9/17/25 - Episode 168

Episode Summary

See how Shopify store owners can use custom theme code to add missing features or enhance their store’s functionality. Host Scott Austin shares real client examples from recent projects to demonstrate small but impactful theme edits—like hiding product photos, making product forms full-width, and customizing experiences when using product options apps. The episode emphasizes that while themes are flexible, adding custom code can efficiently and cost-effectively address unique business needs. 

Show Links 

Pom-Bell

• https://pombells.com/products/build-your-own 

Tee Box Dice 

• https://teeboxdice.com/

Emerson Knives

• https://www.emersonknives.com/products/cqc-7b

Pilot Test Charts

• https://pilottestcharts.com/products/rec-test-chart-long-beach 

Bixby Chocolate

• https://bixbychocolate.com/products/bixby-chocolate-advent-calendar

Scorpion Percussion

• https://scorpionpercussion.com/pages/drumsticks
• https://scorpionpercussion.com/products/your-band-work-shirt

Linear Shopping Experiences

• https://apps.shopify.com/linear-shopping-experience

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-168-diy-shopify-add-missing-features-with-theme-code 

9/3/25 - Episode 167

Episode Summary

This episode explores Google’s NotebookLM as a “source-grounded” AI assistant that turns your own docs, URLs, videos, and transcripts into actionable insights—useful for Shopify brands that need synthesis over generic brainstorming. Scott contrasts NotebookLM with general chatbots, then shows real-world uses (client “second-brain” notebooks, podcast topic gap analysis, and a property manual knowledge base). He closes with eight ecommerce applications (from competitive intel to FAQs and content repurposing) and a reminder to treat AI as a powerful tool in a human-driven workflow. 

Quick takeaways:
- What it is: an AI note-taking/analysis tool that only cites your provided sources, reducing hallucinations. 
- Real examples: memory cache for client work, podcast gap analysis, and support answers for a short-term rental. 
- Shopify uses: competitive research, support knowledge base, SEO/content strategy, market research, product copy, FAQs, and content repurposing. 
- Mindset: don’t treat AI like an employee—use it as a tool and keep human judgment in the loop.

Show Links 

• Notebook LM - https://notebooklm.google.com/
• Notebook LM Podcast of Notebook LM Research - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-167-notebook-lm-an-ai-assistant-for-shopify-success#auto-podcast
• Gemini - https://gemini.google.com/app
• Google Workspace - https://workspace.google.com/
• Google Meet - https://meet.google.com/
• Flex Theme Sections - https://apps.shopify.com/flex-theme-sections

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-167-notebook-lm-an-ai-assistant-for-shopify-success 

8/20/25 - Episode 166

Episode Summary

TL;DR Summary

Small brands should delay ad spend until product-market fit is proven (around 100 sales). Focus on Google and Meta ads, understanding the difference between search-driven intent and interruption-based discovery. Video ads are essential and can be created cheaply and reused across platforms. Expect technical setup hurdles with ad platforms, but the payoff is worthwhile. Finally, keep control early, and only outsource when you find the right partner.

Episode Highlights

1. Speed & Agility of Small Brands

• Small brands can move quickly, test ideas, and pivot without bureaucracy.
• Direct access to decision-makers allows rapid experimentation and execution.

2. Start Only After Market Fit

• Secure product-market fit first.
• A common milestone: get your first 100 sales before spending on ads.
• Those initial sales usually take more effort than the next 900.

3. Intent vs. Interruption Ads

• Intent-based ads (Google Shopping, PPC): best when customers are actively searching.
• Interruption-based ads (social media, video): best for creating awareness of unknown products.
• The most effective starting platforms: Google and Meta (Facebook/Instagram).

4. Video & Creative

• Nearly all small e-commerce brands should use video, but very few do.
• One raw video can be repurposed into multiple versions (different voiceovers, subtitles, edits).
• Video is more forgiving than text or photos—mistakes are less noticeable.

5. Leverage Resources Across Platforms

• Creative made for one channel (e.g., Amazon infographics) can be reused across other platforms.

6. Setup Complexity

• Running Google ads requires multiple integrations: Shopify, Analytics, Merchant Center, and Ads.
• The setup can be tedious, but once done, it’s smooth to maintain.

7. Other Key Takeaways

• Be aware of pitfalls when copying strategies from big brands.
• Track effectiveness with metrics like ROAS and conversion attribution.
• Budget realistically and allow time for optimization.
• Hire agencies carefully—better to start in-house and only bring on partners when aligned.

Show Links

• PPC Pitbulls Checklist - https://www.ppcpitbulls.com/shopify
• Badgezilla - Trust Badges & Icons - https://apps.shopify.com/badgezilla

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-166-ad-strategies-for-small-brands

8/13/25 - Episode 165

Episode Summary

In this episode, Scott Austin speaks with Sean McCarthy from Customers.ai, a customer acquisition expert, to explore how eCommerce brands can significantly grow revenue through paid ads. They present a case study of a brand that scaled from $90K to $250K in monthly revenue within months through a strategic, data-driven advertising approach.

Key Takeaways:

• Customer Acquisition Strategy: The brand initially had poor ad performance with low ROAS. Sean implemented a structured acquisition strategy, moving from ad-hoc efforts to a deliberate, customer-centric funnel.
• Channel Shifts: They started with Facebook and Instagram but shifted toward Google Ads, which better targeted high-intent customers searching for barefoot shoes—leading to improved performance.
• Attribution and Analytics: A key to success was using an attribution platform to accurately measure and connect performance across Facebook, Google, Klaviyo, and Shopify.
• Content and Creative: Success required high-quality, lifestyle content (not just product shots). This was repurposed across platforms to test various creatives and learn what resonated.
• Testing and Iteration: The team tested many ad types (videos, slideshows, etc.). They emphasized learning over failure—understanding what doesn’t work is as valuable as knowing what does.
• Indicators for Scaling Ads: Brands should consider paid ads when they have strong fundamentals like a high repeat customer rate (e.g., 25%) and solid conversion rates. These suggest a strong product/market fit.
• Advice on Hiring Agencies: Sean advises brand owners to learn the basics and run ads themselves first before hiring an agency. Agencies should be focused on optimizing spend—not just scaling budget quickly.

Final Message:
Investing in paid ads can drive rapid growth—but only if it’s done strategically. It requires time, money, tracking, testing, and good creative. Start small, build a foundation, and scale intentionally.

Show Links 

• Shawn McCarthy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnwmccarthy/
• Customers.ai - https://customers.ai/
• Linear Shopping Experiences - https://apps.shopify.com/linear-shopping-experience

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-165-revenue-growth-through-ads

7/30/25 - Episode 164

Episode Summary

Stacey Blood of Blue Shark Journey explains how his brand builds customer loyalty by educating aquarium owners through personalized journeys via SMS and WhatsApp. Instead of relying on discounts, they deliver timely, helpful content based on the customer’s tank setup. This approach creates trust, boosts retention, and achieves high engagement with zero unsubscribes—ideal for passionate, info-driven niches.

Show Links 

• Blue Shark Journey - https://bluesharkjourney.com/
• Brand It! Calendar - https://apps.shopify.com/brand-it-calendar

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-164-customer-loyalty-with-blue-shark

7/16/25 - Episode 163

Episode Summary

Scott Austin talks with Nikita Vakrushev from Aspekt about using SMS marketing for Shopify stores. Nikita explains how SMS can boost email revenue by up to 20%, and shares when and how brands should get started—starting with collecting consent and adding SMS to flows before launching campaigns. They discuss best practices, legal opt-in rules, and why Klaviyo is a solid all-in-one platform for both email and SMS. 

Show Links 

• Aspekt - https://aspektagency.com/
• Nakita on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-v/
• Badgezilla - https://apps.shopify.com/badgezilla

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/shopify-tutorials/episode-163-sms-with-nikita-vakrushev

7/2/25 - Episode 162

Episode Summary

Host Scott Austin shares a special episode where he is interviewed on the Firing the Man podcast. Scott, the founder of Jade Puma—a Shopify-focused agency based in San Diego—discusses his extensive experience in e-commerce, having worked with businesses ranging from startups to large enterprises. He emphasizes that the success of e-commerce ventures is largely determined by the people behind them, rather than just products or pricing models.

Show Links 

• Firing the Man Podcast - https://firingtheman.com/
• Flex Theme Sections app - https://apps.shopify.com/flex-theme-sections

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-162-scott-gets-interviewed

6/18/25 - Episode 161

Episode Summary

Scott Austin interviews Tanner Larsson to explore how AI is transforming e-commerce. They discuss how traditional SEO strategies are being disrupted by AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT, and what that means for Shopify store owners. Tanner shares insights on adapting content strategies, staying relevant in AI-generated results, and preparing for the future of shopping where search becomes conversational. The conversation emphasizes being proactive with AI tools and building genuine brand value beyond keyword optimization. 

Show Links 

• Tanner's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannerlarsson/
• AI Commerce Tool - https://ecomaidatalayer.com/
• Linear Shopping Experiences App - https://apps.shopify.com/linear-shopping-experience

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-161-ai-commerce-with-tanner-larsson

6/4/25 - Episode 160

Episode Summary

​​​​​Host Scott Austin welcomes Alex Rossman, founder of Rossman Media, to explore the potential of TikTok Shop for Shopify merchants. Rossman, whose agency specializes in social media strategies for e-commerce brands, shares insights from his direct collaboration with TikTok, including beta testing and strategy development for TikTok Shop. The discussion covers the fundamentals of TikTok Shop, its integration with Shopify, and effective strategies for leveraging social commerce to drive sales and engagement.

Show Links 

• Rossman Media - https://rossmanmedia.com/
• Brand It! Calendar - https://apps.shopify.com/brand-it-calendar

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/shopify-tutorials/episode-160-tik-tok-shop-with-alex-rossman

5/21/25 - Episode 159

Episode Summary

​​​​​In this episode, host Scott Austin delves into the nuanced process of selecting a brand name and corresponding domain. He emphasizes that there's no universal formula for this task, highlighting the importance of creativity and personal judgment.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Early Naming: Establishing a brand name early can transform an abstract idea into a tangible identity, aiding in clearer communication with teams and stakeholders.
• Industry Research: Understanding your industry or niche is crucial. Analyzing how competitors name their brands can help you align with industry norms and avoid potential legal issues, such as trademark conflicts.
• Avoiding Confusion: Differentiation is key. For instance, in industries where many brands use similar naming conventions (like "water" in water filter products), it's important to choose a name that stands out to prevent customer confusion.
• Domain Considerations: Selecting a domain name that aligns with your brand is vital. It should be easy to remember, spell, and ideally, reflect your brand's essence.

Show Links

• Brand It! Calendar - https://apps.shopify.com/brand-it-calendar
• Trademarks Episode - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-113-trademarks-for-your-brand

Transcript & Video

https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-159-picking-a-name-for-your-brand