We’re kicking off 2026 by dissecting the good, the bad, and the ugly of last year, from the reality of prioritizing profitability to our struggles with organic content and wholesale. We also break down our specific resolutions for the year ahead, including strategies for tighter product launch cycles, clearing dead stock through bundling, and managing cash flow without revenue-based loans.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation: 
• Jack on X: @jackinprogress 
• David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas? 
Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community: 
Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
Website: https://underdogecom.com
Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

In this episode, we tackle our first live "SaaS unboxing" to review Eltie, a new AI email platform that promises to build revenue-ready calendars tailored to your brand. We test the tool in real time, exploring its ability to generate HTML emails and product images, while debating whether AI tools can ever truly replace human agencies. Join us as we break down the pros and cons of the platform's Klaviyo integration and decide if it’s worth the investment for small teams.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Jack on X: @jackinprogress
David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?
Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:
Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
Website: https://underdogecom.com
Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

As we wrap up the year, we sat down to break down the highs, lows, and hard truths from a chaotic ride in ecom—shifting social platforms, product flops, and what actually moved the needle. Plus: what we’re doubling down on in 2026 and why “newness” might be your biggest growth lever next year.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
 • Jack on X: @jackinprogress
 • David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?
 Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:
 Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
Website: https://underdogecom.com
Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

We survived Black Friday… and somehow had our best months ever. In this one, we break down what worked, what we totally screwed up (like accidentally turning off pop-ups), and how we pulled off big wins with scrappy offers, mystery boxes, and way too many emails. If you're already dreading next Q4, this one's for you.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

 Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
 • Jack on X: @jackinprogress

 • David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?

 Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:

 Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
 Website: https://underdogecom.com

Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

Ecom operator and founder Toby joins Jack and David for our very first guest episode—across three continents, no less. From running a golf brand and a baby brand with his wife to working full-time at a global DTC company, Toby unpacks the chaos of juggling it all. Real talk on scaling with limited time, why ops might be the real superpower, and why Meta spend doesn’t always scale like you think it should.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
 • Jack on X: @jackinprogress
 • David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?
 Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:
 Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
 Website: https://underdogecom.com

Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

We’re deep in Q4 chaos—scrambling for sales, cash-strapped, and trying everything we can to keep things moving. In this episode, we talk about our creative last-ditch fire sale offers, how we’re leaning on virtual assistants to keep our heads above water, and what’s actually been working (and not) as we prep for BFCM. Whether you’re thinking about hiring a VA or already working with one, we break down what tasks are worth outsourcing, what hasn’t worked, and how to build a scrappy support system that helps—not hinders.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
• Jack on X: @jackinprogress
• David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?
Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:
Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
Website: https://underdogecom.com

Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

We're in the thick of Q4 chaos—juggling marketing, inventory delays, and algorithms that just don't hit like they used to. In this episode, we get real about burnout, the crumbling attention economy, and why survival might be the most underrated strategy in ecommerce. Plus, Jack introduces a new business philosophy: be the cactus 🌵. Just stay alive.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
 • Jack on X: @jackinprogress
 • David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?
 Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:
 Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
 Website: https://underdogecom.com

Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

In this episode, we dive deep into what’s working (and what’s definitely not) in Facebook ads right now, from ASC vs ABO to product-market fit, flash sale testing, and why some campaigns randomly tank. It's a real-time look at rebuilding ad strategy during this tumultuous time of year.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:

• Jack on X: @jackinprogress

• David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?

Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:

Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:

Website: https://underdogecom.com

Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

Q4 is make-or-break for most brands, but it’s not just about Black Friday. In this episode, Jack and David share how they’re approaching Q4 strategy, from high-level planning and product angles to managing cash flow and staying sane during the chaos. If you're an operator in the trenches, this one’s for you.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
• Jack on X: @jackinprogress
• David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?
Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:
Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
Website: https://underdogecom.com

Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com

In this episode of the Underdog Ecom Podcast, Jack and David dive into how creativity can be a form of capital, especially when you're cash-strapped. From pre-funding tactics and supplier negotiation tips to smart cash conversion cycle hacks, this one's all about doing more with less and making your creativity work like cash.

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

Thanks for listening! Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow ecom founders! Your support helps us keep it real.

💬 Join the Conversation:
• Jack on X: @jackinprogress
• David on X: @austriker27

📩 Got feedback or topic ideas?
Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

🌎 Join the Underdog Ecom Community:
Apply here → underdogecom.com

🎧 More from Underdog Ecom:
Website: https://underdogecom.com

Podcast: https://podcast.underdogecom.com