Danielle Malconian is the CEO at Vikki Vi and Plus by Design. She started Plus by Design as an online fashion store selling to the Plus size market in 2001 and took over plus size fashion brand Vikki Vi in 2008 which wholesales to both Plus by Design and other retailers. Across wholesale and their Shopify store the combined revenue is now $1.5million annually.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Plus by Design’s focus on plus-size fashion
• How product quality and fit are key factors in the industry
• Danielle’s strategy for reaching more customers through wholesale
• What online retailers can do to enhance customer experience
• Building and leveraging customer loyalty

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[05:28] Vikki Vi brand - classic, loyal, professional, customer.

[08:47] Customers value choice, but struggle with availability.

[11:29] Scaling up clothing sizes requires thoughtful fit.

[16:34] Maximizing customer loyalty through various strategies discussed.

[17:14] Taking loyalty for granted, embracing VIP program.

[19:31] Danielle’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/490

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

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

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

Nicky Lomax is a super star CRM leader–most recently spending 4 and a half months at global fashion retailer Ted Baker as Head of CRM to build and train the new team, fix the CRM tech stack and database, launch SMS, cut costs, and put in place a killer strategy for 2024.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• The importance of CRM in eCommerce
• How to start building your CRM strategy
• Going about doing a CRM audit
• Why negotiation is an crucial CRM skill
• The role of the team and leadership in CRM

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[03:32] Nicky’s eCommerce journey.

[07:36] Cost per acquisition is going up; focus on retaining existing customers.

[09:05] Get into SMS and get your strategy right.

[14:03] Assess strategy, reporting, team, tech, and delivery.

[16:13] Optimising supplier relationships to maximize budget efficiency.

[19:20] Team collaboration and involvement in decision-making crucial.

[20:52] Nicky’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/489

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

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

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

Costanza Tomba is a co-founder and CPO (Chief Product Officer) at TA-DAAN, a brand founded in 2020 as a destination for craftsmanship, creativity, and sustainability, selling contemporary craftsmanship across homes, gifts, accessories, and jewellery.

Their community is over 200,000 followers, and a network of over 5,000 artisans across Europe creating the products. TA-DAAN fully launched on Shopify in 2023 and in the first year achieved sales of over EURO 500,000 and is currently growing 30% every month.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• How TA-DAAN leveraged content as a foundation for eCommerce
• The role of community engagement and feedback
• What the TA-DAAN team looks like today
• Why they decided to go the crowdfunding route
• Key marketing methods utilized by TA-DAAN

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:12] Evolution from showcasing to facilitating commerce for artisans.

[08:56] Strong alignment and connection in founding team.

[09:55] Business grew from 4 to 17 people.

[14:40] Testing operational activities before crowdfunding decision.

[18:38] Pop-ups engage with people, build brand.

[20:19] Listen to Costanza’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/488

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

Apply to join Chloe's Free eCommerce Club! >> https://ecmp.info/club

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

Checkout the Upflip Podcast https://ecmp.info/upflip

Emily Hollender is a Fractional Marketing Director for Early-Stage Consumer Start-ups, especially those looking to build brand and community across both online and offline platforms.

Current and past clients include: Rent the Runway, The Wing, Tia, The Sill, and Modern Animal.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Emily’s exciting eCommerce journey
• Why brands should leverage customer feedback in their marketing strategy
• What the critical role of community is in long-term growth
• How to gain organic growth through owned channels
• Ambassador programs and how to implement them
• Community engagement as an important business component

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:25] How Emily ended up doing community marketing.

[08:02] Unlocking sustainable organic growth without paid media.

[10:51] Centering customer in decisions, creating two-way dialogue.

[13:59] Investing in ambassador program takes time, dedication.

[18:26] New technologies and community management softwares offer exciting possibilities for creating branded digital communities. Focus on program integrity before investing in tools.

[20:11] Find out how your customers are being motivated.

[22:46] Incorporate community into business strategy for success.

[23:54] Listen to Emily’s Top Tips!

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

Apply to join Chloe's Free eCommerce Club! >> https://ecmp.info/club

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

Paul Sherratt is the founder and CEO of gloveglu, a global sports brand specialises in goalkeeper products and services.

Founded in 2010, they now sell via their Shopify store, marketplaces, and wholesale. In 2023, gloveglu sold to over 80 countries, growing at 45% year on year with annual sales on track for £2.5 million in total, with 20% via the eCommerce store.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Paul’s eCommerce journey
• Founding gloveglu
• Expanding the business to cover eCommerce
• Growing their social media presence
• How a lean team of 5 works for the brand
• Staying focused and keeping things simple

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[05:58] gloveglu idea stemmed from working with Ulsport.

[09:09] Shopify technology facilitates global b2b and b2c.

[12:29] Core products produced in-house, b2b distribution.

[14:43] Gloveglu offers grippy, wash, and refresh options.

[16:49] Soccer stores upsold Glove Group products effectively.

[20:14] Considering expansion in sporting niche market focus.

[23:00] Keeping it simple and focused.

[24:14] Listen to Paul’s Top Tips!

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

Apply to join Chloe's Free eCommerce Club! >> https://ecmp.info/club

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

Yup, we're doing another multi-guest mashup!

This time we're asking SEVEN eCommerce Tech specialists for their answer to this question:

"What is your top tip for Tech Stack Optimisation in 2024?"

Tech Stack Optimisation – but what’s that??! I hear you cry.

Well, it’s how you can get more out of your tech stack – from your website to your marketing tools, to your back end systems, to the tools you use behind the scenes to keep your team organised.

Our guests are:

• Rachael Jones from Studio Rotate,
• James Gurd of Digital Juggler and the Re:Platform Podcast,
• Rachel Tonner from Klevu,
• Deepak Anand of SHOPLINE,
• İrem Işık from Storyly,
• Jodie Guichard of Brightpearl by Sage,
• And Chris McCarthy-Stott from PushON.

Plus! You'll also hear the thoughts of our host Chloe Thomas. 

Tune into this expert mash-up episode as we find out how to get more out of your tech stack this 2024 and save costs, save time, speed up project delivery and improvements. PLUS, improve customer experience for better customer retention and higher margins.

Find all the notes at https://ecmp.info/485

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

Apply to join Chloe's Free eCommerce Club! >> https://ecmp.info/club

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

Checkout the Upflip Podcast https://ecmp.info/upflip

Kate Doran is the founder of Flotsam Flo. An upcycled accessories brand founded in 2021 who create products from waste that cannot easily be recycled, or is impossible to recycle.

Selling via the Shopify site, taking bespoke and corporate orders and recently diversifying into workshops. They’ve even got 14 bins located around Cornwall to collect their raw materials.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Kate’s eCommerce journey and inspiration
• The founding of Flotsam Flo
• How community engagement and sustainability intersect
• Expanding beyond eCommerce

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:00] Graphic design degree taught to see differently.

[06:19] Seizing opportunities after brain hemorrhage realization.

[09:29] Upcycling items into new products with purpose.

[15:18] Reusing waste for sustainable gifts and workshops.

[16:11] Teaching sewing, reducing plastic waste, empowering others.

[19:42] Kate’s Top Tips!

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

Apply to join Chloe's Free eCommerce Club! >> https://ecmp.info/club

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 Whale is a B Leader (that’s someone certified to help other businesses become B Corps) and founder of Profit Impact where she helps many businesses create a thriving future.

She's joining us to discuss the BEST bit about being a B Corp - the long term impact it has on your business performance.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• Sarah’s B Corp journey
• Why businesses need to work on continuous improvement
• What B Corp recertification entails
• Post-certification work for businesses
• The importance of governance and stakeholder engagement

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:54] B Corp recertification includes review and reverification.

[07:49] Evolving standards, global changes call for action.

[10:19] Annual report publication focused on people, planet, profit.

[13:34] Rethinking business purpose and choices for impact.

[16:52] Emphasizing governance as essential for business success.

[19:36] Sarah’s Top Tips!

Find the notes here: https://ecmp.info/483

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

Find the tech to solve your challenges at eCommerce Tech >> https://ecmp.info/tech

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