Underdog Ecom Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the latest Shopify updates, including the rollout of B2B features and native price testing for non-plus merchants. We also share our personal experiments with using Claude to build custom software for inventory management and cash flow visibility, proving that you don't need a massive team to level up your operations.

📢 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/

Are you tired of guessing your inventory for seasonal drops or watching your cash flow get tied up in stock? This week, we dive into the highs and lows of our spring collections, and break down how testing strategic bundles and free gifts successfully doubled our ad conversion rates. We also explore how we're using AI like Claude to build custom internal e-com tools, plus share a crucial warning after a random personal Facebook ban locked us completely out of Meta Ads Manager.

📢 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 into the "hidden underside" of ecommerce: the messy world of returns and reverse logistics. They get real about moving away from "free unlimited returns," the pros and cons of return software like Freight and Redo, and why analyzing return rates at the product level is a game-changer for your bottom line.

📢 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 our recent obsession with Claude and how we’re moving beyond the standard AI hype to build actual utility for our e-commerce brands. From automating Klaviyo reporting and analyzing P&Ls to managing local Shopify theme files, we share how we’re using these new tools to act as a "co-founder on steroids" while navigating the thin line between genuine efficiency and productive procrastination.

📢 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 into a hot debate of whether to focus on paid ads or organic growth, sharing our personal experiences with the highs and lows of both strategies. We discuss the dangers of ad dependency, the shifting landscape of social algorithms, and why finding a hybrid approach is often the key to building a sustainable e-commerce brand.

📢 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 into the grueling reality of in-person selling, from the logistical nightmares of managing physical inventory to the high-stakes gamble of paying event fees. We share our honest stories about finding success at niche night markets while facing disappointing "busts" at massive events like the State Fair and Wimbledon. Ultimately, we discuss why in-person events are a powerful feedback loop for brand building, even if the high opportunity cost often keeps us focused on the digital side of the business.

📢 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 peeling back the curtain on our operations to reveal the 50+ Shopify Flows we use to run our brands on autopilot . From catching high-risk fraud and filtering out bot traffic to deleting expensive pre-order apps, we break down the exact automations saving us time and money . Tune in to hear how we’re hacking the system—and why you might be running “zombie” flows that are secretly slowing down your store .

📢 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 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