Honest Ecommerce

Sean is a brand owner/operator & has a specialty in building teams & processes efficiently. Originally from Seattle, he spent 5 years living in China living (breathing) product development & supply chain, and now is based out of San Diego, CA.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:45] Intro
• [01:17] Chasing opportunities abroad after graduating
• [02:30] Navigating the challenges of crowdfunding campaigns
• [03:27] Diagnosing messaging from top campaigns
• [04:32] Leveraging early opportunities in crowdfunding
• [05:12] Owning the responsibility for product-market fit
• [06:11] Prioritizing proven experience over potential
• [07:35] Valuing brand reputation over chasing trends
• [09:25] Tinkering with Shopify from the very beginning
• [10:36] Expanding product lines with complementary items
• [11:15] Episode sponsors: StoreTester and Intelligems
• [14:29] Understanding the challenges of apparel & soft goods
• [15:47] Establishing your product's value before launching
• [16:20] Embracing the long route to perfecting new products
• [17:03] Recognizing different customer behaviors across products
• [18:01] Surveying customers to guide product expansion
• [19:04] Realizing that customer bases differ by product
• [20:00] Figuring out if new products fit your brand
• [20:53] Managing the shift from top-line to profit focus
• [22:51] Restructuring for lean growth and profitability
• [24:28] Operational strength through offshore hires
• [26:31] Rethinking outsourcing for quality and value
• [28:06] Value through global workforce opportunities
• [29:34] Exploring Vincero and Tidal’s offerings

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Timeless pieces, modern style, premium performance vincerocollective.com/
• Follow Sean Agatep linkedin.com/in/sagatep/
• Founder-led headhunting and staffing solutions hiretidal.com/
• Book a demo today at intelligems.io/
• Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Brynn MacLennan Snyder is the co-founder and CEO of Slate, a women-run dental company that is changing the way the world views flossing. Driven by innovation, sustainability, and accessibility, Slate has launched a revolutionary electric flosser designed to improve both oral and overall health.

The product was invented by Brynn’s husband, Dr. Snyder, after recognizing the need to help his patients become more preventative-focused in their oral health. Brynn’s entrepreneurial journey began at age 13 when she started her first business, and she has since built a career in product design and health-focused startups.

With a BFA in product design from Brigham Young University and experience working with companies like Johnson & Johnson, she’s an expert in creating and scaling innovative products. Under her leadership, Slate has achieved impressive growth and is on a mission to make oral health accessible to everyone.

Originally from Alberta, Canada, Brynn now lives in Spokane, WA, with her husband and five children, balancing family life with her passion for building a company that empowers people to take charge of their health.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:44] Intro
• [01:03] How a dentist turned anxiety into a product
• [03:05] Getting expert feedback before launching
• [03:41] Fast-tracking innovation with personal knowledge
• [04:46] Why product validation was key before launch
• [06:17] The fear and reality of investing before revenue
• [07:30] Asking the right questions to refine your product
• [08:36] Building consumer awareness through targeted ads
• [10:00] Episode sponsors: StoreTester and Intelligems
• [13:12] Two buyer personas: consumers vs. professionals
• [14:09] Credibility through word-of-mouth endorsements
• [15:24] Using awareness to break through a crowded market
• [17:46] Adapting strategies to connect with audiences
• [18:43] Failing fast and doubling down on what works
• [19:45] Why real customer stories resonate the most
• [20:24] Why patience & long-term vision matter in business
• [22:06] Slate: electric flosser approved by experts

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Electric flosser for dental care and oral hygiene slateflosser.com/
• Follow Brynn Snyder linkedin.com/in/brynn-maclennan-snyder-50a7103/
• Book a demo today at intelligems.io/
• Done-for-you conversion rate optimization service storetester.com/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Leo Martinez, Program Director for eTail Palm Springs, London, and Toronto, curates one of eCommerce’s most influential events. He drives high-impact content, recruits top industry leaders, and ensures eTail delivers actionable insights for today’s fast-changing retail landscape.

For 26+ years, eTail has been more than a conference, it’s a community where executives from DTC startups to Fortune 500 brands connect, share strategies, and drive real growth. Under Leo’s leadership, eTail continues to evolve, covering AI-driven personalization, omnichannel innovation, and next-gen customer experiences.

Leo’s expertise in networking, trend-spotting, and facilitating valuable discussions keeps eTail a must-attend event for retail leaders looking to stay ahead.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:41] Intro
• [02:00] Identifying trends to guide industry conversations
• [03:19] Featuring insights from e-commerce and marketing leaders
• [04:15] Highlighting professional development and industry trends
• [06:17] Connecting digital marketing pros with industry insights
• [08:08] Identifying sessions and networking goals
• [00:39] Scheduling downtime to avoid burnout at events
• [11:06] Evolving with the industry through challenges and change

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Changing the Face of Retail Since 1999 etailwest.wbresearch.com/
• Follow Leo Martinez linkedin.com/in/leucepe-alexander-m-1a712a14/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Tim Masek is the CMO of Storetasker, the largest platform to hire high-end Ecommerce talent. With a deep background in growth and Ecommerce enablement, Tim has played a pivotal role in connecting top-tier freelancers with Shopify merchants, helping brands scale with expert support.

Before joining Storetasker, Tim founded and sold 1-800-D2C, a go-to platform that helped Ecommerce operators discover the best software solutions. His expertise in building marketplaces and curating specialized talent has made him a sought-after voice in the future of hiring and the evolution of freelance networks in Ecommerce.

Passionate about the intersection of talent and technology, Tim continues to shape the way brands access expert freelancers, ensuring that Storetasker remains the trusted hub for Shopify’s growing ecosystem.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:46] Intro
• [01:04] Connecting brands with top talent
• [02:33] Targeting specific pain points
• [04:36] Expanding services strategically
• [08:20] Finding the right DTC marketer
• [09:31] Matching talent by industry
• [10:19] Avoiding marketplace dilution
• [12:52] Building brand equity first
• [13:50] Balancing full-time and freelance
• [17:40] Running lean without full-time hires

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Connect With The Best Shopify Experts storetasker.com/
• Follow Tim Masek linkedin.com/in/timmasek

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Arv is the Director of Product at GroupBy. He is a passionate entrepreneur currently responsible for product management. Arv has over eight years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including five years with WorleyParsons.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:45] Intro
• [01:21] Driving revenue with better product discovery
• [02:40] Scaling search for retailers with high SKU counts
• [03:31] Adapting to modern, conversational search queries
• [05:58] Better product details for user-friendly browsing
• [08:30] Avoiding AI errors with human-guided review
• [09:55] Guiding users with smart sorting options
• [11:46] Product variations using smart automation
• [13:02] Shopper trust through respectful customization
• [14:09] Automating reorders with helpful reminders
• [15:05] Preventing bounce rates with smart stock management
• [16:32] Clear shipping times to boost purchase confidence
• [17:11] advanced analytics for more effective action
• [18:34] Using best-in-class apps as your brand grows
• [20:17] Recognizing evolving trends in ecommerce technology
• [21:24] Product search with AI-driven recommendations
• [23:01] GroupBy for enhancing your retail experience

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Product discovery platform powered by Google Cloud Vertex AI search for retail groupbyinc.com/
• Follow Arv Natarajan linkedin.com/in/arvnatarajan/

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!