Honest Ecommerce

• 320 | Turning Customers Into Your Best Marketers | with Brandon Horoho

  Brandon Horoho is a brand builder, e-commerce strategist, and the driving force behind one of the most innovative American-made knife companies. As the Co-Founder, VP, and CMO of Montana Knife Company (MKC), he has transformed a niche product into a multi-million dollar brand with a cult following.Before launching MKC, Brandon spent decades in e-commerce and product marketing, overseeing the launch of 1,500+ products across the outdoor and fitness industries. His expertise in community-driven marketing, scarcity-based sales models, and direct-to-consumer growth strategies has helped MKC scale rapidly—without relying on traditional advertising.Today, Brandon is on a mission to redefine American-made manufacturing in the digital age. Under his leadership, MKC has built a passionate audience of hundreds of thousands, mastering sellout product drops, a unique VIP program, and customer-first engagement strategies. By focusing on transparency, quality, and people-first branding, he’s proving that DTC success isn’t just about sales—it’s about creating a movement.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:41] Intro[00:56] Exploring the evolution of product lines[01:56] Building a brand during the COVID lockdowns[05:05] Scaling from custom batches to forecasting demand[08:48] Mentoring young talent to grow the business[09:38] Using Instagram content to build brand recognition[12:30] Episode Sponsors: StoreTester and Intelligems[15:42] Managing a high return customer rate challenge[16:41] Turning loyal customers into brand ambassadors[19:32] The power of surprise in building brand loyalty[20:38] Scaling product drops with lean manufacturing[22:36] Forecasting product drops 8 months ahead[23:13] Avoiding pre-orders to build trust with customers[24:35] Leveraging American-made for authentic marketingResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeWorking Knives For Working People montanaknifecompany.com/Follow Brandon Horoho linkedin.com/in/brandonhoroho/Book a demo today at intelligems.io/Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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• Bonus Episode: Scaling Without Running Out of Cash with Aaron Schwartz

  Aaron Schwartz is a DTC business builder, investor, and advisor to some of the most innovative commerce tech companies. With a sharp eye for scaling brands and solving complex operational challenges, Aaron has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ecommerce.Before founding Orita, Aaron built a $1M+ watch brand on Shopify, co-founded Passport Shipping to simplify international logistics, and served as the president of Loop Returns, helping brands optimize their post-purchase experience. His hands-on experience across shipping, returns, and AI-driven customer insights makes him a trusted expert in the DTC space.Today, as the founder of Orita, Aaron is on a mission to help brands unlock the power of their customer data. Orita uses AI to analyze millions of data points, enabling brands to make smarter, more profitable marketing and retention decisions. By focusing on machine learning-driven personalization, Aaron is helping DTC brands move beyond guesswork and into data-backed growth strategies.With degrees from Columbia and UC Berkeley Haas, Aaron brings both academic rigor and real-world experience to the table. When he’s not revolutionizing the Ecommerce industry, he’s a dedicated father of two—and pretty funny when he’s not in business mode.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:42] Intro[00:56] Building smarter customer insights with AI[02:48] Switching from brand to SaaS[05:18] Focusing on customers before scaling up[07:04] Solving data problems for brands[08:41] Using machine learning to predict customer behavior[11:04] Updating customer data daily for better marketing[14:18] Investing in AI-powered customer insights[16:33] Filtering out the wrong customers[17:12] Using AI to boost retention[18:34] Finding hidden revenue in your email listResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeGrow sales from existing customers with AI optimization orita.ai/Follow Aaron Schwartz linkedin.com/in/aaroncharlesschwartzIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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• 319 | From Zero Experience to Ecommerce Success | with Johnny Person

  Johnny Person is the Owner and Operator of Aug11 Co, a brand dedicated to creating high-quality, perfectly fitting snapback hats. With no prior experience in Ecommerce, Johnny took a hands-on approach—teaching himself everything from website development to paid ads and email marketing to build a brand that stands out in the crowded apparel space.Before launching Aug11 Co, Johnny ran service-based businesses but always dreamed of creating a product-driven brand. After a transformative personal journey, he found inspiration in honoring a pivotal moment in his life, leading to the creation of Aug11 Co. His commitment to quality, authenticity, and relationship-driven growth has shaped a brand that resonates with customers beyond just the product.Today, Aug11 Co is known for its "quality hats that fit perfectly—guaranteed" promise, ensuring every customer gets the perfect fit or their money back. By leveraging a mix of paid media, organic social, and direct outreach, Johnny has grown Aug11 Co into a brand built on community, trust, and craftsmanship.In This Conversation We Discuss:00:39] Intro[01:16] Pivoting from services to product-based business[06:35] Scaling sales faster than expected[07:58 Learning every part of the business first[10:31] Hiring the right team starts with you[11:52] Soft launching with a password-protected store[12:41] Scaling ad spend from $50 to $500/day[14:00] Episode Sponsors: StoreTester and Intelligems[17:12] Leveraging social media for customer acquisition[18:09] Testing Snapchat ads for new customers[19:32] Scaling customer reach with strategic gifting[20:33] Treating influencer outreach as an investment[22:23] Focusing on recognition over short-term profit[23:15] How a simple email boosted retention[25:38] Turning rock bottom into a brand missionResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeQuality Hats That Fit Perfect, Guaranteed aug11.co/Follow Johnny Person linkedin.com/in/johnnypersonBook a demo today at intelligems.io/Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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• 318 | Transforming a Simple Idea into a Business | with Liam Eriksson

  In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:40] Intro[00:54] Jumping into Business Without Hesitation[01:51] Launching a Brand from a Simple Idea[05:26] Reinventing How Fragrances Are Sold[08:36] Turning a Vision into a Real Product[11:13] Episode Sponsors: StoreTester and Intelligems[14:26] Turning Free Samples into Sales[16:21] Using Starter Kits to Boost Conversions[19:58] Balancing a Startup and a Full-Time Job[22:03] Why Overcomplicating Business Holds You Back[24:44] Finding Success in What You LoveResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeAward-winning colognes and candles guyfox.com/Follow Liam Eriksson linkedin.com/in/liamerikssonBook a demo today at intelligems.io/Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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  26:34
• Bonus Episode: Finding Elite Talent for Your Ecom Business with Tim Masek

  Tim Masek is the CMO of Storetasker, the largest platform to hire high-end Ecommerce talent. With a deep background in growth and Ecommerce enablement, Tim has played a pivotal role in connecting top-tier freelancers with Shopify merchants, helping brands scale with expert support.Before joining Storetasker, Tim founded and sold 1-800-D2C, a go-to platform that helped Ecommerce operators discover the best software solutions. His expertise in building marketplaces and curating specialized talent has made him a sought-after voice in the future of hiring and the evolution of freelance networks in Ecommerce.Passionate about the intersection of talent and technology, Tim continues to shape the way brands access expert freelancers, ensuring that Storetasker remains the trusted hub for Shopify’s growing ecosystem.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:46] Intro[01:04] Connecting brands with top talent[02:33] Targeting specific pain points[04:36] Expanding services strategically[08:20] Finding the right DTC marketer[09:31] Matching talent by industry[10:19] Avoiding marketplace dilution[12:52] Building brand equity first[13:50] Balancing full-time and freelance[17:40] Running lean without full-time hiresResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeConnect With The Best Shopify Experts storetasker.com/Follow Tim Masek linkedin.com/in/timmasek If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

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