Podcast
The Unofficial Shopify Podcast
Hosted by Kurt Elster, Paul Reda · EN
NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY, SUBSCRIBE FOR UNBEATABLE ECOM RECON – Every Tuesday since 2014, host Kurt Elster shares the Shopify success stories that nobody tells you about, straight from the entrepreneurs living it. Subscribe for a raw look at what it really takes to succeed on Shopify.
44episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The First Shop Mini
Jan 1500:26:31Tap to summarize"Shop has this amazing opportunity to convert shoppers into people that are being entertained by shoppable content."Bill Staley built the first Shop Mini to launch on Shopify's Shop app. Food Social brings 10,000+ shoppable recipes to 200 million potential users. We dig into why Shop is Shopify's most underrated channel, how personalization matches recipes to purchase history, and why intent-based shopping beats interruption marketing every time.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSFood Social: https://foodsocial.ioFood Social App (iOS & Android): Search "Food Social" in app storesEmail Bill: bill@foodsocial.ioWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
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The Period Brand That Won $1.5M in Pitch Contests
Jan 1300:48:53Tap to summarizeDana Roberts spent years watching fifth-grade girls panic through their first periods with ill-fitting products and no preparation. The period care aisle hadn't changed in decades. Same brands. Same sizing that was never designed for a 10-year-old's body. When she pitched the idea to her god-sister, Dr. Monica Williams, she got a polite brush-off. Years later, Monica's own daughter started showing signs of puberty, and suddenly the problem wasn't theoretical anymore.What followed was a brutal education in bootstrapping: churning through agencies, surviving iOS 14.5, and funding an entire company through pitch competitions because traditional VCs wouldn't write checks. Last year, a three-minute pitch won them $1 million from Pharrell Williams. Then Ulta told them to change their name if they wanted shelf space. They did it in 90 days.Now Scarlet by RedDrop is in almost 400 stores trying to fix something the industry ignored for generations. We talked about all of it, including the part where Monica says she wishes she'd never bootstrapped at all.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSScarlet by RedDrop: tryreddrop.comUlta product page: ulta.com/brand/scarlet-by-reddropBlack Ambition Prize: blackambitionprize.comKlaviyo: klaviyo.comSmart Marketer: smartmarketer.comWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
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The €330M Exit Guy Shares His Europe Playbook
Jan 600:47:52Tap to summarize"We were close to closing the company two or three times. Every winter was like, okay, that's it. Goodbye company."Chris Erthel built Meller sunglasses from a Spanish side project into a brand that sells a pair every 28 seconds. Along the way, he helped scale HelloBody from €30M to €107M as fractional CMO before its €330M exit to Henkel. We talked about why US brands fail in Europe, the cultural quirks that kill conversions in Germany, and why Italy requires cash on delivery or you're dead on arrival. He's run 3,500+ A/B tests and shares counterintuitive findings that challenge everything you think you know about landing pages and ad creative.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSMeller Brand: https://mellerbrand.com/Weavy AI: https://www.weavy.ai/Rory Flynn (AI Content): https://www.instagram.com/_roryflynn_/Chris Erthel LinkedIn: https://es.linkedin.com/in/chriserthelDiscount Code: CHRISERTHEL (highest discount ever at Meller)WORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
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Reinventing Oral Care: The Slate Flosser Story
Feb 11, 202500:42:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, Brynn Snyder, co-founder of Slate Flosser, shares how she and her dentist husband tackled one of the most overlooked aspects of health—flossing. Together, they reimagined oral care with a product that could prevent gum disease, heart issues, and more.But flossing is just the beginning. This episode dives into their journey through a $194K Kickstarter campaign, battling knockoffs on Amazon, and scaling a Shopify store with sustainability and innovation at its core.Brynn reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating a physical product, why subscription models are key to recurring revenue, and how staying passionate can make or break your business.Flossing might not seem revolutionary—until you hear this story.Show LinksSlate FlosserKickstarter CampaignSlate Flosser on AmazonSponsorsCleverific: https://cleverific.com/unofficialZipify: http://zipify.com/KURTAddress Validator: https://www.addressvalidator.com/Work with KurtGrow your Shopify store with me: https://ethercycle.com/applySee our recent client successes: https://ethercycle.com/work
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Building Frizz + Co: Haircare, Shopify, and Community
Feb 4, 202500:46:52Tap to summarizeBuilding Frizz + Co: Haircare, Shopify, and CommunityDaphné Eastmond ditched the CPA grind to create Frizz + Co, a brand that says screw the stigma and celebrates textured hair. From her raw startup struggles to her bold in-person events, Daphne shares how she’s making haircare personal—and real.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Daphne left accounting to launch Frizz + Co.How her personal hair struggles inspired a hero product.The scrappy marketing tactics that worked (and the ones that didn’t).How in-person events became her secret growth weapon.Lessons from bootstrapping, product seeding, and building a Shopify brand.Links Mentioned:Frizz + Co: https://frizzhair.coConnect with Daphne: Instagram @frizz.coSponsors:Zipify: http://zipify.com/KURTCleverific: https://cleverific.com/unofficialBoost Filter & Search: https://apps.shopify.com/product-filter-searchCTA:Subscribe for more Shopify insights and stories like this! [Insert subscription link]
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Why Shopify’s Planet App is Good for Business (and the Earth)
Jan 28, 202500:47:23Tap to summarize“Why not try it? Planet is low-risk, easy to configure, and can have a meaningful impact on your brand and the planet.”Discover how Shopify Planet helps merchants make a positive environmental impact while boosting customer trust and conversions. David Vranicar, Shopify’s sustainability operations lead, explains how this innovative app enables carbon-neutral shipping with zero hassle. Learn how it works, why it benefits your business, and what it means for your customers.Show LinksShopify Planet: https://apps.shopify.com/planetReach out to the Planet team: planet [at] shopify.comSponsors:Zipify: http://zipify.com/KURTCleverific: https://cleverific.com/unofficialBoost Filter & Search: https://apps.shopify.com/product-filter-searchWork with Kurt:Grow your Shopify store with me: https://ethercycle.com/applySee our recent client successes: https://ethercycle.com/workJoin my newsletter for Shopify insights: https://kurtelster.com/🎙️ The Unofficial Shopify Podcast – Your go-to resource for actionable ecommerce insights.
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Montana Knife Company: American-Made Knife Empire
Jan 21, 202500:49:57Tap to summarizeWhat if your side hustle turned into an 8-figure brand selling out every week?Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DxGxZ20rfQIMontana Knife Company’s Brandon Horoho shares the journey from launching during COVID to building a global brand rooted in American manufacturing. Discover how MKC redefined success with transparency, customer engagement, and relentless marketing.Episode Highlights:Why MKC chose Shopify as their platform and how it drives their success.The secrets behind MKC’s 120+ consecutive weekly product sellouts.How owning your email list can outshine ad spend.Building a thriving direct-to-consumer brand in a competitive market.The challenges and rewards of investing in local manufacturing.What’s next for MKC: Pocket knives and a 50,000 sq. ft. facility.About Brandon Horoho:Brandon Horoho is the co-founder and CMO of Montana Knife Company, an American-made knife brand that has taken the DTC world by storm. With weekly product drops and an obsessive focus on quality, MKC has grown from a garage startup to an 8-figure powerhouse in just four years.Show LinksMontana Knife Company: https://montanaknifecompany.comFollow MKC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montanaknifecompanyWork with Kurt: https://ethercycle.com/Sponsors:Cleverific: https://cleverific.com/unofficialZipify: http://zipify.com/KURTAddress Validator: https://www.addressvalidator.com/Work with Kurt:Grow your Shopify store with me: https://ethercycle.com/applySee our recent client successes: https://ethercycle.com/work
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Growing a Supps Brand to $70M in 2.5 Years
Jan 14, 202500:51:41Tap to summarizeDevyn Merklin, former CMO of Livingood Daily, shares the raw truth behind scaling a supplement brand to $70M in annual revenue. From relentless testing to mastering Shopify funnels, Devyn provides a thoughtful analysis of the strategies that worked, the mistakes that taught valuable lessons, and how brands can apply these insights to their own growth journeys.LinksPeopleDevyn MerklinDr. Blake LivingoodEzra FirestoneRandall PitchRussell BrunsonBrandsHooniganLivingood DailyOffsetSmart MarketerAppsPrintfulViralSweepToolsKajabiClickFunnelsServicesFlippaEmpire FlippersBuyBizSellThe XScaleSponsorsZipifyCleverificBoost Filter & SearchHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.Never miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletter
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Avoiding CRO myths
Jan 7, 202500:45:19Tap to summarize“Look, if you redesign your grocery store and I can’t find the chicken or checkout clerk I like, I’m shopping somewhere else.”How do you turn clicks into customers without falling for CRO myths? Oliver Kenyon, CEO of ConversionWise, exposes the lazy habits holding Shopify stores back and shares proven strategies to boost sales. It’s all about clarity, problem-solving, and delivering customer value—no gimmicks, just real results. This episode is packed with actionable insights to transform your Shopify store into a revenue machine.LinksOliver KenyonOliver's ConversionWiseKurt Elster (Host)SponsorsZipifyCleverificBoost Filter & SearchHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.Never miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletter
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How This Athlete Built a $10M Sock Brand
Dec 31, 202400:43:22Tap to summarize"I wanted to create a product that could be the yoga pant for the foot."Rob Fraser, former pro cyclist and the founder of Outway, believes socks should do more than cover your feet. Drawing from his background in sport, Fraser has crafted a brand that blends durability with everyday style. In this episode, he shares the unlikely story of how a thousand-dollar loan sparked a $10 million business, tapping into the potential of a $50 billion market. What follows is a lesson in resilience, as Fraser discusses growth, innovation, and the quest to make socks worthy of serious consumer loyalty.Links:Rob Fraser – Founder of Outway, former pro cyclist and Canadian national team memberOutway – Rob Fraser's sock brandShopify – Platform Outway uses for their e-commerce siteShopify Bundles App – Used by Outway for product bundlingSponsorsZipifyCleverificOmnisendHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.Never miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletter
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