The Unofficial TikTok Shop Podcast with Jordan West

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TikTok Shop is exploding with opportunities—but most brands are doing it all wrong. 

In this episode, I break down the four key ways to sell on TikTok Shop and how to maximize each one for growth. 

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, these strategies will help you increase conversions, attract top affiliates, and dominate TikTok Shop.

Key Takeaways:

• Organic content drives long-term sales – Brands should post multiple times a day with shoppable videos linked directly to their TikTok Shop.
• Optimize your Shop Tab – Treat your TikTok storefront like an Amazon listing. Use high-quality images, SEO-friendly descriptions, and strong CTAs.
• The best affiliates aren’t influencers – Most TikTok Shop affiliates work with multiple brands. Identify high-performing creators and recruit them with strong commissions.
• Live streaming is massively underrated – The longer you stream, the more sales you generate. The gold is in the hour—stay on live longer than you think.
• Combine all four strategies for maximum growth – Don’t rely on just one method. The brands winning on TikTok Shop leverage organic, affiliates, shop tab SEO, and live selling together.

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodcast

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The 25% U.S. import tariff is here—now what? If you sell products from Canada or Mexico into the U.S., your costs just skyrocketed overnight. But instead of panicking, let’s focus on solutions.

In this episode, Jordan West breaks down exactly what you need to do to protect your margins, rethink fulfillment, and keep your business profitable despite these new costs. If you're in e-commerce, this episode is a must-listen.

The new tariffs are a massive challenge for e-commerce brands, but instead of focusing on why they happened, let’s talk about what to do next.

Jordan dives into:

• How to adjust pricing without losing customers
• The best fulfillment workarounds to avoid tariff hikes
• How to reposition your brand to stay competitive in the U.S.
• Why you should consider expanding to new international markets
• Step-by-step strategies to survive and thrive despite the tariffs

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

• Raise prices strategically—consider splitting the tariff cost with customers.
• Explore fulfillment options—setting up a U.S.-based warehouse or 3PL could save you.
• Expand beyond the U.S.—consider Europe, Australia, or Asia for growth.
• Adjust marketing & messaging—double down on brand loyalty & premium positioning.
• Look into tariff-exempt strategies—some goods/categories might have workarounds.
• 
  

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodcast

Send us a text

TikTok Shop isn’t just another e-commerce trend—it’s a land grab, and brands that move fast will dominate. Just like early Facebook ads in 2015, Amazon FBA in 2012, and Instagram’s organic reach in its prime, TikTok Shop is that next big opportunity.

Right now, TikTok is rewarding sellers with massive organic reach, lower seller fees, and insane platform incentives—but this window won’t last forever.

In today’s episode, Jordan breaks down:

• Why TikTok Shop is exploding and how brands are winning big
• How to leverage free viral traffic for sales (without ads)
• Why one-click checkout is driving insane conversion rates
• How to use creators and affiliates to sell for you
• Why TikTok is literally handing out free money to brands right now
• How live shopping is turning into a revenue gold mine
• The one viral post that can change everything

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly why TikTok Shop is the platform to scale your brand in 2025—and how to take action before it’s too late.

Key Takeaways:

• TikTok Shop is in land grab mode—the brands that move first will dominate.
• You don’t need a huge following to sell—TikTok’s algorithm does the work for you.
• One-click checkout = higher conversions, more impulse purchases.
• Creators sell for you—only pay when they drive real sales.
• TikTok is literally handing out money to brands in 2025—take advantage before it’s too late.
• Live shopping is the next big revenue driver—brands are making six figures an hour.
• One viral post can generate thousands of sales overnight. 

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodcast

Send us a text

Making your first sale on TikTok Shop doesn’t have to be complicated! 

In this episode, Jordan West walks you through 10 actionable steps to land that first sale quickly. From picking the right product to leveraging TikTok's powerful affiliate and live-selling features, this episode is packed with proven strategies to help you succeed. 

Learn why choosing the right product matters, how to optimize your listing for visibility, and why collaborating with micro-influencers can be a game-changer.

Plus, a sneak peek to his TikTok Shop Elite Mastermind community, where members get access to AI-powered product recommendations and a supportive network of sellers.

Key Takeaways: 

• Pick a trending, impulse-buy product to increase chances of success. 
• Optimize your listing with high-quality visuals and keyword-rich descriptions. 
•  Leverage TikTok’s affiliate program to collaborate with proven creators. 
• Go live for real-time engagement and instant sales. 
• Run Spark ads on best-performing posts to reach a wider audience. 
• Engage with comments using video replies to boost trust and visibility. 
• Use limited-time discounts strategically to create urgency. 
• Get your first 1,000 sales and 100 reviews before scaling up. 
• Stay consistent and test multiple videos to find what works best.

Links:

• TikTok Shop Elite Mastermind: Join here
• Social Commerce Club: Learn more
• Follow Jordan on Twitter: @JordanWest
• Subscribe on YouTube: Jordan West

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodca

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Buckle up because today’s episode is packed with gold. I’ve got Rytis Lauris, CEO and co-founder of OmniSend, on the pod, and let me tell you—this guy has been in the e-commerce automation game for over a decade. 

With more than 120,000 customers worldwide, OmniSend is changing how brands do retention marketing, and today, we’re breaking it all down.

We’re talking about what’s working right now in e-commerce, what’s straight-up not working, and the biggest shifts happening in automation and customer retention. 

Rytis shares some seriously insightful takes on how Apple’s privacy changes are shaking things up, why email marketing isn’t dead (despite what people say), and what brands need to focus on to stay ahead. 

Oh, and we’re also tackling that big debate—should you ever remove subscribers from your email list? 

Let’s go.

Key Topics:

• How e-commerce marketing has evolved over the past decade
• Why OmniSend is the go-to alternative to those overpriced enterprise platforms
• Is email marketing actually dead? (Spoiler: Nope.)
• How Apple’s privacy updates are changing the game for online brands
• The real way to keep your email list clean and engaged
• Why AI isn’t replacing humans in marketing anytime soon
• Building a customer-funded business and keeping your brand agile

Who is Rytis Lauris?

Rytis Lauris is the co-founder and CEO of OmniSend, a marketing automation platform designed specifically for e-commerce brands. 

With a background in digital marketing, Rytis saw a gap in the market for an affordable yet powerful email and SMS automation tool that serves small to mid-sized businesses. 

Under his leadership, OmniSend has grown to serve over 120,000 customers worldwide, helping brands maximize retention and boost revenue through smart automation. 

A firm believer in customer-funded business models, Rytis has led OmniSend without external investment, focusing on delivering real value to customers.

Connect with Rytis Lauris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rytisl/

Visit OmniSend: https://www.omnisend.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Retention is king. Brands relying solely on acquisition will struggle; the real money is in repeat customers.
• Sunsetting subscribers too soon is a mistake. Engagement isn’t just about open rates—clicks matter more.
• AI can automate, but humans differentiate. The best marketing still needs a human touch to stand out.
• Customer-funded businesses stay agile. OmniSend has scaled without outside investment, proving that putting customers first wins.
• Apple & Google privacy changes aren't the end. Brands just need to adapt by focusing on first-party data and owned channels.

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodca

Send us a text

Ever wonder what it takes to scale a brand from $3.5M to nine figures? 

In this episode, I sit down with MacCoy Merkley, CMO of Portland Leather Goods, to break down exactly how they did it—without relying on overcomplicated marketing tactics.

MacCoy started at Portland Leather Goods seven years ago, back when they were just a small Etsy shop. 

Fast forward to today, and they’re the largest leather bag manufacturer in North America. 

We dive into:

• The wild Craigslist job interview that landed him the role
• How COVID-19 forced them to pivot—and ended up accelerating growth
• The single biggest driver of their success (hint: it’s not ads)
• Why discounting isn’t the enemy—and how they do it strategically
• The future of e-commerce in 2025 (and why great products win every time) 

Meet MacCoy Merkley

• CMO of Portland Leather Goods
• Former wedding photographer who landed a marketing job through Craigslist
• Helped scale Portland Leather Goods from $3.5M to over $100M+ in revenue
• A big believer in great products > marketing hacks
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maccoy-merkley-95146815b
• Twitter: https://x.com/MacCoyMerkley

 Key Takeaways from the Episode:

 1. How MacCoy Landed a Marketing Job With No Resume

• Answered a Craigslist ad for a “Digital Media Specialist” role

2. Scaling from Etsy to Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)

• Curtis (the founder) started Portland Leather Goods by hand-making leather bags in his garage

3. How COVID Forced a Business Pivot (That Led to Explosive Growth)

• COVID-19 shut down their in-house production—forcing them to pause website sales

4. Why Product Quality is the #1 Growth Lever

• 30% of their new customers come from referrals—no ad spend needed

5. The Future of E-Commerce in 2025

• Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Ads still work—but only if you have a product worth talking about

6. Why Personal Branding Matters (Even for B2C Brands)

• MacCoy & Curtis post daily on LinkedIn & Twitter—keeping PLG top of mind

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodcast

Send us a text

Meet Nate Banks—a third-generation sock manufacturer who’s keeping American-made socks alive while playing the DTC game like a pro.

Back in the day, there were over 130 sock factories in the U.S. Now? Just two remain. And Nate runs one of them.

How did he survive while everyone else disappeared? Simple: He adapted.

In this episode, we get into:

• How Nate went from folding socks in his grandparents’ living room to selling millions of pairs
• Why AI + automation are the only way U.S. factories will survive
• The big shift in DTC that’s forcing brands to rethink their entire strategy
• Why he ditched the polished ads and started filming raw, unfiltered videos—and why they work 10x better

This one’s packed with real talk, wild stories, and lessons from the trenches. Let’s go! 

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

DTC is the Future (But Not How You Think)

• Forget mass production—Nate’s factory thrives by going hyper-custom and leaning into small-batch, niche products.

AI & Automation = The New Manufacturing Playbook

• From lean inventory to better margins, Nate is proving that AI isn't just for tech bros—it’s for factories, too.

Authenticity > Everything

• Forget fancy ads. Nate’s best-performing videos? Him talking to the camera in his factory. Turns out, people trust real humans.

If You’re Not Building Systems, You’re Screwed

• Scaling isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Nate breaks down how he’s structuring his business to run itself.

The Next Big DTC Shift? It’s Already Happening.

• TikTok Shop, social commerce, creators—Jordan & Nate break down where the game is headed.

ABOUT THE GUEST – NATE BANKS

Who is Nate?

• Third-gen sock maker running one of the last U.S. sock factories
• Built a vertically integrated factory that makes everything in-house
• Pivoted to custom DTC & contract manufacturing to stay ahead
• All-in on AI & automation to future-proof his business

If you’re in DTC, ecommerce, or just love wild business stories, you don’t want to miss this one.

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodcast

Send us a text

 If you’re running a TikTok Shop or working with affiliates, understanding commission structures is critical for maximizing profits. 

Many brands make costly mistakes when setting commission rates, leading to lost revenue despite high sales. 

In this episode, Jordan West breaks down the two key commission models—Standard Affiliate Commission (20%) and Shop Ads Commission (5-10%)—and how they impact profitability. Plus, we’ll discuss how to scale your TikTok Shop while keeping ad spend under control. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key Takeaways from the Episode

• Master TikTok Shop Commission Models: Standard Affiliate Commission (20%) rewards organic sales, while Shop Ads Commission (5-10%) ensures ads remain profitable. Setting the wrong rate can destroy margins.
  
  
• Profitability > Revenue: High sales don’t always mean high profits. Running ads without adjusting commissions can leave you with razor-thin margins or even losses.
  
  
• Crunch the Numbers: A $30 product with a 60% margin is profitable with a 20% organic commission but barely breaks even if ads are added without adjusting commissions.
  
  
• Scale with Smart Strategies: Lower your cost per order, test viral-style content, and increase AOV by bundling products and offering exclusive deals for TikTok Shop buyers.
  
  
• Educate and Align with Affiliates: Affiliates need to understand commission structures so they don’t feel cheated. Transparency is key to keeping everyone happy and profitable. 

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodcast

Send us a text

The world of e-commerce advertising is evolving. Phoenix introduces us to the potential of understanding pre-purchase behaviors, enriching unidentified traffic, and why post-iOS 14.5 represents a chance for clean marketing innovation.

In this episode, Jordan West with Phoenix Ha, the visionary behind Ad Beacon. Discover the pivotal strategies that bridge the gap between prepurchase behavior, post-purchase insights, and the true impact of your ads. 

With experience spanning collaborations with global giants like Nike and Keen, Phoenix delivers profound insights into navigating the challenges brought on by privacy shifts and how to adapt for success in today’s ecommerce landscape.

Listen and learn in this episode!

• Importance of Accurate Attribution: Post-iOS 14, accurately tracking ad performance is crucial due to discrepancies between reported platform data and actual sales.
• Impact of iOS 14: Significant changes in data privacy regulations affected advertisers, causing trust issues and financial loss for businesses.
• Focus on Data Privacy and First-Party Data: Emphasis on adapting to new privacy standards and leveraging first-party data for effective ad measurement.
• Innovative Solutions by Ad Beacon: Ad Beacon is developing new methods to measure both pre-purchase and purchase behaviors to enhance marketing strategies.
• Social Commerce and Ad Tech: Emerging platforms like Flip and AppLovin signify innovation in social commerce and ad technology.
• Reevaluation of Free Trials and Pricing Strategy: The ineffectiveness of free trials and the need to align pricing strategies to ensure client engagement and perceived value.

Podcast Guest:

Phoenix Ha, She is the brilliant mind behind Ad Beacon, a tool that has been transforming how brands measure their ad success. 

Phoenix is not just a data geek but a results-driven expert with experience working with numerous brands, including industry giants like Nike, Modelo, and Keen. 

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Get 5 Offers for 2 Products (10 in total) along with 10 highly engaging tried and true creatives, 30 captivating headlines, descriptions, and ad texts sent to you for only $99. Go to https://www.upgrowthcommerce.com/offer and order now - this offer is only available for a limited time.

We love our podcast community and listeners so much that we have decided to offer a free eCommerce Growth Plan for your brand! To learn more and how we can help, click here: upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Join our community and connect with other eCommerce brand owners and marketers!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretstoscalingpodcast

Send us a text

Discover the importance of focusing on strategies and products that work, rather than chasing every new opportunity. Jordan shares a compelling story about finding gold and resisting the urge to dig elsewhere.

In this episode, Jordan West, despite the glamorous perception, Jordan reveals the roller coaster of wins, losses, and the crucial lessons learned along the way. Dive deep as he unpacks the three key lessons for thriving in the ecommerce industry: the power of building a community, the importance of doubling down on what works, and continuously improving your product. Jordan also sheds light on the critical consideration of choosing the right business partners.

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Building a Community: Creating a community around your brand is crucial for long-term success. A real community provides constant feedback and engagement among members, which can drive growth and improvement of products. It's more than just followers or email lists; it's about interaction and shared experiences.
• Doubling Down on What Works: When you find a successful strategy or product, focus on optimizing and scaling it instead of constantly looking for new opportunities. Leveraging existing wins can lead to greater success.
• Product Focus: The quality of your product is paramount. Continuously improve your products based on feedback and evolving customer needs. Even successful products need ongoing development to maintain their edge in the market.
• Choosing Business Partners Wisely: Select business partners who are on the same level, share the same drive, and have the capability to help scale a brand. A mismatch in partnership can lead to challenges and is often a critical mistake in business ventures.
• Community and Human Interaction: With advancements in AI, the value of human interaction and community will become even more pivotal. Building strong community ties can act as a stabilizing force for your brand against external uncertainties.

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow