is it all just a bunch of smoke without fire?

Then, Nik and Moiz make the case for why DTC businesses need to start looking outside the US market for sales. Why aren’t more brands considering selling in other countries? And how come most marketing agencies aren’t interested in bringing brands to other nations?

Plus, Moiz unleashes the smartest business idea he’s ever had… or the dumbest idea he’s ever had. Take your pick.

Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.

00:00:38 - Live Streams Focused on Products

00:06:46 - TikTok Embraces Live Streaming Trend

00:12:27 - How TikTok Customizes Comments Algorithm

00:14:48 - US Government Targets Chinese Businesses

00:20:57 - Expanding Internationally

00:22:13 - Europe Dominates Amazon US Traffic

00:25:02 - Opportunities for Brands in Amazon

00:28:31 - Creating a Business for GLP Medications

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

Who can possibly resist the “add two more leggings to your cart—and get the third one free” offer?

Nik and Moiz discuss the power of cart promos—what do the best offers look like, and what are the game-changing moves brands are taking to capitalize on cart deals? They dive into the curious case of Halara, and unravel how the influencer-based brand leveraged cart deals, TikTok, and influencers to compete with the likes of Shein and Fashion Nova. 

Then the guys break down the rise of new DTC brands—what sets companies like Strawberry Milk Mob and Crown Affair apart from their predecessors like Warby Parker and Bonobos? How has the DTC landscape changed so drastically in such a short period of time? Is this the death of huge campaigns and the shift to slow audience validation? 

And later, Nik wonders whether there’s room for companies to start utilizing private label brands more often. Is there a world where a franchising type of mindset can work for DTC? Or has Nik completely lost his mind?

Unravel the complexities of fulfillment with Red Stag - a 3PL that guarantees zero shrink, zero mispicks, and zero missed shipments. Backed by performance assurances, they ensure excellence in every order —Literally, RedStag offers coverage at no additional cost for any guarantee that is missed AND $50 reimbursement per instance for the inconvenience. Discover why Red Stag isn't just another fulfillment provider - visit redstag.com/limited today.

Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.

Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ

And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.

Follow Nik:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Follow Moiz:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali