Honest Ecommerce

Laura Andersen is the owner and managing director of AlumiTubs. Made to handle it all, AlumiTubs is made to last for generations. Obsessively designed to outperform and outlast, it's the classic cedar hot tub, upgraded for a lifetime of performance.
AlumiTubs is 100% Canadian handcrafted from materials made to stand the test of time. It’s perfect for the backcountry or the backyard, with flex heating for 365 days of use, wherever you find your escape. 
With 1000s in the wild since 2001, AlumiTubs are home to Canada, now available for properties across the globe. Where artistry, craftsmanship, and considered design intersect, the AlumiTubs wood fired, electric and hybrid hot tubs come in 3 sizes with endless heat options, advanced filtration for at-home use, a 50% bigger firebox and 3 layers of insulation for less smoke, less water, and nothing wasted along the way.
It is not an average hot tub, AlumiTubs is guaranteed to get hot and stay hot, no matter how cold it is outside. Bringing people and those they share it with, closer to nature. AlumiTubs was made for more of the good stuff.
In This Conversation We Discuss:
[00:00] Intro
[00:40] Sponsor: Taboola
[01:53] Spotting demand beyond your original offer
[03:14] Balancing careers while building a startup
[06:04] Bringing an offline product to the internet
[08:55] Sponsor: Next Insurance
[10:08] Applying career skills to a new venture
[13:49] Letting users shape your marketing message
[15:40] Optimizing basic SEO for discovery
[17:55] Sponsor: Electric Eye
[19:03] Balancing capacity with customer trust
[23:17] Complementing skills to build longevity
[26:00] Building a business on a great product
[28:46] Callouts
[28:56] Hedging bets while testing business ideas
[31:10] Adding value without reinventing the wheel
Resources:
Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
Wood-fired & electric cedar hot tubs alumitubs.com/
Follow Laura Andersen linkedin.com/in/lauraandersendigitalmarketing/  
Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/
Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest
Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect
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!

Rima Mattok is the Director of Demand Generation at Taboola, where she leads the global acquisition and engagement strategy of Realize, a performance advertising platform focused on driving measurable results for brands. 
With a background in user engagement, Rima brings a deep understanding of audience behavior and conversion optimization—experience that shapes her approach to helping marketers scale efficiently across channels. 
In This Conversation We Discuss: 
[00:00] Intro
[01:09] Getting to know the new product, Realize 
[02:33] Facing rising ad costs across platforms
[04:22] Launching before peak season to save costs
[07:10] Questioning the myth that more budget wins
[09:31] Challenging the idea that AI replaces strategy
[11:30] Callouts
[11:40] Unlocking incremental growth on the open web
[14:16] Testing new channels with wise budgets
[15:17] Running quarterly moonshot experiments
Resources:
Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
Performance beyond search and social taboola.com/
The performance built for advertisers realize.com/
Follow Rima Sherman Mattok linkedin.com/in/rima-sherman-mattok-93282739/
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!

Monica Rich Kosann is an internationally recognized fine jewelry brand based in New York. Rooted in the idea that every woman has a story to tell, the collection encompasses lockets, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that inspire and empower the wearer. 
The eponymous label was founded in 2004 by Designer and Chief Creative Officer Monica Rich Kosann–member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America–as an extension of her passion for fine art photography and storytelling. She runs the company with her husband Rod, who serves as CEO.
A Certified B Corporation working to meet the highest standards of quality and excellence, Monica Rich Kosann crafts sustainable heritage pieces that are made ethically and responsibly. The brand is sold in over 120 retailers across the country, has three free standing stores - two in New York and one at Somerset Collection in Troy, a shop at Bergdorf Goodman and a robust direct-to-consumer business. 
Designed using 18K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver, Monica Rich Kosann designs precious gemstones and diamonds to ensure quality that lasts from generation-to-generation as modern heirlooms. 
A favorite with celebrities, Monica Rich Kosann pieces have been worn by incredible women throughout the years including Kelly Clarkson, Allison Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gisele Bundchen.
In This Conversation We Discuss: 
[00:00] Intro
[00:37] Sponsor: Taboola
[01:54] Inspiring growth through authentic vision
[06:58] Persisting through early business rejection
[10:11] Building momentum through supportive communities
[11:10] Sponsor: Next Insurance
[12:41] Diversifying channels to reach more customers
[16:32] Callouts
[16:42]  Enhancing products through storytelling
[21:00] Strengthening brands through right partnerships 
[24:02] Sponsor: Electric Eye
[25:10] Building dedicated teams that enjoy their craft
[26:19] Focusing business principles around your “Why”
[28:02] Finding your unique approach and sticking with it
Resources:
Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerce?sub_confirmation=1
Lockets, fine jewelry, and luxury gifts monicarichkosann.com
Follow Monica Rich Kosann linkedin.com/company/monica-rich-kosann
Follow Rod Kosann linkedin.com/in/rodkosann
Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest  
Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business www.nextinsurance.com/honest  
Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect  
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!

Matt Ezyk has decades of experience building, scaling and leading digital commerce technology and strategy at some of the most innovative companies in the world. 
Matt serves as Senior Director of Engineering, Ecommerce at Hanna Andersson which is a leading direct-to-consumer premium children's apparel and lifestyle brand. Prior to joining Hanna Andersson, he led digital at Pet Supermarket with oversight of product and engineering. 
Additionally he served as Director of Functional Architecture and Director of PMO at RafterOne (f/k/a PixelMedia) with operational oversight of teams working with iconic brands like Skechers and LL Bean. Matt also served in progressive leadership roles at Accenture, Merkle (f/k/a LiveArea) and several startups working with hundreds of global brands like Uniqlo, Disney, Revlon, Tapestry and many more. 
Matt brings to retailers and DTC brands a deep expertise in developing and implementing diverse end-to-end commerce strategies. 
In This Conversation We Discuss: 
[00:00] Intro
[00:24] Sponsor: Taboola
[01:41] Connecting tech decisions to business growth
[04:36] Comparing agency and brand-side perspectives
[07:24] Sponsor: Next Insurance
[08:37] Delivering progress customers can feel
[09:58] Choosing platforms based on business maturity
[13:03] Callouts
[13:13] Auditing tech to recover lost conversions
[15:31] Reducing redundancy to improve performance
[17:47] Evaluating third-party tools for value
[19:36] Sponsor: Electric Eye
[20:44] Improving conversion with UX and engineering
[22:25] Augmenting team expertise with AI tools
[27:46] Balancing speed with long-term scalability
Resources:
Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
Kids clothes from playtime to bedtime hannaandersson.com/
Follow Matt Ezyk linkedin.com/in/mezyk
Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/
Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/
Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect
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!

Robert Khachatryan is the founder and CEO of Freight Right Global Logistics, a Los Angeles–based international freight forwarder. A lifelong entrepreneur, Robert began his business journey at age nine selling newspapers on the streets of Yerevan. 
A member of the Board of Advisors at USC’s Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute, Robert founded Freight Right in 2007 during the global financial crisis with a vision to modernize freight forwarding through technology and execution excellence. 
Today, Freight Right is recognized as a leading innovator in logistics and a trusted launch partner for emerging supply chain technologies. Robert’s insights have been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, the Journal of Commerce, FreightWaves, and the Los Angeles Times, and he has spoken at leading industry events including TPM, FreightTech, and the USC Supply Chain Summit. 
In This Conversation We Discuss: 
[00:00] Intro
[01:08] Taking the leap during economic uncertainty
[03:45] Eliminating shipping delays that kill buyer intent
[09:04] Building Ecommerce solution around freight hurdles
[11:05] Callouts
[11:16] Bridging commercial freight and ecommerce needs
[13:29] Identifying hidden customer pain points early
[15:45] Building an MVP from customer feedback
[18:00] Rethinking traditional processes to reduce cost
[20:41] Unlocking new markets with minimal effort
Resources:
Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
International Freight Forwarder freightright.com/
Follow Robert Khachatryan linkedin.com/in/khachatryanrobert
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!