The Boring Ecom Podcast

Shopify Mini Series Episode #2: With Patrick Millegan

In this episode, Shopify's Patrick Millegan breaks down how the new customer accounts can drive real revenue - not just manage orders. Learn tactical tips for using this often-overlooked tool to boost retention, increase AOV, and create personalized experiences that actually convert. Plus, hear the inside story of how Shopify is making customer accounts a genuine growth lever for merchants.
Read the Boring Edition from Shopify.
Timestamps(00:40) Episode intro and Patrick's background(03:48) What are customer accounts and why do they matter (06:00) Using customer accounts as a marketing lever (10:01) Examples from brands using customer accounts (17:41) How to edit customer accounts (20:43) Data insights on logged-in customers (22:30) Closing thoughts and getting in touch
Patrick's NotesConnect on LinkedIn, X, or BlueskyPatrick's Business: Keap AthleticsMerchant Example: Homage
 
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Shopify Mini Series Episode #1: With Emma Horner

Ever wonder why the 'boring' stuff matters most? Emma from Shopify's product marketing team joins Richie and Joe to break down why Shopify's latest update is all about making the mundane magnificent. From unverified returns to offline payments, discover how Shopify is fixing those annoying little problems that keep you up at night. Plus, get the inside scoop on how merchant feedback shapes everything Shopify does.
Read the Boring Edition from Shopify.
Timestamps(0:38) Emma's Journey: From Brains to Brands (03:48) Introduction to Shopify Editions (05:58) The Boring Edition Explained(7:15) Merchant Feedback & Feature Breakdown (12:12) How to Provide Feedback to Shopify (14:55) Behind the Scenes at Shopify (16:32) Where to Find Emma
 
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Announcing A Boring Shopify Mini Series

Get ready for something different - The Boring Ecom Podcast is teaming up with Shopify for a 4-episode mini-series diving deep into their latest Boring Edition update. Join Richie and Joe as they sit down with the Shopify team to break down the most impactful (but less talked about) features that could transform your store. No fluff, no hype - just actionable insights from the people who built it.

The Beginner's Guide to Boring Retention Marketing

Ever wondered how brands like Feastables turn first-time buyers into superfans? Join Richie Mashiko (She's Birdie) and Joe Siegel (Feastables) as they spill the tea on retention marketing - from building killer email flows to creating Discord communities that actually work. No fluff, just actionable strategies that have helped scale multiple 8-figure brands. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your retention game, this episode packs everything you need to know about keeping customers coming back for more. Plus, hear the embarrassing story of how Feastables accidentally gave away 99% discounts on Black Friday (and lived to tell the tale).
 
Thank You To Our SponsorsFor a demo of Rivo, visit rivo.io and let them know we sent you.For 90 days of free AfterSell, visit aftersell.com/boring-podcast.
 
Timestamps(02:54) Show Intro & Host Backgrounds (06:24) Retention Marketing Fundamentals(8:53) Retention Checklist: Tools and Software(13:55) Email Marketing Strategy(25:07) SMS Marketing & Cost Considerations (29:00) Advanced Tactics(37:38) Building a Retention Team(43:51) Beyond Email & SMS(45:50) Customer Research Deep Dive (53:33) Episode Wrap-up
 
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Boring CRO: Debunking Myths & Strategies with Shane Rostad

Ever wondered if your CRO agency is actually full of sh*t? Shane Rostad, the self-proclaimed 'anti-CRO CRO God,' drops truth bombs about what really moves the needle in conversion rate optimization. From why performance guarantees are red flags to the actual impact of post-purchase revenue, Shane keeps it real about what works and what's just fancy data storytelling. Plus, find out why your ad creative probably matters more than your website changes, and why most brands don't actually need a CRO expert (even though Shane is one).
 
Thank You To Our SponsorsFor a demo of Rivo, visit rivo.io and let them know we sent you.For 90 days of free AfterSell, visit aftersell.com/boring-podcast.
 
Timestamps(02:55) Shane's Background and Expertise(04:38) CRO Testing Insights(11:45) Auditing and Improving Brand CRO(16:28) Running Effective Experiments(23:20) The Truth About CRO Agency Performance Guarantees (32:58) The Misleading Nature of ROI Calculations(40:25) The Impact of Creative and Ad Accounts on Conversion Rates(44:20) The Role of Offer Testing in CRO(51:00) Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Information
 
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Boring But Effective: How This DTC Brand Hit 8-Figures With Just 3 Employees

Want to know how to actually build a profitable e-commerce brand without raising VC money? Richie breaks down exactly how Birdie grew from zero to 8-figures with just three full-time employees. Learn why most brands overcomplicate their marketing channels, how to negotiate better vendor terms instead of taking expensive loans, and why that fancy marketing hire might be hurting your bottom line. With candid stories (including a $60K podcast ad fail) and practical frameworks, this episode is your playbook for scaling smart.
 
Thank You To Our SponsorsFor a demo of Rivo, visit rivo.io and let them know we sent you.For 90 days of free AfterSell, visit aftersell.com/boring-podcast.
 
Timestamps
(02:57) Birthday celebrations and introductions (04:34) Birdie's origin story and early days (06:38) Transitioning from marketing to finance(13:34) Key rules for building profitable businesses (18:52) Channel strategy and marketing focus (28:41) Smart financing strategies for growth (31:40) Team structure and hiring philosophy(35:36) International hiring and resource optimization (37:24) Final thoughts and key takeaways
 
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Boring E-commerce Law 101 With Rob Freund

Ever wonder how the biggest DTC brands stay out of legal trouble? Former big law litigator Robert Freund pulls back the curtain on the most common legal pitfalls that can bankrupt e-commerce businesses. From deceptive pricing lawsuits to subscription nightmares, Freund shares real stories of brands that got hit with multi-million dollar settlements and practical tips to protect your business. Whether you're running flash sales, working with influencers, or managing customer reviews, this episode is packed with actionable advice to keep your brand legally compliant.
Follow Rob on X.
 
Thank You To Our SponsorsFor a demo of Rivo, visit rivo.io and let them know we sent you.For 90 days of free AfterSell, visit aftersell.com/boring-podcast.
 
Timestamps
(03:08) Rob's Journey from Big Law to E-commerce (07:49) Common Legal Issues in Advertising (16:05) Why Your Subscription Model Could Get You Sued (29:15)  Influencer Marketing (38:30) The Right (and Wrong) Way to Handle Reviews (42:33) Essential Legal Protection for Your Brand (46:32) How to Work with Rob
 
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The Boring Way to Build Subscriptions People Actually Keep

From nuclear science to running subscriptions at one of America's fastest-growing smart home companies - Matt Van Swol's journey is anything but boring. In this episode, he breaks down the exact strategies Wyze uses to convert hardware buyers into loyal subscribers (including the app features that drive 75% of subscription sales). Plus, Joe and Richie dig into how these tactics can work for DTC brands. Whether you're struggling with churn or just starting with subscriptions, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can implement today.
Follow Matt on X.
 
Thank You To Our SponsorsFor a demo of Rivo, visit rivo.io and let them know we sent you.For 90 days of free AfterSell, visit aftersell.com/boring-podcast.
 
Timestamps
(02:40) Intro & Matt's Wild Journey from Nuclear Science to Ecom (09:05) The Subscription Problem: Why People Hate Recurring Payments (09:58) Inside Wyze's Subscription Strategy (14:15) The App-First Approach: Converting Users to Subscribers (24:07) TikTok Shop and Subscription Conversions(26:43) Tackling the Biggest Challenge: Customer Churn (38:40) Tech Stack Deep Dive (42:54) The Great Debate: Subscription vs One-Time Purchase (49:03) Customer Communication Strategies (53:45) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
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Boring Amazon Secrets (From a $100M+ Seller)

Think Amazon will kill your DTC sales? Think again. In this episode, we're breaking down the actual playbook that took She's Birdie from $1M to 8-figures on Amazon. Our guest Mark Lathrum shares the boring-but-effective strategies he's used to scale multiple brands past $100M on Amazon - from inventory planning and pricing strategy to protecting your brand from international sellers. No fluff, just practical tactics you can implement today.
 
Thank You To Our SponsorsFor a demo of Rivo, visit rivo.io and let them know we sent you.For 90 days of free AfterSell, visit aftersell.com/boring-podcast.
 
Timestamps
(02:45) Intro and Mark's Background (07:33) What Products Work Best on Amazon (11:48) DTC vs Amazon Strategy (17:57) Dealing with Counterfeiters and Resellers (25:00) Marketing Tools and Advertising Options (29:07) Amazon DSP and Advanced Marketing (32:48) Product Page Optimization (36:47) Conclusion and Final Thoughts(40:13) Prime Day Analysis and Performance (45:49) Future Outlook and Q4 Planning
 
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Your Boring Guide to Avoid Getting Screwed On Ecom Financing With Drew Fallon

Looking to finance your ecom brand but drowning in options? Drew Fallon cuts through the noise with straight talk about what actually works. After taking Mad Rabbit from zero to $60M and reviewing 60+ brands at Iris, Drew exposes common financing myths and shares what smart founders do differently. Get actionable insights on merchant cash advances, asset-backed loans, and why the 'best' financing option might surprise you. Essential listening for any brand thinking about raising capital.
 
TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (03:00) Drew's Journey: From Dropshipping to Investment Banking (05:36) Why Traditional Growth Models Stopped Working(06:30) Transition to Iris and Market Insights (11:12) Debt vs Equity: The Complete Breakdown (18:03) Merchant Cash Advances: The Misunderstood Option (22:57) Asset-Backed Loans: What No One Tells You (31:07) Bank Lines of Credit: When They Make Sense (34:38) The Truth About SBA Loans (35:52) Three Things to Never Do When Financing (40:06) Credit Card Products: Myths vs Reality (43:12) Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
 
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