Ecommerce Conversations
Long-running weekly podcast from Practical Ecommerce, hosted by entrepreneur Eric Bandholz. Each episode features candid interviews with ecommerce founders and executives about launching, growing, and sustaining online businesses – covering customer acquisition, marketing tactics, conversion optimization, logistics, tools, funding, and more. New episodes every Friday.
Iris Founder Talks AI-Powered Finance
In this episode, Eric Bandholz chats with Drew, founder and CEO of Iris Finance, about how AI agents are reshaping e‑commerce finance and operations. Drew explains Iris’s data‑infrastructure platform that centralizes information from Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, QuickBooks and more, then layers a semantic model to enable AI‑driven automation of financial workflows such as cash‑flow forecasting, inventory planning and KPI dashboards. They also discuss the current wave of consumer‑focused M&A, noting a shift toward health‑conscious, higher‑priced niche brands as the market moves away from low‑margin mass‑price competition. Drew’s background in beauty brand leadership and investment banking informs his view that the “better‑for‑you” trend, accelerated by changing consumer habits and demographic spending power, is driving a multi‑year super‑cycle in the sector.
EcomFuel Founder on 2026 Industry Trends
In this episode, Andrew, founder of the EcomFuel community, breaks down the 2026 E-commerce Trends report based on surveys of 300 mid‑to‑large DTC brands. The four headline findings are: massive AI adoption with no clear financial edge yet; Amazon’s share...
My Ideal Second Business
In this solo episode of E‑Commerce Conversations, host Eric Banholz explores the concept of running a second business—often a low‑maintenance, high‑margin venture that provides freedom while the primary e‑commerce brand continues to grow. He outlines the ideal characteristics of such...
Ditch the Discount, Says Brand Marketer
In this episode, host Eric Banholz chats with e‑commerce strategist Shireen, known as the "D2C queen," about moving beyond deep discounting to smarter offer strategies. Shireen shares how AI agents can automate tasks without forcing new habits, and emphasizes that...
How Vessi Sells Waterproof Shoes
In this episode, Vessi’s Director of E‑commerce, Ray, explains how the D2C waterproof sneaker brand grew from a Kickstarter launch to double‑digit annual growth by focusing on a lightweight, breathable Diamond‑knit technology and a community‑first marketing strategy. He highlights the...
From Teacher to Fashion Brand Founder
In this episode, former middle‑school teacher Nazrin Jafari shares how she pivoted during the pandemic to launch Mixed, a Brooklyn‑based, print‑forward fashion brand. She discusses her organic Instagram‑first sales approach, the challenges of inventory, pre‑orders, and returns, and how she...
Beardbrand's Top Ecommerce Tools in 2026
In this solo episode, Beardbrand founder Eric Bandholz walks listeners through his 18 favorite ecommerce tools for 2026, covering everything from core site infrastructure to marketing automation, operations, and creative production. He explains why each platform—ranging from Shopify Plus and...
M&A Advisor on Ecommerce Valuations
In this episode, Frank Kosarek, co‑founder of the M&A marketplace BizPort and former head of acquisitions for a major ecommerce aggregator, explains how ecommerce business valuations have shifted toward discretionary earnings and recurring revenue models like subscriptions. He outlines the...
DIY Approach Fuels Craft Cocktail Brand
Chris Harrison recounts how he and two high‑school friends turned a single pot of cocktail syrup into Liber & Co., now producing 1,500‑gallon batches sold globally to bars, restaurants, and consumers. He explains the brand’s DIY, learn‑by‑doing culture, from sourcing...
Protein Bar Founder Thrives in a Crowded Field (Encore)
Will Nitze, founder and CEO of IQBAR, explains how his plant‑based, low‑sugar protein bar succeeded by targeting uncompetitive niches and clear labeling, launching via a $75,000 Kickstarter seven years ago. He expands on scaling the business, adding complementary products like...