Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth
Common Thread Collective
2020 transformed the world of ecommerce forever.
For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain.
So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality?
No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone.
That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses.
Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world of ecommerce, or want to reorient your business around groundbreaking new big-picture strategies, Taylor & Richard are here to help answer the tough questions about what it takes to scale — and sustain — an ecommerce business.
For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain.
So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality?
No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone.
That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses.
Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world of ecommerce, or want to reorient your business around groundbreaking new big-picture strategies, Taylor & Richard are here to help answer the tough questions about what it takes to scale — and sustain — an ecommerce business.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 7, 2021 • 37min
Revisiting Our 31 Bits Influencer Marketing Strategy
The best influencer marketing starts palms down — giving without asking for anything back. In this week’s episode, Andrew is joined by Cody Wittick, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Kynship, to discuss the ups and downs of 4x400's influencer marketing strategy with 31 Bits. “If you are serious about building influencer relationships that work, it’s going to have to be authentic, and it’s going to have to be real.”
Show Notes:
The episode where we discussed the original plan: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cnFSBEukHdaRP4QtRvP1P?si=bddb82ce727d4710
Cody's Twitter Thread (And Account– DM Him!) https://twitter.com/cody_wittick/status/1420046506841710594?s=21
Kynship's Website: http://www.kynship.co/
Andrew's Twitter Account: http://www.twitter.com/andrewjfaris
Aug 31, 2021 • 14min
Solve The Next Problem Next
If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be? In this episode, Andrew shares the number one thing 4x400 is doing to improve as a team. “The most important thing you can do when things are challenging is to solve the next most important problem next.”
Aug 16, 2021 • 58min
Our Biggest Revenue Day Ever
Over $100k in one day?! In this week's podcast, Andrew and special guest Dave Rekuc — VP of New Brands at 4x400 — share the secrets to the highest revenue day in 4x400's history. “The 100% locked-in promise from this show: Guaranteed highest revenue day ever.”
Aug 4, 2021 • 23min
5 Easy Wins
Ready to jump in and get some wins? In this episode, Andrew shares five things you can do right now in your business to generate more revenue. “Last week, I talked to you about losing streaks. So today, let’s go from ‘therapy’ to super practical!”
Jul 28, 2021 • 23min
On Losing Streaks
If you’ve ever played sports, you know what it feels like to be on a losing streak. In this episode, Andrew shares his personal experience of pushing through periods of loss with 4x400’s brands. “One thing that I’m doing with losing streaks is reminding myself: This too shall pass.”
Jul 16, 2021 • 23min
Bad Brands Are Going Away (Here's How To Be A Good One)
Measure what matters! Now more than ever, the 4x400 team is wrapping its heads around every number. In this episode, Andrew shares how they’re attacking KPIs in the ever-changing ecommerce landscape. “At the end of the day, we are trying to create brands that people love and operate efficiently”
Jul 8, 2021 • 12min
Know Your Numbers (No, Your Real Numbers)
Simplistic advice? It’s not. Even the most analytically minded operator can easily make costly mistakes. We did. In this episode, Andrew shares his biggest mistake of 2021: “Even if we’d been ‘successful,’ it would have been far too long for those dollars to turn into more dollars and not more costs.”
https://www.youradmission.co/podcast
Jul 1, 2021 • 46min
How To Handle Worthless Facebook Data
ROAS is plummeting. Reporting is a mess. And the sky is falling across paid media. As a guide through the storm, Taylor Holiday joins the pod to answer one question: “How in the world are we possibly analyzing Facebook ad data right now?”
Jun 23, 2021 • 50min
“We Bled”: Product Development with 365 Holdings’ CEO Kelcey Lehrich
Tune in for a candid conversation with special guest Kelcey Lehrich, the CEO of 365 Holdings, an ecommerce holding company with six brands in its portfolio plus a fulfillment service. Together, we tackle one of the most difficult challenges ecommerce brands face: product development.
Jun 17, 2021 • 24min
Don't Give Up Too Soon On Your Email List
Week-over-week, join Andrew Faris — CEO of 4x400 — where he shares the real-life numbers, struggles, and everything in between when running multiple ecommerce businesses.
4x400 is an ecommerce holding company that acquires, launches, and grows DTC brands (owned by Common Thread Collective). That means you’ll get to go behind the scenes into the raw truths. Even if it sounds crazy, this is the unpolished story: from failures to successes, from “the high highs to the low lows.” Let’s take this journey together.
