Podcast
Shopify Happy Hour
Hosted by Dan Cassidy · EN
Hear from Shopify founders, operators and experts on growth marketing strategies, lessons learned from the trenches, and other nuggets of wisdom shared over a different drink each episode.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building a Supplement Brand with No Shortcuts and a Lot of Hustle with Zac Curhan
2w ago00:46:01Tap to summarizeLaunching a supplement brand is hard enough but building one around clean ingredients, outdoor performance, and spiritual alignment instead of hype and artificial formulas? That’s a very different approach to wellness.In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Zac Curhan, co-founder of Truwild, a natural supplement brand creating clean hydration, kombucha, and performance products for people who push beyond the gym. From bootstrapping the company with just $5,000 to scaling across Amazon, Shopify, wholesale, and TikTok, Zac shares how intuition, adaptability, and relentless experimentation shaped Truwild into a growing force in the supplement space.You’ll hear how Zac:Built Truwild from scratch with just $5K and reinvested profits to grow the business organically.Created products designed for hikers, surfers, endurance athletes, and outdoor adventurers — not just gym culture.Developed unique formulations using natural caffeine, kombucha powder, electrolytes, amino acids, and functional ingredients.Leveraged customer feedback and surveys to shape future products, flavors, and packaging formats.Pivoted away from underperforming SKUs and learned difficult inventory lessons along the way.Used Amazon as a primary growth engine while strategically narrowing focus across sales channels.Built wholesale relationships through cold calls, product seeding, and direct outreach to independent retailers.Used TikTok seeding campaigns, local events, and brand collaborations to drive organic awareness and traffic.We also get into the bigger picture:Why electrolytes are far more important than most people realize.The realities of building a profitable supplement brand without outside funding.Why customer reviews and social proof are critical in modern e-commerce.How TikTok, Amazon, and organic content now work together in the customer buying journey.Using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and automation systems to streamline operations and decision-making.Zac’s philosophy around meditation, intuition, spirituality, and connecting to a “higher self” for entrepreneurial growth.🌿 Whether you’re an e-commerce founder, wellness enthusiast, or someone interested in the intersection of business, health, and personal growth, this episode is packed with practical lessons and unconventional insights.Brands & Mentions:TruwildAmazonShopifyWhole FoodsGT's KombuchaRed BullHOKAChatGPTClaudeOpenClawRolflexChapters:00:00 Introduction to Truwild & Its Mission02:45 Why Electrolytes Matter More Than You Think05:20 Reinventing Kombucha as a Powder08:10 Building Truwild with Just $5K11:00 Early Product Development & Scaling Challenges13:30 Why Amazon Became the Core Growth Channel16:20 Organic Marketing, TikTok, & Community Events19:00 Influencer Seeding & Brand Collaborations22:15 The Realities of Paid Ads in Supplements24:00 Wholesale Strategy & Cold Calling Retailers32:30 Customer Feedback, Product Iteration, & SKU Decisions35:40 Meditation, Spirituality, & Entrepreneurial Intuition40:40 Using AI & Automation to Scale E-commerce Operations
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How Smearcase Is Building a New Kind of Ice Cream Brand with Joe Rotondo
Mar 2500:30:06Tap to summarizeLaunching a food brand is never easy — but creating an entirely new category like frozen cottage cheese ice cream? That’s a different level of bold.In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Joe Rotundo, founder of Smearcase, the first and only frozen cottage cheese dessert brand built for people who want indulgence and clean, protein-packed ingredients. From a late-night craving for a healthier dessert to landing on shelves at major retailers, Joe shares how relentless action, rapid iteration, and authentic storytelling helped turn a simple idea into a fast-growing CPG brand.You’ll hear how Joe: Turned a DIY mix of cottage cheese, honey, and fruit into a brand-new product category. Went from idea to market testing in just a few months by prioritizing speed and feedback. Partnered with his sister early on to develop recipes and refine the product. Used real-world validation (not just friends and family) to shape flavors, branding, and positioning. Navigated early production, co-packing, and a 5,000-pint launch strategy. Leveraged trade shows like Fancy Food Show to land meetings with major retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts. Built momentum through in-person demos, networking, and relationship-first outreach. Embraced a polarizing brand name — and why standing out mattered more than pleasing everyone. We also get into the bigger picture: Why “healthy ice cream” is broken — and how Smearcase is redefining indulgence with real ingredients. The power of relentless execution vs. overthinking in early-stage startups. How founders can validate ideas quickly without overbuilding. Why human relationships still beat cold emails and LinkedIn pitches in CPG. Organic social strategy — and how to create content that actually feels authentic (even if you’re busy or camera-shy). The realities of launching in retail, scaling distribution, and building a brand from scratch. 🍦 Whether you’re a founder, fitness-minded foodie, or someone curious about how new food categories are born, Joe’s story is a masterclass in speed, simplicity, and showing up consistently.Brands & Mentions:SmearcaseWhole FoodsSprouts Farmers MarketFancy Food ShowGood CultureHY.QREIDick's Sporting GoodsChapters:00:00 Introduction to Smearcase 02:00 The “healthy dessert” problem 05:30 From idea to action (June 2023 origin story) 08:45 Validating the product in the real world 12:00 Branding, flavor iteration, and feedback loops 16:20 Breaking into retail & first production run 20:00 Building relationships with buyers 23:00 Organic marketing & content strategy 26:00 Founder mindset and execution philosophy 29:00 Speed round & personal insights 31:00 What’s next for Smearcase
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From Family Farm to Grocery Aisles: How Lottie’s Meats Is Elevating the Pork Category
Dec 1000:44:47Tap to summarizeLaunching a CPG brand is always a grind — but reinventing pork sausage with chef-crafted recipes, premium cuts, and a sixth-generation family farm story? That’s a whole new challenge.In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Cassie Maschhoff, co-founder of Lottie’s Meats, the sister-run brand elevating pork with gourmet sausages and ground blends made from real ingredients, responsible sourcing, and culinary craftsmanship. Cassie shares how she and her sister Chelsea turned family heritage and Michelin-level technique into one of the most exciting new meat brands on the market.You’ll hear how Cassie:Transformed a sixth-generation Illinois family farm legacy into a modern, premium pork brand.Partnered with her chef-trained sister to craft sausages using only pork loin, pork shoulder, and clean, real ingredients.Navigated nine different co-packers to finally find partners who could uphold their exacting standards.Built early traction through restaurant partnerships, farmers markets, pop-ups, and brewery takeovers in Denver.Created cult-favorite products like The Lottie and perfected flavors through years of behind-the-scenes R&D.Balanced the demands of cold-chain logistics, short shelf life, and monthly production while still growing fast.We also get into the bigger picture:Why pork has gotten a bad rap — and how Lottie’s is changing that perception.The operational realities (and chaos) of scaling a perishable food brand.How retail, DTC, and food service each play their own role in Lottie’s growth.Why differentiation, quality, and ironclad non-negotiables matter when working with co-packers.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a modern food brand — from sourcing to storytelling to scaling in an unforgiving supply chain — this conversation is full of hard-won lessons and real-world strategies.🍽️ Whether you’re a foodie, a founder, or someone fascinated by how craft brands break through, Cassie’s story is proof that pork can be premium, purposeful, and genuinely delicious again.Brands & Mentions: Scribe Winery Nugget Markets US Foods Get Right’s Bakery Culinary Institute of America Maine Beer Company (“Lunch” IPA) Lottie’s Family Pork Farm NetworkShooka SauceJennies HouseRealsyChapters00:00 Introduction to Lottie's Meats02:48 Crafting Quality Sausages05:41 Navigating Co-Packing Challenges08:48 The Founder's Journey11:32 Scaling and Distribution Strategies14:20 Innovative Marketing Approaches17:25 Product Development and Consumer Feedback20:07 E-commerce and Digital Marketing Strategies23:05 Community Engagement and Partnerships25:59 Speed Round and Personal Insights
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Launching a Non-Alcoholic Beer Brand on Shopify: Lessons from Go Brewing
Aug 1600:49:00Tap to summarizeLaunching a consumer brand is never easy — but launching a brewery without alcohol? That’s a whole new challenge.In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, I sit down with Joe Chura, founder of Go Brewing, the non-alcoholic beer brand redefining how we think about social drinking. Joe shares his journey from idea to launch, the countless recipe iterations, and the marketing moves that helped Go Brewing quickly find its place in a competitive industry.You’ll hear how Joe:Turned a personal vision into one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic breweries in the U.S.Perfected the brewing process through relentless testing and innovation.Built an online-first business with Shopify at the core of its growth strategy.Leveraged subscriptions to create community and recurring revenue.Collected and used customer feedback to guide new products and campaigns.Balanced storytelling, social media, and PR to build credibility and excitement.We also dig into the bigger picture:Why health-conscious consumers are fueling the non-alcoholic movement.How “hybrid drinking” is changing beverage culture.Where Joe sees opportunities in THC-infused beverages and beyond.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a modern CPG brand — from brewing to branding to building community — this conversation will inspire and challenge you.🍺 Whether you’re sober curious, an entrepreneur, or just fascinated by where consumer trends are heading, Joe’s story is proof that you don’t need alcohol to build a buzz-worthy brand.Brands mentioned:Go BrewingEasy ManRich Roll75 HardHeinekenAthletic BrewingBuilding a Story Brand by Donald MillerJust for MenSimpler Hair ColorNaperville Running CompanyJolieChapters00:00Introduction to Go Brewing and Non-Alcoholic Beers07:33The Journey to Starting Go Brewing15:33Brewing Process and Challenges19:59Launching and Marketing Go Brewing28:24Subscription Model and Customer Engagement37:52Future Trends in Non-Alcoholic Beverages
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Turning Pistachios into Profit: How Pistakio Cracked the Nut Butter Category
Jul 1000:29:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Francine Voit, co-founder of Pistakio, to talk about how she turned an underused nut into a standout brand — and made pistachios fun, accessible, and delicious for everyone.Fran shares the inside story of how Pistakio started as a college capstone project, went viral with creative sampling stunts (including a tiramisu purse that made it through TSA!), and grew into a fast-scaling DTC and retail brand — all while staying taste-first and relentlessly scrappy.You’ll hear: ✅ The simple sampling strategy that built word-of-mouth and early traction ✅ How Pistakio turned customer feedback into product improvements ✅ Creative ways they inspire customers to use their spreads in everyday recipes ✅ Why taste-first product development beats trendy buzzwords ✅ How Fran thinks about growing retail, DTC, and content — without paid adsIf you love founder stories packed with practical CPG marketing lessons and organic growth tactics, this one’s for you.Tune in, grab a snack (maybe a pistachio or two), and enjoy!Products and brands mentioned during this episode include:PistakioFaireBezi LabnehLottie's MeatsMichele FerreroChapters00:00 Introduction to Pistachio and Francine Voit02:27 The Inspiration Behind Pistachio Products05:25 Product Development and Market Entry09:04 Sampling Strategy and Initial Sales14:39 Balancing Direct-to-Consumer and Retail Sales17:46 Viral Marketing and Content Creation19:55 Retail Partnerships and Growth Strategies21:50 Advice for Aspiring Founders24:09 Speed Round and Personal Insights
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Managing 45+ Shopify Stores with Dov Quint of OpenStore
May 19, 202500:51:43Tap to summarizeHow do you scale and optimize 45+ Shopify stores without losing your mind—or your margins?In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan Cassidy sits down with Dov Quint, Storefronts Lead at OpenStore, to explore the playbook he’s built for operating dozens of DTC brands at scale.You’ll hear:How OpenStore standardizes tech stacks without sacrificing performanceWhy A/B testing offers (and pricing) is non-negotiableCreative growth tactics like cashback offers that boosted list opt-ins by 40%What Shopify brands are doing to navigate tariffs without raising pricesA smart strategy for post-purchase revenue (that won’t annoy your customers)How AI is being used for CRO, analytics, and review miningWhy Dov is leading a mission-driven eCommerce delegation to Israel this fallPlus, hear Dov and Dan crack a Blue Moon and discuss ASMR marketing and whether your mom should test your website (spoiler: yes).🎧 Tune in for a masterclass in operational excellence, CRO tactics, and why sometimes the best feedback comes from your mom.Show Notes:🍻 Drinks of the Day:Dan: Blue Moon (bottle)Dov: Blue Moon 19oz can with bonus ASMR pour📍 Guest Info:Dov Quint Storefronts Lead, OpenStore Mission Lead, Israel Tech Mission Connect on LinkedIn📘 Books Mentioned:The Five Types of Wealth by Sahil BloomShoe Dog by Phil Knight🧰 Tools & Tech Stack Shoutouts:Rebuy – Smart upsells & cross-sellsOkendo – Reviews, UGC, and surveysReplo – Landing page builderFermat – Embedded shopping experiencesFondue – Cashback instead of discountsOnward – Post-purchase insurance + experience layerIntelliGems – A/B testing for price, offers, landing pagesMicrosoft Clarity – Free heat mapping toolHeatmap.com – Revenue-based behavior analytics🛍️ Brands Mentioned:Jack Archer – DTC men’s performance apparel brandJolie – Luxury filtered showerhead with powerful DTC funnelBrez – THC-infused sparkling beveragesHexClad – Hybrid cookware (Jason Panzer mentioned as Tech Mission guest)✈️ Israel Tech Mission (September 2025):Curated trip for eCommerce founders, execs, and investorsDates: Sept 14–18, 2025Led by Dov Quint in partnership with Israel Tech MissionApplication link: https://tinyurl.com/ITM-for-eCommerce-LeadersIncludes: meetings with Israeli tech leaders, Air Force base visit, NOVA site, Jerusalem, and Tel AvivFeatured guest: Jason Panzer, President of HexClad
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From Gut Issues to Product Innovation: Xeba Zareie’s CPG Journey with Preme Foods
Apr 25, 202500:24:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, we sit down with Xeba Zareie—founder of Preme Foods, a wellness-driven CPG brand helping people with chronic illness and sensitive stomachs enjoy indulgent nutrition again.What started as a personal battle with gut health turned into a mission: create functional, prebiotic-powered products that don’t compromise on taste or ingredients. From handmaking puddings to launching a shelf-stable, collagen-rich cocoa mix, Xeba’s story is equal parts resilience, research, and real innovation.We talk about:Why most gut health products on shelves are not made for sensitive stomachsThe difference between prebiotics and probiotics (and why that matters)How Xeba scaled from small-batch to co-manufacturing without compromising qualityWhat most new founders get wrong about packaging, messaging, and retailHer exact process for landing ideal retail partners—including a few bold outreach tacticsWhy powders > puddings (at least to start)If you’re building a wellness brand, formulating a CPG product, or launching on Shopify, this episode is packed with firsthand lessons from the trenches.Also: it’s our Aries birthday episode—cheers to that!Connect with Xeba Zareie Instagram: @x_eba Brand: @drinkpreme More info: drinkpreme.comProducts mentioned during the episode:Zero to One by Peter ThielRamping Your Brand by James F. Richardson PhD7 Laws of Spiritual Success by Deepak ChopraOrganify Shilajit GummiesRevolveErewhonPistakioCharmleeNour DressingChapters00:00Introduction to Preme Foods and Xeba Zareie02:11The Science Behind Gut Health and Nutrition06:18Founder's Journey: From Personal Struggles to Business11:09Scaling Production: Challenges and Solutions12:03Transitioning from Puddings to Powders13:39Navigating Retail Partnerships and Consumer Education19:16Marketing Strategies for D2C Success21:19Lessons Learned and Future Directions
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Ronnie Teja on Building Branzio Watches, Burnout, and the Power of A.I. for E-Commerce
Apr 11, 202500:48:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, Dan sits down with Ronnie Teja, founder of Branzio Watches, to unpack his inspiring journey from picking blueberries as a new immigrant to building a global watch brand with a scrappy $10K start.Ronnie shares real stories of entrepreneurship—burnout, supplier scams, PayPal bans, and team drama—and how he overcame it all by staying relentlessly curious, leaning into AI, and building a brand that now operates with global scale.They also dive into:The early days of Facebook ads and retail media buyingThe mindset shift from performance marketing to brand-buildingHow AI is changing e-commerce—from analytics to ad copyTips on outsourcing, remote teams, and hiring middle managementHis philosophy on leadership, karma, and connecting peopleWhether you're a solo founder, aspiring operator, or scaling ecom brand, this one is packed with gold.👉 Learn more about Ronnie: Just Google his name — he’s everywhere. 🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you tune in.Products / products mentioned:GhostAlibaba 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss Traction by Gino WickmanRockefeller Habits by Verne HarnishNeil PatelBK BeautyThe Big Short by Michael Lewis Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough and John HelyarFour SeasonsChapters00:00Introduction to Shopify Happy Hour02:46Ronny Teja's Journey to E-commerce05:51Lessons from Blueberry Picking08:21Marketing Education at Best Buy11:31Starting Branzio Watches14:12Challenges in E-commerce16:49Navigating Entrepreneurship19:41Building a Team and Leadership22:31The Evolution of Branzio Watches24:50The Evolution of Online Advertising27:10Shifting Mindsets: From Performance to Brand Marketing29:41Current Trends in Performance Marketing31:51Harnessing AI for Marketing and Business Decisions36:31Leveraging AI for Strategic Insights39:48Building a New E-commerce Business from Scratch41:10Choosing the Right Niche for E-commerce43:19Exceptional Customer Experiences in E-commerce45:12The Art of Connection and Networking
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Wine, Wellness and Marketing with Nishal Kumar of No Days Wasted
Apr 3, 202500:42:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, host Dan sits down with Nishal Kumar, founder and CEO of No Days Wasted, a science-backed recovery brand helping people enjoy life’s moments—without paying the price the next day.Over a glass of wine (or two), Nishal shares:How a mountain workout routine and social life led to the idea for No Days WastedThe surprising science behind hangovers—and why DHM is keyBootstrapping the brand with a kitchen-made prototype and $30K in Indiegogo pre-ordersHow early podcast ads on Spittin' Chiclets and Call Her Daddy helped scale DTC salesThe shift from single-channel DTC to a full omnichannel strategy including Walmart, Amazon, and TikTok ShopHis approach to content, virality, and building a trustworthy brand in a crowded marketIf you’ve ever wanted to build a brand that bridges health, science, and social life—or you just want to recover better after a big night out—this episode’s for you.Brands mentioned:No Days WastedMission CocktailsMichelob Gold Kickstarter Indiegogo Biz Nasty aka Paul BissonnetteSpittin Chiclets Call Her Daddy Bar Stool SportsWalmart GoPuffDoorDashShoe Dog by Phil Knight11 Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil JacksonBeck’s Broth Nike Chapters00:00Introduction to No Days Wasted08:52The Science Behind Recovery Supplements17:56From Idea to Market: The Journey of No Days Wasted20:57Building Trust Through Brand Quality21:55From Kickstarter to Brand Growth24:38Leveraging Podcast Advertising for E-commerce27:34The Omnichannel Approach to Marketing31:09Balancing D2C and Retail Strategies33:51Harnessing Organic Social Media for Growth37:07Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
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Healthy Donuts, Big Hustle: The Unfiltered Story Behind the Rise of Glonuts with Kristin Charbo
Mar 29, 202500:32:34Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Shopify Happy Hour, we sit down with Kristin Charbo, co-founder and CEO of glonuts—a clean, craveable donut alternative with just 1g of sugar. Kristin shares the honest story of building glonuts from her one-bedroom apartment kitchen alongside her co-founder (and now husband) Grover, hand-making over 100,000 donuts before scaling to national retail shelves.We dive into how they approached retail without relying on digital ads, why packaging became their best salesperson, the challenges of manufacturing a totally unique product, and how they raised capital the scrappy way. Kristin also opens up about managing PCOS through diet and how that inspired glonuts' mission to make healthy snacking more fun and accessible.Whether you're building a CPG brand or just love a good founder journey, this one’s packed with insights—and donut jokes.Brands mentioned:Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Daisey Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidKifErewhonAlfredNowadaysZaraFrench SquirrelChapters00:00Introduction to glonuts and Healthy Eating06:21The Origin Story of glonuts12:14Challenges in Manufacturing and Fundraising20:13Retail Strategy and Building Relationships24:40Marketing and Brand Differentiation27:48Future Plans for glonuts
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