

Ecommerce On Tap
Nathan Resnick and Aaron Alpeter
Ecommerce on Tap is a world where Supply Chain meets storytelling. Join Nathan Resnick and Aaron Alpeter each week as they offer insights into the backend of successful businesses. Brought to you by Sourcify and Izba Consulting!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 3min
Crafting a New Market: Athletic Brewing's Non-Alcoholic Success Story
Ever wondered what's brewing in the world of e-commerce and how cutting-edge companies are shaping the future of our tastes and shopping habits? Pour yourself a glass, settle in, and let's dive into the latest frothy finds on "Ecommerce On Tap."
🏃♂️ Athletic Brewing Takes on Non-Alcoholic Beer Space 🏃♀️
Nathan and Aaron brought some fascinating insights to the table in our recent episode, exploring the rise of Athletic Brewing - a trailblazer in the non-alcoholic beer market. Did you know that 80% of their customers also enjoy their alcoholic counterparts? This trend reflects a growing desire for moderation without missing out on the social aspects of beer.
🔍 From Concept to Craft: Athletic's E-commerce Mastery 🔍
Athletic Brewing has tapped into the digital sphere with a robust e-commerce strategy. Their approach to direct engagement and rapid feedback is fermenting a loyal customer base. How do they do it? We unravel their secrets to success and the potential "blue ocean strategy" that's setting them apart.
🌊 Market Leaders Riding the Non-Alcoholic Wave 🌊
Aaron shed light on the potential of non-alcoholic beer and the interest it's garnering from industry giants like Anheuser Busch. And with Athletic Brewing's staggering growth from $2.5 million to a frothy $60 million in just three years, it’s clear they’re onto something special.
👥 The Community Brew - Join the Conversation! 👥
We had so much to share, but now we're eager to hear your thoughts. Give us a shout on Twitter or LinkedIn, and let's keep the conversation flowing!
📌 Don't Miss Out: The Athletic Brewing Phenomenon 📌
If you haven't caught the latest "Ecommerce On Tap" episode yet, you're missing out on a game-changer. Get the full scoop on Athletic Brewing, their innovative brewing method, and how they're redefining the e-commerce space. It's a story of perseverance, reinvention, and just possibly the future of social drinking.
Spotlight Stories in this Issue:
- Walmart’s AI-powered logistics breakthrough
- The underground Starlink market and its global impact
- Triple Whale’s AI invention aimed to boost e-commerce brands
- The compelling history of non-alcoholic beer dating back to prohibition

Apr 15, 2024 • 1h 15min
Wellness Tracking Unlocked: The Story of Oura
Nathan and Aaron take us through the founders' vision of combining technology with wellness, the challenges of bringing a highly technical product to market, and the whirlwind of growth and strategic pivots the company faced amidst a global pandemic.
👉 Tune in to explore key insights from the saga of Oura:
- Founder Foresight: Learn how the founders' commitment to health and technical innovation led to significant research challenges, early struggles with funding, and incredible Kickstarter success.
- Pandemic Pivo*: Discover how Oura leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for growth, providing essential data for early detection – an exemplary showcase of agility in business strategy.
- Leadership Lessons: Unpack the pivotal moments under new CEO Tom Hale, the launch of Gen three, and the sobering reminders of anticipating customer responses and the criticality of robust customer service.
📋 3 Key Takeaways:
1. Resilience in R&D: Oura's three-year dedication to product development underscores the importance of perseverance and a deep understanding of market needs in tech entrepreneurship.
2. Strategic Growth: The company's shift from a product to a platform signifies the potential for expanding services, consumer engagement, and partnerships, even in challenging, competitive landscapes.
3. Customer-Centricity: Oura's experience with the rollout of Gen three and subscription plans reminds us that listening to and preparing for customer feedback is paramount for product and brand longevity.

Apr 8, 2024 • 1h 16min
Crafting Controversy: The Explosive Growth of Liquid Death
In This Episode:🚀 The Rise from DTC to a $1.4 Billion Valuation: We'll chug down the incredible journey of Liquid Death, from pushing water cans on Amazon to sliding onto the shelves of 60,000 retail locations. Discover how a DTC brand stirs the retail pot!
🛠️ Growth Pains & Supply Chains: Explore the challenges of late moves to domestic production, and how supply chain snags can bottleneck even the most popular products.
🎨 Marketing Masterstroke: Is there a line between entertainment and product? Liquid Death doesn't think so. Learn how a punk rock, skater ethos blended with marketing genius to create an unbeatable brand aura.
👀 Big Moves in M&A: Pouring out predictions, we discuss Liquid Death's potential attractiveness to major players in the alcohol industry, IPO aspirations, and the gritty side of entrepreneurship and acquisitions.
🌍 Making Sustainability Cool: Listen in as we highlight Liquid Death's commitment to eco-friendliness and their crusade against plastic by making water 'cool'.
🍩 Sweet Insights Beyond Water: Sneak a peek into Krispy Kreme's new operational moves and the wave of at-home ice cream makers reshaping the industry.
Prepare to be inspired, educated, and maybe a little entertained as we unpack what makes Liquid Death a case study in defying norms and creating a ripple effect in the e-commerce space. 🏴☠️
Links:
Save the Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewBG_jmMI40
Liquid Death commercial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeRADNpdKD4
Spotify platlist: https://open.spotify.com/album/35MCONvg1s2g8KqgxEEnAw?si=m0Oc7I3NTCiS_SKr1Y_O4w&nd=1&dlsi=e0e801ba8ed34595
Killer Baby Namer - https://www.humanaut.is/projects/liquid-death/
Elf -https://liquiddeath.com/pages/corpse-paint-liquid-death-x-e-l-f-cosmetics
Country club - https://liquiddeath.com/pages/sell-your-soul
Tony Hawk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl7MRPWSw_M
Ebay ad auction - https://liquiddeath.com/pages/biggest-ad-ever

Apr 1, 2024 • 59min
The Rapid Ascent of Merit Beauty: A Billion-Dollar Dream
🚀 Exciting Milestones for Merit Beauty on Today's 'Ecommerce On Tap' Podcast Episode 🌟
On the latest episode of Ecommerce On Tap, my co-host Aaron and I delved into the extraordinary journey of Merit Beauty and its founder Katherine Power. Here's a sneak peek of what we uncorked:
🌱 Clean and minimalistic beauty is not only a trend but a powerful movement, as exemplified by Merit Beauty's philosophy and skyrocketing sales figures.
🎯 Strategic retail partnerships, like Merit Beauty's rapid expansion into Sephora, can be game-changers for growth-minded brands.
💡 The importance of size when it comes to production facilities - a mismatch can lead to quality control issues or lack of attention to your brand.
Tune in to unpack these insights and more, as we toast to the remarkable success of Merit Beauty!
#EcommerceOnTap #MeritBeauty #CleanBeauty #Minimalism #RetailGrowth #BusinessStrategy #Podcast
🎧 Listen to the full episode and follow Ecommerce On Tap for more enlightening discussions about the ecommerce landscape! 🎙️

Mar 25, 2024 • 1h 7min
Behind the Scenes of True Classic Tees' Ecommerce Success
The latest episode of Ecommerce On Tap is a deep dive into True Classic Tees' astonishing growth and the strategic plays that catapulted them to e-commerce stardom. From overcoming near-bankruptcy to an innovative retail strategy, hosts Nathan and Aaron unpack the decisions and risks that fueled True Classic Tees' success.
In this unmissable episode, we cover:
- The decision-making behind True Classic Tees' inventory and financial management, including their partnership with debt provider Wayflier
- The impact of Ben Aloem's presidency on the company's international expansion and revenue growth
- True Classic’s refined marketing mix comprising comedy, user-generated content, edutainment, and behind-the-scenes insights
- The delicate balance of online and offline presence, as True Classic ventured into physical retail with profitability in focus
- The company's philosophy on customer acquisition and retention, which relies heavily on the power of email and SMS marketing
Key Takeaways for Ecommerce Enthusiasts:
- 🏷️ Simplify Demand Forecasting: Compare goals vs. outcomes and break down forecasting into key components – traffic, conversion, and sales.
- 📈 Adopt a Rigorous Structure: Appoint leaders who can implement a disciplined framework and drive substantial growth. True Classic’s revenue spike under Ben Aloem's leadership is a testament to this.
- 🤝 Retail Strategy Matters: Physical presence isn't just legacy; it's an extension of ecommerce. True Classic Tees shows how focusing on customer experience and profitability can lead to success in retail.
Tune in to uncover how True Classic Tees leveraged a unique blend of strategy, marketing, and customer experience to write their e-commerce success story. And stay tuned for more real-time industry insights and business strategies—only on Ecommerce On Tap.

Mar 18, 2024 • 1h 11min
Game-Changer or Gamble: Temu's Quest to Dominate Western E-commerce
Welcome to a brand-new episode of The Deep Dive Podcast, where today we're exploring the meteoric rise of Temu, the latest sensation in the e-commerce world that's reshaping the western market. Join us as we delve into how Temu leverages app gamification and discount spinners to enhance user retention and skyrocket its gross merchandise volume.
In this episode, we dissect Temu's innovative business model, which has not only positioned it as Meta's biggest advertiser but also sparked discussions on e-commerce sustainability. We compare the Temu shopping experience with giants like Amazon, analyzing customer demographics and the viability of Temu's approach to captivating the western audience.
Discover how Temu's marketing spend and strategies for e-commerce gamification are setting new standards. We'll also touch on Sourcefice's role in direct farm sales, the impact of series C and D funding on Temu's growth, and how the company maintains a dynamic work environment amidst challenges like founder burnout and counterfeiting issues.
As we look towards the future, we consider the implications of Temu's potential Nasdaq IPO, its navigation through supply chain logistics, and the controversy surrounding the US trade blacklist and forced labor allegations. How does Temu stand up to dollar store competition, and what does its financial engineering reveal about the future of e-commerce?
We'll also dive into the logistics behind lightweight product shipping, the use of regional carriers, and how Temu might be exploiting the section 321 loophole to its advantage in its battle against Amazon competition.
Whether you're an e-commerce enthusiast, a marketing professional, or simply curious about the future of online shopping, this episode offers comprehensive insights into one of the most talked-about companies in the market today. Don't miss our deep dive into Temu's world - where innovation meets sustainability.

Mar 11, 2024 • 50min
Blenders Eyewear: Visionary Success from Backpack to Millions
Hey everyone, Nathan here from the Ecommerce On Tap podcast. In today's explosive episode, we dove deep into the remarkable rise of Blenders Eyewear. From humble beginnings with Chase Fisher's gritty passion, to a $63 million partnership with the Safilo Group, Blenders' tale is a masterclass in e-commerce hustle. We explored the power of social media influence, strategic partnerships, and the daring shift in their fulfillment strategy. Plus, we touched on the wide-reaching impact of Coach Prime's personal brand synergy. If you're gunning for that winning blend of creativity and commerce, or just keen to amp up your e-commerce game, this is one episode you can't afford to miss. Don't forget to subscribe for more insights and stories that could help unlock your business's potential. Keep blending, and keep winning. Cheers!

Mar 4, 2024 • 53min
The Remarkable Rise of Vuori: Disrupting Men's Athleisure
Welcome to Ecommerce On Tap, where we just uncapped the astonishing rise of Vuori, a brand that's redefining the athleisure apparel industry. Launched in 2014 with a 100k bold bet on quality and an unwavering commitment to their craft, Vuori faced the Goliaths of the fashion world. From garage to glory, they fueled their growth through a customer-centric DTC pivot, turning a dire financial tide into a $4 billion valuation tidal wave. They've mixed sustainability with scalability, showing us that with the right strategy and a dash of audacity, even the most saturated markets hold room for revolutionary ideas. Join us as we delve deeper behind the seams of Vuori's triumphant journey only here, on Ecommerce On Tap.

Feb 26, 2024 • 53min
Inside Italic: Rethinking Ecommerce with Direct-to-Manufacturer Relationships
Episode Highlights:
1. Italic's pivot from an exclusive membership model to a public one reflects a keen eye on consumer desire for brand connection. A smart move to drive volume!
2. Factories once behind the scenes are now front and center with Italic—empowering manufacturers can reshape ecommerce.
3. Ecommerce On Tap dives deep into Italic's strategy—fewer products, higher quality. A lesson in focus and scaling back to hit the mark.
4. Italic's Series B funding speaks to their growth and vision. Investing in tech that bridges US-China transactions is pioneering for direct manufacturer ties.
5. Italic's dilemma: To be a brand powerhouse or a tech innovator? Nathan and Aaron's insights on potential exits are eye-opening. What's next for Italic?

Feb 19, 2024 • 53min
From Towels to TikTok: K18's Journey to Hair Care Domination
Welcome to Season 3, Episode 3 of Ecommerce On Tap, where we dive deep into the story of K18, a brand that's transforming the hair care industry from the ground up. K18 isn't just another DTC beauty brand; they've redefined what it means to innovate, from developing a unique moisture-wicking towel to creating hair care products that offer more than just temporary fixes—they rebuild hair.
In this episode, we explore how K18's strategic decisions, from focusing on salon-first approaches to harnessing the power of TikTok trends, have enabled them to quickly penetrate the market, even amidst the challenges of the pandemic. Learn about their careful approach to funding, strategic hires that paved the way for a successful exit, and how they've managed to become a staple in prestigious salons and Sephora without diluting their brand through excessive retail expansion.
Join us for an insightful discussion on K18's journey, strategy, and what other brands can learn from their approach to innovation, marketing, and growth. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur in the beauty industry or an established brand looking for fresh strategies, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Subscribe to our channel for more episodes that bring you behind the scenes of ecommerce success stories and strategic deep dives into the brands making waves in the industry.


