The D2Z Podcast

Mike Sill, co-founder of thriving CBD business, Sunday Scaries offers a trove of insights as we delve into his entrepreneurial journey, from the inception of his first venture, a photography business, to owning a bar and grill in San Diego, and eventually stepping into the CBD industry. Discover how Mike overcame challenges, navigated restrictions, and harnessed AI to revolutionize customer interactions.

Mike, with his rich experience leveraging AI tools, provides a fascinating walkthrough. He shares how he uses tools like ChatGPT and Bard to craft engaging and human-like interactions with customers. But the learning doesn't stop there. We dive into the realm of content creation, video editing, and SEO in the context of AI assistance. Mike also enlightens us on the art of task delegation and prioritization, a critical skill for every entrepreneur.

We move into the intricacies of CBD advertising. Mike unveils unique strategies to navigate the complex rules and restrictions that surround CBD products. We also delve into the importance of profitability in the CPG industry and the significance of brand partnerships. 

From raising over $300 million before the age of 25 to investing in service-based businesses, Tim Calise has a lot to say about founding companies. In our discussion, Tim spills the beans on the essential ingredients for a successful business – a relationship-based model, considering multiple buying decisions, focusing on longevity, and understanding customer pain points. He also emphasizes the need to carve a niche by honing one particular area of expertise. 

Tim offers an in-depth perspective on the potential risks and rewards associated with having a co-founder and the alternative of hiring vendors for immediate needs. 

We also talk about personal growth and achieving a work-life balance. Tim narrates his inspiring journey from a salesperson to a sales manager, and then a consultant and investor. He outlines the importance of understanding one's desires and setting priorities accordingly. 

I am joined this week by David Conforti, co-founder and CEO of the Varfaj Group. Together, we trace Varfaj's journey from its inception at NYU to its present-day management of large-scale projects on the Shopify Plus platform. We also shine a light on the stark digital divide between small businesses and legacy enterprises, and discuss how this gap can be bridged using the right balance of compliance and innovation.

We zoom into the human element of business, by evaluating the role of project/client success managers in our organizations. The shift from a traditional hierarchical structure to a more fluid pod structure, the necessary blend of senior and junior talent, and possible pitfalls in the hiring process are all discussed in detail.

Finally, we dive into the world of working capital. David Conforti and I reflect on the merits and demerits of traditional hiring methods versus leveraging existing networks, and why a trial period before full-time offers could prove beneficial. We also discuss the importance of swift cash conversion for sustained growth. 

Carter Snyder of the Sasha Group helps us traverse the evolving landscape of media consumption and advertising. We discuss how the giants of digital platforms - like Walmart and Amazon, and dominant streaming services - are molding the way we consume media. From the rise of social media apps like TikTok, challenging Facebook's reign, to the diversion from linear TV to streaming, we examine these seismic shifts, and also share our personal experiences and the benefits of career adaptability in this fast-paced world.

Carter and I delve into how TikTok is shaking up Google search, exploring the paradigm shift in information consumption. We discuss the significance of discovering your niche, the power of authenticity, and the crucial understanding of media mix across channels. Balancing the delicate act of collaborating with existing teams while strategizing with client's budget, business objectives, and data in mind is also on our conversation menu.

We also dive into the art of managing teams and building brands and on striking the right balance between learning for growth and accommodating various working styles. We share insights on providing guidance without overwhelming team members and handling situations when performance doesn't meet expectations.

I'm with speaking with Matt Goodman, the co-founder and CEO of Okendo. Matt walks us through Okendo's suite of solutions explicitly designed to combat the rising cost of customer acquisition by creating super fans for your brand. From reviews to quizzes, referrals to loyalty programs, Okendo's comprehensive stack guarantees to deliver high-quality, actionable data that brands can use to thrive in the digital landscape.

Matt chats up the upcoming Okendo World Tour Roadshow, where brands worldwide will share their customer marketing strategies, an invaluable resource for those looking to learn from the best. 

Whether you're a brand seeking to reduce your dependence on social media platforms for customer acquisition or are curious about how Okendo is helping brands maximize their customers' value, this episode is packed with insights!

Talking with marketing and communications advisor Mark Havenner who has worked with DRINKS and Electriq on thought leadership programs and who has worked on the production of Brandon's upcoming book "Think Z."  We talk about the world of business, fueled by the tenacity and resilience of the youngest generation of leaders. We take you through our journey, peppered with lessons learned and aha moments, as we highlight the significant role of customer retention and the value of deep-rooted relationships in a business's success path.

We discuss the imminent launch of the "Think Z" book, which explores the immense power of the Gen Z mindset in business, what is uncovered in the book, highlights, and the journey of writing it.

Jonathan Snow, with the Snow Agency, takes us on his entrepreneurial journey. Drawing on his own experiences he built an affiliate marketing platform and launched a Shopify holding company, which later transformed into a cutting-edge performance marketing agency. This is a rare chance to glean practical insights from his experiences and learn how to strike the perfect balance between work and life.

What does a modern-day agency look like? Jon discusses how public relations and paid media can synergize to create compelling narratives and the importance of scaling out these narratives to ensure they reach the right audience at the right time.  

We also discuss the exciting realm of AI, as we explore how it is revolutionizing the alcohol industry. We discuss the pioneering work of the team at Electriq and DRINKS and how they are elevating their online sales process. 

Today I'm with co-founder of Postpilot, Michael Epstein and we unpack his journey from revamping an e-commerce brand to transforming direct mail for the new era. Michael reveals insider secrets on the role of Postpilot in making direct mail more efficient, automated, and user-friendly, and how it has changed the game for digitally native brands.

Michael shares insights on these two technologies that are helping to convert potential customers and the nitty-gritty of lookalike modeling. We also peek into the future of Postpilot, discussing Klaviyo integrations, potential Shopify admin blocks, and the exciting plans Michael has for the second half of the year.

I also pick his brain on data security, the importance of understanding customer pain points, and building an effective SaaS team. Plus, he lets us in on his experience in transitioning from the SaaS and agency world to the brand side, and the successful retention programs for D2C brands. 

Get a firsthand look into the world of start-ups and entrepreneurship from Roger Beaman, the founder of Novel, a successful e-commerce platform. We have the pleasure of hosting Roger for an enlightening chat about the rollercoaster ride that's entrepreneurship. We traverse through Roger's entrepreneurial journey, dwelling on the unexpected challenges and the inspiring moments. Together, we highlight the importance of forming a connection with customers and fostering loyalty.

We dive into the realm of venturing into start-ups, discussing the motivation that fuels such ambition. Roger shares his insights on the differences between creating a novel product versus entering an existing market, and the challenges that come with attempting to make a dent in a well-established space. We also recount our venture business launch experiences, and how we faced up against multi-billion dollar enterprises. The conversation evolves further to unravel the challenges that ambitious projects bring along and the delicate balance of risk-taking and sticking to a defined path.

To cap it off, Roger shares his nuggets of wisdom on surviving in the entrepreneurial world, emphasizing on the importance of faith in oneself, having a committed team, and the power of long-lasting relationships. We also explore the significance of embracing small innovations and how technology helps in the creation of a successful venture. Listen to this episode to understand the dynamics of start-ups and entrepreneurship from someone who's been there, done that.

Andrew Case, co-founder of Noonbrew, joins me to talk about its growth into a diverse brand offering popular products like their nighttime tea, Andrew shares an exclusive behind-the-scenes perspective. We talk about everything from the critical role of customer surveys in validating product effectiveness, to how the unexpected success of their nighttime tea has caused a stir in their sales charts.

We also take you through the intricate process of product development. Hear about the pitfalls to avoid, and the significance of testing your product before heavy investment in branding. Andrew highlights the potential of cross-store selling apps and Shopify's shop app for a unified customer experience. But there's more; we dive into the art of delegation, scaling your team, and the thrills of entrepreneurship that come with its unique challenges.

Finally, Andrew and I delve into the cutting-edge world of AI in e-commerce operations. Learn how AI is revolutionizing creative iteration, video production, and content creation at scale. Andrew offers his insights on Amazon's role in a business' channel mix, its impact on customer data and relationships, along with the importance of ideation. Stay tuned for our chat about effective retention strategies for e-commerce brands, including loyalty programs and 'surprise and delight' through merch kits.