Supply Chain Therapy

With Peak Season upon us, let’s dive into the changes and challenges facing the 2022 holiday demand.

As consumers, we all have our own stories of running from store to store in search of the gift that will be remembered forever. Typically, with one of two endings: complete satisfaction when you finally set your eyes on it, or utter disappointment when the shelves you face are all empty.

This episode’s guest aims to be present for their customers in spite of the instability that comes with peak shopping seasons. Caitlin Coghlan is the Global Director of E-Commerce at The Cookware Company.

On today’s episode, Caitlin and Alex discuss how her learnings from Amazon help her map out executive strategies for marketing and analytics while avoiding shutdowns when demand is highest.

Round up, and let’s explore what a Circular Supply Chain looks like.

What if we told you that your supply chain waste could be of value to someone else? Or vice versa? Today’s supply chains are linear, but in the future, The Circular Supply Chain Network plans to change that.

Our guest today understands how to make a material’s life span extend to as long as possible. Sneha Kumari is the Head of Industry Trends at The Circular Supply Chain Network.

On today’s episode, Sneha and Alex discuss how waste from one industry can be of value to another, the importance of failure mode and effects analysis, and ways in which you can turn your linear supply chain into a circular one.

A challenge that many startup founders face is finding a true partner in your manufacturers. Often, finding a manufacturer who will agree to work with your small inventory in the first place is hard enough.

Our guest today understands what it takes to navigate manufacturing hurdles. Elyse Kaye is the CEO of Bloom Bras and Head of Product Innovation at Aha Product Solutions.

On today’s episode, Elyse discusses the challenges posed by so many factories refusing to work with startups, ways to reduce unnecessary packaging, and how e-commerce is allowing smaller companies to take bigger risks than ever before.

We often talk about speed when it comes to the supply chain, but what about cost? In today’s day and age, lowering costs for your customers can sometimes feel impossible.

Our guest today understands what it takes to do just that while constantly improving the customer experience. Zach Kissel serves as the Vice President of Global E-Fulfillment at Intertape Polymer Group (IPG).

On today’s episode, Zach discusses anticipating customers’ needs in times of uncertainty, how he bundles products to create cost savings, and why there should be more focus on regional manufacturing.

Shipping pallets and replenishing stores is one thing. Getting product to doorsteps, handling returns swiftly, and accurately forecasting demands are an entirely separate beast.

If you can accomplish all of those feats, your customer experience will outperform your competitor's.

Our guest today understands what it takes to own your customer experience. Rick Watson is the Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting.

On today’s episode, Rick discusses creating a DTC channel that ensures customer loyalty, the importance of accurate forecasting, and why cross functional teams are so crucial for the success of eCommerce businesses.

What do Kim Kardashian and Amazon’s delivery speed have in common? They’re both unrealistic expectations.

Mario Paganini, VP of Marketing at Stord, joins Alex for a bonus episode full of hot takes you need to hear. While everyone is focused on obtaining “Prime-Like Logistics” that solution is not right for hardly any brand. Mario shares what DTC, B2B, and omnibrands *should* have as their logistics North Star. Regardless of where you are in your business growth cycle, this episode will help you reorient on what is important to delivering excellent customer experience by building a custom logistics solution.

Transparency. It’s a characteristic critical to a healthy relationship and something supply chains need to have as well.

Clean, ethical, you name it. Brands often use those words to market their products, but fail to demonstrate a transparent supply chain from top to bottom.

Our guest not only works hard to provide a vegan and cruelty free product to her customers, but she is able to do so on a bootstrapped budget.

As CEO and co-Founder of MASAMI Haircare, Lynn Power discusses her jump from the ad world to entrepreneurship, the struggles behind sourcing packaging, and how she ensures vegan and cruelty free materials.

A home garage or a table made from an old door are famous symbols of many successful brand’s humble beginnings. But behind that symbol is often one bootstrapped entrepreneur with a wild vision.

Our guest has firsthand experience on the demands of a “solo-preneur” and the critical undertaking of confronting your supply chain head-on!

Eric Bandholz discusses how to build a business that works for your lifestyle, deciding whether to create products in-house or not, and the advice he has for other “solo-preneurs”.

As Founder of Beardbrand, Eric has learned a thing or two about creating successful e-commerce brands with limited resources.

We’ve all been there, one too many drinks (or greasy food) can be the downfall to your entire weekend. A supply chain is no different. A small change in customer demand can have devastating effects on your entire system. Our guest today, Craig Fuller, has your supply chain hangover cure.

Craig discusses why so many suppliers are overcorrecting, how the bullwhip effect is hurting so many companies, and why he thinks the smartest people are investing in transportation, not NFTs, sorry BAYC fans.

As the Founder of FreightWaves, the leading provider of data and analytics for the global logistics industry, Craig knows a thing or two about supply chain economics.

Customer Intent.

According to Nik Sharma, today’s guest, that is the future of consumer behavior. In order to succeed, whether it be your product, marketing, or supply chain, you will need to innovate.

Nik discusses the challenges of sourcing overseas, how e-commerce will continue to innovate, and why the most successful supply chains always have a backup plan.

As a Forbes 30 Under 30 Marketer, Nik knows a thing or two on how to build massive DTC brands.