What really separates B2B from B2C in eCommerce?And why does Magento still matter in 2026?In this episode of the Magento Association Podcast, Slava Kravchuk (Atwix) shares his journey from OSCommerce to the very first Magento Imagine — and why that moment changed everything.“When I saw that… my mind just instantly clicked like this is the future.”Slava dives deep into what most agencies underestimate about B2B:“It’s not just a subtle difference, it’s a whole different business process.”From buyer portals and legacy integrations to adoption challenges and organizational change, this conversation goes beyond platform talk. It’s about how real B2B companies operate.On Magento Open Source and B2B:“Today I would argue that that’s the only viable free open source e-commerce platform for B2B.”And when the debate turns to complexity and total cost of ownership, Slava doesn’t avoid it. He addresses it head-on — including the AI transformation already reshaping development teams:“Whatever AI you use today, that’s the worst AI you will ever have to use.”He even makes a bold claim:“One really smart and capable engineer with the help of AI tools could deliver as much as five engineers in the past.”If you’re an agency owner, B2B merchant, CTO, or part of the Magento ecosystem — this episode will challenge how you think about platform decisions, process, and the future of development.And this is just Part 1.Stay tuned for the continuation in the next episode.#Magento#AdobeCommerce#B2BeCommerce#MagentoOpenSource#eCommerceStrategy#DigitalTransformation#AgencyLife#OpenSource#AIinCommerce#MagentoCommunity

In this episode of the Magento Association Podcast, we’re joined by Matt Parkinson, a long-time Magento practitioner and leader at Gene Commerce.With nearly two decades of hands-on experience in the Magento ecosystem, Matt brings a practitioner’s perspective shaped by real-world builds, complex integrations, and long-term merchant growth. This is not theory, it’s lived experience from someone who has seen Magento evolve through every major chapter.Episode Highlights This conversation takes a positive, clear-eyed look at where Magento and Adobe Commerce stand today — and why the platform continues to matter.You’ll hear: • Why Magento is more stable and mature than its reputation suggests • How open source and SaaS can coexist — when applied correctly • Why control, flexibility, and long-term optionality are coming back into focus • How the community is shifting from criticism to contributionThis is an episode about confidence returning, standards improving, and momentum building again across the ecosystem.Key Themes On Magento’s maturity today“Ironically now it’s a really solid, incredibly solid platform.”On the value of open source“We have control. We have transparency and trust in the platform. We have complete flexibility and customization.”On SaaS vs open source as a business choice“It’s the technology dictating to you how you run your business.”On long-term platform strategy“If you invest into the platform… you have routes to go rather than having to revisit and replatform.”On the strength of the Magento ecosystem“It’s a living thing, a beast, and there’s a lot of love for it.”On moving the community forward“Rather than just moan about it… what can we do to solve these problems?”#MattParkinson #GeneCommerce #Magento #AdobeCommerce#OpenSourceEcommerce #MagentoCommunity #EcommerceStrategy#DigitalCommerce #SaaSVsOpenSource #MagentoAssociation

In this special edition of the Magento Association Podcast, recorded in collaboration with Hello Moxie, host Nicole Donnelly sits down with Melanie Prange, CEO of MSTAGE, an e-commerce agency based in Austria.Together with host Nicole, Melanie shares her journey into leadership, what it really means to “find your voice” in tech, and why community, co-opetition, and long-term relationships matter more than ever in e-commerce.We talk about: • Growing into leadership before feeling “ready” • Being a woman leader in e-commerce and tech • The power of allies, role models, and community • Why diversity drives better products and teams • Navigating uncertainty with data-driven decisions • How AI can reshape e-commerce (without the hype) • Preparing businesses for the next generation of customer experienceThis episode is an honest, inspiring conversation for agency leaders, merchants, developers, and anyone building the future of Magento and open commerce.🔗 Connect & Get Involved👉 Subscribe to the Magento Association Podcast👉 Like, comment, and share to support the Magento community👉 Join the Magento Association: https://www.magentoassociation.org#MagentoAssociation#MagentoPodcast#WomenInTech#WomenInEcommerce#EcommerceLeadership#MagentoCommunity #AdobeCommerce #OpenSourceCommerce #EcommerceAgency #TechLeadership #FutureOfCommerce #AIinEcommerce #CommunityDriven #DigitalCommerce

In this episode of the Magento Association Podcast, host Matt Harris sits down with Brent Peterson, CEO of Content Cucumber and long-time Magento community leader.Brent shares stories from his early days launching Wajento, becoming one of the first Magento moderators, and helping shape the open-source ecosystem we know today. Together, they explore the future of agentic commerce, AI in eCommerce, and how the Magento Open Source community continues to evolve faster than ever.💡 Highlights: • How Brent discovered Magento back in 2009 • Building and selling Wajento — one of the early Magento agencies • Insights on content creation, AI, and authenticity • What “agentic commerce” really means for B2B eCommerce • Why open source gives merchants freedom, flexibility, and durability • The role of the Magento Association and how to get involved💬 On the Magento Journey“I started with Magento in 2009 — when the documentation barely existed. I was learning from forums and Google, one question at a time.”“Magento asked me to help moderate the forums because there was so much spam — that’s how early it was.”“Bob Schwartz told me to stop freelancing and start an agency. That’s how Wajento was born.”“Back then, it wasn’t just software — it was a community of people building the future of eCommerce together.”⸻⚙️ On Open Source & Community“Open source gives you freedom. You don’t have to ask for permission to build what your business needs.”“Magento isn’t old — it’s durable. Twenty years in, it’s still evolving faster than most closed systems.”“Our community moves faster than any corporate roadmap ever could.”“The so-called ‘myths’ about Magento being slow or expensive just don’t hold up anymore.”⸻🤖 On AI & Content Creation“AI doesn’t replace humans — it amplifies smart ones.”“Generative AI makes us lazy if we let it. It’s great for ideation, but humans bring the real voice.”“We’re entering the era of agentic commerce — bots will buy from bots, and APIs will be the new storefront.”“AI is fantastic for analytics, but for storytelling and creativity, humans still lead.”⸻🌍 On the Future of eCommerce“Tomorrow’s B2B buyer will say: ‘Find me 200 feet of pipe and the best price — go.’ That’s agentic commerce.”“The next big advantage won’t be who has the prettiest storefront — it’ll be who has the smartest APIs.”“Competition makes us better. A world with only one eCommerce platform would be a race to mediocrity.”⸻❤️ On Community & Involvement“Join the Magento Association. It’s how you get a voice, a vote, and a say in the future of this platform.”“People keep saying Magento is dead — yet new Meet Magentos are popping up around the world every month.”“Our community has never been stronger — and that’s what keeps Magento alive.”👉 Join the Magento Association: https://www.magentoassociation.org #MagentoAssociationPodcast #MagentoOpenSource #EcommerceInnovation #Magento #MagentoAssociation #OpenSource #SaaS #MagentoOpenSource #Ecommerce #DigitalCommerce #CommunityDriven #agenticai #MagentoPodcast #MattHarris #BrentPeterson #ContentCucumber

🎧 In Episode 2 of the Magento Association Podcast, host Matt Harris sits down with Jakub Winkler, founder of qoliber and long-time Magento contributor, to explore the evolving role of Magento Open Source in today’s SaaS-dominated eCommerce landscape.With 14 years of hands-on experience, Jakub offers a no-nonsense perspective on the real cost of ownership, the flexibility of open source, and the hidden risks of technological debt. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about building long-term, future-proof digital commerce solutions.⸻🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How Magento has evolved since 2011 and what we’ve learned from M1 to M2✅ Why SaaS platforms aren’t the silver bullet they seem to be✅ What businesses really need to know about technological debt✅ Why open source offers more control, flexibility, and scalability✅ How qoliber is shifting from an agency model to a solutions-focused partner✅ The critical importance of mentoring young developers and contributing beyond code⸻💡 Key Themes: • Magento vs. SaaS: flexibility, customization, and long-term sustainability • Community-driven innovation: why we need to contribute, not just consume • Cost dynamics: open source may be more affordable than you think • Education and responsibility: growing the next generation of Magento builders • The evolving role of agencies in the Magento ecosystem⸻🧡 “Nobody talks about technological debt. But it’s real and we need to manage it together.” – Jakub Winkler🧡 “We need to chip in for Magento to thrive.” – A challenge to the entire community⸻👉 Watch, subscribe, and share to support open source, amplify developer voices, and help shape the future of Magento.#Magento #MagentoAssociation #OpenSource #SaaS #MagentoOpenSource #Ecommerce #qoliber #TechDebt #DigitalCommerce #CommunityDriven #CostOfOwnership #DeveloperVoices #MagentoPodcast #MattHarris #JakubWinkler

🎧 Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Magento Association Podcast and we’re kicking it off with a bang. Host Matt Harris sits down with none other than Mathias Schreiber, Executive Director of the Magento Association, for an unfiltered, insightful, and future-focused conversation about the state of Magento Open Source and where we go from here.

This isn’t just another podcast episode. It’s a call to action, a vision, and a deep dive into the power of open source in the global eCommerce landscape.

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🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn

✅ How Magento Open Source remains a critical, community-powered foundation in Adobe’s commerce strategy

✅ Why flexibility, autonomy, and data ownership make Magento a smart choice for SMBs, governments, and global merchants

✅ How AI and data are shaping the future of commerce and why open platforms are best positioned to thrive

✅ What the Magento Association actually does to protect, promote, and grow the open source ecosystem

✅ Why “we’re not just preparing for what could go wrong - we’re building for what could go right”

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🧭 Key Themes from the Episode

• Open Source as an Opportunity Gap – Magento empowers merchants who are tired of vendor lock-in

• Growth Without Limits – A platform that scales with you, not against you

• AI with Purpose – Own your data, train your models, control your future

• Community-Driven Advocacy – From licensing events to elevating implementation quality

• Nonprofit Powered by You – If Magento fuels your business, consider supporting the ecosystem

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🧡 “We’re a nonprofit. If you make money with Magento, join us. Help us keep it strong.” – Mathias Schreiber

This is not just a tech conversation. It’s a movement.

It’s about freedom in commerce, global equity through open source, and making sure Magento thrives for the next generation.

👉 Subscribe now, share the episode, and be part of the story.

Because Magento is more than software - it’s a community.

And this… is just the beginning.

#Magento #MagentoAssociation #OpenSource #EcommercePodcast #CommunityDriven #MagentoOpenSource #AI #DataOwnership #NonprofitTech #MattHarris #MathiasSchreiber #MeetMagento #CommerceWithoutLimits #DigitalFreedom