Shabbir Mookhtiar is the co-founder and CEO of Flavers, a home delivery service for home cooked food. Number 50 on the Startups 100 2024 they’re growing fast. Founded in 2020 they now have over 100 chefs and over 10,000 paying customers.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Identifying and solving real-world problems
• Adapting business models to market demands
• Importance of custom tech solutions
• Strategic rebranding
• How Flavers maximized their exposure on Dragons’ Den

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:32] Busy professionals hire neighbors for home-cooked Indian food.

[09:20] Diverse customer base embraces unique global cuisines.

[10:56] Business evolved from local to premium world cuisines.

[16:56] Dragon's Den appearance leads to major sales boost.

[18:12] Dragon's Den exposure yielded significant free exposure.

[19:59] Listen to Shabbir’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/499

Download Shopify's Omnichannel Report >> https://ecmp.info/shopify

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

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Hugo Douglas-Deane is co-founder and CMO of sustainable marketplace Canopey – the home for buying better. Founded in 2021 they soft launched in May 2023 and officially launched September 2023. Currently, the biggest focus is building the communities of vendors and customers which is up to over 30,000.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• The importance of sustainability and consumer trust
• Adopting innovative technologies
• Meeting diverse customer needs
• Expanding into B2B market opportunities
• Continuous innovation and community building

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[05:29] Founder passionate about sustainability, integrating into platform.

[07:08] Pushing for higher eco and ethical standards.

[10:05] Choosing quality, sustainable products for lasting value.

[13:50] Decision: challenging, successful, impactful, led to growth.

[17:18] Sustainability-driven business moves toward B2B sales.

[20:29] "Swaps feature encourages sustainable decisions, mental health."

[22:17] Listen to Hugo’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/498

Download Shopify's Omnichannel Report >> https://ecmp.info/shopify

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.

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Gregor Leckie is the founder and managing director of Rapscallion Soda. Founded in 2018, they’ve shipped over three quarters of a million cans! Selling via their DTC Shopify store and B2B Shopify trade site, they’re now doing over 1,000 orders a month.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Why adaptability has been a key business strategy for Rapscallion Soda
• Sustainability as the brand’s core principle
• The importance of having direct relationships with both suppliers and customers
• How innovation plays a role in the brand’s operations
• How limited edition and seasonal products can boost your sales

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[03:32] Transitioned from wholesale to digital, achieved growth.

[08:06] Passionate about nose-to-tail, from fruit.

[11:59] Efficient facility for long-term, sustainable operations.

[13:39] Improving soft drink production for environment.

[17:31] Business prioritizes transparency, seeks customer understanding.

[21:24] Scotland's diverse producers, plans for Scottish citrus.

[22:52] Listen to Gregor’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/497

Download Shopify's Omnichannel Report >> https://ecmp.info/shopify

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.

Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor

Janis Thomas is the Managing Director at Look Fabulous Forever, the innovative cosmetics and skincare brand designed to meet the needs of older women. They’re a UK DTC brand selling globally to a customer base often ignored by the DTC world, who they’re serving via a Magento site. Founded in 2013, Janis has been driving the growth strategy for just over 4 years, they’re currently doing millions a year, and working towards double figure millions.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• The importance of public speaking in business
• Why you need to overcome your fear of public speaking
• Where to start your speaking journey
• Practical tips to prepare for your speaking gig
• Crafting your message and practicing your delivery

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:22] Public speaking requires practice and training.

[07:06] Start with your passion, genuine enthusiasm, expertise not necessary.

[11:49] Network at events, build LinkedIn profile.

[15:15] Prepare, know your content, pitch confidently.

[17:01] Structure helps, no script, rehearse after drafting.

[21:23] Prepare for presentation with personal methods/questions.

[22:50] Understanding what audience and organizer want is key.

[34:13] Prepare answers, involve audience, prime for questions.

[35:23] Listen to Janis’ Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/496

Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline

Be part of Episode 500 >>> https://ecmp.info/500

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.

Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor

Marianne Morrison is the Investment Director at Baaj Capital, a fund who turnaround and grow a portfolio of eCommerce brands.

The portfolio currently includes about 30 eCommerce brands including 365 Games, In The Style, and Roov.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Why you need to focus on key initiatives
• The importance of diversifying your paid traffic strategies
• Optimising tech stack as a key part of a brand’s strategy
• Creating high-quality and authentic content
• How AB testing helps in decision-making

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:44] Different businesses require unique strategies for success.

[08:22] Tech landscape has changed in the last decade.

[10:38] Optimize tech strategy, understand market to succeed.

[13:37] Varied strategies needed for diverse paid ad platforms.

[16:41] Knowing when to stop, learn, and test.

[18:44] Don’t try and do everything at once.

[20:06] Listen to Marianne’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/495

Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline

Be part of Episode 500 >>> https://ecmp.info/500

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.

Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor

Sam Wright is the Managing Director at specialist eCommerce SEO agency Blink SEO, and at Macaroni Software the new Shopify-specific SEO tool he’s building to solve problems that they’ve found with SEO at Blink SEO, especially productivity-wise. Sam’s been in SEO since 2007, and in eCommerce since 2002.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Why you should prioritize your category pages
• How to do on-page optimization
• Why it’s no longer about backlinks
• The different SEO strategies for high and low SKU count businesses

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:11] Customers' desire critical for SEO and marketing.

[08:57] Analysis reveals 60% organic revenue from Shopify.

[11:18] Rule of thumb for collection pages.

[12:25] Macaroni analyzes Shopify tags to optimize categories.

[14:23] Listen to Sam’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/494

Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline

Be part of Episode 500 >>> https://ecmp.info/500

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.

Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor

Will Martin is co-founder and financial director at Littledart Fulfilment, a 3PL providing bespoke eCommerce fulfilment that’s as unique as your business.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• The role of personalization in fulfilment
• How efficient systems and tech help in fulfilment operations
• Why having a motivated team pays off
• The importance of early and accurate forecasting
• Balancing cost and quality in fulfilment

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[06:33] Fulfilment helps in brand loyalty and customer retention.

[09:34] Balancing cost and team importance in fulfillment.

[11:13] Models based on time and space, great working environment for the team.

[14:34] Managing peak seasons.

[16:38] Early planning, be realistic, aim high. Avoid stress.

[18:21] Will’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/493

Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline

Be part of Episode 500 >>> https://ecmp.info/500

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.

Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor

Sarah Jordan is the founder & CEO of Y.O.U Underwear sellers of beautifully designed, ethically manufactured and eco-friendly underwear making the world a better place one pair of pants at a time.

They’re also the UK’s top scoring B Corp, and the top fashion brand in the world. Founded in 2016 and launched in 2018, last year Y.O.U Underwear sold £250,000 via their Shopify store and physical store in Oxford.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Shifting from charity work to eCommerce
• The challenges of making products ethically
• Sustainability as the foundation of the business
• Scaling the business and how this affects building the team
• How personalization makes for better customer service

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[03:29] Life-changing pivot driven by underwear necessity discovery.

[10:03] Creating a strategic fashion business with inclusivity.

[13:05] Advantage in sustainability without greenwashing or retrofitting.

[15:15] Anticipating future trends with unique selling proposition.

[20:55] Transitioning from freelancing to employing full-time staff.

[24:01] Managing business operations and customer relationships efficiently.

[25:38] Sarah’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/492

Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline

Genie offer: 30% off for the first 2 months >> https://ecmp.info/genie

Be part of our episode 500 celebrations... https://ecmp.info/500

Get all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.info

Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.

Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor