The most important part of entrepreneurship? Imagination.  Nik sits down with Kelly Dill, an investor at Imaginary Ventures where imagination is the KEY to ideation. Kelly explains how new ideas become companies and companies then become their own organism. How should you approach new business ventures? How should you raise capital? Kelly explains it all. And, it’s all about confidence during investor meetings: you’ve done the hard part. Now it’s time to showcase your work and be proud of what you’re doing.  Motion helps DTC brands ship more winning ads. Track your competitors, save ads to your swipe file and analyze your creatives with beautiful creative reporting.  Visit motionapp.com or watch a demo of Motion here Plus, find out how Nik and Kelly feel about SaaS investing—and where they think it’s headed soon. Don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Nik’s riding solo today and gearing us up for Black Friday and beyond.  Nik’s breaking down the main four comparison charts sees and explains how comparing your product to its competitors—and even its price point—can teach you a lot about what could be done. How does it stack up? Is everything a fair comparison?  Plus, have you ever had a Trader Joe’s rice cake? They’re sugar free, low calorie, they don’t sound appetizing. But, when you reframe the product in terms of benefits, that’s when customers really start to see its value.  Motion helps DTC brands ship more winning ads. Track your competitors, save ads to your swipe file and analyze your creatives with beautiful creative reporting.  Visit motionapp.com or watch a demo of Motion here And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Do you consider yourself to be creative? Nik’s sitting down with Reza Khadjavi of Motion, the SaaS brand designed to help creatives manage their analytics. When you create for creatives, your marketing and product design HAVE to be top notch—otherwise, it’s pretty embarrassing to be for creatives without being creative. How do you get people to have a conversation around data when they’re more creatively inclined? Plus, using data to your advantage is the key to your performance. When are people stopping their scroll? Should you put your energy towards click and convert, or towards time tested strategies?  Also Reza talks about the magic of AI…and what it could mean for SaaS. Motion helps DTC brands ship more winning ads. Track your competitors, save ads to your swipe file and analyze your creatives with beautiful creative reporting.  Visit motionapp.com or watch a demo of Motion here And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

So, what’s YOUR Black Friday strategy?  The holiday season is right around the corner. For people in the DTC world, it’s time to gear up, get excited, and get it together.  Nik talks to Hattie Gilpin, the Director of Operations at wellness brand Wellbel, about attracting consumer attention via email subject line, discounts, subscriptions, and more. Should you apply your discount code to every subscriber on your list? Does a ‘gift with purchase’ actually attract more sales? When should you order package inserts? Plus, Hattie talks about the importance of customer service—and how operations AND marketing need to work together to anticipate order volume ASAP.  And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   Motion helps DTC brands ship more winning ads. Track your competitors, save ads to your swipe file and analyze your creatives with beautiful creative reporting.  Visit motionapp.com or watch a demo of Motion here   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Did you know there’s a Slack channel with 5,000+ marketers…and Nik is answering their questions?  Nik’s dipping his fingers into the mailbag and sharing the truth about brand ambassadors and influencer marketing. And despite what you’ve heard, UGC isn’t dead—but inauthentic and lazy UGC is. We all know influencers are important, but when’s the best time to contact them about your product? How do you create consistency without breaking the bank on a brand agency?  Plus, it’s time to get creative. Nik shares tips on how your messaging on Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday should differ, but still be creative. Should you keep it simple? Absolutely. Should you make it quick? Yes.  And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose Haus is an automated, self-serve platform that allows you to configure regional experiments to measure incrementality, optimally allocate marketing dollars, and maximize growth. Test all your marketing channels, both online and offline, measure the impact across all your sales channels (DTC, Amazon, and retail), and calibrate your platform reporting for incrementality with Haus. Add scientific rigor to your marketing and make the most impact with your spend. To learn more, go to haus.io/limitedsupply to get started. Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

How do you discover something magical in the DTC space? For this week’s guest Ryan Babenzien, CEO of Jolie, he looked at everyday things: the shower. Wellness. Vanity. Your wallet. And then the filtered shower head took the world by storm. How do you create a successful product when there’s already a ton of stuff out there? Why is everyday customer behavior so important to a wellness brand? Ryan shares his framework, his history from other brands, and how gut and instinct play a role in your success.  Plus, Nik and Ryan talk about packaging—how does it differ between wellness brands and other CPG products? When you’re a DTC brand, a way to polish things is to make sure you have efficient packing. No packing peanuts, just simple and easy. Do creators care about packaging being environmentally friendly? (Hint: yes.) Then, it’s all about people influencing people. Word of mouth—from influencers, UGC, your friends and family—all play a role in the success of a product. How can you make sure these positive words are converting?  And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   Haus is an automated, self-serve platform that allows you to configure regional experiments to measure incrementality, optimally allocate marketing dollars, and maximize growth. Test all your marketing channels, both online and offline, measure the impact across all your sales channels (DTC, Amazon, and retail), and calibrate your platform reporting for incrementality with Haus. Add scientific rigor to your marketing and make the most impact with your spend. To learn more, go to haus.io/limitedsupply to get started.   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

It’s not about you, it’s your brand awareness.  In this solo episode, Nik breaks down brand awareness and how to do it right. There’s a difference between brand recognition, excitement, and affinity. But some of those go awry, it can really affect how people view your brand. How do you interact with creators on social media? How much content should everyone make about your brand? When people see your logo or brand, what comes to mind?  Plus, Nik gives an example of how he tackles product launch—he’s excited about it, but there’s a couple things that can be improved. There’s a lot that goes into a launch, like storefront (brick-and-mortar, eComm), email, SMS, organic social, paid social, the list is almost endless. How do you launch something that really pops?  Then, it’s all about keeping those customers. We’re talking drop strategy, VIP discount codes, and even inventory. Why should you send one email per day for the first three days? Are TikTok and Instagram really their own funnels? Nik shares his perspective.  And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   Haus is an automated, self-serve platform that allows you to configure regional experiments to measure incrementality, optimally allocate marketing dollars, and maximize growth. Test all your marketing channels, both online and offline, measure the impact across all your sales channels (DTC, Amazon, and retail), and calibrate your platform reporting for incrementality with Haus. Add scientific rigor to your marketing and make the most impact with your spend. To learn more, go to haus.io/limitedsupply   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

What even is incrementality?  For our guest this week, Olivia Kory of Haus, incrementality is everything—it’s strategy, it’s how the world goes ‘round in DTC. We talk tools, conversions, and how Meta and Google can help set that up for you. How does the funnel play a role in incrementality? What’s geotesting and why does it matter? Does company size play a role?  Plus, Nik talks about filling and flushing the toilet: everyone in DTC is prepping for the holiday season. Using data from last year, DTC brands can really set themselves up for success by experimenting, observing, and more.  Then, there’s a debate between brand marketing and performance marketing. Where should you spend your money? When do you start creative prep? Who should do the reporting? Olivia and Nik weigh the pros and cons.  And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   Haus is an automated, self-serve platform that allows you to configure regional experiments to measure incrementality, optimally allocate marketing dollars, and maximize growth. Test all your marketing channels, both online and offline, measure the impact across all your sales channels (DTC, Amazon, and retail), and calibrate your platform reporting for incrementality with Haus. Add scientific rigor to your marketing and make the most impact with your spend. To learn more, go to haus.io/limitedsupply spelled H-A-U-S dot io slash limited supply to get started.   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Are hacks even real? According to Nik, they aren’t—so that’s why he’s sharing his Top 40 TIPS for conversion, social proof, audience, and copy to see more site conversions. Should you do your mobile site first, or is desktop king? How do you leverage social proof for your brand? How can you make a discount pop without being too obnoxious? Plus, Nik talks about how your site should be ADA compliant because accessibility is important to reaching more people. Partnering that with a simplified checkout experience and easy-to-understand copy are steps in the right direction. It’s not rocket science, even if it can feel overwhelming sometimes.  And don’t forget to check out more helpful tips from Nik here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   Haus is an automated, self-serve platform that allows you to configure regional experiments to measure incrementality, optimally allocate marketing dollars, and maximize growth. Test all your marketing channels, both online and offline, measure the impact across all your sales channels (DTC, Amazon, and retail), and calibrate your platform reporting for incrementality with Haus. Add scientific rigor to your marketing and make the most impact with your spend. To learn more, go to haus.io/limitedsupply    Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

What are Nik’s messages like?  If you answered, “Hey Nik, I’ve founded (insert company here). It should be doing this, but it’s not. What should I do?” you’d be correct. Starting a brand isn’t easy work—so that’s why Nik has a playbook ready. Should you do a pre launch test? What conversion events should matter to you? What even is a water report? There’s a ton of concerns that a lot of founders don’t ask about, but should.  Plus, in this solo episode, Nik reveals that your content should make sense to three people: your mom, buzzed people, and fifth graders. He explains how all three are related, even if they probably shouldn’t be in the same sentence.  Then, Nik speaks survey: what did they buy and did they like it? How can you, as a brand, take information and improve your ops? Customer experience is a goldmine—one that you could be missing out on. And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   Haus is an automated, self-serve platform that allows you to configure regional experiments to measure incrementality, optimally allocate marketing dollars, and maximize growth. Test all your marketing channels, both online and offline, measure the impact across all your sales channels (DTC, Amazon, and retail), and calibrate your platform reporting for incrementality with Haus. Add scientific rigor to your marketing and make the most impact with your spend. To learn more, go to haus.io/limitedsupply   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Ready for a rapid-fire round of questions about DTC as big as The Cheesecake Factory menu?  CMO of Jones Road Beauty and Nik’s X-Mutual-turned-IRL-friend Cody Plofker is back on the pod—and they’re talking about incrementality, building creative teams, and more. What should you look for in building a team? What’s attribution and why is it click-based? Is Cody frugal or cheap?  Then, Nik chats about how he uses TikTok and Reddit to understand new audiences. How can we reach new people? What do they care about compared to our current market? Plus, Cody reveals how Jones Road is gearing up for Black Friday, with new strategies, customization opportunities, and setting realistic (but BIG) sales goals.  And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly.   To learn more visit aftersell.com/limited.   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

What’s changing with DPA? Does attention actually matter most in advertising? Are DPA and catalog ads the same? Nik’s talking with Dan Pantelo, the founder of Marpipe HQ, where they’re on a mission to make DPA ads even better. Find out Dan’s five strategic tips everyone should know about catalog ads and why DPA is growing rapidly. When should we NOT use DPA? Does DPA matter more than UGC? Dan explains it all. Heard about DPA from others?  Well…there’s a good chance you’ve heard a misconception or two. Dan and Nik break down how big it actually is, creative possibilities, and why using a tool can be effective in the long run. Plus, find out why shooting products in different contexts is important (Hint: it’s the reason why people wear clothes in clothing ads).  And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly. To learn more visit aftersell.com/limited.    Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips. Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts. Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

What’s a season of Limited Supply without Nik to answer some of the Slack channel’s hottest DTC questions? Nik’s dipping his fingers into the mailbag and unleashing his biggest CRO tips and tricks yet. Find out the five questions your landing page must answer and learn the difference between adding a promise and a guarantee to your site. Should your checkout page have a slide-out cart, a separate cart page, or both? Nik settles the age-old question once and for all. Will this year mark the death of months-long holiday sales? Well… if you haven’t already heard the sounds of Home Depot Halloween animatronics screeching through the aisles yet, then just know that August is the month to *finally* get your hands on that 12-foot tall skeleton. Nik breaks down how to plan for the early holiday sales cycles and reveals his ultimate playbook for maximizing your holiday revenue through affiliate marketing. Plus, find out the ultimate holiday hooks for gifting ads, how the election will affect ad spend, and the best way to build a successful offer. And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here: nik.co/tiktokads nik.co/everydaydose   AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly. To learn more visit aftersell.com/limited. 00:03:11 - Maximize Audience Building for Q4 00:09:15 - Favorite Hooks for Gifting Ads 00:14:38 - Utilizing Direct Mail for Q4 00:17:35 - Important Site Optimization Areas 00:26:32 - Enhancing Product Pages with Social Proof 00:29:06 - Incorporating FAQs on Product Pages 00:30:55 - Simplifying Site Navigation for Better Conversions 00:32:17 - Optimizing Cart and Checkout Pages 00:35:09 - Building a Successful Offer: Core Characteristics 00:38:21 - Plan Early for Holiday Sales 00:40:42 - Maximizing Email Offers for Audience 00:43:40 - Increasing Your Holiday Revenue with Affiliate Marketing 00:47:49 - Addressing Questions and Feedback for Future Episodes   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Ready for a masterclass in DTC tactics? Then step on up, cause Mr. Sharma’s got everything you need to reach the 100K mark. Nik’s breaking down his secret tactics to hit your revenue goals by taking a deep dive into four specific strategies that are sure to boost your biz. It’s all about the angles— and we’re not talking about that jawline in the mirror. Learn how you can position your website landing page to cook the competition. What are Nik’s top tips for building a landing page that’s sure to crush it? Plus, Nik also discusses the power of a good advertorial and creator partnerships. How can you make sure your advertorial money fuels impressive impression gains? And what are the secrets to a fruitful influencer relationship? Nik’s spilling all the dirty deets on his personal experiences working with influencers and dishing out the hard lessons he’s learned along the way. AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly. To learn more visit aftersell.com/limited. 00:04:34 - Tactical Foreplay for New Customer Acquisition 00:06:10 - Finding Your Wedge in Acquisition 00:17:54 - Answering 5 Questions for Landing Pages 00:21:29 - Boost Your CPA with Advertorials 00:35:57 - Working with Creators for Lower CPC 00:47:12 - 15 Tactical Tips for Ad Creatives Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips. Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts. Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

Cookware doesn’t have to be boring. And this particular brand is making a huge splash. It’s the cookware company coveted by Michelin-starred chefs and Hollywood’s most elite, like Gordon Ramsay, Hailey Beiber, Halle Berry, Courtney Cox, Cameron Diaz… the list goes on and on. If you haven’t been on the brink of impulse buying a Hexclad pan at least once in your life, you haven’t really been living (or cooking). So sit back, inhale the Teflon fumes of your ratty little pan from Amazon, and listen up because Mr. Sharma’s chatting with the President of Hexclad Cookware, Jason Panzer, and CEO Daniel Winer to find out exactly how this luxury cookware company continues to innovate through their diehard community. Jason and Danny explain why straying away from transactional celebrity endorsements and sticking with authentic, genuine partnerships has elevated them into the ultimate lifestyle brand with an incredible product at their foundational core. How do they continue to push boundaries? And what’s working with Gordon Ramsey *really* like? We don’t wanna spoil the fun for you— tune in now to find out. AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly. To learn more visit aftersell.com/limited. Follow Hexclad: Website: https://hexclad.com/   Follow Danny: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-winer-647bba90/   Follow Jason: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonpanzer/ Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

You wanted to hear from the top DTC founders, so Nik wrangled up one of the top minds he could find in the biz for you— Dianna Cohen, the mastermind behind Crown Affair. Dianna breaks down what contributed to the massive success of her haircare company and chats with Nik about the importance of building a strong brand story. She explains how DTC success isn’t a big bang, but a slow burn. Have too many DTC founders traded in instant gratification for patience and slow growth? She also chats about *that* Met Gala Doja Cat moment, and explains the value of great partnerships and distribution. Which celebrity brands does Dianna think are enough to give Crown Affair a run for their money? And why are patience and time the two secret ingredients for growing a successful DTC? You won’t want to miss this jam-packed ep with one of the brightest minds in the industry.  AfterSell empowers businesses to maximize their revenue potential with upsell, cross-sell, and post-purchase engagement solutions. Our data-driven tools and seamless integrations help you transform customer interactions and boost revenue effortlessly. To learn more visit https://www.aftersell.com/limited.   00:01:53 - Founder of Crown Affair Shares Journey 00:10:09 - Crown Affair's Growth and Revenue 00:12:11 - Hair Care: A Skincare Approach 00:16:20 - Building Exceptional Hair Care Products 00:20:45 - Brand Pillars: Visual Literacy and Storytelling 00:26:22 - Brand Success Requires Patience and Time 00:30:57 - Brand Building Essentials 00:40:20 - Exclusive Sephora Partnership Drives Growth 00:43:38 - Navigating Retail Partnerships for Success 00:47:41 - Optimizing Reviews for Better Marketing 00:49:11 - Building Communities in the Beauty Industry 00:51:17 - Celebrity Brands: Success vs. Failure 00:54:27 - Underpriced Attention in Brand Marketing 00:57:45 - Diana Cohen's Free Mentorship Program   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

You ask the questions. We answer them. It’s been a while, but Nik and Moiz are pulling out the Sorting Hat to pull out some of your juiciest, most pressing DTC questions. The guys reflect on some of the biggest mistakes DTC brands make (and they’ve seen plenty) and discuss why repeatable sales processes aren’t a nice thought— they’re an absolute necessity. What’s the one legal mistake that could be your DTC’s ultimate downfall? And later the guys discuss where you should allocate your ad spend, how to acquire your first customer, and how to encourage customers to leave reviews (without resorting to flat-out bribery). Which businesses will go bankrupt in 2024 (RIP Big Lots, and whatever it is you sold)? Nik and Moiz also reveal how another business’s bankruptcy might spell doom for fine breastaurant establishments everywhere.    00:00:00 - Answering 50 Listener Questions 00:00:39 - Biggest Mistakes of New DTC Founders 00:05:45 - Biggest Mistakes Brands Make at $10M+ 00:09:35 - Best Way to Acquire Customers in 2024 00:11:32 - Real Impacts of AI in Marketing 00:17:37 - Efficiency vs. Ad Spend Trade-off 00:20:27 - How to Get Customer Reviews 00:22:57 - Encouraging Social Media Reviews Effectively 00:29:12 - Predicting Retail Bankruptcies in 2024 00:31:56 - Switching from Amazon to DTC: Survival Tips 00:36:00 - Moiz’s Final Sign-Off   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma   Follow Moiz: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

Nik’s taken a breather for this ep, so you know what that means… Time for Moiz to hound his latest guest with the questions Nik is too afraid to ask. This week, he’s taking on Sharoon Thomas, CEO and founder of fulfil.io, to figure out WTF an ERP system is actually good for. More importantly, WTF is an ERP system? Sharoon shares his insights into the complexities of running a software business and unravels the many challenges of ERP implementation. Why is it critical to integrate your ERP with other sales channels? And why is marketing the straw that can break any SaaS company's back? Plus, find out why you should be considering Fulfil over big dogs like Netsuite (not that, uh... Sharoon’s biased or anything), and discover Sharoon’s plans for Fulfil’s future.   Fulfil is an ERP built for 8 and 9-figure brands focused on driving customer delight. With direct integrations and ops automation, we help you run a fast warehouse or streamline 3PL connections.   Visit fulfil.io to learn more.   00:01:48 - Building a Successful ERP System 00:04:59 - Why Businesses Use ERP Systems 00:13:51 - Building an Internal Feature Ecosystem 00:15:23 - Software for Managing Large Warehouses 00:15:58 - Building a Strong Engineering Team 00:26:08 - TikTok Shop Integration for Businesses 00:29:08 - Understanding Fulfillment in Business Operations 00:29:54 - Building an Efficient ERP System 00:37:35 - Understanding Churn Rates in Business 00:46:31 - Implementing Marketing Strategies for Success 00:57:00 - Stock Options: Long-Term Investment Strategy 00:58:31 - When to Raise Prices in Business 01:02:44 - Buying Shares Shows Business Discipline   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma   Follow Moiz: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali

You asked, we listened. That’s right– you wanted to hear more about Open Store, so Nik pulled Trent Riggs (President of OpenStore) and Lukas Judodihardjo (Head of Operations at OpenStore) onto the pod to break down the ways that they’re revolutionizing the Shopify ecosystem.  Trent and Lukas explain what it’s like to represent over 100,000 different Shopify brands– and what your DTC needs to know about how they view the little guys. Together, they unpack their acquisition strategy, highlighting their adept use of generative AI for creative content and the tech they're building to keep up with their growing portfolio of 40+ brands and over 2 million customers. What do two of the biggest pioneers in the DTC community have to say about succeeding in the increasingly competitive, community-driven e-commerce landscape? And what are their plans for sustaining growth OpenStore’s growth well into the future?  Only Mr. Sharma can get the answers to the questions you’ve been dying to ask.  Fulfil is an ERP built for 8 and 9-figure brands focused on driving customer delight. With direct integrations and ops automation, we help you run a fast warehouse or streamline 3PL connections.  Visit fulfil.io to learn more. 00:00:40 - Quick Background on Lukas and Trenton’s Roles at OpenStore 00:04:33 - How OpenStore’s Mission Has Changed Over the Years 00:05:54 - How Does OpenStore’s Business Model Work? 00:08:47 - The Different Verticals of OpenStore 00:13:06 - What Makes a Business Enticing to OpenStore? 00:20:53 - Discoverability Strategies for Siloed Brands 00:25:54 - The Structure of Managing 50 Brands and 2 Million Customers 00:30:14 - Bulk Discounts Available for Openstore 00:36:41 - Why is The Average Brand Struggling With Growth? 00:39:33 - Building Technology for Brand Growth 00:42:58 - OpenStore's Approach to Testing and Validating New Tech 00:42:46 - Don't Forget Loyal Customers as You Scale 00:45:23 - Advice From Experiences Operating OpenStore Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts. Connect With Lukas Judodihardjo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukasjudodihardjo/  Connect With Trent Riggs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentonriggs/ Follow Nik: Twitter: twitter.com/mrsharma Follow Moiz: Twitter: twitter.com/moizali

Goodbye, Shopify. See ya later, Etsy. Hasta la vista… Amazon???\ Yeah, we said it. Temu has the power to compete with Amazon. Has the Chinese drop shipping company grown too powerful to defeat? Or can our old-school favorites find a way to slay the DTC giant? Nik and Moiz discuss the looming threat of Temu to several major e-commerce retailers. What strategies do they need to stay relevant? Plus, what would it take for Outdoor Voices to crawl out of the grave they dug themselves into? Hear us out— it’s definitely not impossible... The guys also discuss the latest acquisition of Asian noodle company, Omsom, by DDC. What, if anything, does it mean for other Asian DTCs like immi, FLY BY Jing, and Sanzo? And later in the episode, Nik declares arbitrage. When is it okay to use arbitrage in the DTC community, and are there any ethical concerns? Well, if we know anything… at the very least, we definitely know where Moiz stands on the issue.   Streamline your entire operations process, from accounting and order management to inventory and warehouse management, manufacturing production, and EDI integration. Providing a single source of truth for your business, Fulfil offers real-time insights, automates tedious tasks, and ensures you never miss a sale. Learn more at https://www.fulfil.io   Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik’s DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik and Moiz’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma   Follow Moiz: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/moizali